Priceline Hotel: 3.5* Chicago North Shore (North Shore) Hilton Northbrook

[kodon]

Hello, I've been bidding on 3* or higher hotels in the North Shore, Deerfield, and Libertyville/Mundelein of the larger Chicago North Shore zone. I've bid $60 up to $80 in $5 increments and haven't got anything. From other posts it seems that this price is in the range. Am I missing something?

Also, I will be travelling with my wife and 5 month old daughter. We are open to staying anywhere within a reasonable train ride downtown. Any suggestions for areas or prices? Thanks!

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

Looking at these dates, I think the issue is the night of the 26th - maybe something going on in the area raising rates. If you look at 9/27-9/30, rates are lower and I think you could get a 3.5* in the Deerfield area for $50-60. Unfortunately, getting something separate would likely then be required for the considerably busier first night, but there are a few options, including what I'm guessing is the La Quinta North Shore for $60 and a 2.5* w/breakfast in Evanston for $83 (although some hotels in this zone may charge for parking, although more along the lines of $10-12, not downtown-style parking rates; the hotels in Deerfield and the North Shore area are free parking), as well as a couple of other possible options.

The North suburbs are a very nice alternative to the city - a lot of restaurant and shopping options. While it's definitely a train ride in, it's a nice ride on the Metra. Let us know your thoughts on the above possible option, as well as if you have any questions about the area.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[thereuare]

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

... and if you haven't yet please read your messages.

Thanks.

[kodon]

Thanks for the info! I got a 3.5* Hilton for $56 a night from 9/27 through 9/30. My initial bid of $50 was rejected.

For 9/26 through 9/27 I bid $80 for a 3* or higher property and got a room in the 4* Renaissance Chicago.

Thank you so much for your help. This worked out great! And fyi, I made sure to use the links!

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success. :)

Two very nice deals and a great per-night average of $62! Hope you are looking forward to your stay.

We'll use this thread for the Hilton stay - please post a separate thread for the Renaissance stay.

A few notes:

The Renaissance offers a shuttle to the nearby Metra station. The back, "walk-in" entrance of the Chicago Botanic Garden is only about half a mile or so from the hotel, although it's a slightly difficult walk. If this is of interest - and it is a really, really beautiful place - the shuttle may be able to drop you off, which would be easier than walking. There is no admission cost, but there is a $20 parking fee - so if you want to go, I'd try to get over to the walk-in entrance.

Barnaby's Pizza is across the street of the Renaissance. It's not the world's finest pizza, but it's very good, with a particularly good crust. The place is an institution locally, it's been there for probably 30+ years, and it looks the same. The other institution is Hackney's (which was featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives"), which is a burger place in the middle of a residential area (that location is old to the point where a residential area built up around it) about a 10 minute drive away. You get a $10 off coupon (I believe it's something like $10 off $30?) if you join their email club.(http://www.hackneys.net/locations/glenview-harms/)

If you drive North of the Renaissance on Skokie Blvd, you will go under the expressway, and on the other side, there is a mall on the right hand side of the road with Petsmart and a few other things - there is a Trader Joe's in that mall, and that's a good choice for snacks/drinks/etc to take back to the hotel or during the day.

When staying at the Hilton, I'd suggest heading to either the old (http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home/maps_schedules/metra_system_map/md-n/station.GLENVIEW.html) or newer (http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home/maps_schedules/metra_system_map/md-n/station.NGLENVIEW.html) Metra stations to take the Metra downtown.

If you need dining recommendations, let us know more about what you like/are looking for.

Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.

Enjoy your stay.