Hotwire Hotel: Chicago Trip Planning

[madhop2009]

Hi, My wife and I will be celebrating our 20th anniversary in Chicago. We will arrive on 5-11-13 and will stay 5 nights. Am I better off waiting until closer to my trip to book on Hotwire? Also. I've never been to Chicago. I'm thinking River North or Loop area but I'm open to any tips or suggestions you have. We'll probably catch a show, some museums/parks, shop and eat. Thanks in advance for your assistance!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

You can read about timing your purchase in the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ.

I'm sure AaronJB will provide you with plenty of information regarding Chicago, but two question that i'm sure he will ask once he sees this thread is what is your expected budget (per nite before taxes and fees) and what star rating are you hoping for. As these will likely have an effect on what advice is offered, i figured i'd get you started with this to avoid any delay once he replies to this thread.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[madhop2009]

Thanks for your reply. I would like to stay below $150 per night for a 4, 4.5 or 5 star property. Thanks again!

[AaronJB]

I think you have a couple of different options, although they are largely at or near your budget max. These date/s are unfortunately a bit on the expensive side, largely because it's the middle of the busy Spring period.

A few thoughts:

1. PRICELINE bidding would be the cheapest route. However, you have to be willing to accept any property at the star rating chosen in the zone chosen. HOTWIRE and PRICELINE require flexibility, but there are some properties that I think would not be as good a fit for an anniversary as others.

2. PRICELINE's new Express Deals section would be another option, although few hotels have been ID'd and given that the amenities shown are often "common", a listing may be a number of different hotels.

3. HOTWIRE has a few listings at or around your desired price range, including the potential Palmer House for $144 and what may be the Conrad for $174. Please let us know if either of these listings would be of interest.

4. The MileNorth - which is a superbly located and well-reviewed property - is $149.60 on HOTWIRE's regular rate side. Expedia is showing the lowest rate at $187 for these dates. This would also offer a larger, studio room. The MileNorth is rarely seen as a win on PRICELINE/HOTWIRE. The Drake is $155 for these dates on HOTWIRE and Expedia - that is the definition of old-world grand, and in a great location at the top of Michigan Ave. The Drake hasn't been seen as a win on PRICELINE/HOTWIRE in a while.

Do any of the above sound particularly appealing?

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

[madhop2009]

The Drake or Palmer House both look nice but I might have to spring for something like the Conrad, since it appears to be newer. I'll keep an eye on the trip and let you know what happens. Thanks very much for taking time to help me!

[AaronJB]

Happy to help - please let us know when you are ready to make a purchase and we would be happy to take a look and confirm that the same things are available (and point out which listings may be which) at that point.

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

[madhop2009]

Hi, I received an offer from a vacation site for the Monaco Chicago for $161 per night, king deluxe room, for this trip. It is non-refundable but that's about $100 less than on the Kimpton website. What do you think?

[thereuare]

It depends upon what is most important to you... the quality of the hotel or the price.

I have not yet staying in a Kimpton branded property but it's on my "want to try list" as they get great reviews and i like the evening wine reception concept (or maybe i just like wine ;) ). However, based upon current rates you can likely get a 4* hotel in Chicago for less then $161/nite... so it comes down to if you're willing to pay a little more for a 'known' nice hotel with good reviews... or if you prefer a cheaper hotel that should still be '4-star nice', but perhaps not as well reviewed as the Monaco.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Let us know what you decide and/or how we can be of further help.

[AaronJB]

As thereuare noted, I think it becomes what is important to you. There are other options on HOTWIRE around or below this price, as well as at regular rate. I see the MileNorth for $150 on HOTWIRE regular rate and that would offer a larger studio room and a terrific location right in the core of the Michigan Ave area. That property, which was formerly the Affinia Chicago, gets very good reviews on tripadvisor. I also see what appears to be the James for $174, Sax for $163, a 4* in the Mag Mile-WT area for $133 and a 4* boutique in the Gold Coast for $165.

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

[madhop2009]

As always, thanks for your input! Per your advice, I think I'll book a room that's refundable and then keep an eye on HOTWIRE to see if I can do significantly better. I'll let you know how I do. Thanks again!

[thereuare]

You can try our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com when looking for a refundable reservation... the hotels plotted on the map with prices and star ratings makes it easy to see how much more/less it would cost to stay closer/further away from your desired location OR to go up/down in star rating.

Keep us updated on your progress and let us know if we can be of further help along the way.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[AaronJB]

Definitely let me know if you have any city questions and please let us know if you need help with hotels closer to your stay.

Best wishes for your 20th Anniversary! :)