Hotwire Hotel: 4* Chicago (Mag Mile - Wacker Dr) Hyatt Regency

[bluehaze]

Hi All

I am going on a trip to Chicago from Oct 28 (Friday) til Oct 31 (Monday). I would prefer to stay in the Mag Mile area but would be happy with a place in the Loop too.

A hotel of 3-4* in the price range of <$90 would be great. Can anyone give me any bidding strategies?

Thanks so much for any help!

[bluehaze]

Sorry, I meant NMA not NWA!

[magpie]

I think your chances are much greater of finding something in the loop. I just bid in the NMA section for that weekend and was able to get accepted @ $180 for a 4 *. I started @ $120.

[AaronJB]

What appears to be the W City Center (4 star, loop, Restaurant(s), Fitness Center, High-Speed Internet Access, $153 per night although the price you see may vary slightly) is appearing on Hotwire for your dates.

What also appears to be the Omni Ambassador East (4, Restaurant(s), Fitness Center, High-Speed Internet Access, Business Center, North Michigan Ave/Water Tower, $175) is also showing up. Although this could be a few things, I'm guessing it's the Omni due to the customer comments.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

With the comments above it doesn't look like under $90 is realistic... do you want to try for a 3* or increase your bid for a 4*? (although this may very well be a tough win at the 3* level as well)

What is more imporant, price or zone? (ie- do you want to go up to $90 in the NMA zone and then try for the Loop... or would you prefer a lower price in the Loop area rather than a higher price in the NMA area?)

[bluehaze]

Thank you all for your advice.

I suppose $90 does seem unrealistic. I think location is more important for me, and as for price, I am willing to go up to ~$130 in the NMA area (for 3* or 4*), and if not possible, then the Loop.

I am also intrigued by the W City Center that AaronJB mentioned below. Is it in a location that is walkable to touristy places/shopping?

Thanks again!

[AaronJB]

Bluehaze,

The Sears Tower is right next door to the W, and the Art Institute is down the street a little ways. The Museum Campus is a fairly decent walk, but not quite as bad a walk as if you'd come from one of the hotels on the North end of Michigan Ave. It's also a pleasant walk through Grant Park and along the lakefront.

There are several choices within a few blocks for snacks, and there's a Giordano's Pizza nearby. The room service at the W, despite being expensive (and we're talking expensive for hotel room service, not expensive in general), was quite delicious.

As for Michigan Ave shopping and Navy Pier, they are a bit far and would require public transit or cab. This would honestly not be *the best* hotel if you want to be right in the touristy areas (the area can be a bit quiet later at night, but not in an unsafe way, just a quiet way), but it's not bad in some regards (fairly close to museums and theaters if you want to see a play). If the hotwire hotel is in fact the W (it appears to be, but nothing is guaranteed on Hotwire or Priceline), that would certainly be a good price versus regular rate.

At the same time, what people consider a "long walk" varies between everyone, and I don't know, you may not mind the walk from the W to some areas. If you're coming in from Midway or O'Hare airport, there are "L" stations nearby. If you are coming from Midway, an orange line station is right next to the W. A blue line (O'Hare) station is a few blocks East.

Some W City Center rooms are certainly on the smaller side (I'm guessing they're the ones that are given to Hotwire customers), but nicely furnished (GREAT bed!) and I thought the hotel was quite nice overall (service, etc.)

I'm also seeing the Hyatt (4 stars, Restaurant(s), Fitness Center, Business Center, Mag Mile/Wacker Drive, $141 although the price you see may differ) for your dates. That wouldn't be as fancy a hotel, but the location may be more convienient for the touristy areas. The Westin River North also appears with these same amenities, but the "customer comments" strongly point to this being the Hyatt.

Email me at [email protected] if you have any questions.

[bluehaze]

Thanks so much for your comments, AaronJB. That was very helpful.

I am actually leaning towards the Hyatt because of the location. Since my trip is still 1 1/2 month away, do you think if I wait awhile before booking the price will come down? Or would the price go up as the date nears?

[thereuare]

See this thread: SHOULD I BID EARLY or LATE TO ARRIVAL DATE.

If you are leaning towards the Hyatt then do you want to go with Hotwire instead of Priceline, since it will give you a bit more control over the actual hotel received (although this also comes at a price... slightly higher rates). If you are leaning towards a hotel on Hotwire, remember also that not only can the price go up, but the hotel can disappear entirely from being offered to you... Hotwire will only show one hotel at each star level on a given search.

Let us know when you want to move forward.

[bluehaze]

I think I am going to go with Hotwire and not wait. Thanks all for the help again and I will post my results.

[lindabobhat]

Bluehaze, I am also staying downtown the same weekend as you, except I am only staying one night, on Saturday the 29th. Several months ago I found an AAA rate of $126 a night at Hotel 71, so I booked it as my "back-up." Now it looks like this will be the room I'm sticking with, as I've yet to see anything come close on Hotwire. Ironically enough, at one point in time, what I'm sure was the Hotel Allegro came up on Hotwire for about $85 - but I didn't want to get stuck with a king bed as I am staying with a friend and would prefer 2 beds. That deal on the Allegro has been gone several weeks now - so I guess my point is, if your plans are firm and you see a good deal, sometimes it's best to snap it up. Even that room I booked at the Hotel 71 has gone up significantly - all they have left are river view rooms for $349 (the AAA discount isn't even available now.)

[bluehaze]

I went ahead and booked though Hotwire, and the hotel was indeed the Hyatt Regency (4 stars, Customer Favorite, Best Value, Restaurant(s), Fitness Center, Business Center, Mag Mile/Wacker Drive, $139).

lindabobhat, thereuare, AaronJB, magpie -

Thanks for your very helpful comments! And for the people also staying in Chicago over that weekend, hope you all have a great time!

[thereuare]

Glad you got it settled and are happy with the results.

Have a great stay.