Priceline Hotel: Chicago 7/25-7/27

[3sweetpeas]

I have been reading as much as possible as this is my first time really bidding but I could definitely use some help. I am staying in Chicago from 7/25-7/27. Planning to visit the American Girl store so somewhere within walking distance would be perfect. Looking to spend $110-$120 a night but could go a little higher if necessary.

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

How many people are in the party? $120 may be possible for these date/s, but rate/s are unfortunately a tad on the high side. If you have more than 2 people in the party, I'd suggest looking at HOTWIRE.

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

[3sweetpeas]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

How many people are in the party? $120 may be possible for these date/s, but rate/s are unfortunately a tad on the high side. If you have more than 2 people in the party, I'd suggest looking at HOTWIRE.

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

There are three but we could make it work. I'm not sure I'd get anything even close to that on Hotwire...or maybe I just don't know how to use that very well! LOL

[3sweetpeas]

I'm getting a 4 star in the north area for $194 a night. On Hotwire Quick Quote

4-star Hotel in Magnificent Mile North - Water Tower

This Hotel features the following amenities:

Indoor pool(s)

<amenity names only please... not descriptions>

Fitness Center

Guests have access to exercise equipment; an additional charge may apply.

Pool(s)

Property offers at least one pool area; hours and dates of operation may be seasonal.

Restaurant(s)

Property offers at least one restaurant on the premises; hours and days of operation may vary.

Business Center

Guests have access to business equipment and services; an additional charge may apply.

High-Speed Internet Access

Guestrooms are equipped with high-speed Internet access; an extra charge may apply.

Any thoughts as to where it is? It is quite a lot more than I wanted to spend.

[AaronJB]

A couple of options/thoughts:

1. Are you two adults/1 child or 3a? I ask because the latter may be more expensive than the former in terms of HOTWIRE.

2. Are you willing to risk one bed? If so, you could go for a cheaper option on PRICELINE, whether Express Deals or bidding.

3. The HOTWIRE listing is likely the Hyatt Mag Mile. However....

I'm seeing a 4* in the Mag Mile-River North area w/:

Free Breakfast

Free Internet

Pet friendly

Fitness Center

Business Center

Laundry Facilities (self-service)

High-Speed Internet Access

Accessible path of travel

In-room accessibility

Accessible bathroom

Roll-in shower

...for $169. This is a possible match for the Amalfi, which is rarely seen as a win. If this is the Amalfi, that property is in a very nice location, gets very good reviews and offers free breakfast. It would be somewhat of a walk to the American Girl, but certainly not terrible at all and you'd be right near a ton of restaurants in the River North area (plus free breakfast and there's also an evening reception.)

I'd be a bit further from American Girl, but cheaper, breakfast, better reviews and a good location (although not as close to AG as the Hyatt.)

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

[3sweetpeas]

That sounds great, although more than I was hoping to spend. I cannot seem to get anything even close to it to come up on HOTWIRE or PRICELINE EXPRESS. Nothing with breakfast is coming up at all. :(. Am I doing something wrong?

[thereuare]

The $169/nite property above appears when searching for 2adults/0children, which is why we had previously asked the following:

A couple of options/thoughts:

1. Are you two adults/1 child or 3a? I ask because the latter may be more expensive than the former in terms of HOTWIRE.

2. Are you willing to risk one bed? If so, you could go for a cheaper option on PRICELINE, whether Express Deals or bidding.

I will add that when searching for 2adults/1child a different hotel appears at the 4* in this zone and does not offer free breakfast, but the rate does not go up all that much.

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

Please let know your thoughts on the above and we'll take it from there.

[3sweetpeas]

Sorry, yes, one bed will work fine! :)

[AaronJB]

Yesterday I was seeing the 4* w/breakfast appear when searching for 2a/2c and 2a/1c, as well as 2a. I'm now only seeing it when searching for 2a for $169 in the Mag Mile-RN area. Unfortunately, rates are on the high side for these date/s and generally around the $140-170 neighborhood, although the positive is that this at least included breakfast.

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

[3sweetpeas]

Thanks for your help. I'll keep searching using your HOTWIRE links.

[thereuare]

With just 4 days to go before check-in what is your gameplan?

Using MAPS and HOTELS.com what is the best rate you're able to find at an acceptable hotel thru conventional booking channels?

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

[3sweetpeas]

With just 4 days to go before check-in what is your gameplan?

Using MAPS and HOTELS.com what is the best rate you're able to find at an acceptable hotel thru conventional booking channels?

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

I've never done this before so no gameplay. If all else fails then I will just book the old fashioned way! The Amalfi sounds great but is farther away from AG than I would like. I was hoping I could find something closer to the store in the $120 range but maybe that is not possible for the dates I will be there? (The parking fees are so high at all of these hotels...I am trying to keep that in mind and hoping for a better price on the room. Tacking $50-$60 for parking on any room adds a lot!) I'm willing to try Priceline but nervous about rebidding wrong and ending up even farther away...if it looks like the Amalfi is going to be the best I will get then I am thinking I will book it. (If it is still available) thanks again for your help!

[3sweetpeas]

I'm seeing this on HOTWIRE. If I am correct, it would be very close to AG. Much more than I anticipated spending but I am wondering if it is the best I will do at this late of a time? Any thoughts on what hotel it might be?

4-star Hotel in Magnificent Mile North - Water Tower

This Hotel features the following amenities:

Indoor pool(s)

<amenity names only please... not descriptions>

Fitness Center

Guests have access to exercise equipment; an additional charge may apply.

Pool(s)

Property offers at least one pool area; hours and dates of operation may be seasonal.

Restaurant(s)

Property offers at least one restaurant on the premises; hours and days of operation may vary.

Business Center

Guests have access to business equipment and services; an additional charge may apply.

High-Speed Internet Access

Guestrooms are equipped with high-speed Internet access; an extra charge may apply.

Please note that Hotwire cannot guarantee the level of services offered at a property and/or if services are operational at the time of visit. Services may be closed due to seasonality reasons and/or may be closed for renovation.

[AaronJB]

If you are driving in the North suburbs are going to be around $55-65, plus free parking. The only issue being driving to the nearest Metra station and parking, then taking the Metra train (which are nicer than the CTA trains) into the city.

Downtown:

The potential Amalfi when searching for 2a.

When searching for 2a/1c, I'm seeing a 3* in the Mag Mile-RN area for $146 w/Free Internet

<amenity names only please... not descriptions>

Indoor pool(s)

Fitness Center

Pool(s)

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

Laundry Facilities (self-service)

High-Speed Internet Access

Accessible for the blind

Accessible for the deaf

Accessible path of travel

In-room accessibility

Accessible bathroom

Handicapped parking

Roll-in shower

...this would be a possible match for the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza.

The 4* MM-N/WT:Indoor pool(s)

Fitness Center

Pool(s)

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

High-Speed Internet Access

...Would be a possible match for the Hyatt Mag Mile (the one on St Clair.)

I'm also seeing what may be the Doubletree Mag Mile for $177.

Parking downtown is going to be around $25 per night + city tax at city lots or around $40-60 per night at hotels.

You could also try bidding on PRICELINE if the risk of one bed is acceptable, but $120 still looks unfortunately difficult, given the rates I'm seeing (and is probably unlikely at the 4* level.)

In terms of being RIGHT near the AG store, it becomes a matter of whether or not it is worth a savings of $20-30 +/- a night to be a 15-20 minute trek away vs much closer.

Let us know if you have any questions before bidding/booking.

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board.

[3sweetpeas]

We are going for my daughters birthday. She is bringing a doll plus is going to get a new one as a present...and I am sure a few other things...so I anticipate a lot of things to carry. This is the reason I would like to be close. However, I suppose we could always take a cab home if we have too much. The Amalfi looks so nice. Thinking I might just do that. I'll let you know what I decide.

[AaronJB]

A cab from the Amalfi or the River North area to AG would not be much - should be a very quick ride.

Thank you for keeping us updated and please let us know if you have additional questions.

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