Hotwire Hotel: 4.5* Chicago (Magnificent Mile North - Water Tower) Ivy Boutique Hotel

[thebrux]

This is my first post here - My wife and I are looking for a nice hotel in downtown Chicago this weekend (8/22-8/25). I saw the following express deals and am wondering what hotels they could be. I'm also looking for tips on bidding for a hotel in this area given these two deals. Thanks in advance!

Deal 1: $133/night

4*

Guest Rating: 7.0

Amenities: Restaurant, Business Center, Fitness Center

Deal 2: $213/night

4.5*

Guest Rating: 8.0 (Guest Favorite)

Free Internet, Restaurant

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

Are you seeing additional amenities beyond the ones noted above with each listing? I'm seeing what appear to be different listings in the NMA area when searching for these dates.

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

[thebrux]

A 4* for $149/night is now on the list with the following details:

9.0 - Guest Favorite

Free Internet in public areas, Pets Allowed, Restaurant, Business Center, Fitness Center

The 4.5* listing is still the same.

[thereuare]

I'm also looking for tips on bidding for a hotel in this area given these two deals.

Is there a specific hotel you're looking for OR are you looking to bid on PRICELINE in hopes of a better price then either of the above?

Also, with such a wide disaparity betwen the two hotels above, what is it that you're looking for from this stay and what is your maximum budget (per nite before taxes/fees)?

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

[thebrux]

Is there a specific hotel you're looking for OR are you looking to bid on PRICELINE in hopes of a better price then either of the above?

Also, with such a wide disaparity betwen the two hotels above, what is it that you're looking for from this stay and what is your maximum budget (per nite before taxes/fees)?

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

I'm sorry if I wasn't clear - I'm looking for the nicest place to stay under $200/night. I'd like to bid if I can get a better price than the above, but if the hotel is a known quality I would consider the express deal. I tried to get a room at the James on their 3 nights for the price of 2 deal (would have been around $170/night) but they were out of rooms on that deal. I don't have a specific hotel in mind but would like high quality at a good price. We're heading to Chicago for a 3 day weekend and looking to relax, eat, shop and have fun.

I tried to bid for a 4.5*+ room and was rejected at $170, $180, $190 and $200 (adding zones w/o 4.5* rooms between bids). We're looking for quality, but I'd like to spend less than $200/night.

[AaronJB]

I'm seeing on HOTWIRE: possible Hotel Felix ($122), possible Swiss ($140), possible Allerton ($131), possible Ivy ($157; this is a newer hotel), possible Intercontinental ($177, although for $157 I'd rather go for the possible Ivy) and possible Public ($152). Are any of these of interest? Let us know and we would be happy to point them out on HOTWIRE.

I'm seeing a different express deal again for these date/s - internet, restaurant, business, fitness w/no rating. I'm guessing this might be the Felix. I'm not seeing a 4.5* in downtown at all for these date/s.

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

[thebrux]

I'm seeing on HOTWIRE: possible Hotel Felix ($122), possible Swiss ($140), possible Allerton ($131), possible Ivy ($157; this is a newer hotel), possible Intercontinental ($177, although for $157 I'd rather go for the possible Ivy) and possible Public ($152). Are any of these of interest? Let us know and we would be happy to point them out on HOTWIRE.

I'm seeing a different express deal again for these date/s - internet, restaurant, business, fitness w/no rating. I'm guessing this might be the Felix. I'm not seeing a 4.5* in downtown at all for these date/s.

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

The Ivy at $157 sounds like a steal, but when I search HOTWIRE I can't seem to find that specific deal (I see a 4.5* for $167). I'll go for that if you are pretty sure it's the Ivy.

Thanks!

[AaronJB]

The price you see may differ somewhat - I'm seeing a 4.5* on HOTWIRE in the Mag Mile N-Water Tower area for $157 w/:

free internet

boutique

smoke-free

fitness

restaurant

business

internet

This would be a possible match for the Ivy.

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

[thebrux]

Thanks for you help! I used the HOTWIRE link and got a room at the Ivy for $157/night. A room that's going for $347 on their site. Thanks again! I'll definitely be coming back when I'm looking for a room again.

[Tino]

I am bidding (4* NMA) for this Saturday and my PRICELINE bids are approaching within a few dollars of the PRICELINE EXPRESS prices ($149) and HOTWIRE prices ($138) with no success.

My refundable backup is the Aloft at $161 (still cheaper than these options after fees), so I can wait until the last minute to see if prices drop.

[yellowdog]

thebrux

Congratulations on your success!

Thanks for using the HOTWIRE links on the board :)

We hope you're satisfied with the outcome and will like the Ivy Hotel.

Enjoy your stay.

Yellowdog.

[AaronJB]

Thanks for you help! I used the HOTWIRE link and got a room at the Ivy for $157/night. A room that's going for $347 on their site. Thanks again! I'll definitely be coming back when I'm looking for a room again.

Happy to help! :)

This is an awesome deal for this newer property, which has gotten terrific reviews. For breakfast, Yolk is a few blocks away at 355 E Ohio. Heading South into the Loop, I like Pittsfield Cafe (http://www.yelp.com/biz/pittsfield-cafe-chicago), which is in the Pittsfield building and an old-school Chicago diner (they are cash only) and Wildberry (http://www.yelp.com/biz/wildberry-pancakes-and-cafe-chicago-2).

Let us know if you have any city questions.

Enjoy your stay.