Priceline Hotel: Need help selecting Chicago zone and amount

[reb2882]

I'll be attending a conference at the Sheraton on N Water St. (River North zone) on Oct. 2-3 but my family will be joining me there for a mini vacation through the 6th. It would be convenient to be in the River North area for the days of the conference but I wouldn't mind coming in from further out, say Lincoln Park, for a possibly cheaper stay and to be close to options like the zoo. I'd love to get away with spending $125 or less per day but could go a little higher if necessary for a 3 1/2+ option. I'd really appreciate any thoughts you have! FWIW, I bid $75 (yes, a little optimistic) for the both N Michigan zones today with no luck.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

If you haven't yet, please start by reading your messages.

Note that PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy, after that it's at the discretion of the hotel, and you could receive a room with only one bed. While you can call the hotel you win and request a room with two beds, the hotel may not be able, or willing, to honor your request. If this is not a risk you're willing to accept, HOTWIRE may still be an option as they allow you to search for up to quad occupancy and ensure sleeping accommodations for everyone you include in your search (although this usually means two beds, the second 'bed' could be a sofabed, rollaway, etc)

How many adults/children will you actually be?

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

[AaronJB]

If you are a party of 3 or 4, HOTWIRE may be a better choice, as PRICELINE only guarantees one bed/double occupancy. I do see what appears to be the new Thompson Chicago (4.5*) for $147.

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

[reb2882]

Thanks for your feedback! It will just be my husband and 1 year old. I'm hoping it's safe to assume that wherever we stay will have a pack n play or the like to accommodate the little one so we shouldn't have to worry about the composition of the beds.

[thereuare]

While most hotels have accommodations for infants (cribs, pak n play, etc) not all of them do. Also, while i do know that some Chicago hotel rooms are quite small, i don't know if any would be too small to hold a crib/pak n play... AaronJB may be able to better answer that question.

While i think the chances of a problem are low, if there is an issue, with PRICELINE they could not be accommodating and point to their terms that indicate all that is guaranteed is a room that will accommodate double occupancy... with HOTWIRE i would think they would be a bit more willing to work with you on a solution, even if you only searched for 2adults/0children, since in the main page of their site they designate children as ages 2-17 (so by searching for 2adults/0children you're still within their stated terms since your child is only 1 year old and therefore you searched according to their terms). Again, with a 1 year old i would think the chances of any problem are somewhat low, but we always try to at least consider a 'worst case scenario' so that you at least are aware of what could go wrong.

With the above noted, i would recommend staying downtown... not only will it be more convenient for your conference, but when traveling with babies it makes it substantially easier when your hotel is nearby to head back for a quick nap, change of clothes, rinse bottles, etc. etc. While your target price of $125 may fall just a little short for a downtown hotel, i do think you can be successful for just another $20 or so more per nite (which may be equal to the cost of round-trip train tickets each day for you and your wife, essentially making the 'true' cost just about equal... although i'm not sure if you'll have a car and you may have to deal with parking costs if staying directly in the city)

Let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[reb2882]

Thanks so much for your insight! I really hadn't considered the possibility that either 1: there wouldn't be accommodations available for the little guy or 2: purchasing through hotwire v priceline could make a difference in the kind of recourse we have if necessary. What we could do is just buy a pack n play if necessary for about $50, if we would still come out ahead. The only issue would be whether the room size would accommodate it. Hmm.

I think your recommendation of staying downtown does make the most sense, and going up a bit on the price to the $150 to make that work would be reasonable. Given that, any idea about a good route to find a place that either likely includes accommodations for the pre-2 set or has rooms large enough for us to bring an outside pack n play? And, related, do you think that might be an issue? Thanks again!

[thereuare]

I think your recommendation of staying downtown does make the most sense...

With two kids myself... ask me how i know. :lol:

I would wait for AaronJB to comment as he is local to the area and knows the ins/outs of the hotels here best. To give him and you a head start i am seeing what i believe to be the following on HOTWIRE which are in the ballpark of your current budget:

Thompson Chicago $153/nite

Hilton Hotel and Towers $159/nite

Crowne Plaza Hotel Chicago $151/nite

Hope that gets you started of some things to consider... i'm sure AaronJB will add some additional insight and direction shortly.

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

[AaronJB]

Personally, I'd pick the Thompson. That property (which was the Sutton Place - it's currently undergoing renovations and will reopen in October as the Thompson) is more modern (larger rooms, as Chicago goes) and will be fresh after the renovation. That property is in the Gold Coast area, which is a very nice area a couple of minutes walk North of the top end of the North Michigan Ave shopping area. There is easy access a few blocks away to the Red Line subway and there's bus options in the area, as well. Additionally, it's a pleasant walk North from this area to the Old Town area as well as Lincoln Park Zoo (and the family-friendly Peggy Notabert Nature Center is a block North of the top end of the Zoo.)

I'm seeing a 4.5* in the Gold Coast area for $151 w/:

Pet friendly

Boutique Hotel

Smoke Free Rooms

Fitness Center

Restaurant(s)

High-Speed Internet Access

This would be a likely match for the Thompson.

--

The Hilton is far South, which is close to the museums (although still a walk), but not a ton else directly around and this area is quiet at night.

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

[reb2882]

Thanks so much Aaron! I checked the Thompson's website, and they have complementary accommodations for infants, so that would be perfect for us. I'll report back with what we end up with!

[AaronJB]

Happy to help. :)

Additionally, please let me know if you have any city-related questions. In terms of family-friendly activities, I'd much rather recommend the combo of the Notabert and the (free) zoo than Navy Pier. The Shedd is also a terrific aquarium, although admission is on the pricey side. There's the Original Pancake House across from the Thompson, as well as a Corner Bakery around the corner. Tempo is also a short walk away on Chestnut (although it's cash only.) There are also a lot of restaurants to the North in the Old Town and South end of Lincoln Park.

A "family-friendly" spot is also the Foodlife food court in the Water Tower mall, which is run by the mid/high-end Lettuce Entertain You company. Sort of a high-end food court - you get a card with the ability to go to different stations and then pay one bill at the end. The other reasonable option that I like is Flat Top Grill, which has a location in the Loop and another near Old Town. It's not the world's best, but in my experience it's pretty good and if you pay, you can continue to go back again and again. It's a make your own stir fry place.

The Foodlife Food Court is also open for breakfast (http://www.foodlifechicago.com/)

Finally, in terms of pizza, I often recommend La Madia in River North, but in terms of deep dish, there is a newish Lou Malnati's up the street a bit from the Thompson.

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

[reb2882]

Thanks for the recommendations! We really enjoy hitting our local farmers market on the weekends for people watching and to graze the samples. Any chance there will be one close by on the 5th? I'd welcome any other insider ideas on family activities in the area you have!

[AaronJB]

Funny enough, there's actually a Farmer's Market literally a couple of blocks away from the Thompson on Saturday mornings. It's a pretty nice market and it actually closes a couple of blocks - it closes Division between Clark and State. However, the bigger market is in Lincoln Park on Wednesday/Saturday - that's the Green City Organic Market - that market is in Lincoln Park, by the South end of the Zoo. That market even includes demonstrations from some of Chicago's top chefs. The Peggy Notabert Nature Center, which is a block or two North of the top end of the Zoo, does charge admission, but is a beautiful, small/mid-sized little nature museum, complete with a lovely live butterfly exhibit.

The other cooking-related stop I recommend highly is the Spice House in the Old Town area (http://www.thespicehouse.com/info/chicago-spice-store.html), which is an easy walk from the zoo. They have unbelievable herbs and spices, including mixes based upon local Chicago neighborhoods. It's a husband/wife-run store and walking in there is a feast for the senses. Many of Chicago's top chefs shop there.

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