Priceline Hotel: 4.5* Chicago (North Michigan Ave - River North) Intercontinental Chicago

[Andy8069]

All-

We are celebrating our first anniversary this weekend and I am thinking about using hotwire to book our trip to Chicago (10/25-10/27). We want to be somewhere close to restaurants and bars, as we will probably want to enjoy the nightlife a little.

I've got 4 possibilies I am looking at and want to get some thoughts if possible.

4*Loop - 80% approval (Palmer House?) - $89

Pet Friendly

Business Center

Fitness Center

Internet Access

Restaurant

4* Millenium/Grant Park - 90% approval (Hilton?) -$88

Pet Friendly

Indoor/Outdoor Pool

Smoke free

Fitness Center

Restaurant

Business Center

Internet Access

Blind/Deaf/Path of Travel/In Room/Accessible Bathroom/Handicapped Parking/Roll-In Shower

MM Water Tower - 75% approval (Allerton?) - $93

Fitness Center

Restaurant

Business Center

Internet

Blind/Deaf/path of travel/in-room/bathroom/roll-in shower Access

MM - River North - 95% approval (Amalfi?) - $125

Fitness Center

Business Center

Internet

Do these guesses look reasonable? Am I missing anything? What are your thoughts?

Thanks all!

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding and Happy Anniversary! :)

I think the issue becomes if you want to be close to restaurants and more nightlife, it's best to stay North of the river. If you stay South of the river, it's a bit cheaper, but you may want to take a taxi back which becomes added cost.

It also becomes what kind of hotel you are looking for.

The 4* Millennium Park would likely be the Hilton.

I'm seeing a different 4* Loop - are you still seeing the same listing when searching this evening?

The Amalfi has been seen with the same amenity set as the 4* Mag Mile/RN, but keep in mind that this is a set of only a very few common amenities, so it could definitely be something else not yet reported to the board or something previously reported to the board hiding some amenities. When searching for 2 adults and 2 children instead of just two adults, I see what appears to be a potential match for the Sheraton (which I wouldn't really recommend) for $84 in the 4* River North spot.

I'd guess the 4* Mag Mile N-Water Tower may be the Allerton.

Are you looking for a particular style of hotel?

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

[Andy8069]

Thanks much - great website, but just joining now :)

OK - I think maybe I will focus north of the river then. We typically like more boutique-type hotels (we love Kimpton - have stayed in Monaco and Allegro in Chicago and loved both of them, but Monaco was definitely more convenient).

So, if it is best to stay north of the river, should I just focus on Miracle Mile - River North and Miracle Mile - Water Tower?

If so, it looks like the river north one has changed.

It is showing now (I'm guessing this is the Sheraton one you were referring to):

90% Approval...$83

Pet friendly

Indoor pool(s)

Smoke Free Rooms

Fitness Center

Pool(s)

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

Internet access

[thereuare]

If so, it looks like the river north one has changed.

What is the star rating of this River North property as i'm not seeing anything with the amenity list above when searching HOTWIRE for your dates... are you still see this property offered when searching HOTWIRE for your dates?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... and please read your messages before replying.

Thanks.

[Andy8069]

No, it seems like they are changing by the hour. Right now, the four star hotels in both zones only have 75% approval ratings. I'm guessing allerton in WT, not sure about RN zone.

[AaronJB]

I'm seeing what appears to be the Indigo for $89 (nice area, cute hotel - not 4*, but 3.5*), what appears to be the Intercontinental for $109, Langham for $215 and a 4* in the RN area w/free internet, internet, business, fitness, accessible path of travel, in-room accessible, accessible bathroom, roll-in shower (?) for $109.

The prices you see may be slightly different - if any of the above are of interest, let us know and we would be happy to point them out.

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

[Andy8069]

I will keep you posted with what I decide and will use the links once I am ready! Thanks for the help!

[Andy8069]

Ended up using Name your own Price on Priceline.

Bid on 5 Star North Michigan ($100)

Lowered Star to 4.5 and price to $80 - No Good.

Added Skokie and raised price to $85 - No Good.

Added Hyde Park and raised price to $90 - Good bid.

Received the Intercontinental. Normal price of $463 total, so feel like $217 after tax is a great deal.

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success. :)

Very good deal for this well-located property. I don't think an upgrade is worthwhile at this property, but I will suggest trying to ask if you can be on a high floor facing front or back of the building rather than the North side of the building, which looks square into another building next door.

Let us know if you have any city questions.

Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.

Enjoy your stay.

[toledo]

Since when did this become a 4 1/2 *? It was a 4* when I booked on Priceline in August. I don't like how PRICELINE is changing star levels.

[thereuare]

I don't like how PRICELINE is changing star levels.

Star rating have always been in a constant state of flux and there are at least some changes at least daily. Hotels.com, Expedia, Travelocity, and others currently rates this property 4.5* so the new star rating is not out of line with the star rating assigned by other sites.

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