Hotwire Hotel: 3.5* Chicago (Magnificent Mile Area - River North) Holiday Inn Mart Plaza

[Birdy64]

I can't seem to ID this myself and need some help.

Free Internet
    Indoor pool(s)
    Fitness Center
    Pool(s)
    Restaurant(s)
    Business Center
    Self service laundry
    Internet access
    Accessible for the blind
    Accessible for the deaf
    Accessible path of travel
    In-room accessibility
    Accessible bathroom
    Handicapped parking
    Roll-in shower

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

This listing has not yet been ID'd/reported to the board, but my guess is that the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza may have been upgraded to 3.5*.

 

I'm also seeing a 4* in this zone for these date/s for about the same price.

 

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

[Birdy64]

Thanks Aaron!  It was indeed the Holiday Inn Chicago-Mart Plaza.  Now listed as 3.5 stars

Booked through the Hotwire link on this site.  Thanks so much!

 

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success. :)

 

Very nice win for this Holiday Inn property and glad you are pleased with the win.

 

Thank you for letting us know about the change in star rating for this HOTWIRE property so that we can update the site's Hotwire Hotel List.

 

A couple of notes: the highly popular Doughnut Vault (http://thedoughnutvault.tumblr.com/) is right nearby this hotel. Additionally, this property is right on the river. I'd try asking if there's any way you could get a room facing the river, as some rooms at this hotel offer really nice views. Worst they could say is no.

 

Let me know if you have any Chicago city questions.

 

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

Enjoy your stay.

[Birdy64]

The Doughnut Vault sounds like a great idea!  We will be arriving early on Thursday before the check-in time.  We are hoping they will let us park there early.  We will be going to Navy Pier the next day,  should we take a cab or the bus?

[AaronJB]

As someone who is very familiar with the area, I would really recommend against Navy Pier or, if you do go there, not devoting a ton of time to it. Navy Pier is a great idea in concept, but what they really created was - in my opinion - a tourist trap. It's a lot of overpriced souvenir stands, an overpriced McDonalds and some rides (which are brief .. and expensive.) The views are great (but there are other good places for lakefront views), there is a stained glass museum at the pier that seems completely randomly placed there (which has some gorgeous displays) but personally the pier has always been something of a disappointment. It does have great potential and they are redeveloping it so hopefully it will change for the better.

 

You can take a bus there, but personally, I think it's a nice walk on a pleasant day East through the River North area. 

 

What I often strongly suggest instead of the Pier is Lincoln Park Zoo (great zoo and free), which can be combined with the nearby Old Town area (which has the famed Second City and one of my favorite stores in the city, The Spice House (http://www.thespicehouse.com/info/chicago-spice-store.html), which is a husband/wife run herb/spice store) or the Peggy Notabert Nature Museum. The Lincoln Park area also has a lot of little shops/boutiques and great restaurants. The Chicago Historical Museum is also right by the zoo, too.

 

The Brown Line CTA stop at the Merchandise Mart is right next to the hotel. You can take the Brown Line North to Fullerton and then from there its a bit of a walk - but a straight walk through a very nice area - to the top end of the Zoo (and then the Notabert is across the street in a very sleek glass building.) You can also take the Brown Line South and it goes in a Loop around the Loop area (kind of a little visual tour) before heading North.

 

 

The Notabert has a beautiful live butterfly exhibit.

 

Lastly, there's also the Green City Market, a lovely organic farmer's market that takes place in the park right by the Zoo. There are also chef demonstrations at times at the market, as well. (info: http://www.greencitymarket.org/calendar/)

 

One other breakfast recommendation (although it also offers lunch and dinner) is Xoco, from Fronterra chef (and former "Top Chef Masters" winner) Rick Bayless. That is a more casual option.

 

There's tons of other restaurants nearby - let me know more about likes/dislikes and I'd be happy to offer recommendations.