Hotwire Hotel: 3.5* Chicago (Magnificent Mile Area - River North) Doubletree Mag Mile

[matrahmat]

Hi guys! I am from Singapore and new to priceline and hotwire. Been looking at priceline express deals for the two areas in Chicago from 12/31 to 3/1.Budget around 80USD per night.

Need help with identifying the potential hotels from the list. I will be travelling with a friend and would require 2 double beds. Is it risky to book express deals considering my bedding needs?

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

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 (especially for the nite of New Year's Eve which is usually a busy nite for city hotels).

If this is not a risk you're willing to accept, HOTWIRE would 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)... or using PRICELINE EXPRESS and choosing a property that shows the 'Bed Choice' option where one of the choices is a room with two beds.

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

Let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

[matrahmat]

Thanks for the reply. I did take a look at the PRICELINE EXPRESS deals with bed choices but I don't think I am keen on them if I did my guessing right. I think the three hotels with bed choices were congress, central loop and travelodge.

 

I am actually interested in this particular listing. 

 

3½ Star Hotel in North Michigan Ave - River North Area for $76/night

This deal saves 30% or more compared to similar hotels*

Indoor or Outdoor Pool

Restaurant

Fitness Center

Free Internet

Business Center

Rated 8.0 out of 10 (or higher)

 

My guess would be the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart?

[thereuare]

The Holiday Inn Mart would be my best guess as well, but with amenities this generic/common for hotels in this area, i don't see any way to exclude the Courtyard Chicago Downtown/River North, Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, or the Hilton Suites Chicago/Magnificent Mile from the possibilities as all of these fit the description supplied as well.

HOWEVER, as this 3.5* PRICELINE EXPRESS doesn't list a bed choice, how do you overcome your requirement for two separate beds... or is this now a want more so than a neeed?

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

[matrahmat]

It wouldn't really solve the bed issue. I was hoping that if I could guess the hotel then at least I could find out if they do offer two double beds or have rollaways on request for a fee. Would I say whether separate beds is a want or a need? Probably more of a need. This is the first time traveling with my friend and we only just met because we will be going on exchange to northwestern university. I guess separate beds would be less awkward. We were looking at normal listings but the savings from express deals looks so enticing. Anyways, I'll discuss with my friend and see how it goes.

[thereuare]

I'm not sure i understand your response and/or need for this stay... a rollaway would work for your needs for this trip but a pullout sofabed would not?

What is the minimum star rating you're willing to accept for this trip and are you able to increase your maximum price at all?

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

[AaronJB]

Do you know if you're going to be going to Northwestern primarily on the Evanston campus or the Chicago campus? If the Evanston campus, I'd suggest heading up to Evanston at least for part of a day to check it out - Evanston's a wonderful college town just North of the Chicago border.

 

For these dates, when searching for 2 adults and 2 children (to indicate 4 in the room even if there isn't, which should result in more than 1 bed)  I'm seeing a 3.5* in the Chicago Mag Mile-RN area on Hot.wire, w/Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business for $83 (the price you see may vary slightly.) This would likely be the Doubletree Mag Mile. Not sure where you're going to need to be in terms of Northwestern, but much of the Chicago campus is right nearby. THANKS10 also takes $10 off the total.

 

The room price you see may vary slightly. Thankfully, Chicago is one city that isn't a popular destination on New Year's Eve, so rates are on the low side.

 

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

[matrahmat]

Thanks thereuare and AaronJB for all the help and advice. So I ended up using hotwire and searched for 2A2C to ease my bed configuration worries. Found the listing that AaronJB suggested and it was indeed the doubletree.

 

ps. going to evanston but campus housing only opens on 1/3 but flights to chicago cost significantly higher after new years. but at least we can spend a few days in chicago in a nice hotel. Thanks guys. 

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you found a nice deal for these dates that will work well for your 'separate beds' needs.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board.

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

Enjoy your stay and time in Chicago.

[AaronJB]

A few thoughts:

 

1. If you want to head up to Evanston, you have the option of either taking a cab to Ogilvie Transit Center (which is a very nice place to wait for a train, there's an amazing food marketplace in a lower level. The Metra trains (which are what runs out of Ogilvie) are nicer than the CTA trains, have two levels and conductors. You can go to Davis Street stop and then downtown Evanston's right there and NW campus is not a bad walk. The CTA would be closer to your hotel, but the Metra is a nicer ride. You could also take one one way and go back the other.

 

2. Chicago is a really straightforward city - I'd recommend taking some time and learning transit (there are some great apps) and getting a sense of where everything basically is. Dress warm, it will be very cold that time of year.

 

3. There's a ton in the way of restaurant options, but if you are looking to stay near your hotel, Yolk is a pretty decent breakfast spot across the street. If you need recommendations, let me know likes/dislikes. Also, let me know if you have any city questions at all.

 

Enjoy your stay.