Hotwire Hotel: 4.5* Chicago (Magnificent Mile Area - River North) Westin River North

[cabinkowski]

Hi!

 

I'm looking for a 4* to 4.5* hotel for under $100 if possible around the downtown Chicago area from 4/2/2015 to 4/4/2015. My boyfriend and I will be traveling to the city for the first time and we are looking to explore all the attractions! We were told to stay as close to Michigan Ave as possible.

 

We are looking on Hotwire with the following options:

 

4* Mag Mile Area - River North Hotel $89/night - Amenities: Pet friendly, Indoor pool, Fitness center, pool, Restaurant, Business Center, Internet Access

 

4.5* Mag Mile Area - River North Hotel $105/night - Amenities: Pet friendly, Smoke-free rooms, Fitness Center, Restaurant, Business Center, Self-Service Laundry, Internet Access

 

4.5* Downtown - Millennium Park - Grant Park area boutique $93/night - Amenities: Boutique hotel, Indoor pool, Fitness Center, Pool, Restaurant, Business Center, Self-service laundry, Internet Access, Tennis nearby

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thank you :)

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

"Close" to Michigan Ave is fine, but I'd recommend the River North area nearby as well. Basically, I'd recommend focusing on staying North of the river, as while the area South of the river is fine, when using the discount services you could end up at the far South or West portions of the zone, which are not terribly convenient from a tourist perspective. Also, parts of the Loop get quiet at night.

 

 

Under $100, I'm seeing (you may see slightly different prices than I do.)

 

4* River North-NMA $85 Restaurant, Pool, Indoor Pool, Fitness, Smoke Free, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Pet Friendly. 

--- Likely Sheraton 

 

4* River North-NMA $93 Boutique, Restaurant, Pool, Indoor Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Laundry, Spa, Pet Friendly

-- Likely W Lakeshore

 

In terms of the W, I'm seeing a 4* in the River North-NMA area on PRICELINE EXPRESS for $82 w/Indoor or Outdoor Pool, Restaurant, Free Internet, Business Center, Fitness Center. There is always the chance something has changed or that there's a new hotel with the same amenities that hasn't been reported to the board, but this amenity set has been seen previously with the W Lakeshore.

 

I'm seeing a different 4.5* in the Millennium Park-Loop-GP area when searching:

Restaurant, Fitness, Smoke Free, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Blind Accessible, Deaf Accessible, Travel Accessible, Room Accessible, Bathroom Accessible, Handicapped Parking, Roll-in Shower, Pet Friendly

-- This would likely be the Blackstone Renaissance, which I wouldn't recommend from a location standpoint.

 

I'm also seeing some very nice options a little over $100:

 

4.5* Mag Mile N-WT $117 Boutique, Restaurant, Smoke Free, Free Internet, Hi-Speed Internet

-- Likely match for the Ivy.

 

4.5* Mag Mile-RN $115 Boutique, Restaurant, Fitness, Free Internet, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Spa, Blind Accessible, Deaf Accessible, Travel Accessible, Room Accessible, Bathroom Accessible, Handicapped Parking, Roll-in Shower, Pet Friendly

-- Likely the James.

 

Please let us know if you have any questions before booking and please keep us updated. I'm also very familiar with the area and would be happy to answer any city questions.

 

A few notes on sights:

 

Lincoln Park is a great area to browse around, with the Zoo (a great, free Zoo), the nearby Old Town area and lots of shops that are more city-specific and geared towards bargains (luxury/boutique thrifts like Luxury Garage Sale, http://www.yelp.com/biz/luxury-garage-sale-chicago) and more restaurants. The area has a large population of 20-30-somethings and is more reasonable both in terms of restaurants and shopping than Michigan Ave.

 

Navy Pier is starting to make some improvements, but I'd still rather recommend Lincoln Park, the Art Institute or other options (Architectural Tour, etc.)

 

If you'd like recommendations, let me know likes/dislikes and I'd be happy to offer further suggestions.

 

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.

[cabinkowski]

Thanks so much for such a detailed response!
 

I will actually be staying at the Sheraton on business through Thursday, at which point my boyfriend is flying out to meet me. Should I just plan to extend my stay at the Sheraton? Is that a good location?

 

We are planning to go to the hockey game Thursday night, and the only other plan we had was to go on an architectural tour. Would you recommend the architectural boat tour or a walking tour?

 

We were hoping to go on a tour of Wrigley Field, but it doesn't sound like it will be open yet due to construction.

 

We are in our mid-20's ... we love anything sports-related, drinking craft beer/local beer, and eating every kind of food. Most of our trips center around food/beer :)

 

Any suggestions in terms of things you would absolutely recommend doing/seeing in Chicago?! Thanks for your help :)

[AaronJB]

The Sheraton is a business/convention-oriented hotel. It's a fine hotel, but I just don't think it's memorable. Additionally, the new Loews hotel really was wedged in next to the Sheraton and while I haven't stayed there since, I'd think that the Loews right there has likely ruined (at least moderately) the views that some rooms had. What was nice about the Sheraton was that, given where it is, you didn't have to pay for an upgrade to have a chance to wind up with a partial lake view. Now I just think a lot of those rooms probably lost that view.

 

Additionally, if you're in your 20's, you may find the W (which is literally just a few blocks away) to be a more fun, lively property. That hotel was renovated a year or so ago and now the rooms and other aspects of the interior look completely different.

 

On Hot.wire, I'm seeing a 4* for $93 w/Boutique, Restaurant, Pool, Indoor Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Laundry, Spa, Pet Friendly. This is very likely the W.

 

On PRICELINE EXPRESS, I'm seeing 4* River North-NMA area on PRICELINE EXPRESS for $82 w/Indoor or Outdoor Pool, Restaurant, Free Internet, Business Center, Fitness Center. There is always the chance/risk something has changed or that there's a new hotel with the same amenities that hasn't been reported to the board, but this amenity set has been seen previously with the W Lakeshore.

 

The potential Ivy (4.5* Mag Mile N-WT $117 Boutique, Restaurant, Smoke Free, Free Internet, Hi-Speed Internet

-- Likely match for the Ivy.) is over your desired budget, but a really nice option also right near the Sheraton (although closer to Michigan Ave vs the W being across from the lakefront.) That's a small, hip boutique hotel with only a few rooms per floor, so more personalized/boutique service.

 

In terms of Wrigley, it's currently the off season, but I just did live chat on the Cubs website and they noted that the tour schedule will be posted 4/1, but couldn't provide any more info than that. Hopefully tours will be available in early April for your dates.

 

Personally, I'd go with a boat tour over a walking tour. At this point of the year, the weather's still nice vs taking a boat tour in the middle of the Summer with the sun blazing down on the open river. Additionally, the river taxis are less expensive and while you're not getting a tour, at least you do get the visuals if you want to take one to Chinatown, for example. The two main tours - Wendella and CAF - leave from opposite sides of the Michigan Ave. bridge.

 

Let me know more about likes/dislikes in terms of food (style, atmosphere, etc) and I'd be happy to offer suggestions.

 

Definitely let me know if you have any questions before booking.

 

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.

 

 

[cabinkowski]

I ended up getting the Westin River North for $215 for two nights (taxes and fees included!) on Hot.wire. It was very similar in amenities to the one you listed, but it ended up being this hotel! Will this be a good hotel?!

 

We are looking for some good local bars, where they will serve some local beers. We definitely want to try some deep dish pizza and are looking for a place to have a nice dinner the night of the hockey game - so close to the rink. Any suggestions?

 

The river architecture cruise we are looking at is Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise. Will this be good?

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success. :)

I think you actually wound up getting something much nicer than the Sheraton or W. This is a beautiful Westin property, right on the river. I'll note that PRICELINE and HOTWIRE reservations are not eligible for upgrades, but the rooms on the South face of this property are river view. If you can negotiate your way to a river view room on the high floor, the views are "classic Chicago" views, especially if you get one in the middle of the floor on that side. People often want a lake view when in Chicago, but the lake is largely dark at night. The river, with lights on all the bridges, is a much more postcard-perfect view.

 

If you could confirm the price per night before taxes/fees, as well as the amenities (both pieces of info are under the trip information in your HOTWIRE account, click "My Account" in the upper corner of HOTWIRE) it would be greatly appreciated, so that we can update the site's Priceline and Hotwire Calendar of Wins.

I'll post some additional recommendations in this thread soon.

 

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.