teeki Posted December 27, 2016 Report Share Posted December 27, 2016 Hello, This is a last minute trip, so I understand if no one has time to reply. I will still post what we end up getting. We have two adults, two small children and are going to Chicago primarily to go to the Planetarium, Field Museum and Children's Museum and do a little touring. We will have a car. I was looking in the Millennium Park and Grant Park and Mag Mile areas just to narrow it down, but am open to other options. Our goals are to find a less expensive parking option near our hotel and be somewhat close to the attractions we would like to visit. A pool would be a bonus, but not a deal-breaker. Would like to keep around $70-75, but if there is an outstanding option for a little more, would consider that. Using the BiddingHelper.com I see for PRICELINE EXPRESS: Magnificent Mile -Gold Coast Rated 8.0 out of 10 (or higher) $70 Pets Allowed Business Center Restaurant Free Internet Indoor or Outdoor Pool Fitness Center No Smoking Rooms/Facilities - Hyatt? Downtown Chicago - Millennium Park Rated 8.0 out of 10 (or higher) $71 Pets Allowed Business Center Indoor or Outdoor Pool Fitness Center No Smoking Rooms/Facilities Downtown Chicago - Millennium Park Rated 9.0 out of 10 (or higher) $95 Pets Allowed Business Center Restaurant Free Internet Indoor or Outdoor Pool Fitness Center No Smoking Rooms/Facilities Thank you very much. Link to comment
thereuare Posted December 27, 2016 Report Share Posted December 27, 2016 You didn't indicate which properties were 4* and which were 4.5* so i'll list what i'm currently seeing any my best guess for each (confirm your dates on the landing pages of any links provided below): 4.5* Magnificent Mile -Gold Coast for $76 Pets Allowed Business Center Restaurant Free Internet Indoor or Outdoor Pool Fitness Center No Smoking Rooms/Facilities ==> InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile 4.5* Downtown - River North for $77 Business Center Restaurant Fitness Center No Smoking Rooms/Facilities ==> The Godfrey Hotel Chicago 4* Magnificent Mile -Gold Coast for $67 Business Center Restaurant Fitness Center No Smoking Rooms/Facilities ==> Swissotel Chicago 4* Magnificent Mile -Gold Coast for $67 Business Center Restaurant Fitness Center No Smoking Rooms/Facilities ==> Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago Please remember to return to BetterBidding and use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPSandHOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases. Let us know what you decide and how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
AaronJB Posted December 27, 2016 Report Share Posted December 27, 2016 The Swiss is not that different than the Intercontinental in terms of location and would be closer to cheaper parking options in Grant Park/Millennium Park. The Knickerbocker is a bit too far North given what you are looking to do. The Swiss would also have at least some chance of a view and for $67, certainly a reasonable rate for Chicago. If you stay at the Swiss, there's a staircase down pretty much across from that hotel and that staircase takes you down to the Columbus bridge across the river. Once you're across the river you get to Illinois/Columbus. - and from there you can head East on Illinois and it's not long before you're at Navy Pier/Children's Museum (there is not going to be much going on at Navy Pier at this point in the year otherwise.) Please remember to return to BetterBidding and use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPSandHOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases. Link to comment
teeki Posted December 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2016 Thank you for the replies and the advice. Of all the options it sounds like the Swiss would be best. I checked Hotwire and the prices and amenities seem similar. Are they typically the same hotels? I also see there is one in McCormick Place. Would this be a better location closer to the Planetarium and Field Museums? Or stick with the Swiss since the location is more central (and possibly a nicer hotel?). 4* $124 McCormick Place Free Internet, Indoor pool(s), Fitness center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business center, Self-service laundry, Internet access, Golf nearby, Wheelchair accessible If you have any knowledge of whether the Museum Science and Industry is worth fitting in and whether it is best to drive to these places or take an Uber or Lyft I would appreciate any advice you have. Thank you very much for the help! Link to comment
thereuare Posted December 27, 2016 Report Share Posted December 27, 2016 AaronJB can respond better than i can, but i do know that McCormick Place is out of the way and not much else around, so only really a recommended zone if you're attending a conference there. As well, given the location, it's certainly not going to be worth twice as much as your other options. PRICELINE EXPRESS and HOTWIRE may or may not have the same offerings, as each may rate hotels differently, as well as have the hotels in different boundaries. Is what you believe is the Swiss thru HOTWIRE any cheaper on an all-in basis vs. the PRICELINE EXPRESS option? Please remember to return to BetterBidding and use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPSandHOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
teeki Posted December 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2016 The Hotwire now shows the same price $66 as Priceline. Mag Mile Water Tower amenities: FULL AMENITIES: Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Accessible for hearing impaired, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Accessible bathroom, Roll-in shower. We would like to get the Swiss based on the recommendations, so I guess that would likely be the $66 Priceline one? Thank you Link to comment
AaronJB Posted December 27, 2016 Report Share Posted December 27, 2016 I definitely would NOT recommend McCormick. There is nothing much around that area and while it appears close-ish to the Field/Adler, I'd FAR rather recommend staying downtown where there are more in the way of restaurants and things going on. What I'm seeing on PRICELINE EXPRESS (after clicking on the link, please confirm that the correct dates of travel are showing): I'm not seeing what appears to be the Swiss while searching now. I'll note what I'm seeing shortly. Please remember to return to BetterBidding and use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPSandHOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases. Link to comment
AaronJB Posted December 27, 2016 Report Share Posted December 27, 2016 Please confirm the date/s of travel after clicking on the links below. 4* Downtown - River North for $57 Business Center Restaurant Free Internet Fitness Center No Smoking Rooms/Facilities >>>Possible Hotel Chicago. Fine choice along the river and less expensive. 4.5* Downtown - River North for $78 Pets Allowed Business Center Restaurant Free Internet Fitness Center No Smoking Rooms/Facilities >>>Would likely be the James. Could walk from here to Navy Pier/Children's Museum pretty easily. 4.5* Chicago Loop - Grant Park for $81 Pets Allowed Business Center Restaurant Free Internet Possible Hyatt Centric Loop. Newer hotel. Not a whole lot going on directly around this hotel at night, but hotel opened within last year. Would not be a bad taxi ride to Field/Adler. 4.5* Downtown Chicago - Millennium Park for $93 Pets Allowed Business Center Restaurant Free Internet Indoor or Outdoor Pool Fitness Center No Smoking Rooms/Facilities Possible Radisson Blu. Gorgeous building, highly reviewed property. Couple of blocks North of Millennium Park. 4.5* Magnificent Mile -Gold Coast for $66 Pets Allowed Business Center Restaurant Free Internet Fitness Center No Smoking Rooms/Facilities >>>Likely Sofitel. Would be a bit North for what you're looking for, but gorgeous hotel for a really great price. There is a Red Line station a few short blocks away. Please remember to return to BetterBidding and use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPSandHOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases. Link to comment
teeki Posted December 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2016 Wow, thanks. The options really change quickly! I think we are going to try for the Radisson due to the location and great reviews. Link to comment
AaronJB Posted December 27, 2016 Report Share Posted December 27, 2016 It's definitely a very unique property with great reviews. If you do stay there, I'd call ahead and ask if there's any way you could get a view of the river and/or Navy Pier. The other note is that you may want to consider Navy Pier for parking. I've never parked there, but: Special Seasonal Parking Rate at Navy Pier (November 1, 2016 – March 31, 2017) $25 flat parking rate every day Valid at Navy Pier Garages only, 600 E. Grand Avenue. Published garage rates are valid for a 24-hour period starting from the time stamped on the ticket when the car entered the garage. Cars parked beyond the 24 hours will be subject to additional rates. https://navypier.com/parking-valet/ Please remember to return to BetterBidding and use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPSandHOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases. Link to comment
teeki Posted December 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2016 That is very helpful, thanks. I tried to buy it and it told me it is no longer available. Is it worth seeing if it comes back up? Link to comment
AaronJB Posted December 27, 2016 Report Share Posted December 27, 2016 Unfortunately there's no way to know for certain if it will appear again, but same day it's fairly unlikely. I'm also seeing the message when I click on it and a different 4.5* is showing in the zone. In the same area (around/near the river) 4.5* Magnificent Mile -Gold Coast for $76 Pets Allowed Business Center Restaurant Free Internet Indoor or Outdoor Pool Fitness Center No Smoking Rooms/Facilities >>>Likely Intercontinental, although I'll warn that the pool is not a relaxed/family friendly pool. It's an absolutely stunning, historic pool but it's really meant for lap swimming. 4.5* Downtown - River North for $78 Pets Allowed Business Center Restaurant Free Internet Fitness Center No Smoking Rooms/Facilities >>>James 4* Magnificent Mile -Gold Coast for $66 Pets Allowed Business Center Restaurant Free Internet Indoor or Outdoor Pool Fitness Center No Smoking Rooms/Facilities >>>Likely the Sheraton. The Sheraton is very much a "convention hotel", but this is square on the other side of the river from the Radisson, which puts you a few minutes walk closer to Navy Pier. There is a beautiful, newer Whole Foods on the opposite corner - great for cheaper snacks/drinks/alternative to room service. The Sheraton would be a reasonable option. I'd try calling ahead if you go this route and ask for a room on the river side. Pinstripes (http://pinstripes.com/chicago-illinois/), which is very nice although rather expensive - is a block away. Please remember to return to BetterBidding and use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPSandHOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases. Link to comment
teeki Posted December 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2016 Shoot, it looked really nice. If I click on the link for the Swissotel above and it will let me check out, is it likely still that hotel? Link to comment
AaronJB Posted December 27, 2016 Report Share Posted December 27, 2016 4* Millennium Park - Grant Park for $73.00 Pet Friendly Boutique Smoke Free Pool Restaurant Business Hi-Speed Internet Golf Spa Childrens Activities Blind Accessible Deaf Accessible Travel Accessible Room Accessible Bathroom Accessible Roll-in Shower ==> This listing on HOTWIRE may be the Swissotel or the Hilton Towers. If the Hilton, it would put you a very quick taxi ride away from Adler/Field. If the Swiss, would be an easy walk to Navy Pier. Please remember to return to BetterBidding and use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPSandHOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases. Link to comment
teeki Posted December 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2016 So, I tried your link for the possible Radisson a couple more times and the last time it let me check out for the price you had listed. It turns out it was the Radisson Blu. I am very appreciative for all of the help and city advice! Thank you! Link to comment
thereuare Posted December 28, 2016 Report Share Posted December 28, 2016 Congratulations on your success! Glad to see you were ultimately successful and pleased with the outcome. Hopefully you are already checked-in and beginning to enjoy your stay. Thank you for sharing your win and using the PRICELINE links on the board to begin your purchase. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
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