Priceline Hotel: 4* Chicago (Airport ORD) Hilton

[redimmunity]

Hello, i'm new here and already really appreciate all of the information I have found so far. I never knew my way through the PL loopholes of free rebids, so it really has given me many more oppurtunities as far as bidding.

Right now i'm trying (unsuccessfully) to find a 3 or 4 star hotel in the greater chicago/Mich Ave/Loop area. In appreciation to the board, I have been using the savingsbarn link, but no win yet. I looked at winning bids on here and have seen quite a few people land a 4* in the loop for $50-70. I have went as high as $100 on a 3* and still no win. Hotwire appears to be high right now too. I'm not very experienced with this, so do these rates change daily, with a better chance of getting a cheap room closer to the dates of the trip? I'm sure I can get a room by O'Hare if absolutely necessary for a good price, but being downtown would be so much nicer. Any help or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!

[AaronJB]

Welcome! :)

Hotel rates rise with demand on particular dates (rates vary from day-to-day; $50-70 is possible on a slow day) and unfortunately, that weekend is particularly bad - I believe there's at least one or more conventions that weekend and (I think) basketball players/fans (big 10 games I believe?) taking up a lot of rooms.

What is the max you're willing to spend?

[redimmunity]

I'm not wanting to go over $100 a night. Like I said, being downtown would be great, but not required. Getting a room near o'hare or midway for $60-70 would be fine too, but I hate to committ to that when I have more time to hopefully get what I really want. Looks like i'll just keep bidding away!

[AaronJB]

It is definitely a busy weekend; the one thing that sticks out as a possibility (although it would be probably just under $100) is the Allerton. What appears to be the Allerton (3.5*, North Michigan Ave/Water Tower/Gold Coast, fitness/business/restaurant/hi-speed internet) is showing for $149 on Hotwire. If you were to bid for that on Priceline, I would start off at $80 for a 3* in the River North/North Michigan Ave area (that may very well be too conversative, but wouldn't hurt to try) in order to attempt to bid for it (the Allerton is a 3* in that area.)

Keep in mind, however, if you bid on Priceline, you could potentially get another 3* in the same area (such as the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza) or be "upgraded" to one of the 4* hotels.

Are you driving in or flying in? (Just so I can know where best to recommend if you do have to stay outside of downtown.)

[redimmunity]

Thanks for the suggestions, but the way prices were looking and me wanting to keep it under $100, I decided to get something on the books now including the airport areas. Maybe I jumped the gun, but I used my bids for today (following the savingsbarn link), and was accepted for a 4* by O'Hare for $65/nite. The hotel ended up being the Hilton Chicago O'Hare. Everything looks fine, but I am a little unhappy looking at their webpage for that location, and my only option for parking is valet at $38/day!! I'm definitely happy with a 4* at that price, just too bad the parking is going to wipe out the great price... maybe. I've read from a few hotel reviewers that they opted to park at the nearby 'park n ride' station and only pay $3/day. I don't plan to use my car once I arrive, I will be getting around via public transportation. So it seems to make sense to park my car, jump on the blue line one stop to my hotel, and avoid the ridiculous parking prices. I don't know if this is an advisable practice though, so any input anyone may have would be greatly appreciated!

[AaronJB]

Thank you for using the link. :)

The location doesn't seem bad to me. It's at the airport, so you can walk to the station there if you do want to take the CTA in. From the hotel website:

"The Hilton Chicago O'Hare is ideally located in the heart of O'Hare International Airport. The hotel is within walking distance to all O'Hare Airport terminals and the Chicago CTA L train system"

Many of the hotels in the ORD zone are not within easy walking distance to the "L".

Here is the parking fees for the Cumberland station, as listed on the CTA website:

"Cumberland $2.00 for 12 hours;

$4.00 for 12-14 hours

$6.25 for 14-16 hours

$8.00 for 16-18 hours

$10.50 for 18-20 hours

$12.00 for 20-24 hours

Lost Ticket $12.00

Each additional 24 hours or fraction thereof $12.00 "

However,

If you park out in the far O'Hare airport lot (Economy Lot F), the fees are $9 (according to the website) for 24 hours.

http://www.flychicago.com/ohare/parkingohare/parking.shtm

Additionally, lot F is next to a Metra train station:

http://www.metrarail.com/Sched/ncs/ohare.shtml

Personally, I'd much rather take Metra into downtown each day than CTA. It's a couple of bucks more per ride, but a nicer ride. (Metra trains are larger commuter trains w/bathrooms and two floors.)

So, you have the choice of taking Metra both ways or Metra one way and CTA the other.

[redimmunity]

Thank you again for all of your help! I worded my last post wrong, I am VERY happy with the location of the hotel. No outside walking to trains is going to be wonderful. I was just shocked at the insane 38/day parking price, which pretty much takes the 65/nite up to 103/nite. I'm going to look into the lots you suggested, and just leave the car there. I would be extremely happy with $9-12 a day to park.

One last question... I see how everyone starts a post to show the dates, price, and hotel they have. Can the topic be editted on this post, or should I make a new topic telling what I got?

- Mike

Oops! Looks like the topic was already changed, so that answers my question! I just refreshed the page this morning and didn't go out and see that until now. Thanks!

[AaronJB]

Chicago parking prices are ridiculous, both in the city and by the airport. The Hilton $38 price is absurd, since even the most expensive airport parking lots closest to the airport itself are not that expensive. The far lot for $9 for 24 hours doesn't seem all that far and it looks to be pretty easy to get there from the airport.

There are varying prices to the lots; $9 is the furthest & cheapest. The closest is listed as $26.

Additionally, while the CTA station is in the airport, I'd definitely consider trying Metra at least once. It's just a lot more comfortable and worth the extra couple bucks. That takes you to Union Station downtown.

Any other questions about the city or getting around, please feel free to post here - may not have the answer, but I'll be happy to try and help.