Priceline Hotel: Chicago help

[popazuda]

I'm driving across the country, with a one night stop in Chicago. I see that you pay a premium for hotels downtown, and since I'm driving, I'm leary about paying extra for parking.

I plan to go for a night out on the town, so I'd like to choose a zone where the parking is definitely free, it is cheaper than downtown, it is safe, it is easy to get downtown (near a subway station would be great), and relatively easy to find from an interstate.

What areas would be best for me to bid in?

[AaronJB]

The issue with Chicago is that, once you leave downtown, there are really VERY few hotels until you get about 35-40 minutes out. Are you okay with that? What would your max be? What direction are you coming into the city from? Date of stay? Sorry for all the questions, but specifics do help when trying to assist.

[popazuda]

I will be coming into Chicago from the east (Detroit), so preferably I'd be staying somewhere on the east or south ends. I'm planning a night out on the town, and don't want to drive. Distance isn't an issue, but I'd like to stay in an area that's connected to the downtown by subway/metro (if such an area exists).

Are the Millenium Park/Loop/Grand Park, North Michigan Ave, and greater chicago priceline zones all considered downtown?

Out of Midway, Ohare, and Snokie/Niles/Everton, which one would be easiest to get downtown? Also does anyone know if I can expect to pay extra for parking in Chicago downtown zones?

[popazuda]

Date should be April 20th.

[AaronJB]

Greater Chicago is not downtown, and some areas of that zone aren't great. Stick with MP/LP/GP or River North/NMA. You will pay for parking downtown, unfortunately. Would not recommend Skokie or Niles for public transit, but Evanston's great. Most Northbrook/Deerfield/Glenview hotels are also near Metra stations.

[popazuda]

Thanks for the help. Couple more questions though

Are MP/LP/GP and River North/NMA considered downtown?

I don't see zones for Northbrook/Deerfield/Glenview. Are they included in a different zone?

Does anybody know how likely I would get Evanston if I choose Skokie/Niles/Evanston?

Thanks again.

[AaronJB]

<<Thanks for the help. Couple more questions though

Are MP/LP/GP and River North/NMA considered downtown?

I don't see zones for Northbrook/Deerfield/Glenview. Are they included in a different zone?

Does anybody know how likely I would get Evanston if I choose Skokie/Niles/Evanston?

Thanks again.>>

1. Yes.

2. Search for Deerfield, IL on Priceline. There should be both Deerfield and Northbrook/Glenview zones (although they should really just be put together, as Deerfield is right next to Northbrook and there are few hotels in Deerfield. Deerfield/Northbrook/Glenview hotels should all be within a short/reasonable drive of a Metra station, where you can park and ride. Deerfield/Glenview/Northbrook are upscale, pleasant burbs and certainly safe.

3. Downtown Evanston only has 2 hotels and the only hotel of those that shows up with any regularity is the Orrington, which I believe is a 4* in the Skokie/Niles/Evanston zone. If you bid 4* in that zone, you do have a good chance of getting the Orrington, as I really cannot think of another 4* in that area. However, it all depends whether or not the Orrington has PL inventory for your date.