Hotwire Hotel: 3.5* Chicago (Loop) Hotel Allegro

[JKNY329]

Submitted multiple bids for this zone and Midway Airport (rebid) - all rejected for 8/3 - 8/5/07.

$60

$70

$85

$100

$110

$120

$125

$135

Any suggestions? We don't wish to spend more than $125 ideally and don't want to stay at the Millenium Knickerbocker.

Thanks!

[AaronJB]

You're dealing with Lollapalooza festival crowds. The festival takes place in Grant Park on these dates, so hotels nearby are likely going to be tight with giving rooms to discount services. While you may not like the Knickerbocker, I honestly think you're going to have a better chance (and you may not get the 'Knick) in the NMA area.

[AaronJB]

Additionally, if you want to get something for around $125, I would bid aggressively in order to get something ASAP, because with the crowds coming in, prices will be going up across the board closer to the dates. I would not be surprised if only very, *very* few hotels had (extremely expensive) availability left once the dates come around, as that's how it was last year for Lollapalooza.

[JKNY329]

Thanks so much. I'll post my subsequent bid failures in new threads. If you have any further suggestions, please let me know. Much appreciated!

[JKNY329]

4* NMA-River North

$69

$80

$90

$100

$110

$120

all failed.

[JKNY329]

$75

$100

$125

all failed for NMA-River North and Millenium Park, Loop & Grant Park.

Any additional ideas greatly appreciated!

[thereuare]

How about a back-up reservation at the Whitehall?

If that's not acceptable and you'd prefer spending more for a 4* rather than lowering your star quality then Quikbook as the Radission for $200/nite (or at that rate i'd take it another $10 and go for the Sofitel for $209)

Do any of the above work for you?

[JKNY329]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

If I make a reservation on EasyClickTravel travel for the Whitehall "off the record," will it be refundable if I wind up finding something else later on using Priceline?

I appreciate the tips! Great website!

[thereuare]

Yes, you can cancel without penalty... almost all hotels thru EasyClickTravel are cancellable without penalty within a few days of arrival. Each hotel has its own policy (most are 24-72 hours before arrival), but the Whitehall in particular is 24 hours before arrival.

If you click the link directly above and do a search for your dates, on the next page there will be a link 'View Facilities and Price Details'. If you click that it will show you the cancellation policy (it's poorly worded, but if it says 24 hours then you have 24 hours to cancel without penalty)

[JKNY329]

Thanks!

Does anyone have any feedback on The Whitehall hotel? The reviews on TripAdvisor are very mixed. It seems to be the only option for less than $200 the weekend of Aug 3-5. Would anyone recommend (or advise against) this hotel?

I appreciate the advice!

[AaronJB]

The other new possibility that just popped up is on HOTWIRE:

a 3.5* boutique hotel in the Loop area with the amenities: boutique, fitness, restaurant, internet, business. $119. That is likely the Allegro, a Kimpton boutique hotel with a free wine reception at night.

As for the Whitehall, it's definitely not one of the best 4*'s Chicago has to offer and gets some extremely mixed reviews. However, as an affordable place to rest your head at night, it'll work and it is in a great location.

The Allegro is a better option for a few bucks less, but keep in mind while that area is fine during the day, there's nothing going on at night around it. That area of the Loop, while a pretty easy walk to State St. shopping and Grant Park/Millennium Park/the Art Institute, is largely a business district and once the workers head home, it can be "crickets"-level quiet around there.

Not sure where you need to be in the city - are you coming to see Lollapalooza? If you are coming to see Lollapalooza and need to be near Grant Park, the Allegro would be a better option. If you are just coming to see the sights, the Whitehall would be the better location, although not as nice a hotel (although both are older properties.)

[JKNY329]

Thank you all for your amazing help! This website literally made this trip possible. I had all but given up until this morning on even being able to go to Chicago that weekend.

However, I did get via Hotwire

Hotel Allegro Chicago 3.5 stars

Aug 3 - Aug 5, 2007

$119 per night

Taxes and fees $39.92

Total $277.92

I am not attending the concert for the weekend but visiting friends. The Whitehall would be the better location for the trip but the Allegro seems to be a better hotel choice. I know Chicago pretty well so we'll just be taking the train to get uptown.

Thanks again Aaron!

Jonathan

[JKNY329]

Chicago Loop

3.5 stars

Customer Favorite

Amenities: Boutique, Fitness Center, Restaurant, Business Center, High Speed Internet

$119

Taxes and fees $39.92

Total: $277.92

[AaronJB]

Sweetness. Glad you were able to take the cheaper Allegro deal. Plus, free wine hour at night. :)

No problem at all, happy to help! Plus, the "L" station is right outside the Allegro.

[JKNY329]

Hi Aaron and all other Chicago visitors

Just got back from our trip to Chicago. Stay at the Allegro was GREAT! All hotels were full in town but I got a room on the 18th floor with an outside view looking to the back of 333 W Wacker. Room had plenty of space and nice amenities. Building is older but elevators were super fast! Bathroom was on the small side but well appointed and certainly more comfortable than my one at home in NYC! Area had nothing open at night but train access was excellent. A bit from from Michigan Avenue though. Service in person was great, via telephone less so. Housekeeping did a super job and resolved all issues (broken TV) without problem. Make sure you ask for extra pillows as they were much more comfortable than the standard mushy ones provided.

All in all, we were VERY satisfied and would consider the Allegro again without reservation, especially at this rate when the city is full. Thanks again to Better Bidding for making our trip possible!