joby Posted June 14, 2007 Report Share Posted June 14, 2007 Hi,-- we (1 adult, 2 teens) are planning a short 2 night stay in Chicago in July. --Our dates are flexible at this point, even whether it's weekdays versus weekends are flexible. --Our price range would be in the range of $120 and down per night. We need to stay in a safe area that's fairly convenient and centrally located. We plan to travel all over Chicago shopping, probably not on Michigan Ave though. We plan to get Visitor's passes for the bus/train transportation.What areas do you recommend that we bid for and what prices?I'm rather new to bidding having only done it once before :) Link to comment
thereuare Posted June 14, 2007 Report Share Posted June 14, 2007 The first "issue" you need to address if you're comfortable using priceline for this stay... Priceline only guarantees double occupancy, after that it's at the discretion of the hotel. HOTWIRE does allow you to search up to quad occupancy.Not sure of where else you'll be shopping off of Michigan Ave, but the majority of chicago visitors bid the NMA (North Michigan Ave) and the Loop zones... but you'll need to check the boundaries of each to determine if these area(s) will work for your plans.Let us know regarding the occupancy issue discussed above, your thoughts on the zone(s), as well as the minimum star rating you're willing to accept. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
joby Posted June 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 Hotwire looks to be the better choice for us, so let's go with that.As to zones-- we actually are going to map out a couple of days worth of thrift store shopping. I'm sure the stores will be located all over the city.Star ratings--it seems that 3* would probably be our lowest rating. We want a very clean, safe and possibly centralized location. Any amenities above that would be a bonus.I did find a couple of rates on a site for the Marriott O'Hare and the Crowne Plaza O'Hare hotels for $89/night weekends only. I know that O'Hare is fairly far from the city, but wondered if either would be a good deal for us as we plan to spend the whole day and early evening in the city shopping and eating?Thanks for your help. Link to comment
thereuare Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 If you search the downtown zone on HOTWIRE (for triple occupancy) is there anything within your budget at 3* or higher? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
joby Posted June 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 Downtown Chicago Hotwire doesn't have anything in our price range.This is what I found on Hotwire for 7/13-7/15 what might it be?:4-star hotel in O'Hare Intl Airport ORD North $79/night Customer Favorite!This upscale establishment offers thoughtful features, quality rooms and a high level of service. See hotel details * Airport Shuttle * Fitness Center * Pool(s) * Restaurant(s) * Business Center * High-speed Internet Access * Golf NearbyArea details: The area surrounding O'Hare Airport offers easy flight access, affordable rooms, plus museums, shopping, and sports. See area map ORI found this for 7/12-7/14 what might it be?:4-star hotel in Museum Campus - McCormick Place - Soldier Field $99/nightThis upscale establishment offers thoughtful features, quality rooms and a high level of service. See hotel details * Fitness Center * Pool(s) * Restaurant(s) * Business Center * High-speed Internet AccessArea details: A short "El" train ride from downtown, home to the convention center, museums, and stadiums. SWhich would be the better bet for what we want? Link to comment
AaronJB Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 The museum campus location would be much better for what you want. Best case scenario, that's the Hilton Towers on South Michigan Ave. There's not a whole lot in the blocks right around that hotel aside from apartments and college buildings, but it's a short walk North to the Art Institute and a mild walk SE to the museum campus.It's not near Michigan Ave. shopping (about a 30 minute walk North), but if you're not interested in Michigan Ave. shopping (and I don't blame you for not being interested), then that's not an issue. Link to comment
joby Posted June 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 Hi, is the museum campus location good for public tranportation? We need easy and reliable transportation stops near our lodging.So far this seems to be available for the week of July 9-15 ( a possible time) on various days--4* ORD south $694* ORD north $794* museum campus $99 OR available on internetMarriott O'Hare $89Crowne Plaza O'Hare $89Your suggestions and why? Link to comment
joby Posted June 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 To muddy the waters even more--I found the Essex Inn for 2 nights $268 total inc. all tax>Opinions? Link to comment
AaronJB Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 Take the 4* Museum Campus for $99. I'd much rather take my chances on that being the Hyatt or the Hilton than staying at the 2* Essex for more money. Link to comment
thereuare Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 ... please use this HOTWIRE link to begin any purchases you make :)Let us know how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
joby Posted June 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 Many thanks for the help :)So it appears that the $99/night museum campus would be our best bet?? Hopefully either the Hyatt or the Hilton have good access to busses and the "L"??We will be out in the city all day and probably into the early evening, I'm assuming that since nothing was mentioned that it would be a safe area for us to ride public transportation?I appreciate your suggestions and help! Link to comment
joby Posted June 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2007 I wanted to let you know that we went through Hotwire and got the Hilton, 720 S Michigan Ave.It was a 4* Museum campus for $96/night.I think we did well :) Thanks so much for all of your suggestions and help. I appreciate it! Link to comment
AaronJB Posted June 16, 2007 Report Share Posted June 16, 2007 I think you did very, very well. There is a subway station a few blocks to the NE, but you can walk quite easily to the museum campus (to the E/SE) to the Art Institute/Millennium Park (to the North) Link to comment
joby Posted August 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2007 I just wanted to comment on our July stay at the Chicago Hilton.It was sooooo beautiful and worked out great for our stay! Thanks to all for the help in identifying it. We loved it :) Link to comment
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