Hotwire Hotel: O'Hare 7/19-21/2007

[SpaceSquirrel]

Thanks for the great forum!

I'm scheduled to arrive at Chicago's Union Station (via Amtrak) at 10:38pm on Thursday, July 19th, flying out of O'Hare at 5am on Saturday, July 21st. I wasn't really planning to rent a car, so am looking for a hotel is either within walking distance of the CTA trains, or has a 24 hour shuttle.

I've read some really nasty reviews on TripAdvisor, so was hoping to at least get a vague "ID idea" before trying Hotwire.

Right now the only ones I'm seeing with shuttles are:

2* Northbrook for $59 w/ Rest, Laundry, Fitness, Business

1* ORD North for $81 w/ Fitness, Business, Breakfast, Pool, Laundry

2.5* ORD North for $84 w/ Fitness, Breakfast, Business

3* ORD North for $99 w/ Fitness, Business, Breakfast, pool, internet.

I'm not that into amenities, so am looking mainly at the Northbrook.

I have a reservation for $108 ($54/night) refundable until 6pm Thursday at:

Motel 6 - O'Hare / Schiller Park

9408 W Lawrence Ave

Schiller Park, IL 60176

Google Maps says that's about 1.5 miles from the Rosemont blue line stop, so if nothing better comes along I should be able get by via walking to the train.

If convenient, I'd like to use Hotwire as they have been very good to me the last 2 times I tried using them (giving refunds both times despite not _really_ needing to, even in my opinion).

One source told me a cab to the airport would be ~$15+ even from fairly nearby, so for priceline to be worthwhile, I'd probably want to find something in the area of $50/night.

Thanks.

--SpaceSquirrel

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

What is your maximum budget for this stay... some of the offers above will double (or nearly double) the cost of your back-up reservation.

[SpaceSquirrel]

I haven't really thought in terms of maximum budget, just trying to stay at a place that isn't absolutely terrible as cheaply as possible. If I could be fairly confident of a 24 hour shuttle and a place as good as or better than the motel 6 (I know, it's hard to judge what hotel is "better" than another) I wouldn't mind paying around $150. Don't think I want to get up near $200 though.

I'll probably be visiting with a friend who lives in Park Forest. If I'm staying 2 nights at O'Hare we'll probably meet downtown, but I could try to stay Thursday night near Hammond. Not sure what I would do with my luggage while hanging out downtown on Friday though.

Any ideas on what that 2-star in Northbrook is? I'm seeing it for $61 per night now.

Thanks, and sorry for coming to you with such nebulous plans.

--SpaceSquirrel

[AaronJB]

I don't know if I'd stay in Northbrook if you need to be at O'Hare early. You will have to take a cab from Northbrook, as the CTA does not go there. You'd have to take the Metra downtown (40 minutes, and the Metra doesn't start running until about 6/7a on weekends), then the CTA to O'Hare (60 minutes). The best way from Northbrook to O'Hare is really a cab.

I don't think the 2* in Northbrook has been identified, but maybe it's the Wingate?. However, that's just a guess.

I really would rather recommend Arlington Heights vs. Northbrook, because at least that's out towards the airport, plus you may get a hotel close to the Metra Line, so you could take the Metra out of Union Station rather than having to take the CTA. Unfortunately, doesn't seem to be much at all on HOTWIRE in the AH area on these dates.

Just throwing out ideas.