Hotwire Hotel: Chicago 4* -- 2 Sep 2007 -- help ID & advice

[spederson]

Hi, I've found a couple of hotels on Hotwire for the night of 2 Sep 07 and wondered if anyone could confirm my ID:

1) 4* Magnificent Mile/Streeterville (fitness/pool/restaurant/highspeed internet/business centre/spa/pool (Customer favourite)

Sounds like the Swissotel? $129

and

2) 4* The Loop (fitness/restaurant/highspeed internet)

Could this be the W? $129

It sounds like the W is the better hotel, but maybe the Loop going to be rather dead at night. We're only there for one afternoon/night/morning, so just basically want to wander around, go for a meal, enjoy being in a crowd for a change :-)

But the reviews seem to indicate that the Swissotel is also a bit remote?

There was another 4* listed in NMA/GC/WT ($115, fitness/restaurant/high speed internet/business centre), but it sounded like it would be the Drake/MK/Westin (or the Sofitel...? which sounds *fabulous* but unlikely, right?), which I know are OK, but something a little more swish would be nice.

I also looked at Priceline, but the board win postings seemed to mostly show MK, etc...in general, do you think Hotwire is better than Priceline for a really good 4* in Chicago?

And with Hotwire, is it better to grab a 4* early, or do other hotels tend to appear closer to the date?

thanks in advance, I know it is a lot of questions :-)

Sue

[AaronJB]

Those do look like the Swiss and W.

The W gets some pretty horrible reviews on tripadvisor. However, I liked it. It's an unusual hotel (as all W's are) with a dark look and people will either find its dark (the halls are dark enough that the night vision feature on my Sony digital camera that I had at the time worked) color/light design relaxing or annoying. That area is not only very quiet at night, but on weekend mornings it's very quiet, as well. During one early morning on a weekend stay there, I walked out to feel like the city - or at least that chunk of it - was completely empty. But, again, I actually really found the W to be an interesting change from the norm of the semi-bland business hotels of the city. Plus, you get to see the rather fascinating change of the lobby from fairly quiet check-in to a nightclub-like setting at night. I also like the W Signature Beds more than the very similar Westin Heavenly Bed. If you go to tripadvisor and search for the W City Center and click "Candid user photos", you'll see the pictures I took of the room. Good room service (I was actually pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food - not a 5-star restaurant or anything, but definitely above average eats) and - I thought - good service in general. Keep in mind, however, that my positive view of the hotel seems to be in the minority. I'd definitely read the reviews.

The Swiss is a couple of blocks away from Michigan Ave. Once you reach Michigan Ave., you walk North shortly to Michigan Ave., or South to the Art Institute/Millennium Park. Many reviews have said the Swiss is remote, and that both fascinates me and irritates me because I just don't get it. People say that "it is too far from Michigan ave. shopping." You can practically see Michigan Ave. shopping from the Swiss. I don't know what it is about the Swiss location that people think it's remote, but I find that silly. It's just a little off Michigan Ave., along the river and near the lake. Most - but not all - Swissotel rooms also have great views. The Swiss location is definitely preferable to the W and the potential Swiss is cheaper than the potential W.

I definitely wouldn't go on the assumption that the 4* NMA is the Sofitel. It is more likely either the Ambassador E, Westin MA, MK or Drake.

If you are happy with a HOTWIRE listing, I would take it because it may not be there a month from now, or even tomorrow. I've seen quite a few instances where someone took a hotwire listing and then it turned out to be the last one. In terms of Hotwire listings, I don't think you'll see too much variation in terms of which hotels are showing. In my opinion, a lot of the same hotels have been showing up all Summer and will likely continue to do so into the Fall. I think once the Winter begins, then we may see a wider variety of hotels as more hotels try to fill rooms. Maybe it's just me, but some hotels seem "seasonal" in their use of Hotwire and Priceline.

With Priceline, you get what the service gives you. I've lucked out plenty of times with Priceline, but I know that there's always the potential of getting something I don't want (the MK, the Hyatt, the Sheraton.) Hotwire at least allows you to guess which hotel is showing.

[thereuare]

Most - but not all - Swissotel rooms also have great views. The Swiss location is definitely preferable to the W and the potential Swiss is cheaper than the potential W.

Sounds like this is as easy decision based upon the above info, but i will add...

If you're from a small town (which it sounds as if you may be, since you say you want to "be around people for a change") i think if you got a room with a nice view it will add to the "wow" factor. I know you probably won't be in the room for too long and would rather be "out and about", and i'm not one to pay too much more for a room with a view, but it can often add to your overall experience.

Please use this HOTWIRE link to begin any purchases you make.

Let us know how it goes and what you decide to do.

[AaronJB]

If I wanted a place to go to relax (because I actually liked the dark feel of the W and found it relaxing) and knew I wasn't going to leave the room and was just going to have an "in-town getaway" and the W was cheap on Hotwire, I'd definitely consider the W because - unlike a lot of people - I dug the place (my only issue with it was that my allergies were bad because there was dust in the corners.) The W City Center is an older property (the Midland) that was bought and redone by the W chain. It is mostly sleek and new, but you can tell that some aspects of the old hotel remain. The W Lakeshore in Chicago is a similar situation - it's an old Days Inn that the W chain redid.

The Swiss is a very nice, relaxing luxury hotel, as well, but different in feel - it's more a business hotel. It does have better views (the W has zero views, especially if you're facing into the courtyard in the middle) and the much better location. If I was coming into Chicago and looking to see the sights, I'd pick the Swiss without hesitation. The location's just far better (aside from the Sears Tower and what's left of State St. shopping, there's not much by the W for a tourist - or really for a local, for that matter) and the hotel is very nice.

[AaronJB]

In terms of being near Union Station (since you're using Amtrak), the W would be the closer hotel, but I could still walk from Union to the Swiss fairly easily - it would be about a 15-20 minute walk along Wacker. Pleasant walk, as well - much of it along the river.

[spederson]

Wow, thank you. You guys are amazing. That is so helpful for a person who has only been to Chicago for a day 10 years ago! My husband has stayed at Ws before and I always wanted to try one, but it sounds like this might not be the best one to start with. It sounds like the Swissotel location would be just fine. We're definitely from a small town compared to Chicago, and lots of other humans would be a plus. My husband has stayed at the Drake and said it was fine, but would like to try somewhere more modern this time (we've stayed in a lot of old historic hotels over theyears and sometimes you just want a really modern bathroom :-)

My last question is, I found the Sofitel for $185+22 tax on their web site. It sounds really fabulous on tripadvisor, but is it significantly better than the Swissotel/is the location as good?

Sue (still have hotels to book in New York and NC, but shouldn't require such intensive help there!)

[laurasue]

The Sofitel is one of the most amazing hotels I've every stayed in. I can't compare it to the others, but $185 is a good rate, IMO.

[thereuare]

If you do book direct please use our link to Softitel to begin your purchase (otherwise use our HOTWIRE link previously posted)

[spederson]

If you do book direct please use our link to Softitel to begin your purchase (otherwise use our HOTWIRE link previously posted)

I booked direct half an hour before your post ($213 inc taxes); I didn't realise you had direct hotel links. :-( Believe me, I have now studied the list assiduously and will check before I book *anything* in future!

thank you again so much for your help, it has been invaluable.

Susan