Priceline Hotel: Chicago Bid help, possible split bid situation

[rickster]

Hi all,

I am trying to bid on a downtown hotel either in NMA or Loop, preferably 4*. I will need rooms from Sat 9/29 to Wed. 10/3.

On priceline I bid as follows, all rejected:

1st: Millen Loop, 4*, $85

2nd rebid added NMA at $90

3rd rebid added midway at $100

I would preferr to not have to move hotels. I know this is a possibility with a split bid but do you think I will have a better chance of getting something around $100 with a split rather than trying for the whole thing?

I am attending a business conference on the 1, 2, 3rd and making a weekend of it by coming in Sat. the 29th. The conference hotel (Hilton Chicago on 720 S Mich) has a group rate of $250. I can pretty much pocket half of anything I save under the $250 rate.

Any recommendations?

Thanks.

[AaronJB]

The thing with Chicago is that there are not enough hotel rooms (I've actually written this to the Mayor's office), so what happens whenever a mid-to-large sized convention comes into town is that the hotel prices instantly rise or even go through the roof. Even the 2* hotels suddenly jump to $300 during the busiest conventions.

Your situation doesn't seem quite as bad, but the 1st-3rd do seem more expensive than the prior weekend, so splitting the bid would likely offer a greater chance @ success.

I do see what appears to be the Palmer House Hilton (4*, Loop, Fitness, Business, Restaurant/Internet) for $126 on HOTWIRE for 9/29-10/1. What appears to be The Intercontinental (4* Mag Mile/Streeterville, Fitness, Business/Restaurant/Internet/Pool) is also showing for $129. The Palmer would be in the Millennium Park/Loop/GP area on PL, while the Intercontinental is in the River North/NMA area.

You will need to bid in the Millennium Park/Loop/Grant Park area for 10/1-3, as your convention hotel is the Southernmost hotel in that zone on Priceline.

Additionally, moving hotels in Chicago isn't that bad. Yes, it is a move, but Chicago is really pretty compact, and even a move across the Loop is really not very far (it's not like trying to go from Midtown to Downtown in NYC, for example)

One more thing: If you are trying to have a nice, relaxing time on the weekend prior, you may want to be in the River North/North Michigan Ave. area, as it stays open later. While the Loop is closer to museums, much of it shuts down at night.

[rickster]

OK, I am trying again and going through savingsbarn. I am trying for the whole thing first startign bidding at 145 going up to 200 for 4* Mel or NMA and then if that fails will try to split.

[thereuare]

Let us know how it goes and keep us updated, or if you need a strategy to follow.