Priceline Hotel: 4* Chicago (Millennium-Loop-Grant Park) Swisshotel Chicago

[senka]

Started bidding at $ 80/night for Loop and River North areas only, 3 days ago, got as high as $ 120 all refused. Started at $ 100 tonight, 1st bid accepted. Good deal, hotel's direct price $ 199/night.

Started bidding tonight for 10/5-10/06 same areas, first bid $80, went up to 100 with rebids all refused. Looks like bidding 1 week before arrival is the best strategy.

[AaronJB]

Unfortunately, you're going to have to bid much, much higher for the 10-5/6 - that's the weekend of the Marathon and most hotels are either booked up or very, very costly.

[senka]

Thanks so much for the info. I'm now thinking that I may not even sleep in Chicago since our plane departs at 8 PM 10/06/07

[AaronJB]

You could probably find a very nice hotel around O'Hare for under $100 on those dates if you do need a hotel near the airport for 10/5-6.

[betsybug]

I got the Hilton O'Hare, the closest to the Blue Line in the airport, for $65 for October 5-6... my priceline win.

I would give up downtown due to the Marathon and a large medical convention unless you have an acceptable cancelable back-up that enable you to keep bidding up to the date. Only last week a couple of hotels lifted their "sold out" status (Westin River North, Palmer House Hilton) but most are still sold out or $400+.