Hotwire Hotel: 4* Chicago (Mag Mile-Streeterville) Hotel Monaco

[jcooper]

October 12-14

$183 per night. Listed as a Best Value in Firefox web browser. Interestingly, it shows up as a Customer Favorite in Safari.

I thought it could be either the Hard Rock or the Westin River North based on previous posts.

Amenities: Fitness Center, Business Center, Restaurant, High Speed Internet Access

The reviews are overall 4.5 out of 5.0 on Hotwire. For Trip Advisor, it is a 4.0 out of 5.0 with 80+ reviews. One of the Hotwire reviews mentioned a very comfortable bed, nice cozy soft linens. Nice lobby.

Any help in identifying this would be helpful. I am already booked at the Hotel Blake for Saturday, the 13th. I was just planning on booking a hotel in Schaumburg for the other night, but I may change my mind for the right hotel.

Thanks!

[jcooper]

Okay, based on the Priceline Forum, someone just snagged the Westin for $183 on HOTWIRE, and it seems to be the hotel based on previous posts.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

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

Let us know whatever you decide to do for this stay or if we can help further.

[jcooper]

Well, I am still going to consider the purchase for the Westin (if that is what it is), and I will purchase through the links provided.

As I stated, I am already booked at the Hotel Blake, which is a lower star property but seems more unique and boutiqueish than a major hotel chain. But, the review of the Westin seems good too... people seem to like it a lot. So, I am not sure how they could compare and if it would satisfy my desire to be at a hotel that is a bit more unique. At least I hope the Blake is unique. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Board member AaronJB is our resident Chicago expert and i'm sure will comment and offer some advice once he sees this thread.

[AaronJB]

For some background, the Blake used to be a decent Hyatt and then was sold and was about to become apartments when it was suddenly decided for it to become a boutique hotel. The hotel had a pretty terrible time getting started, as you can see from consistently negative reviews around the time it opened (rooms not as advertised, poor service, reservation issues, etc.), but reviews have mostly improved since. The hotel was actually going to be the Chicago edition of the Nicky O Hotels (Paris' sister Nicky's chain), but that never happened and turned into a lousy situation for the developer. The Blake then remained the Blake.

As is, the hotel now gets some consistently decent reviews. However, it is not in a particularly good location for tourists. The Blake is in the South/SW part of the Loop area. The Loop (especially the West loop) is primarily a business area, and when the business day ends, many stores and restaurants close in the evening. While not unsafe, I've walked through the Loop on off nights and it can be eerily quiet. The S/SW Loop doesn't have much going on - you are not too far a walk from the Sears Tower and Art Institute and the Museum Campus is probably 3/4th of a mile, but you're a ways from Michigan Ave. There is also nothing much around the hotel itself, aside from apartments and nearby college buildings. At night, it will likely be quiet around the hotel. In fact, the Blake would be something I'd recommend more for a college visit, as a few major city colleges are right there.

The North end of the Loop area (by the river), the River North area (around the Westin) and the North Michigan Ave. area are much more active into the evening.

The Blake is a boutique, but not of the same level as some of the Kimptons (Burnham, Monaco) and other hotels (Amalfi, Talbott) in the city.

The Westin River North is the nicer of the two downtown Westins, and is unique in that it used to be the Japanese-owned Hotel Nikko. While the rooms did not retain the Japanese style of the former hotel, the lobby area has retained the Japanese style of the Nikko, complete with the rock garden in the back. The House of Blues is across the street, and many of Chicago's top restaurants are in the River North area.

Personally, if given the choice between the Westin and the Blake, I'd choose the Westin every time. More upscale hotel, better area.

[jcooper]

Aaron, thanks so much for the comparison review of the Blake vs Westin. I did see some mixed reviews, but yes, they did seem to get better. And the photos of the rooms did sway me some to book a stay there. Thanks for the location information. I actually was hoping to do the Burnham or Monaco, but the prices were pretty high when I was first started trying to get a room and I hesitated and I cant seem to find availability anymore. Then I booked the Blake for October 13-14 (can cancel) for 243. Now I know more about why it is so expensive this weekend.

Now it seems that I have hesitated again and the Westin is off of Hotwire. The sub 200 (183) price was attractive to me and I would consider two nights downtown at that price. But I just don't want to pay more than 300 per night for two nights downtown as I would rather spend money at great restaurants and shopping. I may now reconsider finding another hotel that I wouldn't minding spending a bit more for one night downtown based on the review of the Blake. I would book the Westin for 2 nights if that deal came around again. But if it doesn't, I may just split my stay between Schaumburg and Chicago as I do plan on spending at least a days worth of time in Schaumburg. I was looking at the Hotel Indigo in Schaumburg/Palatine for the October 12-13 if I did split the stay. It seemed interesting and different than a usual hotel.

The trip is for the birthday of my SO and I would like the hotel and room for downtown to be as nice as possible. I was hoping the Blake would evoke a nice reaction, but now that I am thinking of just booking one night October 13-14 at a more expensive hotel that may be in a better location, I would welcome suggestions.

You have been a great help!

[AaronJB]

I quite like the Indigo downtown, so I would think the one out in the burbs is along the same lines. The suburban one often shows up on HOTWIRE.

[AaronJB]

The interesting thing about the Indigo is that the whole "theme" - beach-house style furniture, hardwood floors, a lot of bright blues, a photo mural on the back wall - actually worked a lot better for me in-person than it did on the website. I thought it looked kinda cute on the website, but was really kind of impressed at how well it "pulled together" when I stayed there. There's also little touches in the hotel that change with the seasons.

[AaronJB]

I'll look to see what I can find for these dates and report back shortly - very happy to help. I'll edit this post with results.

I'm not seeing anything much for 10/12-14. What appears to be the Hyatt McCormick Place is showing for fairly reasonable, but while that is a nice hotel, its location would be much worse than the Blake, as it's very isolated by the convention center just to the South of the downtown.

What appears to have taken the place of the Westin listing is the Swissotel, although for a lot more money. In fact, I'm really not seeing anything that's reasonable and of much interest for either date on Hotwire.

You could use Priceline to try for a 4* in the River North/North Michigan Ave. area, but then you don't know what you're getting whereas at least with Hotwire you do have some idea based on the info showing.

The thing with the Hotel Indigo Palatine is that, while it would be a trip downtown, it may actually work out for the best, as it's not far from a Metra train station and I believe the Indigo has a shuttle that could take you to the station. Then you'd just take that downtown to Union Station - it would be a 50 or so minute trip, but at least Metra's really much more comfortable than CTA trains.

While *not guaranteed*, what appears to be the Indigo Palatine (a 3* in the Buffalo Grove/Arlington Heights North zone, with the amenities: Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Business, Golf, Tennis, Laundry) is showing for $52 for your dates.

I'll be back in a moment with one more suggestion.

[jcooper]

Thanks so much again Aaron! I had the same reaction to the Indigo pictures and it is nice to know that it works in person too. Thanks for all your help and looking around for those dates. I will report back with what I finally end up doing, and of course I will use the links provided to support this great site!

[AaronJB]

Not a problem! :) Happy to help :)

I went to see if the MDA Apartments or Fisher Building (two luxury apartments downtown that rent by the day sometimes) are showing as available, but they aren't, unfortunately.

The Indigo for $52 would be a very good deal if the HOTWIRE listing is the Indigo Palatine.

This is the nearest Metra station to that Indigo: http://www.metrarail.com/Sched/cnw_nw/arlington_park.shtml

Edit: Here's the schedule for that line: http://metrarail.com/Sched/cnw_nw/cnw_nw.shtml

[jcooper]

Thanks for all the Metra information. I will read more about it as I have never taken that into the city.

What do you think of the Amalfi? It is more of a splurge than I intended, but I really am drawn to the more independent/boutique/modern style hotels.

[AaronJB]

Let me look for downtown for 10/12-14 and see what the price is for the Amalfi, then offer some thoughts on any similar properties. Sort of an "overview" of some options.

Metra is sort of like an Amtrak train, only for shorter distances. More comfortable seats than the "L" trains, bathrooms, two levels.

[AaronJB]

The Amalfi is a new property (in other words, it wasn't a repurposing of an existing hotel, like the Indigo, James or the two W's in Chicago - the W Lakeshore actually used to be a Day's Inn, no joke) that went up a few years ago. The Amalfi is a very nice, modern boutique hotel that is essentially 1 block North from the Westin River North (and the Westin's directly on the river.) You also get free breakfast and evening reception. The Westin, with its rich and rather bold lobby, is a little sleeker.

However, my problem is that I'm seeing the Amalfi for $340. I have a very hard time recommending hotels for over $300 in downtown Chicago unless A:) You are getting upgraded accomidations or B:) There just isn't anything else (and often there isn't, as Chicago hotels can be ridiculous.)

Many regular/basic/non-upgraded rooms at 4* hotels in Chicago are very nice, but when you start getting towards the $300+ range, you will likely feel as if you did not get your money's worth. Over $300+ is still expensive for upgraded rooms, but at least you are getting additional amenities and, in the case of some, being on a private floor.

I'd rather suggest, for a couple of dollars less, a Club Floor room at the Westin, which can be found for $335 via this non-refundable special:

Stay 2 nights, get 20% off

That's pricey, as well, but I feel like it would be a better value than a regular room at the Amalfi for $340. In other words, if I had to pick between the Westin River North Club Floor for $335 and a regular room at the Amalfi, I'd definitely pick the Westin.

You can find the amenities (Imac computer in the room) of the Westin River North Club Floor here: http://www.westinchicago.com/accomodations...cutiveclub.html

Additionally, that special also has an option for a river view room (and I do have to say, I've stayed in a 17th floor river view room and found the view stunning) for $295 or a regular room for $255. So you do have an option for a regular room for 20% off or upgrades.

I really do like the Westin River North. However, I'm not a fan of the Michigan Ave. location, which I felt was more of a 3* than the 4* it's rated as.

Other thoughts:

The Fairmont has a $239 option on Expedia.com where you get a free upgrade to a Deluxe Room. The Fairmont would definitely not be the kind of boutique you are looking for, but the free upgrade's a pretty good deal. I believe "Deluxe Room" is simply their term for lake view. The Swissotel (which is actually next to the Fairmont) is showing for $226 on Hotwire, but I'd rather just recommend the regular rate Fairmont deal for a few bucks more.

The Monaco and Burnham are showing availability for the first night, but not the second. Too bad about the Monaco, because it is a nice hotel, but there's construction going on in the next block over from the Burnham both day (a major city commercial development) and potentially at night, as well - there is a CTA station project going on where they can work at night.

Sutton Place appears booked and the Indigo for $359 is crazy. Don't get me wrong, I love the Indigo, but $359 for it is nuts. It's a sweet, cute little boutique hotel and the concept works very well, but the kind of rooms and amenities really makes anything more than $200 or so unreasonable. I can't imagine the Palatine Indigo is much different, and that often goes for $99-150 (and as low as the $50's on Hotwire and Priceline.)

The W Hotels in Chicago get some severely mixed reviews and I wouldn't recommend them at the prices they are showing at.

The Talbott is booked, and the Sofitel appears to be, as well.

[AaronJB]

Also, if you do decide on the Westin option, I'd join their Starwood Preferred Guest program (free @ spg.com) first before booking.

[jcooper]

Wow, you are certainly a wealth of information, Aaron. Thanks for all the research and your opinions on the different hotels. It is nice to get a real perspective when all you see are glossed over pictures and reviews of people who glow about everything or find one small thing wrong in their stay and then unfairly let that color their entire review. Im certainly considering the Westin after your testimonials. I need some time to digest all you have written and make a decision.

I did email the Amalfi and ask about the differences between the King room and the Corner King, which is approximately $20 more. Again, at $369, it is getting awfully pricey and I tend to agree with you, at that price, it should be an absolutely spectacular experience. At least with the Westin, it does appear as though there are extras to make the price a better value. Well, better value in relative terms, it is much more than my car payment every month!

I did review the Metra information. I did look at the schedules, and it seems like the last train goes back a little after midnight. My only concern would be if I spending time downtown and it got to be past that time, but I guess I would plan for it in that case. It is a fun city, I can see the time flying by very fast.

Thanks again for all your hard work. I will certainly look over my choices again and report back what I end up doing.

[jcooper]

Not sure if I should start a new thread... but I found another hotel, October 12-13

4 star

Magnificent Mile / Streeterville

$225

Trip Advisor and Hotwire Traveler Rating 4.5

Amenities: Boutique, Fitness, Business, Restaurant, High Speed

The only four star boutique in this area I can think of is the House of Blues/Hotel Sax... but I didn't know if it is also a match for High Speed Internet

Is this a match or is there another hotel that would be a boutique in this area?

[thereuare]

AaronJB probably has a better handle on this, but the zones were recently re-zoned and the Monaco is now in this zone (previously in the Loop)... that would be my best guess.

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

Let us know how it goes.

PS- AaronJB, when you have a chance, can you take a look at the hotel list and comment (you can send me a PM) if any other hotels need to be moved from the Loop zone to the MagMile-Streeterville area, THANKS!!

[jcooper]

You were correct, this is the Hotel Monaco. I am quite excited about this hotel, which is only 10 dollars more than the room I booked at the Hotel Blake, which I will now cancel. I was hoping for a Saturday night, but I will settle for a Friday night to be in what appears to be a wonderfully reviewed hotel. I will book my other night out in the Schaumburg area, using the links provided by this site, as I don't want to spend all my money on accommodations.

I am not sure if the price jumped up $30 over the past few hours, but I did end up booking at $255. Here are the amenities for review.

4 star

Magnificent Mile / Streeterville

$255

Trip Advisor and Hotwire Traveler Rating 4.5

Amenities: Boutique, Fitness, Business, Restaurant, High Speed

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to hear it worked out as expected and that we were able to help.

Hopefully you also remembered to use our HOTWIRE link to begin your purchase.

Enjoy your stay.

[AaronJB]

Wow! Very nice win, as the Monaco has come up very rarely lately. Plus, you're essentially a block or two from the Westin mentioned above, so the benefits of that location are really the same here. In fact, this is a little closer to Michigan Ave. and Millennium Park.