Priceline Hotel: Downtown Chicago

[premieresba]

I live in the Chicago area but since the cost of travel is so expensive, I would like to stay downtown for a few nights with the family. Since there are 4 of us including 2 teenagers I thought we should go for 2 rooms.

I would like to stay in the downtown/RiverNorth/Mag Mile area so that we are relatively central to everything. The dates I am looking for would be 12/26 - 12/29. Although we are flexible.

I would like to pay no more than $100 per room per night although I would like to start as as low as to allow a possibility of being accepted.

Do you have any advice on a bidding strategy?

Thanks

Robin

[thereuare]

What is the minimum star rating you're willing to accept?

If <your answer is> less than a 4*, are you willing to pay more for a higher quality hotel, or is the least expensive at your minimum star level your ultimately goal?

[premieresba]

I am looking for the best quality hotel for the least expenditure. However I am happy to go with a 3 for less cost or a 4 star for a bit higher.

Not sure if this will assist you assist me.

Thanks

[thereuare]

I do think you have a good chance at winning a 4* at $100 or less so we can start with that.

When bidding 4* in Chicago you have one re-bid zone available. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.

Select 4* NMA...

Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $65.

Any questions feel free to ask.

[premieresba]

Thanks for the suggestion, bids were rejected.

Do you have another strategy or should I try again tomorrow?

Thanks

[thereuare]

Tomorrow (24 hours after your last rejected bid) i'd proceed:

Select 4* NMA...

Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $75.

[premieresba]

I am trying to see if I can determine the hotel being offered on Hotwire.

The description is as follows:

4* Hotel in North Michigan Avenue - Gold Coast - Water Tower

Amenities

Fitness, restaurants, business center, internet

Listed as $89 per night

Can you assist?

Thanks

[premieresba]

The above was rejected yesterday?

Looking into Hotwire, however any other bidding suggestion?

Thanks

[thereuare]

Please keep all posts for the same stay in the same thread.

The above matches the Westin, Drake, Swissotel, Millennium Knickerbocker, and the Ambassador East... any of these (or some other not yet reported property) are possibilities, but i'd think the Ambassador East is the most likely and our best guess.

Did you see the 4* hotel, also in your budget, in the MagMile-Streeterville zone? (Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Interent, Business) That is a match for the Inter-Continental and the Sheraton, but i think the Inter-Continental is a better guess of the two. Would this property work for your needs?

Do you want to go with one of the above or continue to bid on PRICELINE?

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

Let us know your thoughts.

[premieresba]

We decided against going to stay downtown after all. The price for such a short stay did not work for us at the time.

Thanks for your help.