koulouty Posted February 8, 2008 Report Posted February 8, 2008 I've been on a quest to get a good deal on a hotel for a weekend trip in March. I've been reading this site to prepare myself and I am close to pulling the trigger on the below hotel:4-star hotel in Magnificent Mile Area - Streeterville Fitness Center, Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-speed Internet Access, Spa Services$199The amenities listed point to the Hyatt Regency, but it isn't listed as a Customer Favorite.In the end, I'm looking for a hotel close to the Mag Mile area. I'll be in town with my wife, and we'll be doing a mix of tourist and local exploring. We usually stay in lower star hotels, but I'd like to splurge on something nice in the city. 200/night is ideal, as taxes and fees really tack on to the final price.Any other suggestions? Should I pull the trigger on the above hotel?
AaronJB Posted February 8, 2008 Report Posted February 8, 2008 Let me look right now and see if there's any other options before you go with the Hyatt for $199 (that just feels like a bit much for the Hyatt; if there's no other choices, then fine, but I'd like to see if there are any other options first). I'll be back in a moment.
AaronJB Posted February 8, 2008 Report Posted February 8, 2008 Woah, wait - please don't buy the Hyatt yet, there are other options. The Hyatt is $199 for the first two nights, $259 for the third ($219 average, making the $199 not much of a deal at all.)
koulouty Posted February 8, 2008 Author Report Posted February 8, 2008 Woah, wait - please don't buy the Hyatt yet, there are other options. The Hyatt is $199 for the first two nights, $259 for the third ($219 average, making the $199 not much of a deal at all.)Well, what looks like the Embassy Suites is also available for 209.And the Inn of Chicago is 182.After reading more about the Hyatt, I understand your hesitation with it. Plus, at 199, I feel like I could go with the Intercontinental for 220/night before taxes and fees.I'm jealous of the other rates people have been getting :) I think St Patty's Day is bumping the rates up just a bit.
AaronJB Posted February 8, 2008 Report Posted February 8, 2008 Option 1: If your wife is up to the idea of a cute B & B in a great Gold Coast location, the Flemish House (chicago's #1 rated B & B on tripadvisor) is $175 on Expedia. Might be romantic, plus great neighborhood (lots of restaurants nearby) and easy walk to Mag Mile. Also, not a bad walk North to the (free) Zoo.Option 2: Hilton Suites (more space, great Michigan Ave. location) $184 non-refundable on Expedia.Option 3: Hotel Indigo (also in the Gold Coast area by the Flemish) $214. A little over your limit, but I think your wife might like it - it's a very cute hotel. Option 4: Bid on Priceline for the River North/NMA area, although you could get the Millennium Knickerbocker if you do that; that's a hotel that's superbly located, but has gotten a lot of negative reviews. I don't think it's as bad as the reviews indicate, and the hotel is currently in the midst of a multi-million dollar restoration project. If you wanted to take the chance, you could bid for a 4* in that area for cheap. I'd start under $100.Option 5: Palmer House Hilton $180 non-refundable.There's a couple more The Hyatt is just not a great hotel. It's a fine hotel for $75-100 when nothing's going on, but I wouldn't want to spend $200 on it. It's the biggest hotel in the city, and it's just very impersonal - it is rated 4*, but I would put it on the low end of a 4*.
AaronJB Posted February 8, 2008 Report Posted February 8, 2008 I'm finding a few more options, too - I'll post those in a moment.
AaronJB Posted February 8, 2008 Report Posted February 8, 2008 1. W Lakeshore lake view upgrade - $232.66 non-refundable. This is via a "Stay 2 nights, get 1 free" deal. The room is otherwise $349 a night.2. Fairmont (around the corner from the Hyatt) - $218 on Travelocity.com3. Amalfi $228 on Expedia.com. Evening cocktails and free breakfast.4. Spend a special first night in the Sofitel ($195, NR, Expedia) or Drake ($169, NR Expedia) and then move to the Hilton Garden Inn for $207 or Ambassador East for $229.
AaronJB Posted February 8, 2008 Report Posted February 8, 2008 1. HOTWIRE search for 3/13. There is a 4* Loop fitness, business, internet, restaurant. $79. This is the historic Palmer House Hilton. Spend the first night at the Palmer, then move to the Monaco ($279, Expedia) for the last 2 nights.Average: $212.2. HOTWIRE search for 3/13. There is a 4* Loop fitness, business, internet, restaurant. $79. This is the historic Palmer House Hilton. Then move to the Amalfi ($233, Expedia) for the last 2 nights.Average: $181.3. HOTWIRE search for 3/13. There is a 4* Loop fitness, business, internet, restaurant. $79. This is the historic Palmer House Hilton. Spend the first night at the Palmer, then move to the Sutton Place ($280, Orbitz. Use Orbitz promo code FABSAV15 for $15 off the total - not much, but it's something) You would take the subway outside the Palmer up to the Gold Coast (quick trip, all of about 5-6 minutes) and it's a very quick walk from the station to the Sutton.Average: $212.
AaronJB Posted February 8, 2008 Report Posted February 8, 2008 So, tons of options. The Palmer first night, move for the other two nights would involve a move, but would then allow you to go further with the second two nights and still have an average of around $200. Plus, with public transit, even the furthest distance - Palmer to Sutton - is really not that great of a trip. Plus, it would also allow you to have a base for sightseeing for a day in the Loop - you could go see the nearby Art Institute - and then move you much closer to the Mag Mile for the other two nights.
AaronJB Posted February 8, 2008 Report Posted February 8, 2008 You could walk from the Palmer to the Monaco (along the river) or to the Amalfi (just across the river, in the River North area.).
koulouty Posted February 8, 2008 Author Report Posted February 8, 2008 You could walk from the Palmer to the Monaco (along the river) or to the Amalfi (just across the river, in the River North area.).Wow! Thank you for the options. These should also help out others looking as well.I think I'll run all these options by my wife. The Indigo was one I overlooked and I even like the split option, to take advantage of low Thursday night rates.We'll definitely book using the links provided and will report back. -George
AaronJB Posted February 8, 2008 Report Posted February 8, 2008 Happy to help. I do live in the area, so I'm also happy to provide directions around once you decide on a hotel. There are other split options with the Thursday night Palmer as well; I just provided a few highlights. Thank you for using the links. :)
AaronJB Posted February 8, 2008 Report Posted February 8, 2008 Oh, here's a GREAT one:1. Palmer for $79 on Thursday.2. Club Floor at the Westin River North For $303 non-refundable for Friday/Saturday.A little more expensive at $228 average, but the Club Floor upgrade at the Westin would be quite nice. Plus, if you're on the side of the Westin that faces the river, you'll see the river turning green, as they dye it for St. Patrick's Day on the 15th.Westin Club Floor details: http://www.westinchicago.com/accomodations...cutiveclub.htmlThis is the link for a 20% off 2 nights (14th/15th) at the Westin:http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-1492259-10422...l?promoCode=Z2HSearch for Chicago, 14th-16th, and the Westin River North should be one of the hotels on the list. Select 2 adults, then at the top of the list of room options should be a Club Floor room for $303.20 per night (20% off.)
koulouty Posted February 9, 2008 Author Report Posted February 9, 2008 Well, we couldn't pass up option 2's average price. The Palmer deal for Thursday really opened up our options and allowed us to book the Amalfi. Continental breakfast and cocktails were a nice plus :)Thank you again for the help, AaronJB. We're excited about our trip and can't wait to see Chicago.
AaronJB Posted February 9, 2008 Report Posted February 9, 2008 Glad I could help! :)In terms of getting from one hotel to another:1. Walk: Walk up State St. (the street that runs along the West side of the Palmer) and take that North until you cross the river. The first street after crossing the river is Kinzie. Walk half a block West on Kinzie and there's the Amalfi. Really nice walk; you'll go through the State St. shopping area (including Macy's - formerly the Marshall Fields flagship store) and past the Chicago theatre, as well as the river.2. Take the subway. The Monroe Red Line station is right outside the Palmer on Monroe and State. You will take that Northbound a few stops up to Grand (which is Grand and State). Walk a few blocks South on State to Kinzie and half a block West.Lots and lots of restaurants around the Amalfi, including Rick Bayless's famed Frontera Grill and many, many others.
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