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

[michmom]

I am trying to book for 6/11 & 6/12. I will be going to Lakeshore Theater & Schuba's for concerts, so thought Lincoln Park would be a good area to stay. Any idea which hotel(s) are Priceline 2.5* for this area? Any other suggestions for places to stay? I am going with my 19 year old daughter. We will have a car (coming from MI). Thanks!!

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

What is your budget per night for hotel, and are you checking out 6/12 or do you need that night as well (checking out 6/13?)

[michmom]

Yes, checking out 6/13, so need both nights.

I would like to pay $100 or less per night, but will go $125 if necessary. THanks.

BTW, I am thrilled to have found this site.

[AaronJB]

The 2.5* I'm seeing is $213 on Hotwire and I'm going to ask you to pleeeeasssee not take it. ( I'm guessing it may be the Best Western Hawthorne Terrace or maybe the Days Inn Lincoln Park?. although probably more likely the former)

Hotwire is showing what appears to be the Hyatt Downtown (a 4* Mag Mile with fitness, business, internet, restaurant and spa) for $103.

The trip from the Hyatt to the places you are looking at going is probably 15-20 minutes or so. So for about 15-20 (maybe 25 if it's busy) minutes via public transit you'll save $110 a night and get a nicer hotel.

Or if you wanted to use Priceline, you could bid for a 4* in either of the downtown areas (River North/North Michigan Ave or Millennium Park/Loop/Grant Park) for $85 and see if that is accepted.

Please use the site's links to HOTWIRE or PRICELINE to start your purchase.

Additionally, I'm happy to answer any questions.

[michmom]

Thanks for the info. I will definitely stay away from the L/P hotels.

I have seen some really mixed reviews about the Hyatt. I am not the pickiest ... just want a clean room with a comfortable bed. As long as the Hyatt satisfies that, I'm okay with it. My big concern is the parking. That is a huge cost. Are there any public parking options within walking distance?

[AaronJB]

You can park at the large Millennium Park lot a few blocks South (underground lot) for $25.

I've stayed at the Hyatt and have put up friends/family there. I think it's a fine hotel (the best 4* in the city? No, but for around $100 it's certainly worthwhile and centrally located) especially around $100. You could try PRICELINE to see if you could get under HOTWIRE's price.

When you search for 3 people on your dates, there is also a 3.5* in the North Michigan Ave. area that looks promising (that hotel does not come up when searching for 2 people), but that is $139. The 3.5* could possibly be the Hotel Indigo, if it's been upgraded on Hotwire from 3* to 3.5* - which would not be surprising if true.

[michmom]

Thank you so much for your help. I just got the Hyatt for $59/night!

[AaronJB]

Wow, very impressive! $59 a night is literally about 75% off and not far from half Hotwire's price! :)

The places you are going to are not far from "L" stations. If you need directions or have any other questions I'd be very happy to help.

This would be the station nearest the Hyatt:

http://www.chicago-l.org/stations/lake.html

[michmom]

First of all, is it safe to take public transportation to/from Lakeshore ... returning to hotel around 10 pm. The other concert is a 10 pm concert, so I am thinking it might be best to take a cab back? Not even sure what that might cost! It's 3-4 miles, I think.

What is best route to take from Hyatt for Lakeshore? For Schuba's? You have been a terrific help!>>>

[AaronJB]

What is best route to take from Hyatt for Lakeshore? For Schuba's? You have been a terrific help!>>>

10PM shouldn't be bad in terms of taking the "L" back to the hotel. However, a cab ride may be a more comfortable option - both literally and in terms of not having to wait on the train platform, etc.

If the other concert *starts* at 10 (and I'm guessing ends at about 12), then I would definitely take the cab back after that.

Taking the "L" to there in the afternoon/evening will be perfectly fine - definitely no concerns with that.

There should be cabs around if you do want to take a cab back to the hotel, and it shouldn't be too bad - $12-15, probably. Maybe a little less at that time of night. The cab ride from that area to the Hyatt should be a pretty straightforward route.

To Schuba's:

You would head to the Lake Street subway station I mentioned earlier in the thread and take the Red Line subway (the Red Line is the only line that stops at that station) Northbound to Belmont and walk West to Southport. It is then just a few steps South on Southport.

Lakeshore Theatre is pretty much the same route - you would take the Red Line Northbound to Belmont and instead of going West of the Station, you'd go East.

There's also a lot of restaurants nearby your hotel, everything from Fox & Obel Gourmet Market and Cafe (Fox-obel.com for menu & location) to Giordanos Pizza (essentially around the corner at 135 Lake) to Corner Bakery (on the corner of Wacker and Michigan and a few doors West on Wacker) to higher end restaurants in nearby River North (such as Frontera Grill and Brasserie Jo, as well as many others.)

If you are looking for a quick breakfast, lunch or dinner, the Corner Bakery a couple blocks West of the hotel is a very good choice.

Happy to help! :)

[michmom]

You have been a huge help. Thank you so much! We should be all set for a great time.

[thereuare]

michmom,

Just wanted to add my welcome to the board and congraulations on your win!

AaronJB,

As always... excellent help! :)