Priceline Hotel: Chicago 8/1-3/2008

[tcw]

Hi, I'm new to this and looking for some direction. After reading and bidding on NMA 4* up to $125, I realize that it's going to take a lot more due to Lollapalooza. My other option I'm considering is to stay in the O'Hare area and just drive downtown for the day. If going this route, what are your bidding recommendations for the 4* in this area -- and do you think this is a wise alternative.

Thanks and I'm looking forward to any help.

[AaronJB]

Welcome to the site :)

Are you driving into the city? If so, from what direction? What would be your max budget per night? Are you coming for the purpose of Lollapalooza or are you just coming as a tourist?

[tcw]

We are driving in from Michigan and my parents are driving from Missouri -- dropping off the kids after a month with them. We are not going to Lollapalooza. I have reserved a day at American Girl Place for my daughter and her mother and grandmother. So just tourists for a couple of nights -- I know -- bad weekend to just come into town.

[AaronJB]

Are you going to have more than 2 people in the room? If so, then PRICELINE will be difficult, because it only guarantees 1 bed per room - whether or not you can get 2 is up to the hotel. On a difficult weekend, it's going to be very unlikely they'll be willing to work with you.

One suggestion I can make North of the city is the Renaissance North Shore, which is $99 via Orbitz for 4 people in a room + free breakfast (although read the fine print for the details of the promotion). That hotel does have a shuttle (at least last I looked on the website) from the hotel to the nearby Metra station, so you would not have to drive back downtown (although you'd have to time it well, as the Metra trains run infrequently - as much as every 2 hours - on the weekends).

This would be about a 40 minute drive North of the city, although given the construction, it might take a little longer. If you use the coupon code SUMMERFAM on Orbitz, you can get an extra 10% off each night. The Chicago Botanic Garden (which, despite the name, is in a suburb) is on the other side of the expressway from the hotel.

In terms of downtown, Orbitz has the Residence Inn River North for $299 per night, and you can also use the SUMMERFAM coupon code for 10% off. Free breakfast.

SW of the city, Orbitz has the Courtyard Oakbrook Terrace for $99. Free breakfast (although read the details of the promotion.) If you stay SW of the city, the Brookfield Zoo is in-between the city and the Oakbrook Terrace area - that might be an idea.

I'm recommending the Marriots in this case as I thought the free breakfasts were a nice bonus, plus you can use the 10% off coupon code.

I don't usually recommend the burbs for a short stay, but in this case it may be worthwhile considering the high cost of downtown hotels + the high cost of downtown parking if you're driving in (most hotels charge $40+ per night for parking downtown.)

Please use the site's link to Orbitz.com (click the Orbitz.com) if any of these ideas are of interest. If you have any questions, please ask.

You could also use PRICELINE or Hotwire in the suburbs, but I thought the breakfast addition (again, read the fine print for details on how many can take advantage) at the Renaissance and Courtyards would be nice additions

[tcw]

Thanks for the ideas. One question regarding the one bed possibility with PRICELINE -- Is it just one bed or a two person limit, as my 2 kids are 11 and 9 and would have no problem either sleeping in the king bed with us ( we are getting 2 rooms) or on the floor in their sleeping bags that will be coming back with them. Driving into the city and parking at a public garage isn't a big issue. My reasons for looking at the O'Hare area is the multiple 4* hotels at a lower cost. Hotwire has a 4* in the O'Hare north for $79 and O'Hare south for $84. Please let me know if going forward with PRICELINE is an issue with the kids or not.

Thanks again for all your help.

[AaronJB]

Priceline should not be an issue with four. It's just the bed issue that is something the hotel can treat as a "request" that may or may not be honored (although you'll generally have better luck outside major cities.)

Hotwire, on the other hand, does guarantee some sort of bedding for the amount of people in the room, which may be 1 bed + 1 sofabed, but at least you will get two beds of some sort. If you do look up 2 adults/2 children for your dates, there is a 4* in the O'Hare North area with the amenities: Shuttle, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business for $79. It would appear to either be the Westin ORD or Hilton ORD. Given that this is showing up for $79 on Hotwire, $60-65 is probably a likely area where Priceline may accept a 4* bid.

If this is of interest, it would be greatly appreciated if you could start your purchase by using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links.

[tcw]

Sorry, didn't know I was supposed to update when I never got an accepted bid. I decided to use points from rewards program for this stay.

[thereuare]

Thanks for 'closing' this thread.