Priceline Hotel: 3.5* Chicago (NMA-River North) Ambassador East

[jules41]

I'm checking a nice hotel walking distance to Shedd Aquar. On Hotwire I found a 4* for $129 in mag mile area. Amenities are: fitness/pool/restuar/business center/internet/spa. Anyone know what hotel this could be. Thanks!

[AaronJB]

Welcome to the site.

Which zone is the hotel you mention in?

Additionally, keep in mind that the Shedd is definitely a good walk from even the hotels closest to it - additionally, the hotels closest to it are in an area that will likely be very quiet at night.

I guess it all depends on how far you want to walk; if you walk from the Mag Mile area to the Shedd, it will probably take about 35-45 minutes, but it's a beautiful walk that leads you down Michigan Ave. and then along the lakefront.

Also, keep in mind that the Oceanarium is closed until (I believe) May.

[AaronJB]

If you are looking for 2 adults/2 kids, I see a 3.5* in the Mag Mile area for $81 with fitness/pool/restaurant/business/internet, which would appear to be a match for the Doubletree.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE link to start your purchase if you do decide to book.

[jules41]

The hotel zone is in N Michigan ave/Water tower/gold coast area. Is the Doubletree nice?

I don't think the pool is directly in the hotel. The website said use of club next door.

This web site is great!

[AaronJB]

The Doubletree is a very nice 3/3.5* property (formerly a Holiday Inn, it was remodeled/renovated last year) ; I suggest it because it would be closer (still a trek, but closer) to the Shedd than a hotel in the NMA/WT/GC area. I also like the area around that Doubletree, as well. There's a very nice gourmet cafe/market a couple of blocks away and a regular grocery store (cheaper snacks/drinks) across the street. No guarantees - especially with a HOTWIRE reservation - but some rooms at that Doubletree also have decent-to-nice views of the surrounding area.

Plus, if you're going to be out a lot, the Doubletree should be sufficient as just a nice place to sleep. You were looking at a hotel for $129. The difference in price between that hotel listing and what is likely the Doubletree on HOTWIRE should cover most of the admission cost for the Shedd.

Plus, if it's the Doubletree (and I think it is), Doubletree Cookies at checkin. :)

[jules41]

I'm leery of Doubletree. I read reviews on PRICELINE the pool was at a healthclub next door and the water was freezing. My kids love to swim! This would be terrible.

[thereuare]

Welcome to Betterbidding!

Not sure of your needs besides the aquarium and how much other stuff you intend to do in the city (as well as how old your kids are) but there is a 4* HOTWIRE hotel in the (Museum Campus - McCormick Place - Soldier Field) zone with:

Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business and Tripadvisor reviews of 3.5/5.0 with 320+ reviews... this would be a match for the Hilton Towers and that would be our best guess.

While this zone is consider "a bit too far south" for most, it is very close to Shed Aquarium, has an indoor lap pool (not sure if has a 'kids play area' as well, AaronJB may be able to comment on this aspect), and at just $78/nite is priced well enough that if you're only planning one or two trips to North Michigan Avenue it may suit your needs.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

Let us know your thoughts (and AaronJB feel free to jump in) and we'll take it from there.

[AaronJB]

If this is primarily a "Shedd-focused" trip (much of one of the two days is going to be spent at the Shedd), then the Hilton would be a fine choice. It's still a bit of a walk to the Shedd from the Hilton (maybe 15-17 minutes), but it's a nice walk past the Buckingham Fountain and then along the lakefront.

However, as thereuare noted, the Hilton is otherwise somewhat "out of the way" in the South Loop, and there's not much around it - at night, that area will be pretty quiet.

[jules41]

I'm feeling horrible. I just pricelined a 3.5* in NMA for $67.00 and ended up with the Ambassador East which has horrible reviews. :) Has anyone stayed here or know anything about this hotel? One reviewer said they stick in smaller rooms if your a priceliner. My kids are very dissapointed as am I!!!! How can it be rated a 3.5 star if it is so worn out?

[AaronJB]

I actually liked the Ambassador East. It's an older property with a lot of history - it was "the place" for celebs to stay decades ago - Judy Garland, Sinatra, Bogart, Bette Davis, Paul Newman, Robert Redford and many others over the years. As the story goes, Phil Collins named his debut album "No Jacket Required" after being denied access to the hotel's Pump Room restaurant for not passing the restaurant dress code.

Unless things have changed since I last stayed, there's a wall of autographed pictures in the lobby, outside the famed Pump Room restaurant. The rooms that I have seen there were very nice, but I can see where room size would vary in an older property.

Additionally, the hotel has a 4/5 overall rating on tripadvisor, which is higher than quite a few city hotels and most of the recent tripadvisor reviews are positive. It's also about a 15-17 minute walk (a very nice walk, too.) due North to the Lincoln Park Zoo (free.) The Shedd is going to be a trek from this hotel - I'd either take the 146 bus from Michigan Ave. to the Museum Campus or take the Red Line train from Clark/Division to Harrison and then walk the rest of the way.

Do I think you got a good deal? Yes.

Do I like this hotel? Yes.

Would I have recommend this hotel in your situation? No. That is why other hotels (such as thereuare's Hilton recommendation) were suggested. When you bid on PRICELINE, there was absolutely no guarantee you would get a pool.