Hotwire Hotel: Oak Park area, suburbs Chicago area Question

[nick5]

Looking for something either priceline or hotwire for May 28th, that would be near Oak Park as I'd like to go see some of the Frank Llyold Wright homes. We already have a hotwire room the following night at Sheraton Towers downtown Chicago.

I'm not that familar with the surrounding areas. Would Oak Brook? Downers Grove be the way to go? I would perfer higher end star ratings.

Suggestions?

Cheryl

I dont' mind doing leg work at finding what is out there, star wise, price wise but need to know about what areas to check into.

[AaronJB]

I think my issue with the Oak Park area is that there's not a lot of hotels - I think only 2 or 3 - and I don't believe they've ever been seen as a PRICELINE win. The North suburbs are great, or some of the SW burbs are quite nice (Oak Brook, Downers Grove.) The most "prized" potential win of the SW burbs hotels would likely be the Hyatt Lodge in Oak Brook, which is a very nice hotel on the campus of the McDonalds Global HQ.

Unfortunately, what appears to be the Hyatt is coming up for $144 for this date on HOTWIRE, and the 4.5* Westin Lombard is showing for $72 on HOTWIRE (I'm guessing a convention in that area, as hotels in that area are not usually that pricey). Given those prices, it really doesn't seem worth not staying downtown, especially given the HOTWIRE prices I'm now seeing for this date downtown - including a 4.5* for $99 in the Mag Mile area. Based on the rates I'm seeing, you could probably PRICELINE a 4* in either of the downtown zones for around $70 +/- a few bucks.

[nick5]

Thanks Aaron, as always your advice is spot on. I would love to stay at McDonald's as I already checked to see if that had rooms open. Nope, everything site I check says no rooms for them. I did see the Westin Lombard come up, but as you said, rates are dropping downtown. A few weeks ago, I could not touch much for under 100, on the Friday night stay, but now I see some wins and some listing for under 100.

So, going to see if perhaps, we will do a long weekend and do Thursday, Friday and Sat night stay and then decide which nights we will spend where. The most important thing was to have a booking for Friday night as that was the whole point of the trip,, to see a group that is from the UK, as they are playing Chicago one night only.

PS, Sheridan Towers is listing parking at 48.00 a night. I looked on parkwhiz and came up with a few parking garages within walking distance but not sure about if they are open to the public for over night stays. 48.00 is steep for us. Do you have suggestions or can you point me in a direction. We do plan on taking your advice and busing to the Metro, then taking a cab back.

thanks Cheryl

[AaronJB]

Unfortunately, I don't drive so I'm not the best regarding parking advice. However, there are a number of public lots around the hotel, including - I believe - one across from the hotel under the building where the Embassy Suites is. The entrance to that lot is on Illinois, across from the Sheraton.

This lot is popular due to its inexpensive (especially on weekends) rates (which have gone up a bit from what's listed below - I'd call to confirm current rates), but this would probably be a 12-15 minute walk from the Sheraton.

The Sterling Self-Park Garage

(located between Clark and LaSalle on Kinzie)

312.341.3463

$24 per day

In by 7 a.m. out by 7 p.m. - $14

In by 9 a.m. out by 7 p.m. - $18 per day

After 3 p.m. and weekends - $6