Hotwire Hotel: 3.5* Chicago (Magnificent Mile-Streeterville) Doubletree Mag Mile

[ocellaris]

Hi,

I'm a first time bidder on Priceline, and this site has been extremely helpful/informative! Thanks!

I'm looking for one room for two nights (7/31-8/2) within the Millenium-Loop-Grant Park or NMA area. Have attempted bids up to $70 twice this week.

Bid history:

Select 4* Loop...

Bid $55, rejected add Lincoln Park

Bid $60, rejected add Midway

Bid $63, rejected add Skokie-Niles-Evanston

Bid $65, rejected add O'hare South

Bid $70, rejected

close browser using PRICELINE link to re-access

Select 4* NMA...

(repeat as above)

close browser using PRICELINE link to re-access

Select 3.5* Loop...

Bid $55, rejected add Lincoln Park

Bid $60, rejected add Skokie-Niles-Evanston

Bid $65, rejected add O'hare South

Bid $70, rejected

close browser using PRICELINE link to re-access

Select 3.5* NMA...

(repeat as above)

I haven't tried the bidding options "Select 4* Loop and NMA" and "Select 3.5* Loop and NMA", hoping to get some advice on how to proceed. Also seeking strategy on how to bid at 3* level.

Is it reasonable to get a room in this area on a budget of $75 during this weekend? I'm open to any suggestions... Thanks!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Given your rejections at $70 i can't say if the next $5 wil garner succes or not, but i will stay that rates are not that high for these dates, and i do think you have a good chance at $90 or less, which is still going to be less than just about anything else you can find at the 3.5* or 4* level in Downtown Chicago thru conventional booking channels.

Not sure if this is a discretionary trip and you'll cancel it if you're not able to win at $75 or less, but at the very least i would try that amount, and even a bit higher if you're budget allows as i dont' think you're too far off.

If you let us know your maximum bid we can suggest a straetgy for you to follow. Also, if you are able to adjust your bduget upwards, once you get past $75, let us know if you want to try up to $xx for a 4* and then start over trying for a 3.5*... or if your preference is for the least expensive 3.5* or better for this stay.

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

Let us know your thoughts and we'll advise accordingly.

[ocellaris]

Thanks for all your help and suggestions!

I upped my max bid to $85 and the bid was still rejected at 4* in Millenium-Loop-Grant Park and NMA. However, I was browsing HOTWIRE connected through the site's link, and found a 3.5-star hotel in Magnificent Mile Area - Streeterville for $89 per night.

Amenities:

Fitness center

Pool

Restaurant

Business center

High-speed internet access

Tripadvisor 4.0 out of 5 (Based on 40+ customer reviews (Last reviewed June 2009)

Reading through the posts in the HOTWIRE forum, it looked to be the Doubletree. Based on the reviews and discussions, it seemed like a good choice at a good price, not to mention the great location. I stopped my bid of 3.5* on priceline and booked the Doubletree on Hotwire.

3.5* Chicago (Magnificent Mile-Streeterville) Doubletree

$89 ... 7/31/09-8/2/09

A little side-note: I would prefer two double beds in the room, but had accepted that this was not a guarantee booking through these sites. However right after I booked the Doubletree from HOTWIRE (2 adults 1 room), I came across a post about booking (2 adults and 1 child) as a guarantee of two beds when using Hotwire. Will definitely keep that in mind next time!

Thanks again!

[yellowdog]

Congratulations on your success!

Thank you for sharing your result with the board and using our HOTWIRE link to book this :)

Good to see that everything worked out ok for you and that you're happy over the result.

You can call the hotel and ask if the have a room with 2 beds for you. It's not working everytime but it's worth a phone call.

Enjoy your stay.

Yellowdog.

[AaronJB]

While definitely no guarantees, this is one of the few hotels in the city with a lot of rooms w/2 beds, so you at least stand a better chance for 2 beds at this property. I'd also highly recommend Fox and Obel Cafe & Market (Fox-obel.com), which is just a couple of blocks SE on the corner of Illinois and McClurg. Great breakfast/lunch/dinner in the cafe and the market is fun to browse around.