Priceline Hotel: 4* Chicago (NMA-River North) Westin River North

[Belli]

Hi,

I'm looking for some help with my upcoming stay in Chicago (8/1/09-8/2/09). I found a 3.5 star on Hotwire that appears to be the Doubletree. However, this hotel and another 4 star hotel at $110 are only available if I select that I am looking for 1 (not 2 rooms). What does this mean? how risky do you think it is to book them individually?

Also, in case this doesn't work, can you help me with a bidding strategy for priceline for the same trip? I would like to get 2 rooms at a 4 star in either Mag Mile or River North for under $100, or a 3/3.5 for under $85. I have been using the PRICELINE links all of last week and I wasn't able to get a 4star hotel for up to $101 or a 3 star for up to $85. Seems high to me compared to my bidding in the past. Is there a convention going on that weekend?

Thanks for your help!

[AaronJB]

Please follow up with what you did in this Hotwire Hawaii and this Priceline Chicago thread (post in those threads not here) and then we will be happy to take a look at the above.

[Belli]

okay I'm all caught up with my posts :)

[AaronJB]

Thank you. How many in your party?

[Belli]

There are 4 of us. 2 rooms

[AaronJB]

Yep; I'm only seeing these when I look for one room. I would definitely not try to book them individually, as this would lead me to likely believe that there's only one available for each. I believe there is a convention going on on these dates. Unfortunately, if you have bid up to your budget max for a 4* and 3* in the River North/NMA area, there's really no alternate strategy that would produce a different result for that area. Have you tried the Millennium Park-Loop-Grant Park area?

Thank you for using the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links.

[Belli]

Bid at $130 and got the Westin River North for Aug1-2 for two rooms. I'm happy with this result, but I was surprised that this hotel is considered part of the River North area. It seems closer to the Millenium Park zone. I would have liked to stay further north-- closer to where the Knickerbocker and the Drake are, but I'm happy with the Westin.

Out budget was about $100 but we just decided to increase our budget because are only other option was to stay by the airport, which would not have been a fun way to spend 1 day in Chicago.

bid $110 River North -- Rejected

bid $120 River North + Ohare South-- Rejected

bid $130 RIver North + Ohare South + Lincoln Park-- ACCEPTED

Room Cost (avg. per room, per night): $130.00 (USD)

Number of Rooms: 2

Number of Nights: 1

Room Subtotal: $260.00 (USD)

Taxes and Fees: $49.46 (USD)

Total Room Cost: $309.46 (USD)

I looked up the hotel on tripadvisor and it seems like there is self parking for about $22 between Clark and LaSalle on Kinzie.

I used the PRICELINE links. thanks!

[Belli]

THanks-- we ended up using Priceline and got the Westin River North for $130. I posted this bid under the priceline forum. I used the BB PRICELINE link.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you're happy with the results and this property will work well for your needs.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board and using our PRICELINE link to begin your bidding.

Enjoy your stay.

[AaronJB]

One of the nicest 4*'s in downtown, with a sleek lobby. It was previously the Japanese-owned Hotel Nikko, and some elements of that hotel were heldover in the lobby. Congrats on an excellent win.

While I don't usually suggest trying for upgrades since PRICELINE reservations are not eligible, this is one hotel where I'd recommend "trying your luck" and trying to ask at check-in if any of the river view rooms are available, as the river view rooms (which are on the South face of the building - you could try asking at check-in if they have any rooms available that face South) do provide fantastic views of the river/surrounding area. I wouldn't pay beyond what you already have for an upgrade, but hopefully you'll get someone nice at check-in.

This hotel would be the South boundary (which is the river) of the River North area. Bin 36 is a nice wine bar across the street - recommended for a drink, but I'd have dinner elsewhere, as the River North area has plenty of excellent restaurants.