Priceline Hotel: 4* Chicago (Millenium-Loop-Grant Park) Hotel Burnham

[ColumbiaMO]

I need a room in Chicago, preferably Rivernorth/Loop area, or Lincoln Park, for 8/7 and 8/8... Lollapalooza has them all booked, it looks like. I've been rejected through $180 for a 3* and up, so far, bidding thorugh the PRICELINE link above.

So, I'm wondering if I should split my stay--try for Friday night downtown, then Saturday night out by O'Hare (we are driving in from the South (on I-55), so wouldn't mind staying out there or somewhere along a train route (as I would prefer not to drive after dinner).

I am hoping to get something 3* or better downtown for around $185 for Friday night, then something by ORD around $50-75 for Saturday night. Does this sound reasonable, or does anyone have any other ideas?

[AaronJB]

Personally, if you are driving from the South, I'd rather suggest staying in the Oak Brook/Downers Grove area - plenty of nice hotels, pleasant area and solid shopping/restaurant selection for things to do nearby.

The other concern with ORD hotels is that many of them do charge for parking.

Additionally, from the Oak Brook/DG area, you could take the Metra trains, which - while they do not run as often as CTA trains - are far more comfortable and a much more pleasant ride. One can also purchase a $5 unlimited ride pass for the Metra (only Metra) for rides on Sat/Sun. However, the last train out is generally around midnight (the last one out to that area, according to the metrarail.com website, is 12:40a), so that may effect the situation depending on how late the concert goes and/or how late you want to stay.

Personally, I'd rather just stay out there. While it's understandable that you would want to be close to downtown for the concert, keep in mind that if you paid $180 for a 3* hotel, you would also be looking at likely $30-40 for hotel parking on top of that. $200-220 for hotel plus parking, while the burbs would be $54.

In comparison, HOTWIRE has a 3.5* Suite property in the Oak Brook/Downers Grove area for $54 for 8/7-9, plus I would guess free parking, as all the hotels I'm aware of in that area do provide free parking.

You may be able to get a 3* for $180 on Friday, although my thought is that hotels may be sitting on inventory (especially the Loop), as many properties are still expensive/sold out for Fri. There's also few 3*/3.5*'s in the MP/Loop/Grant Park area. Would you have any interest in River North/NMA? I'm guessing you'd have more luck in that zone.

Let us know your thoughts on the above, then we can offer further suggestions from there.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchase.

[ColumbiaMO]

I got a 4* in Milenium Park/Loop for $200 for Friday night: Hotel Burnham, a boutique hotel 2 blocks from Grant Park, bidding through the PRICELINE link above.

I am going to get one in the 'burbs for Saturday night, I think. Thanks for the help!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your <partial> success!

While certainly not cheap, this does look like a pretty good deal give the tight availability we've been seing for this weekend. Can you please add a reply to this thread with the date of this stay as it's not clear if you decided to do Friday Downtown and Saturday in the suburbs (or O'Hare).

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

Have a great stay and enjoy the concert.