JGonzo Posted September 24, 2009 Report Posted September 24, 2009 Attending a conference with signif. other, arriving on Nov. 11th, departing on Nov. 15th. This trip is as much about play as work, so a nicer/more romantic hotel would be preferable. I'm unfamiliar with most of the results that Hotwire is currently returning, so advice would be much appreciated. The conference itself will be at the Palmer House and Chicago Hilton, but the vast majority of the Loop and Museum campus hotels seem to be lower bang for the buck, I certainly wouldn't mind staying in the Mag Mile or North Michigan Ave. I'd love to be able to get into the James (one of favorite hotels), but it looks like the 4.5* result at the moment is the InterContinental, which just isn't my style...(too bad Hotwire isn't hitting on theWit)Thanks!!!
AaronJB Posted September 24, 2009 Report Posted September 24, 2009 Please follow-up with what you did for your Hotwire Chicago stay (post in that thread, not here.) Then reply to this thread and we will take a look at the above.Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchase.
thereuare Posted September 25, 2009 Report Posted September 25, 2009 What is your budget for this stay?Is there a 4* appearing the MagMile zone that is of interest and/or within your budget?Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
JGonzo Posted September 28, 2009 Author Report Posted September 28, 2009 What is your budget for this stay?Is there a 4* appearing the MagMile zone that is of interest and/or within your budget?Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.Ideally, I'd like to stay somewhere in the 100/night range, although I would be willing to go over that number for a truly awesome property. At the moment, I'm learning toward the 3.5* mag mile property that's 109/night - I'm assuming it's the Embassy Lakefront, and feel as if the suite and free breakfast might be worth enough to offset the slightly lower luxury level. When I'm just in Chicago for one night, I usually like to stay in the W City Center (staff has been magnificent to me) and I generally like Starwood Hotels (they gave us a random free upgrade to gold preferred), but this feels like my best option. I have two main questions:1. How difficult will it be for me to get to the Hilton and Palmer House for my conference? Is public transportation just out from this location?2. Do you have any other suggestions? No chance of scoring the W City Center any way, is there?Thanks!! (and I promise to use the HOTWIRE links when I make my purchase)
AaronJB Posted September 28, 2009 Report Posted September 28, 2009 While it gets some mixed reviews, I've had the same experience when I've stayed at that W - very professional staff. Not a whole lot right around that hotel, but a nice property.Expedia has the W City Center for $171.20, the same 20% off non-refundable price that the Starwood website has. However, with Expedia, the 10SEP coupon gets another $10 off per night = $161, which is less than the 4* in the Loop area showing on HOTWIRE for these dates is (albeit only by a buck, at least that I'm seeing.)The ES Lakeshore deal looks like a very attractive price point to me, considering location and extras (breakfast, etc.) It would be about a $6-7 cab ride to the Palmer. You could walk West to the Grand/State "L" station, then take the Red Line a few stops South to the Palmer ("Monroe" stop.) If you're up for a walk though, it's really not that terrible of a walk from the ES to the Palmer. It's a couple of blocks from the ES to the bridge over the river. After that, it's 5-6 blocks South to Monroe and then West a couple of blocks. Really nice walk if you're in the mood for a stroll.There's a 4* in the Mag Mile/Streeterville area w/fitness, business, restaurant and internet for $109 w/a tripadvisor rating 4/5. Based on the tripadvisor rating, that would be a likely match for the Hard Rock, which wouldn't offer the same bonuses as the ES, but would put you a few minutes closer to the Palmer.I'm also seeing a 3* in the Loop for $105 w/breakfast and other amenities that would likely be the new La Quinta. Nothing upscale, but it would be better location-wise for your purposes than the ES (the new La Quinta is right by the W.)Are you having a conference at the Palmer or are you catching transit there to go to a conference at McCormick?Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE or Expedia.com links to start your purchase.
JGonzo Posted September 30, 2009 Author Report Posted September 30, 2009 My conference is at the Palmer House and the Hilton - they're running a shuttle between the two, so I merely need to get to the Palmer to stop walking...Suddenly, HOTWIRE is returning a hit for NoMi/Water Tower/G.C. that I have not before seen - 4*, boutique, non-smoking, fitness, restaurant, business, internet, tennis, spa - for $84/night. This seems like an absolute steal, but I have no idea at all what hotel it could be. Any chance that the Indigo has received an upgrade to 4*?
thereuare Posted September 30, 2009 Report Posted September 30, 2009 This Boutique property has not yet been identified. My first guess was also that perhaps the Indgo was upgraded, but couldn't find any way to dig deeper to see if this was the case or not, but also note that the amenities are slightly different than what has previously been rerported for the Indigo (one has a Smoke Free icon while the other has a Golf icon)... and the Indigo does have Smoking Rooms available (although such a small number may have contracted with HOTWIRE to only offer their non-smoking rooms).Sorry i can't pin this one down for you any further, but hopefully the info above will help you make a more informed decision.Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
JGonzo Posted September 30, 2009 Author Report Posted September 30, 2009 After one more search, I was able to land the Hard Rock for 99/night - 4* Mag Mile - Streeterville - 11/11/09 - 11/15/09FitnessRestaurant BusinessInternet99/nightThanks for all the help!!!
thereuare Posted September 30, 2009 Report Posted September 30, 2009 Congratulations on your success!Hope you're happy with the results and this works well for your plans.If you didn't, please remember to use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your future travel purchases.Enjoy your stay. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
AaronJB Posted September 30, 2009 Report Posted September 30, 2009 Very nice win for this property. Nice area, and not too bad a walk to the Palmer. There's a Corner Bakery a block or so North (head a block North to the corner of Michigan and Wacker, then a couple of steps West on Wacker) if you're looking for a quick breakfast before going to the conference.
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