Priceline Hotel: 3.5* Chicago (River North-NMA) Doubletree

[Skratch]

OOPS- sorry, i just found the list. ADMIN- You can delete this post.

First, thanks to all for the info here, especially AaronJB & thereauare (Go Bucs!).

Is there a list of typical 4* hotels and 3.5* hotels that usually take priceline bids? I have never used hotwire or priceline, but feel confident after reviewing this site, my lingering question is the diff between 4 star and 3.5 star hotels.

Although the hyatt regency is great at about $70, i'd be happy with a courtyard or Hilton garden inn if we could save $10/$15 a night.

Based on the pricleine options, we'd be OK staying in N.Michigan/R.North OR Mill.Park/Loop OR Lincoln Park.

My fiancee and I are looking to go to Chicago 11/6-11/10 (checkout on 11/10).

We are planning to move to Chicago in the spring and want to explore the various downtown/urban neighborhoods.

Appreciate any advice/suggestions.

Thanks, and I am using the bb.com priceline and HOTWIRE links!

[AaronJB]

Good morning and welcome to the site.

Let me provide some thoughts on both Chicago hotel and Chicago living.

Chicago living:

1. Are you coming from a similarly urban environment? I ask because living in the city is not for those who enjoy zen quiet (or just plain quiet, really.) I lived right downtown for four years and while it was initially exciting to be living right in the city, the noise of the city gradually wore very thin. There's really no place where one can enjoy true quiet. Also, if you are people who are going to be into nightlife, that is something to also consider - if you are going to be out all the time, then you'll want to be in an area convenient to that. If you are NOT into nightlife and not going to be going to the bars often, you'll want to NOT live near it.

Additionally, it's a wonderful city, but living downtown is pricey in terms of day-to-day needs. Are you looking to rent or own? The suburbs are more peaceful and allow easy access to downtown via transit. Let me know what you are looking for (and if you have a budget in mind, I can also try to make general suggestions on areas where you could look) and I'd be happy to try and provide some directions and thoughts on where to go and where to look for a place.

I'd definitely spend some time in these neighborhoods, read more about them (and I'd also be happy to try and provide info) and get a sense of whether or not you could see yourself living there.

In terms of rentals, there are cheaper options in nicer neighborhoods, but these might be more basic. However, in my opinion, when you live in Chicago, it's location location location. Just my 2 cents - if I was going to live downtown again, I'd rather take a more basic apartment in a nicer area than a slicker, more modern apparent in a more iffy area.

Moving in end of March/April would be a good time. Again though, as someone who's lived in the city, it's definitely not for some people and absolutely ideal for other people. It just depends on what you are looking for.

Chicago hotel:

I think you could possibly do better for the Hyatt or Palmer House. I'd try a starting bid of $60 for a 4* in the Millennium Park/Loop/Grant Park area. There really are no hotels of note in Lincoln Park - the few that are there have never been reported as a win - and as a result you'd probably do better bidding downtown than you would if attempting to bid for LP.

Please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links, and definitely feel free to ask any questions about the city (it's a big thing to move to the city, so please feel free to ask any questions large or small!) or hotels.

[AaronJB]

Additionally, a strong suggestion in terms of renting would be to look around the Fullerton/Clark area (which is right down the street from the Zoo) in Lincoln Park if you want to rent in a downtown neighborhood. There may be some scattered cheaper/basic rentals also available closer to downtown in the Gold Coast area. Again, I would really recommend looking for the best location for the money (which may not be the very best apartment for the money.)

I'd also strongly suggest heading to a Jewel Grocery Store and a Dominicks Grocery store to pick up the rewards cards (free) for each grocer, as that's certainly a way to save a lot at both local grocers. CVS also has their Extra Care card program (free.)

I have other suggestions, as well - let me know more about what you are looking for. I'd also be happy to offer some walking route suggestions, although I'm not sure how far you're going to want to walk in November in Chicago.

[Skratch]

Thanks for the advice.

We are moving from Lakewood, ohio, the first suburb west of Cleveland. What we like most about the area is that there are bars and restaurants within walking distance. So, we definitely would want an area where we can take advantage of the nightlife. Right now we want the fast paced city life, (we'll save slowing down for vacations!)

We have been shocked by the pricing in chicago, i did some very preliminary searching and saw some 1200 sq. foot condos starting at $300,000. Here in lakewood a nice 1200 sq foot house with front and back yard can be got for $140000 these days. But, i think we are comitted to the move, we need out of cleveland, lol. Our budget is being driven by finding enough space for us and we think $300 to $400 is what we'll have to spend if we buy. Again, we have done very little searching at this point.

We would consider renting, especially as we feel out the new city and better understand where we really want to buy. But maybe for 1 year max. I agree, location is the most important factor when looking for place to live. We have heard Lincoln park, wrigleyville and printers row are good areas to consider.

Again, many thanks for your help and i'll post my priceline results once i have them.

Good morning and welcome to the site.

Let me provide some thoughts on both Chicago hotel and Chicago living.

Chicago living:

1. Are you coming from a similarly urban environment? I ask because living in the city is not for those who enjoy zen quiet (or just plain quiet, really.) I lived right downtown for four years and while it was initially exciting to be living right in the city, the noise of the city gradually wore very thin. There's really no place where one can enjoy true quiet. Also, if you are people who are going to be into nightlife, that is something to also consider - if you are going to be out all the time, then you'll want to be in an area convenient to that. If you are NOT into nightlife and not going to be going to the bars often, you'll want to NOT live near it.

Additionally, it's a wonderful city, but living downtown is pricey in terms of day-to-day needs. Are you looking to rent or own? The suburbs are more peaceful and allow easy access to downtown via transit. Let me know what you are looking for (and if you have a budget in mind, I can also try to make general suggestions on areas where you could look) and I'd be happy to try and provide some directions and thoughts on where to go and where to look for a place.

I'd definitely spend some time in these neighborhoods, read more about them (and I'd also be happy to try and provide info) and get a sense of whether or not you could see yourself living there.

In terms of rentals, there are cheaper options in nicer neighborhoods, but these might be more basic. However, in my opinion, when you live in Chicago, it's location location location. Just my 2 cents - if I was going to live downtown again, I'd rather take a more basic apartment in a nicer area than a slicker, more modern apparent in a more iffy area.

Moving in end of March/April would be a good time. Again though, as someone who's lived in the city, it's definitely not for some people and absolutely ideal for other people. It just depends on what you are looking for.

Chicago hotel:

I think you could possibly do better for the Hyatt or Palmer House. I'd try a starting bid of $60 for a 4* in the Millennium Park/Loop/Grant Park area. There really are no hotels of note in Lincoln Park - the few that are there have never been reported as a win - and as a result you'd probably do better bidding downtown than you would if attempting to bid for LP.

Please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links, and definitely feel free to ask any questions about the city (it's a big thing to move to the city, so please feel free to ask any questions large or small!) or hotels.

[AaronJB]

Let me see what I can find in terms of buying/renting - I definitely know there are a lot of properties in VERY nice, very well-located areas that are about 650 or so sq. ft for the $150-200 neighborhood. Definitely would be a small place, but outstanding - RIGHT downtown - from a location standpoint.

This would be an example.

That property is in the Gold Coast area, which is a couple of minutes walk North of North Michigan Ave. There are plenty of restaurants and nightlife next block over, two large grocery stores within a couple of blocks, two CVS stores, CTA stop a couple blocks away, the beach/lake is a few minutes and there's a very nice Farmers Market a block away during the Summer/Fall months. Small place, but in the middle of everything.

Another example

The above would be an 800 sq ft unit just up the street.

Another example

More modern/sleek unit just a little further up Dearborn, more near Lincoln Park. There are some gorgeous (some historic) apartments (including an early Frank Lloyd Wright work) in this area of the Gold Coast.

On Lake Shore Drive

This one is right on Lake Shore Drive, nearby the ones listed above. It doesn't show lake views, but indicate that it has them. There are a bunch on Lake Shore Drive in this budget range, but this one would be one of the closest to Michigan Ave.

This unit is 1100 sq ft and in-between the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (again, near all the above ones.) This is $250K - trying to find ones with that kind of space less than 300K. This would be an A+++ location.

Finally, a 2BR/2BA on the same street as the one above this.

Not sure about any of these places in terms of the units themselves (although the neighborhood/location would be excellent on all of these!), but just some examples from realtor.com.

Additionally, I just searched in the vicinity of the Gold Coast. While it's always good to try and get as best as one can when searching for/investing in RE, I just don't know if you have to go all the way to 300-400; while I haven't seen any of these units, they are under that price range and are in great locations.

[AaronJB]

Additionally, the two properties on Sandburg Terrace are right near the Old Town neighbood and a VERY easy walk to the Zoo. If you walked South a few minutes, you'd be in the Gold Coast neighborhood and near all that was described in the Gold Coast area above.

[AaronJB]

Here's one that is very close to the Loop, but it is a bit to the West and right near the expressway. It's an easy walk to the River North area and a very easy walk to the Loop, but I'm not sure if there's a whole lot going on right nearby.

This one is right square in the middle of the Loop downtown, right near Millennium Park, the Art Institute, etc.

This one is in a fantastic location right in the middle of the River North nightlife area - tons of restaurants, bars, etc. - and an easy walk to Michigan Ave. and the Loop.

Here's one in Marina Tower.

There looks to be a bunch in Marina Tower, some with really impressive views.

Again, just pulling listings from realtor.

[AaronJB]

Here's a rental on Sanburg Terrace for $1100 a month w/short term leasing available.

There are tons more for sale and quite a few others for rental within the Gold Coast area. As noted above, the Sandburg Terrace properties would be right near Lincoln Park (Lincoln Park Zoo would be a few minutes walk North, and the Chicago Historical Society Museum is right there), the Gold Coast (it would be considered in the Gold Coast, but the main nightlife would be a few minutes walk South) and Old Town (a couple of minutes walk West.)

There is one listing above that's square in the middle of the Loop area, and while that area would be great from a daytime perspective and more than centrally located, there's little going on in the Loop at night. I'd primarily focus the search on the River North area, the Gold Coast area and Lincoln Park (although Lincoln Park closer to the Lake/Zoo.)

[Skratch]

WOW! great info. i looked at some of these, i think we'll use the info to plan our trip. we'll check out the neighborhoods where they're at and after the fiancee reviews tonight, maybe set a couple appointments.

Thanks again, i'll give an update in the spring or sooner if we decide

[AaronJB]

Happy to help. Again, please do post in this thread if you have any other questions between now & then.

[Skratch]

Started bidding at $50 for 4* in the loop, based on suggestions here. Added areas and moved up in $5 increments. Added Lincoln Park and magnificent mile.

4* rejected at $60, added 3.5* and won at $60 per night in the doubletree. Total cost w taxes comes to $286.44, through the hotel's website total for exact same stay would have been $710.86.

First time using priceline saved me 424.42.

feel free to post any questions or if you would like more info.

Thanks bb.com and thanks AaronJB!

[AaronJB]

This is a very nice Doubletree property only a few blocks E. of Michigan Ave. As I noted to another poster this evening, I'm a fan of the Fox and Obel Gourmet Market and Cafe (fox-obel.com), which is a few blocks SE on the corner of Illinois and McClurg. There is also a Dominicks Grocery across the street for cheaper snacks.

This is a very nice, upscale area - if you are looking for a potential place to live, this is certainly a good area to look in (and there's a lot of condos in the area.). The River North area is also about a 10 minute walk West. As always, please do ask any questions about the city you may have.

Thank you for using the site's PRICELINE link to start your purchase.