Priceline Hotel: Info for priceline bidding on the LINCOLN PARK in Chicago?

[skipos]

I would like to stay there on Jan 1 and 2, but I do not see much information about winning (or losing) bids. There are upto 2.5 star hotels in this area, which is fine by me. Anyone have any experience with this area on priceline? If I end up bidding I will be sure to post about it here.

[AaronJB]

The issue with bidding in this area - and why I'd strongly recommend against it - is that there's few hotels in this area - a few independent hotels (who may or may not even work with PRICELINE) and a couple of chain properties (a Days Inn and Best Western). Given that there's so little inventory, there's very little likelihood of much in the way of discounts at all. I'm guessing the Best Western may be at the 2.5* level (if it even participates w/PRICELINE) and the Days Inn might be 2*, but those are just guesses - nothing has been reported to the board, and again, I just think there's really no reason to bid in this area.

While some days may be exceptions, you will almost certainly get much more hotel for your money in the city and it's very easy for one to get to Lincoln Park from downtown via "L".

Is this for the same trip as your other thread?

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

[AaronJB]

Additionally, I'm not sure the independent hotels mentioned even work with PRICELINE, as they are generally considered 3* properties on other services (that doesn't guarantee that they couldn't be 2.5* on PRICELINE, but I'd be surprised if they were considered that by the service.)

Also, in terms of more for the money in the city, that would definitely be true on the day after New Year's.

[skipos]

It is the same trip, but now I am staying in different locations on different days for business reasons. It is complicated and I won't bore you with the details.

I need something in the Lincoln Park / Lakeview area for these days but, as you have said, there aren't a lot of options there.

[AaronJB]

Let me see what I can find.

[AaronJB]

HOTWIRE has a 2* for $79; I'm guessing that's the Days Inn, as the Best Western appears to be unavailable (and I'm guessing the BW is 2.5*). However, not much of a discount off the $85 retail price. There's a 4* on HOTWIRE in the NMA/Water Tower/Gold Coast area for $69 on these dates and it's a quick 10 minute or so "L" ride, but if you do need to be in the LP area, you could try bidding for $60 (although that may be a lowball) for a 2.5* or 2*.

[skipos]

Thanks for the help. I am not sure if this information is posted elsewhere but... do you find that priceline gives better deals the closer it is to the actual check-in date?

[skipos]

Also, what would you guess the $69 4* on hotwire is?

I am different than I lot of people here in that I prefer 2* or 2.5* because they tend to have free internet and continental breakfast, and cheaper parking. Those 3.5* or 4* hotels often kill my vibe with their $45 parking and $15 internet.

[AaronJB]

A few thoughts:

* The 4* may be the Knickerbocker, Allerton, Westin Michigan Ave or possibly the Drake. Unfortunately, without a tripadvisor rating, there's no way to know for sure.

* There's a 3.5* in the NMA/Water Tower/Gold Coast area for $69 w/Boutique, Restaurant, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Golf, Tennis, Spa. This is likely the Hotel Indigo. That is in the Gold Coast area, which is the top end of the North Michigan Ave. area. It is about a 10-15 minute walk North to the Lincoln Park Zoo from that hotel; if you need to be at the South end of the Lincoln Park area, that may work. Otherwise, the Indigo is also nice because a red line "L" station is literally right around the corner. Nice area with major groceries and quite a few restaurants nearby.

* There's a 4* in Evanston for these dates for $59 (fitness, restaurant, internet, business - my guess would be the Orrington in Evanston). Evanston's the first 'burb North of the city (College Town = Northwestern) and it's 2 blocks from the CTA station and probably about a 20-25 minute trip to Lincoln Park, depending on location. City lots cost $13 a day, according to the Evanston website.

* There's likely cheaper parking in some of the lots nearby downtown hotels, although it may not be vastly cheaper. Navy Pier has overnight parking for $24 (although I think it's $20 on weekends/holidays.) I don't drive, so unfortunately I'm unfamiliar. Parking at Lincoln Park hotels is still going to cost.