Hotwire Hotel: 3.5* Chicago (Mag Mile-Streeterville) Embassy Suites Lakefront

[jdk]

Hi. I am new to this board. We are looking to head to Chicago in July. We plan to go the second half of the month but are flexible on dates. We could do 4 -6 nights. To check around on hotwire, I have been using 7/17-7/22. Again, we could change if rates are better at another time. It'll be me, my husband, and 3 kids (8,5,1 but the 1 year old doesn't seem to "count" on hotwire). We'd like to stay near Michigan Ave and want a pool. We'd prefer a suite or apt type setting.

I found a 3 1/2 * Magnificient Mile / Streeterville with 95% satisfaction. It is a suite, has a complimentary bfast, pool, fitness center, restaurant, and business center. Is this the Embassy Suites on N. State Street?

The Embassy Suites at N. State Street website lists 2 different kinds of rooms - one more of a "true suite" than the other. Do you know which this would be?

Is parking of $44/night normal?

Any other suggestions on places?

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

Are you still seeing the 3.5* in question when searching for 2 adults/2 children for 7/17-22? I'm not seeing this listing when searching for these dates.

$44 is normal for Chicago, although there are other options (although still expensive), such as Navy Pier for $20-24 a day.

What would be your desired budget per night for hotel?

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links when making your purchases and searches.

[jdk]

Ugh. I now only see that rate when I search 7/17-24. It worked for 5, 6 or 7 nights this morning. Think it is the Embassy Suites on N. State?

I would love to stay under a hundred a night but think that may be impossible to get a pool and preferably a suite.

[AaronJB]

I'm guessing this would likely be the other Embassy Suites property - ES Lakefront - I'm seeing $89 (the price I'm seeing; you may be seeing a slightly different price.) That would certainly be a tremendously good rate for Chicago in the Summer and even better - tremendouser? :) - deal considering that this is for quad occupancy (plus, free breakfast and evening reception on top of it.) The regular rate for the ES Lakefront for these dates is $220 and change.

I'm not seeing another deal this good (again, in terms of price - when adding in the extras at the ES, that would make it even better) when trying to input various combinations of dates in the second half of July.

Staying outside the city would result in (in most cases) free parking, but would require a 35-40 minute train ride into the city.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[jdk]

I just booked the 3.5* Suite Mag Mile / Streeterville and got the Embassy Suites Lakefront like you had thought it would be! Thank you for your help. I did have to book a week (7/17-7/24) to get the unbelievable $89/rate. I had seen it for 5 days before but didn't book. I did book through this site. Thanks for your help.

It'll be me, my husband, and 3 daughters (8,4,1). Any suggestions of things to do since we'll be there a week?

Any safe places to park near this hotel that is cheaper than the $49 rate at the hotel?

Thanks!!

[AaronJB]

Congratulations on your success. :)

Fantastic deal for this Embassy Suites property! Pretty astonishing discount, given the $220 regular rate. Please post a little more about what you are looking to do and I would be happy to offer suggestions on what to do/see.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board and using the site's HOTWIRE link.

Enjoy your stay.

[jdk]

We're definitely doing American Girl and the usual tourist things like Shedd and Field Museum. And we want to catch a Cubs game. Anything you'd suggest that's not a typical tourist thing? Something that the kids will enjoy? We'll have our car so we can leave the city if need be.

Restaurants - we'll definitely do Giordano's. Any other more casual places?

Is there safe cheaper parking near this hotel?

Are there discounted tix for Shedd?

[AaronJB]

I don't drive, but I would suggest Navy Pier as the closest parking. I think their parking is $20/24 (depending on the day.)

Shedd and the Field I'd recommend (and they are right next to one another.) The Adler Planetarium I'd recommend skipping.

Navy Pier is recommended in this case for the Children's Museum, but other than that, Navy Pier is not something I recommend - it's boiling hot in the Summer, crowded and expensive.

There are a few things you could do outside the city - Brookfield Zoo is wonderful (and massive.) You could take a relaxing trip to the North 'burbs - the Chicago Botanic Garden (which is in a suburb) is absolutely gorgeous in July - the Botanic is quite large, and is made up of several different gardens (there are also indoor exhibits.) There is no admission charge, but there is definitely a charge for parking (so it kinda evens out.) Long Grove Village - which is a quaint/historic town - is a lot of fun, and there's the Long Grove Confectionery Candy Store, which is quite popular with all ages (one can also tour the Long Grove factory, which is in nearby Buffalo Grove.)

The Ravinia Festival (ravinia.org), which is a gorgeous outdoor concert hall in the 'burbs right by the Chicago Botanic Garden often has kids concerts during the day during the week. There's also some impressive acts during the night (Sting, backed by the Royal Philharmonic) although very little of the schedule has been announced so far. One can get lawn seats and actually take in outside food (which is such a rarity for a concert hall.)

Unfortunately, there are no discount Shedd days during this time period - they are all (unfortunately and not surprisingly) in the slower months.