Priceline Hotel: 4* Chicago (Millennium Park-Loop-Grant Park) Hyatt

[baka]

I am looking for a 4* from 04/02 to 04/04 in downtown Chicago.

I am facing these 2 hotels:

North Michigan Avenue - Water Tower - Gold Coast area hotel

$77

Fitness Center

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

High-speed Internet Access

Chicago Loop area hotel

$69

Fitness Center

Pool(s)

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

High-speed Internet Access

I really don't know anything about Chicago, so could you help me identify those 2 hotels and tell me which location is best?

Thanks

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

The 4* could possibly be the Westin Michigan Ave, Knickerbocker, Allerton or Drake - all four of those have been reported with the same amenity set. However, the 60% HOTWIRE customer rating showing with this listing makes me think it may be the Allerton.

The 4* Loop would likely be the Palmer House.

The 4* NMA would be the better location. However, one suggestion would be taking the Drake for $98 ($88 if you search for 1) via Expedia, then coupon code 10WINTER takes an extra $10 off per night (so $78 total if you search for 1 in the room). The Drake would be the best of the possibilities for that HOTWIRE listing, so this would assure it.

The other big suggestion would be the Wyndham for $99 - Expedia has a special where a 1BR Exec Suite is $99 (a 1BR exec suite is actually cheaper than a regular room), then coupon code 10WINTER takes an extra $10 off. The Wyndham's superbly located right off Michigan Ave, and $89 for a 1BR Suite's a pretty sweet deal.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE or Expedia links to start your purchases and searches.

[baka]

Thanks a lot for these very helpful tips!

I actually can't get the Wyndham, they are fully booked for 04/02.

I am now thinking about this Hotwire deal, what do you think about it?

Magnificent Mile Area - Streeterville area Hotel

Fitness Center

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

High-speed Internet Access

$73

Recommended in 85% of customer reviews

[baka]

Actually, when searching for 2 adults/2 kids I find this:

Magnificent Mile Area - Streeterville

$73

Fitness Center

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

High-speed Internet Access

Spa Services

Recommended in 85% of customer reviewers

500+ total reviews

3.5 stars by Tripadvisor

Would that be better??

[AaronJB]

Are you a party of 2 adults or 2 adults/2 kids?

[baka]

No.. we are just 2 adults..

[AaronJB]

The listing that shows when searching for 2/2 is likely the Hyatt. The listing that is showing when searching for 2/0 could be a few different hotels (the Hyatt, Sheraton, Westin River North or Hard Rock), but I have a feeling it may be the Hyatt, only showing with a slightly different amenity set.

Odd about the Wyndham deal, it was showing this morning. Maybe it was an issue of limited inventory.

I'm not a fan of the Hyatt - it's certainly not a poor hotel and it's well-located, but it's a giant, rather impersonal convention hotel.

The Monaco (a Kimpton property w/free wine social hour at night) is an excellent choice a couple of blocks West of the Hyatt - that's $99 on special via Expedia, and coupon code 10WINTER takes $10 off. I also still like the Drake for $99 - $10. That's an elegant, classic hotel at the top end of the Michigan Ave. area.

The Hyatt is fine, and the HOTWIRE deal certainly isn't bad (I'm seeing a regular rate on Expedia of $139); I just think that the two other properties mentioned above - one historic (Drake), one a modern boutique (the Monaco) will likely offer a better experience for a bit more.

The other HOTWIRE listing of interest is the 3.5* in the NMA/WT/GC area w/Boutique, Restaurant, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Golf, Tennis, Spa for $69. That is likely the Hotel Indigo, which is a very cute little boutique property in the Gold Coast area, which is just a few minutes walk North of the North end of the North Michigan Ave. area.

Thank you for using the site's Expedia.com, HOTWIRE.com or PRICELINE links.

[baka]

Thanks Aaron. I like the Monaco, its location seems to be very central and since we won't have a car I wanted to be close from everything.

The Avenue Crowne Plaza Hotel is at $89 on Expedia (=$79 with 10WINTER). I would think that's a higher quality hotel and a better location than the Monaco but am I missing something?

[AaronJB]

The Avenue (which was the Radisson until it was renovated a year or two ago and became an independent boutique - it only went under the Crowne Plaza banner a couple of weeks or so ago) would offer a somewhat better location in terms of being in the middle of the Michigan Ave area. However, the Monaco's location is still quite good in its own way, as its location right across the river is both near Loop attractions and an easy walk to Michigan Ave shopping.

However, the Monaco is a very, very nice Kimpton boutique property and I would consider it superior. The Monaco also is rated #6 on tripadvisor in Chicago.

[baka]

I ended up biding on PRICELINE using the betterbiding link and won with my first offer:

4* Hyatt Regency Chicago - Millennium Park, Loop & Grant Park Area

From 4/2 to 4/2

$50 / night

Probably not as romantic as the Monaco but definitely cheaper!!

Thanks again for your help!

[AaronJB]

Congratulations on your success. :)

While not as romantic a property, this is a well-located hotel and the money saved vs. the Monaco can go towards a romantic restaurant or something else.

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

Enjoy your stay.