Priceline/hotwire Chicago

Hello,

I have never used either of these websites. but I am looking for a decent price on a hotel for July 22nd for one night. I would like it to be in the Magnificant Mile area or maybe the Chicago Loop. Any advice?

Thanks!

Priceline/hotwire Chicago

What would be the max you would want to spend? Please provide that and I would be more than happy to discuss your options with both of these sites.

Priceline/hotwire Chicago

I was thinking about 100-120. Does that seam reasonable?

Hotwire listings of note that I%26#39;m seeing for 7/22:

4* Water Tower/North Michigan Ave/Gold Coast, $122: amenities: fitness/business/restaurant/internet. This is likely the Ambassador East, Westin Michigan Ave or Drake.

3.5* Loop $116. Amenities: boutique, fitness, restaurant, business, internet. Likely the Allegro. If you are coming in from Michigan by train, this would be close to Union Station. However, this area is quiet at night and a pretty good walk to Michigan Ave.

3* Mag Mile/Streeterville, $92. Amenities: Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Business, Laundry, internet. This is likely the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza. Not the most convenient location (although it is also pretty close to the train station, it%26#39;s about a 15-20 minute walk to Michigan Ave - a little closer to Michigan ave. than the Allegro.)

Given the kind of rates that Hotwire is showing, I would recommend starting bidding on Priceline at $80 per night for a 4* in either the River North/North Michigan Ave. area or the Millennium Park/Loop/Grant Park area (depending on which area you wanted to go for.) $80 may not be accepted, but if not, you are not charged and can try again for slightly higher 24 hours later.

Keep in mind with Priceline, you cannot guarantee which hotel you get and have less control than Hotwire, where you can at least make a guess at which hotels are showing based on the information showing. If you bid for a 4* in the River North/North Michigan Ave. area for example, the service searches to see if a 4* in that area will accept that rate. If one does, you are locked into that hotel at that rate in a non-refundable reservation for those dates.

Please ask any questions about Hotwire or Priceline you may have *before* using the service for the first time.

$100-120 will work for these dates, and using Priceline, you may be able to get a 4* for a bit under $100 in either of the two downtown areas on Priceline (the River North/North Michigan Ave area or the Millennium Park/Loop/Grant Park area.)

I got the Embassy Suites Lakefront for $89 a night over Labor Day weekend off Hotwire... so I think you just have to keep checking. Just book something as a backup that you can cancel, and keep checking Hotwire and Priceline.

Nick

Check out the Chicago hotel prices on travelzoo.

http://hotels.travelzoo.com/chicago-hotels/

I am toying with the idea of taking the Allegro. It has to be the Allegro because I read a few reviews on Hotwire and they mention the wine tasting with I think is unique to the Allegro. Do you know anything about that hotel? I am either going to do that or try Priceline. Thank you so much for all of your help!

%26lt;I am toying with the idea of taking the Allegro. It has to be the Allegro because I read a few reviews on Hotwire and they mention the wine tasting with I think is unique to the Allegro. Do you know anything about that hotel? I am either going to do that or try Priceline. Thank you so much for all of your help%26gt;%26gt;

The Allegro is an older property that was given a colorful revamp by Kimpton Hotels (who also own the Burnham and Monaco.) The Allegro is a boutique and does offer the wine reception (free) but keep in mind that it is an older property and you will encounter things like thin walls.

I think the bigger issue with the Allegro is location. The area around the hotel is largely a business district. It%26#39;s fine during the day, but some people do not care for that area at night, as it can get very quiet later in the evening after the workers have headed home. However, during the day it%26#39;s an easy walk to the Art institute, Millennium Park, the Sears Tower and State St. shopping. Michigan Ave.(NE) and the Museum Campus (to the SE) are further away, but still walkable (and pleasant walks) if you%26#39;re up for a trek.

If you like the looks of the Allegro and are not looking for much nightlife (as there%26#39;s really just about no nightlife in that area) nearby, you may want to take the possible Allegro.

However, if you want to try for a hotel in a better area, I%26#39;d bid for a 4* on Priceline (either in the River North/North Michigan Ave. zone or the Millennium Park/Loop/Grant Park zone), but I would start low ($80) and work up (if 80%26#39;s not accepted, try 85 24 hours later, etc.)

Thank you so much for your help, I am going to try Priceline and I will let you know what I come up with!