tbbeach

We are bidding on priceline for Chicago - Is the Millenium Park area as convenient as downtown for getting around Chicago? Which area would you prefer to stay in?

MarySteveChicago

Well, depends on what you like to do but Millenium Park is downtown. Downtown Chicago is huge. What is your budget?

HappyTrvlr

Do you mean River North in your title?

tbbeach

Yes, I think its River North...didn't look it up. First time visit, want to walk check out the city do the architectural tour etc. Will be bidding and hoping to get something around 100-125.

sarabaudo

Both locations are located near the Loop & convenient to CTA buses and trains. My favorite architectural boat tour is given by the CAF: http://www.architecture.org/tours/boat-tours

Connie

We did Priceline and chose millennium park. It is in southern downtown close to all the green spaces of the parks and museums. It's on the south side of the river. Most of the dining and shopping are on the north side but it isn't far and transportation is abundant. We loved having the open parks across the street from us and it was much quieter. We could look out our window and see Buckingham Fountain all lit up at night. Very pretty

Citylghts

Please look at a map. There's a good one at the official visitors' site www.choosechicago.com/mapexplorer/. The CTA has a map and trip planner at www.transitchicago.com. The site also tells how to track trains and buses with your smart phone.

Here's quick geography lesson. The central business district is The Loop. It's roughly bounded by the Chicago River on the north and west, Michigan Avenue on the east, and Congress Parkway on the south. It's home to the live theatres, banks, offices, government buildings and the State Street shopping district. There are several hotels and restaurants, but some parts are quiet in the evenings.

East of Michigan Avenue is Grant Park which holds Millennium Park in its NW corner, the Museum Campus, at the south end, and Buckingham Fountain and the the Art Institute in the middle.

Michigan Avenue from the river north to Oak Street is the Magnificent Mile, the prime shopping district. You'll find Neiman Marcus, Saks, Tiffany's, Coach, as well as The Gap, Marshall's, H&M and American Girl. To the east is Streeterville which has some hotels and restaurants and Navy Pier. To the west of the Mag Mile is River North.

The area north of the river has the largest concentration of restaurants and hotels. All the areas are easily accessible to the State Street Subway and several bus routes. River North and the Mag Mile are the most desirable but the farthest points of all the areas are only a couple miles apart, so any would really be fine.

ChgoGal

I wouldn't worry too much about either Millennium Park or River North. Likely, if you get a Millenium Park hotel, you'll be fairly south on Michigan Ave. but, as prev. poster said, buses are plentiful and it's not a far walk.

I've never used Priceline, but I'd choose River North (first preference) and Millenium Park as my second.

Maybe check out the Amalfi Hotel, or Four Points Sheraton Downtown, or the Inn of Chicago to see if they have published rates in your range. VEry well located hotels.

Have a great time!

gardendiva

I just booked the Palmer House Hilton for $99 a night. It is in the area that you are looking.

deladeb

Gardendiva, Was that for September?

gardendiva

I booked for December but I believe that other time periods were available. The price was in an Expedia or Trip Advisor email but I was able to book directly with the hotel for the same price. The OP does not give a time period.

tuckerdc

JUST fyi - I was looking to bid this area the other day....according to Biddingfortravel.com, which tracks Priceline activity and successful bids, the Millenium Park area encompasses all lodging from the Chicago River South, in other words everything from the Hyatt Regency (which comes up constantly) and Swissotel to the Hilton at the south end of the Loop...and I think even hotels as far as McCormick Place.

Esme_Travels

Chicago is SO walkable (even in the winter). Cabs are cheap. The Palmer House Hilton is close to a subway stop. You're a little bit out of the action at the Palmer House Hilton but it's a non-issue: a few dollars and a few minutes and you can be anywhere else downtown.

deladeb

Any other winning bids?? Very few lately on biddingfortravel.com

lincasanova

I got a great hotel on hotwire. ti as the sheraton. check out hotwire because you can pinpoint the hotel most likely. the sheraton is usually very inexpensive compared to the others.. great location. hope to go back and will look for same place when i go.

lincasanova

Actually it was the Four Points Sheraton. Excuse previous typos.

MarySteveChicago

Personally I would prefer Mag Mile, river North, Streeterville, Gold Coast areas. South of the river (Loop) is business, theater oriented and barren for nightlife or restaurants. Most of the restaurants are more cafe or lunch types. Streeterville is great, well, except for the sirens from Northwestern Hospital! It's beautiful and just off the Mag Mile.

deladeb

Any winning bids for September?

lincasanova

go to betterbidding's calendar of wins and you will see the few winning bids. From $125 to a bit more for 4* and 3.5*.

tomrgr

I was there a few years ago and yes, we stayed in the Millennium Park zone. Have you checked out www.hoteldealsrevealed.com to figure out what hotel you'll likely get? They can probably offer some tips for bidding in Chicago.