Chicago: When to book hotel for September?
 

I'm going to see U2 at Soldier Field in mid-September (it's taking all I have not to end that sentence with twelve exclamation points). We're trying to book a hotel for Sept. 12 and 13. I've had success using Hotwire in Chicago before, but it doesn't seem like we're getting great deals this time. (People on betterbidding.com are getting in the neighborhood of $100 for 3.5* or 4* rooms in the Loop and Mag Mile areas, but the best deal I found was $163 for a 4* in Mag Mile.) Is there another really big event going on that weekend? Or should we just wait awhile longer and hope prices come down? They're already lower than they were a month or so ago, but I'm type A and don't want to wait too terribly long.

I'm actually finding what appear to be better deals with choosechicago.com - has anyone used this site recently? Thanks, all!

I should clarify - the forum posts on betterbidding are talking about $100 deals for rooms in the next several weeks (not September), which is one reason I'm wondering if we need to just wait a bit longer. Dang, I wish we had that edit function. ;)

There are a lot of trade shows in the fall.

Thanks, kelliebellie. I wondered if something like that was the case.

Lots of neighborhood festivals, trade shows and the cubs are in town. Not sure how this all effects the hotel scene but with the concert, rooms could get tight. I guess it depends on how "type A" you are. Is it worth an extra $50 to know you have the room reserved now? $163 seems resonable to me for a weekend that time of year but you know your budget. If it were me I'd book it and then stop looking and enjoy the fact that your concert plans are set.

Thanks, fun2travel! It's worth a little bit extra to me to have things set, but my traveling companion wants to do a little more waiting/searching, and we're not to the point yet where I'm getting stressed about it. I agree that it seems reasonable (especially if there's a lot going on that weekend - I did notice the Cubs schedule, and U2 is playing both Saturday and Sunday). It just wasn't the great deal I was hoping for, so I thought I'd ask!

Id book something now that is cancellable just to have a room in reserve then keep looking. $163 is a lot cheaper than I paid last year.

That's a good idea - for some reason that hadn't occurred to me! That might work out really well. Thanks!

We wanted to go to Chicago in September (American Girl Place for my dd's 10th birthday) but the rates are much higher in Sept, so we're going the end of August. Got a one bedroom with full kitchen at Comfort Suites downtown for only $103. We were wondering the same thing about events going on in Sept.

4sharie - good to know I'm not the only one! If only Bono and Edge would listen to me when scheduling their tour dates... ;)