do you all trust HOTWIRE?
 

i've never used it, but it seems reputable. just kinda wierd not knowing the name or address until after booking.

Totally reputable. But if you're not familiar with it, don't use it without learning more at www.betterbidding.com It's not the best tool for everyone all the time.

Not weird at all. You're buying "excess inventory," that's all. In exchange for the low price you lose the right to "choose." This way, the hotel's "lowest advertised rate" is still just that even though people may get lower rates via Priceline and Hotwire.

yea, i found a 4-star hotel in Chicago (North Michigan Avenue - Water Tower - Gold Coast) for $159. sounds too good to be true.

I replied on your other thread as well, but it's certainly not too good to be true. I prefer priceline to hotwire, but typically have gotten hotels under $100 for Chicago using the blind suppliers.

You can use the site I posted before to help you determine what the hotel is. And you can see very clearly the area on the map that it might be in - the zones are reasonably small - so it's not like you'll be stuck in the boonies by using hotwire, as long as you pay attention to what zone the hotel is in.

Once you've determined what the hotel might be, be sure to check the rate with the hotel directly (via their own website) to be sure you're not overpaying. Plenty of people don't do their homework and get stuck paying as much as, or even more than, the hotel is charging directly, with no choice of hotel and no cancellation privileges.

It's great for rental cars. It will be either Hertz, Avis, or Budget.
I got a full size Hertz rental next week in LA for $17.95/day.

jlm, awesome info and help on both my threads. thanks much.

i THINK i may have determined that my "4star $159" hotwire deal MIGHT be the Ambassador East.

i've also found the Club Quarters (central loop) for $179.

do you know either of these? both seem like fair deals assuming the hotels are decent.

as for locations, i know Central Loop seems to be in the heart of things, but how far out is the "North Michigan Avenue - Water Tower - Gold Coast" area where my hotwire deal is?

again, thanks so much for your help.

Take the Ambassador East over the Club Quarters and do not wait. In 10 minutes it could be different.

You aren't at all too far North. You'll do just fine. I do it all the time and hotwire is excellent. You've gotten some good luck in short timing frames.

I just walked last week from LaSalle St. station, to the lakefront and then way past where you will be and back and bought some theatre tickets on the return walk in that district. And I'm no spring chicken, so if you walk at all, you'll be fine.

Actually, for people not from Chicago at all and lots of first or second timers, where you would be (Amb. East) is higher favorite level than over State St. Loop/museums locations. And you can reach them too by foot, bus, cab etc. easily.

Have fun.

thanks JJ.
of course, i'm not SURE it's the Ambassador East, but i guess i know that it's a a 4-star hotel in Chicago (North Michigan Avenue - Water Tower - Gold Coast) for $159.

and you're saying that neighborhood is a great location.

i cant tell from Hotwire if they have parking and at what cost. but i'm guessing it's comparable to other places $25-50 vallet parking or if they dont have it i could pay something similar at a nearby garage. seems that Chicago is similar to NYC and SanFran in that you just accept that you're gonna pay a steep parking fee.

if you check www.biddingfortravel.com they have a good section on parking in chicago.

I've used Hotwire once (I prefer Priceline). Anyway, I was very happy. We got a hotel for 50% off the hotel website rate in the Caribbean (Curacao) during high season (February).
It is VERY IMPORTANT to do your research before using Hotwire and Priceline. www.betterbidding.com and www.biddingfortravel.com are the sites to read. You'll avoid making costly mistakes.
Good luck.

Just grab it. That's good for such a short lead time.

The worst parking fee I've heard quoted is $40 per day. But I doubt it would be that there, check on the link
as posted by lincasanova.

Regardless, I would take that before it disappears because that is a REALLY good location for that price.

at the risk of thanking too much, you folks are very helpful...

and you'll find this ammusing: i just called the Ambassador East directly, and they quoted me a price for a room with a Kingsize bed at $159, the same great rate i was getting from Hotwire!

parking is $39, but whattayagonna do.

Not at all surprising - glad you called them.

I've stayed at the Ambassador East through priceline (when it was still an Omni hotel) and it was pretty nice. Not the best hotel in the world, but we were happy there, and the neighborhood is fabulous! The hotel does parking through a garage a block or so away. Parking through hotels is outrageously expensive in Chicago, but there are cheaper parking areas around. Do some searching to see if you can find something cheaper, though for one night it might not be worth it.

When staying further south we park at Millennium Park for $16/night, plus $12 for the partial last day. But, that for one night would still come out to $28 (unless you were there under 24 hours), so not really worth parking so far away from your hotel (a mile or so) to save $10.

I'm surprised the Amb. East quoted you $159 on the phone. Great deal- I never have luck when I call, it's always no room in the inn or much higher.

Hope the weather is as nice as can be that weekend, I'll be in MI.

thanks again for all the help.

now you can look forward to my frantic WHAT TO DO IN 24 HOURS IN CHICAGO threads, and of course WHERE'S THE BEST PIZZA?!?!!

just kidding, i'll try the search feature first and THEN hit you with my questions.

thanks

Now that the Ambassador East is no longer an Omni property, the rates seem to have dropped.

tlf -

I did hotwire for the exact same area (Gold Coast/Water Tower) and 4 stars...it was The Drake for $94/night.

That's about what I usually get or lower down to $69.

That means that weekend is not overpacked at all and would be a great last minute adventure.

"It's great for rental cars. It will be either Hertz, Avis, or Budget.
I got a full size Hertz rental next week in LA for $17.95/day."

And. . .??
I got a Grand Caravan in LA for $13.50 a day by going directly through Dollar.