Help- I'm looking for a nice hotel to take my wife and inlaws to for 3 day trip to Chicago in March. Here are the ones I am considering...

Fitzpatrick, Sofitel, Burnham, Wyndham, Drake, Allerton. Does anyone know these and can you give me advice on which one to choose?? Also- I am considering doing Priceline ... any experience with this and Chicago hotels???? I am worried what if it give us a hotel that we don't like... but I assume it could save us some money which would be nice though...

As to priceline - it may be able to save you a bunch of money, but if they give you a hotel you don't like, it's tough luck for you.

I'm not picky about hotels, so I've used priceline in Chicago and been very happy twice. Both times I was bidding on the loop area, and got 4* hotels for $60/night. Other people would not be happy with those hotels or the location, though.

So, if you and your wife are very specific about your hotel needs, priceline probably isn't a good idea. Once you click the "go" button there, you are locked in should they happen to find something.

If you do want to give priceline a try, though, check out www.biddingfortravel.com and www.betterbidding.com for bidding information.

www.hotrooms.com is a discount Chicago hotel site. It will tell you what conventions are in town. It is often the best place to get rooms outside of priceline & hotwire.

The Sofitel is a new hotel, only about a year old and is supposed to be gorgeous. It's in a great location in the middle of the action for restaurants and shopping- a short cab or long walk to the Art Institute. The Hotel Burnham is a boutique hotel across from Marshall Fields State Street strore. It has a good restaurant (Atwood Cafe) and a free wine/cheese happy hour for guests. It's is a better location if you want to focus more on the museums but not a bad location for Mag. Mile shopping. The Drake is nice also. I know the Burnham offers great deals on its website.

We have used priceline for Chicago and have gotten great hotels. During a graduation (we had TONS of family there) everyone pricelined their hotels and we were at the Sheraton, Westin (on Michigan) and Hyatt (I think there are two--family was at the one on the river).

Our prices were between $59-$80 for each night. There are so many fantastic hotels in Chicago you should be able to get a great one. If you haven't yet, go to biddingfortravel.com for priceline info and tips.

I'veone Priceline for hotels in Chicago with no problems but each time it was just me so it was no big deal if the room was a stinker. I probably wouldn't risk Priceline for a special occasion and definitely not a room for my in-laws! It's worth a chunk of change not to hear my MIL complain.

Quikbook.com is great for Chicago hotels. I know the Burnham and Allerton appear there regularly. I think the Wyndham does as well.

I think we've settled on the Sofitel hotel. We want to treat my inlaws to a nice time in Chicago and impress them during their stay. Now.. how can I get rooms at the cheapest price??