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Holiday Inn Mart Plaza
Location: Holiday Inn Mart Plaza
Address: 350 West Mart Center Drive, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 1-312-836-5000
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- Public Transit from O'Hare Airport (Blue Line)
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- Holiday Inn Mart Plaza
Don't panic at the name "Holiday Inn," because this hotel is nicely appointed has everything we need, including a large, cozy lobby for meeting/hanging out/checking our phones, and recently renovated rooms at $137 for a double or king. (Max occupancy is 4 people per room, but you can always ask about it and they may charge you a bit more). There are no suites available at the group rate.
They have reserved a smaller number of rooms for the Thursday before and the Monday after the tweetup, for those arriving early or leaving later.
When making reservations, ask for the Chicago(ish) Tweetup block of rooms. The views from these rooms is usually pretty fantastic, overlooking the Chicago River. If you're a AAA member, ask for their AAA rate for the dates you're reserving; sometimes that rate is lower than the block rate.
Tax is 15.4%, which adds another $21.10, making the total per night $158.10.
If you happen to call and hear that the block is closed, don't panic. Call Diane Fuentes, superhero sales rep, at 312.529.1115 and she'll open up more rooms for us. If you can't get a hold of Diane or experience any problems, contact Toni/@frageelay.
The cutoff date for the group rate is MARCH 15, 2013, so don't put off reserving a room!
All reservations must be guaranteed via credit card. Cancelation: 24 hours before arrival.
Check-in: 3PM, Check-Out: 12 PM.
Also, check out the Lodging Sharing forum for other options!
Parking is $39.00/night. However, there are ways around paying to park:
- The Grant Park underground parking garages run about $25/night - http://www.millenniumgarages.com/
- Flying in? Skip the car rental and either take public transportation downtown (the El stops at the hotel) or see if locals can pick you up from the airport - check the ride-sharing board.
- Driving in? The CTA offers secure parking at its Park & Ride locations around the outer edges of the city for as little as $4/day.
Some amenities:
- More than one spacious lobby for hanging out
- A swanky (but smallish) bar with gorgeous city views, especially at night
- Walk to the El without going outdoors
- The surrounding area is visually gorgeous; you can see the Chicago River from one entrance and the El and commuter rail train tracks. Be sure to check the photo gallery: http://www.martplaza.com/photogallery/index.cfm
- There are tons of places to eat at the Merchandise Mart, which is attached to the hotel Though most are closed Sunday mornings, you can still get your Dunkin Donuts coffee fix!
- KICK ASS deli two blocks away: http://www.stevesdeli.com/home/
Comments
FYI - I just checked on the Holiday Inn's website - last time the AAA discount was substantial, but this time it ends up being more than $20 more than the negotiated rate. You're better off just reserving a room with the CHSH rate.
Thanks again, Toni, for negotiating that!
I'm still not 100% sure I can go, but I am really working on it and I would love to share a room with someone if possible.
Here is a list of reasons I would be an awesome roommate:
http://cleapow.tumblr.com/post/561328378/anyone-want-a-roommate-in-chica...
Is there a group rate for the April 2011 event?
I've just updated the information about the block of rooms (rates, tax, parking) for the April 2011 tweetup, above.
Thank you for getting the great rate. I just booked my king size room with a view.
The AAA rate for April '11 is $158 plus tax. Once again, the group rate kicks ass!
Wow, that's twice what it was a year ago. Fickle AAA rate mystery oracle thingie.
Hey, Toni - is there by chance an online code for the block of rooms, or do you have to call?
Kathleen, you have to call. I will ask if they can add this option, but something tells me there's no way to do this at this time.
I am a Chicago native, but I would love to stay there Saturday night. I will share room costs with someone and I am also a good roommate. (Just ask cloudya.) Let me know!
I made reservations on January 28 and they honored the group rate. I was also able to get the same rate for Wednesday, April 6.
As of today, the block of rooms was full. I was able to get a room added at the group rate with two double beds. If anyone wants to share and split the cost of a room, let me know.
I just finished my reservation and the AAA rate I was quoted was $133, which isn't bad.
I called central reservations and was told there were 3 rooms left. When I asked for 2 doubles was told there were none.
Called Diane, who routed me in in-house reservations, got 2 doubles, whizbangboom, no worries, tweetup rate.
Sorry, guys. It's official. I'll be there. ;)
I just booked my room (it's past the supposed cut-off date) and they still gave me the Tweetup rate of $129. Oddly enough (considering what Robin said above), they told me they ONLY have doubles (no king beds), so if anyone wants to switch, let me know. See you all next month!
FYI - Just reserved my room last night. The entire hotel is booked and there are only 4 rooms left from our reserved block. If you are thinking about getting a room, do it soon!
Josh, thanks for the heads-up. I'm glad you're able to make it!
I called Diane Fuentes, the sales rep at the Holiday Inn, and she said the hotel is nowhere near booked and there are still rooms available in the block--more than 4. Her direct line is 312.529.1115 if you have any problems with central reservations. Often that's a national call center and they may not have the same information as the reps at the hotel do.
This is still a good wake-up call to reserve your rooms now - if we do exceed our block they can add more rooms for us. But if we wait too long, there is still a chance there won't be more rooms to add. The block expires March 11th or thereabouts. Get in there and get your rooms now; they don't charge your card until you check out. Only takes a minute to call and hold a room. Do it!
Toni
If you haven't booked your room yet and missed out on the group rate, as of today the AAA rate for a standard room (no view) is $120 and a king room with a view is $127.
Just passing it along.
Today I called Diane...
"Hi, I'm coming in for a stay in April and was given your name."
"With the Chicagoish Tweetey Up?"
"Yes, that's the one!"
"She must've given my name to everyone on the internet..."
Then she transferred me down to central booking and I booked a King. The fella who booked me was super awesome. At first he didn't find any Kings in the block, but then he searched again (I'm guessing he never searched originally) and found one. $137+tax is still the rate.
Hooray!