About 2 months ago we started looking in all the typical places and everything was REALLY expensive. We found nice hotels for around $170-230 a night and not so nice places for around $130 a night.

Since both of us hate paying too much for a place to sleep, we decided to include hostels in our search. I've stayed in many a hostel - both in and out of this country - and I've had pretty good experiences so far. Most hostels have an option to pay a little more to get a private room with a shared bath and this is exactly what we found at Hostelling International Chicago. It looks really nice - great location, clean, nice people on the phone and only $35 each a night. I made a refundable reservation while I kept searching.

When I mentioned my booking to Clark he asked me if I had tried a Priceline, and I told him I had tried a few weeks ago and all my bids had gotten rejected. He suggested that I try again closer to my travel dates and I did today. I put in a bid for $82/ night for a 4 star hotel in the best location and I got it!! I'm so grateful to Clark for encouraging me to try and bid again.

So now, instead of staying at a hostel, we are staying at the Hyatt Regency Chicago for almost exactly the same price. Amazing!