<p>Not NEARLY as much as the difference in room prices! And if you bid on something in The Loop area (or book it through Hotwire), you won’t have far to travel, anyway. A quick check finds 4-star hotels in the area available through Priceline for anywhere from 60 to 70 dollars a night, and on Hotwire. a 3 1/2 star is $69, while a 4 star is $109. The best rates I could find for the Palmer house ranged from $127 (advance purchase non-refundable) to $160. As always, it comes down to convenience vs. price. The compromise you choose is yours!</p>