While planning a weekend trip to Chicago with my two oldest
grandchildren, I found a lovely boutique hotel right off the Mag Mile. Looking at the hotel website in regards to parking, I learned that the only parking
option offered by the hotel was valet. I planned to drive a rental car and did
not want to turn it over to any other driver. Plus, their valet service was a bit
pricey.
So, I emailed the hotel, explaining that I could not use the valet and asked what other options were available nearby. The hotel
staffer kindly recommended two garages very near the hotel and he also referred me
to two different mobile parking apps.
I looked at the parking garage sites first and found that one was
full and that the other wouldn’t allow the size of vehicle I would be driving,
so I turned to the mobile parking apps. I was shocked to see the differences
between the parking garage sites and the parking app sites. Not only did I find that
parking app I chose (SpotHero) had more up-to-date information regarding height
restrictions (my behemoth-size rental car would fit my chosen garage after all) but the rates
were considerably cheaper. The garage offered a rate of $63 if I prepaid on its site, but
SpotHero offered a spot in the same garage for $50.
I was leery because it seemed too good to be true, but I
took a chance and booked it anyway. SpotHero emailed my confirmation to me,
complete with directions on how to use my code and what to do if something went
awry. The whole experience was just as smooth and easy as can be. Never again
will I park in a city garage without first checking SpotHero.
