Wind speed in Chicago determines the percent of this hotel’s discount

There’s an upside to the polar vortex bearing down on Chicago: a wind discount. One boutique hotel is offering room discounts tied to the wind speed measured each Wednesday in the Windy City.

The Hotel Lincoln at 1816 N. Clark St. will take the projected wind speed as of 10 a.m. Wednesday -- and every subsequent Wednesday through Feb. 25 -- and that number becomes the percent of the discount you’ll get. (The hotel will blast it out on its Facebook page and @HotelLincoln Twitter feed.)

If you see a wind speed you like -- hope for 50 mph gales! -- you may book a room at the discounted price.

The discount applies to best available room price. The good part about what the hotel calls Windy City Wednesdays is you don’t have to go to Chicago in the dead of winter to enjoy the savings.

You may book online or by phone using the code “WIND” for a stay any time through March 31 (some blackout dates apply).

As a little test, I checked Tuesday’s weather online and found Chicago had an average wind speed of 13 mph, which would mean a 13% discount. (It also was reported to be 7 degrees but felt like -1.)

Winds of 21 mph were forecast for Wednesday, but anything could change.

Info: Hotel Lincoln, (312) 254-4700