Chicago hotel recommendations?

[celestialred]

Hi all. I am trying to put together a group trip to Chi-town in the fall sometime for a bunch of us gals getting away from hubbies and kids for a weekend. I could use some hotel recommendations. At this point, I would prefer to stay $200 and under per night - we will be doubling up in rooms to help defray costs to everyone. I would prefer Loop/MagMile/Gold Coast area (in that order) but would be willing to go to some closer suburbs too if we get priced out of downtown. I reeeeeeally don't want to have to stay by the airports to pull this off. I have been on tripadvisor and kayak on and off all day and my brain is fried now.

TIA!

 

[MzDiz]

Try hotwire, I always have good luck with it.

Keep in mind, if you're all driving, you're going to be paying some outrageous parking fees downtown. I'm talking 50 bucks a night at some places.

 

[themilesfamily]

Our favorite hotel in Chicago is the Hotel Monaco. It's a great location -- 225 N Wabash. It's a really cute boutique hotel w/great decor.

Rates are typically $250/night, but they do run great specials and you can often get a cheaper rate on hotel discount sites. We've gotten rates as low $120 per night.

ETA: I just read previous post -- valet parking here is $42/day. Definitely something to keep in mind.

 

[celestialred]

Thanks. We are looking at either carpooling in with a couple minivans and splitting the valet costs among everyone (also looking for self-park options), or taking the train round trip then just grabbing a bus or an EL train weekend pass for each person depending on how far out they want to go. I like the train option except that the closest station is about 45 mins away and they leave early morning and return trip home drops off very late at night.

Keep the suggestions coming!

 

[StacyMarie]

We go to Chicago once a year and ALWAYS stay at the Downtown Marriott. It is on the magnificant mile and it is beautiful! We tried staying elsewhere once and we will never do that again!!!!

Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificant Mile
540 North Michigan Avenue, (Driveway Entrance on 541 North Rush Street)
Chicago, Illinois 60611 USA
Phone: 1-312-836-0100
Fax: 1-312-836-6139
Sales: 1-312-245-4728
Sales fax: 1-312-245-6929
Toll-free: 1-800-228-9290

 

[sTINKS]

Love the Amalfi - they have a cocktail hour, which always makes us happy when we hit it. I have had good luck with chicago hotel deals from travelzoo.com

 

[lovesmurfs]

Live in the NW suburbs -- we're staying overnight at the Doubletree later this month for our 20th anniversary (Odyssey Cruise, too! ). Our overnight is $135 for a king / lake view (although I'm not too optimistic about the amount of lake we'll see!). 2-3 blocks to Michigan Avenue.

http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US...el-Chicago-Magnificent-Mile-Illinois/index.do

 

[court4short]

Ooh, I'm hoping I can help with this one! I JUST booked a hotel in Chicago for the last week in July and I was looking for the same things you asked for. We ended up going with the the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott.

http://www.fairfieldsuiteschicago.com/

It's in downtown Chicago, and just one block from Michigan Ave.

216 East Ontario Street
Chicago, IL 60611

The room I booked came to about $162 a night. And the hotel looks rather nice for that cost.

 

[NotUrsula]

The Wit Hotel in the Loop has been having a lot of specials; they only opened about a year ago, so they are still working for business. Their bar is a hot destination with the locals right now, so there is fun to be had there. I wouldn't suggest it for a family, but for a girls' getaway it might be just right.

It's owned by Doubletree, but it's a boutique property.

The best engine for good discounts in the Chicago area is Hotrooms.com -- they are a local consolidator.

If you are finding prices to be oddly high, check to make sure that you have not accidentally chosen Marathon weekend for this excursion. If you did, I'd try to change your dates.

 

[LaurenLC]

My first tip is, make sure you aren't coming the week of the marathon. It will be VERY expensive and VERY crowded.. You can google 'Chicago marathon 2010' and you should be able to find out the date.
You don't want to stay out by the airport; you are going to waste too much time commuting into the city. There is no shortage of great hotels downtown. You will probably have the easiest time just using a site like orbitz, tavelocity, etc.
Avoid driving at all cost... The city has traffic and driving downtown can be a headache, but the real issue is parking. You will pay TONS to park downtown. Even though Chicago is in desperate need of updating and increasing their mass transit it would work great for a few days of sightseeing.
Have a GREAT time in Chicago!

 

[mom2travel]

I love Chicago!

I've stayed a few times at Marriott Magnificent Mile for work (so don't know exactly how much $$) but it is a nice hotel and a good location

Have also stayed at Four Points by Sheraton on N Rush - great location for walking to lots of places (or take the bus - it's easy!), friendly staff, clean and comfy room. Was a really good deal money-wise too

Have a great time!

 

[Nagle]

We visited Chicago for the first time at Easter. We stayed at the Palmer House Hilton and loved it. Short walk to Art Institute of Chicago. Quick EL ride to Mag Mile. We would definitely stay there again.

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

I would re-order your preferences to MagMile/Loop/Gold Coast. The Loop is pretty shut down at night and on the weekends. As long as you're not trying to travel during Marathon, you'll find a good rate under $200, and probably closer to $100.

If you want to stay close to it all, try to find a hotel between State on the West, Columbus/Fairbanks on the East, Oak on the North, and Illinois on the South. The Intercontinental right on Michigan has had some great specials lately.

 

[NotUrsula]

I'd agree unless they plan to go to the major theatres at night. Except for the Goodman they are all in the Loop area, so it makes sense to be nearby.

 

[ptcruisermom]

We go to Chicago once a year and ALWAYS stay at the Downtown Marriott. It is on the magnificant mile and it is beautiful! We tried staying elsewhere once and we will never do that again!!!!

Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificant Mile
540 North Michigan Avenue, (Driveway Entrance on 541 North Rush Street)
Chicago, Illinois 60611 USA
Phone: 1-312-836-0100
Fax: 1-312-836-6139
Sales: 1-312-245-4728
Sales fax: 1-312-245-6929
Toll-free: 1-800-228-9290

We stayed here last Jan for a dance convention rates were around 125.00 per night. We had a nice large room-I requested a refrigerator(they wouldn't guarantee it but we did get it) there was no charge for the fridge. Very comfy beds and right on the mag mile easy walking to almost everywhere. Dab ride from train station was about 15 with tip. We took the train out of Waterloo In which is about an nlour and 15 minutes from here

 

[christineann]

I've only been to Chicago once, and we stayed at the Sheraton Chicago Tower.
We had a room on the 30-something floor overlooking the river and the city. It was a great location. I would love to go back!

http://www.sheratonchicago.com/