Chicago people, please help me pick a hotel

[Nik's Mom]

Hi,
I'm in desperate help in picking the right hotel for Chicago during 4th of July weekend. We plan on seeing Field museum, the Aquarium and Navy Pier. I also have to drive out to Crystal Lake to visit a friend on one of those days. I know traffic into the city will be insane, so I'd like a hotel that will be convenient to the 3 attactions that I mentioned. Parking seems to be so expensive, but we'll just have to grin and bear it I guess. So, what do you suggest? I don't want anything too expensive because we will have the added expense for parking. But it has to be a safe area for us (me, dh and 2 young sons).

I've never been to Chicago, so I'm totally lost. I saw a really good deal on Travel zoo for a hotel called Hotel Sax, which is next door to the House of Blues. So I'm concerned about noise. But it's $129 a night and that includes free parking.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[Minnie824]

Check out the marriott magnificent Mile...its right on michigan avenue and for a downtown hotel, pretty reasonable.

 

[zulaya]

Over 4th of July...in Chicago...

My opinion is you are going to get what you pay for.

I go to Chicago every July for a conference and our conference hotels are always downtown. I don't have the foggiest idea where Crystal Lake is, but if you want something close to the Field Museum and Aquarium, you want to look for hotels in the Loop area.

I've stayed at the Hilton Hotel and Towers and also the Palmer House Hilton. Both are in decent locations. I think there's a little more in the way of restaurants and such closer to the Palmer House. But the Hilton Towers is right on Michigan Ave and is close to the attractions you want to see.

A little farther north, there's a Hyatt Regency, Embassy Suites, Sheraton Hotel & Towers. These three would be closer to Navy Pier than the other two attractions. Personally, I think the north end offers a bit more in shopping and eating options so I'd choose something up there.

I'd classify these all as good hotels with good service, clean rooms and decent areas of the city. I've walked around after dark and not felt I was in an unsafe place.

Hopefully some homegrown Chicagoans will pipe in for you soon.

But please, don't take the bargain basement places in Chicago. I had friends who tried to do our conference on the cheap and the hotels were either rundown or farther away than they expected or the amenities advertised were not present. I really do think it's a get what you pay for city.

It's not like you can pay $89 a night for a nice Hampton Inn in downtown Chicago. It would be nice, believe me, but it's just not going to happen.

 

[kimber79]

Hotel Sax is VERY nice!! If you can get it for $129 ~ I would snatch it up!! I stayed there and it was $250 a night....good thing I had someone to split the bill with!! Even though it is right next to the House of Blues...there is no worries about noise. You will be conveniently located to where you want to go staying here....it is a very nice location and right on the river!! It is also convenient to get on 94 to head over to Crystal Lake.

Your drive to Crystal Lake is going to be probably a good hour I would think, maybe an hour and a half. It has been a couple years since I have been there....and know it is a drive from the city!

 

[SpecialK]

The problem is, Fourth of July weekend you're going to run into the end of Taste of Chicago and the Grant Park fireworks to celebrate the Fourth. If you like crowds, you're good to go. If not, steer clear of Grant Park. We avoid going anywhere near downtown during that weekend. Truthfully, my advice would be to pick another weekend if you can.

I'd skip the downtown area because you'll be in the center ofthe business district. Not a lot to walk to after dark. North Michigan Ave. will offer more strolling opportunities. We drove in from the burbs and stayed at a Sheraton Suites last year that was about a block away from the Hancock (where we left the car.) It was niceand not that pricey.

Last year the free tolleys were running that would take you around the city, including all of the attractions you mentioned, but I'm not sure if they're running this year. You can google it to get more info and a map.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I know it's going to be crowded as heck, but unfortunately it's the only weekend that fits dh's work schedule before the kids go back to school.

It sounds like Hotel Sax is a great deal then. I've found a lot of good deals for that weekend for some 3 and 4 star hotels. The problem is the parking is like $50 a day. With Hotel Sax, parking is included.

Thanks for your suggestions. Wish me luck fighting off the crowds!