Help with hotel around Chicago cheap

[maggiew]

Maggie - have you ever seen the Best Western River North? I consider it to be somewhat on the dumpy side. And as "swanky" as that neighborhood is in the day; for some reason that block at night time is really scary there are a couple bars on that street owned by gangs. JMHO

NO. I haven't ever seen this place. As I mentioned before, when we stay downtown we usually stay at the Westin Chicago River North (trying to rack up some SPG points to use at the Dolphin!). If its a bad area, I would just decide to stay downtown somewhere with Priceline and pay the parking. It wouldn't be worth it to me to stay all the way by O'Hare or Elk Grove Village and take the train in. Use the money you save by doing hotwire or priceline and pay for the parking. Some hotels only charge $15 - $20.

While I think its worth it to do the tea or lunch in the American Girl cafe at least once because the atmosphere can't be beat, we do not think the food is all that good. We either go to the Rainforest Cafe downtown or the Cheesecake Factory at the bottom of the Hancock Building (right around the corner from AG.)


Here is a picture of DD's Kit getting her hair done.

Here is a picture of the cafe:

Maggie

 

[rickdeni]

Keep checking Priceline, etc. as sometimes they have cheap rates for the weekends. You will love the American Girl lunch or tea. The food isn't bad and the little girls just love it. Also check the Holiday Inn and other chain sites for special weekend rates. I have stayed downtown in the summer as cheap as $69 in a 4 to 5 star hotel boutique hotel. You just have to keep looking.

 

[Hunnybee]

My husband would second the popcorn place! Every time we go back to Chicago he HAS to stand in line (usually the line is out the door -- now granted, not too much room to stand inside, but still!) for that popcorn. It is REALLY good though!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

The Chicago Hilton usually has excellent rates. It's not North Michigan Ave, but it's a block from the red line and they have rooms (with 2 baths) for $89 and up a night. I am taking my DDs next weekend so we can have a ball in Chicago. We have lunch ressies at AG, and DD11 wants to see the musical, DD16 wants to eat dinner at the Hard Rock (her goal in life is to visit EVERY HRC on the planet!) and we'll hit up the Art Institute, etc. in addition to shopping Michigan AVe. We will probably pork out on Frangos in the hotel room at night (yes, i speak from experience!)

Have a ball!

By the way, the Hilton has AAA rates and you can buy unlimited CTA tickets by the day once you get there or in advance online!!