Need help from the Chicago folks, please (Got it, thanks!)

[Rajah]

My mom and I will be coming to Chicago in October (anyone wanna meet? ) for my best friends' wedding and I'm looking for the best places to stay.

They've got "special rates" at the Courtyard by Marriott O'Hare on South River Road or at the Ramada Inn O'Hare on Mannheim Road. Are both of those good / safe places to stay, or would y'all recommend somewhere else?

We need to be in the general area of O'Hare, because the wedding, reception, and rehearsal are off of 294 north of O'Hare (+ / - a few blocks)

What would be the best place to stay for two women traveling alone? (As it currently stands, DH won't be able to go with us )

Thanks!!

Also, my mom and I will have Thursday to do some site-seeing. I know I want to see the botanical gardens (especially if there happens to be any fall color), and my mom really wants to see the lake. Anything else a must-see?

 

[TandJ61574]

We live right next to O'hare and have stayed at many of these hotels or have gone to seminars.

I have included a link and the ratings pretty much sum up what I would have to say.

http://chicago.airporthotelguide.com/airporthotels.html

The one we have stayed at the most (24 hour pool for the kids) is the four star sheraton. Its very nice.

I would not recommend the Ramada. Most of Mannheim road looks like the bad side of the Vegas Strip.

My son has stayed at the Marriot O'hare several times and he loves it.

Hope this helps

 

[Rajah]

Thanks! Crossing the Ramada off my list. The Marriott was the one I was leaning towards anyway, but I'll see what else I can find as well so we have a few options to consider.

Thanks!

 

[stauncie]

Not a local, but I have traveled for work alot in those areas, in my travels to Chicago.
It depends on your preferences for the hotel as to which to choose. The Ramada does NOT have an indoor pool, and you have to pay to park, $10.00/night. While the Ramada itself is ok, the neighborhood becomes industrial and 'rough' just a couple of blocks south. I cancelled a reservation I had there, and changed to the North side.

And then went back every time to the Hampton Inn North Shore in Skokie.
http://travel.travelocity.com/hotel...2016624658941548&SEQ=109450519889264509062004
Its only 9 miles for O'hare (North), VERY nice, and just a few blocks from Old Orchard Mall.
http://www.westfield.com/us/centres...ntre_id=oldorchard&order=categorical&x=9&y=11

Also, the botanical garden is only 9 miles away.

 

[KimRaye]

Tammi, when in October will you be here?

I agree with the Mannheim Rd. hotel comments. River Rd. is much more populated with hotels, the convention center, and many other things. I'd think nearly anyplace on River Rd. would be safe. Lots of choices, too.

 

[BethanyF]

River Road (Rosemont) gets my vote too. Mannheim has some less than desirable spots.
Where is the wedding? There might be hotels closer to that location.

 

[Rajah]

Thanks y'all

We're coming in Oct 6th (early evening) and heading back out Oct 10th. Since I'm in the wedding, I'm booked on both Fri (rehearsal) and Sat (wedding), but we plan to do some siteseeing on Thurs.

 

[Rajah]

Okay y'all, I need your help again.

I've got our reservations at the Courtyard by Marriott on South River, but the first two nights are almost twice the cost that we were expecting/wanting to pay. So, I'm looking at other options.

The wedding will be near the intersection of Oakton and N Greenwood just east of 294. The rehearsal dinner just north of that on Dempster, and the reception to the west at Oakton and Elmhurst.

With that information, and the knowledge that we'll want to have relatively easy access through safe neighborhoods / areas to all of those destinations, what can y'all tell me about:

*The Best Western on Lee St (was Mannheim, but it turns into Lee)

* The Amerisuites near the Busse Woods Forest Preserve on Arlington Heights Rd

* Any of the hotels in the 290 & 90 area

According to Expedia, I can get any of those for almost half the price of the Marriott.

Would any of those be as good / better of a location?

Keeping in mind that the rehearsal and reception will be in the evening, so we'll be returning at night.

Thanks y'all!!

 

[Jeafl]

The Amerisuites is in a nice area. Anything in the suburbs along I-90 is going to be fine. Arlington Hts., Mt. Prospect, Des Plaines, Barrington, Park Ridge etc. are all good, safe areas.

I can't picture where that Best Western is. Is that considered Des Plaines? You might want to PM Dan Murphy. That whole area is pretty much his neck of the woods.

My advice would be to stay in the suburbs and just hop on the expressway. It's much safer, and only about a 15 minute drive.

If you need more help let me know, and I can do some investigating for you.

 

[Rajah]

Okay, I'm all set. My friends were able to extend their special rate so the Courtyard by Marriott works.

Thanks everyone!!

(Now... anyone interested in a meet?)

 

[Carl]

I hope that you get to meet Dan while you are there. I met him last December. Nice fellow.