runner13 From United States of America, joined Jun 2010, 227 posts, RR: 0 Posted (2 years 4 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 2371 times:
Hey everyone. I'm taking my wife to chicago for her birthday in June. It will be her first time. I have been a lot and I'm quite familiar with the area. I was looking for advice on hotels. Every time I have stayed there it was for business, or day trips where I wouldn't get a hotel. When I worked for OO, and went for training I would stay at the Marriot at O HARE. I remember that the hotel was nice, and the beds just HUGGED you. But for this trip I was thinking downtown would be better since it would be closer to everything. The prices from the Marriot to hotels downtown are pretty competitive, and I'm not that price sensitive. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
sw733 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 6072 posts, RR: 10 Reply 1, posted (2 years 3 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 2356 times:
One hotel I like is "theWit", which is technically a Doubletree (Hilton) but has a boutique aspect to it. I have stayed there several times and my fiance and I both really enjoy it. They also have a neat rooftop bar that is great on nice days, but is expensive (and busy after 5pm, but you can skip the line as a hotel guest). Location is along the river and right next to an L stop, near Marina City, House of Blues and just west of Michigan Avenue.
Also, the Embassy Suites - Downtown/Lakefront (on Columbus) is nice with a delicious free breakfast and manager's reception with free drinks every night...you can also get some great lakeview rooms there. It's a few blocks east of the Mag Mile and few blocks west of Navy Pier, so location is spot on.
If you're trying to stick to Marriott, the one on the Mag Mile is nice and a great location. For a bit lower price but still great location, the SpringHill Suites is nice.
kgaiflyer From United States of America, joined Jul 2008, 3650 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (2 years 3 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 2342 times:
I remember attending a convention which used the Palmer House as its meeting hotel. But instead of staying there, I booked the Renaissance Hotel at #1 Wacker Drive -- and I would re-book there in a heartbeat. Great views of downtown and the Chicago River. Their restaurants and bars are expensive -- but (in my opinion) are worth every penny.
I developed the habit of walking from the convention hotel back to the Renaissance and then window shopping in all the stores on State Street, and sometimes on Wabash Street. Plus I was within walking distance of the Chicago, the Cadillac, the Ford, and the Goodwin -- all the live theaters in downtown Chicago.
WROORD From United States of America, joined Mar 2009, 811 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (2 years 3 weeks 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 2327 times:
Try Omni Hotel. Usually not as pricey and is right off the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue). Also Swissotel on Wacker of Michigan Avenue is perfectly located where it is quiet and not far from the action. If you are going for the weekend - the Penninsula and Ritz usually have competitively priced packages. Try lookin at kayak.com they show maps, pictures and customer rating.
n92r03 From United States of America, joined Jan 2010, 250 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (2 years 3 weeks 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 2326 times:
The Conrad Hilton is nice. Nice part of town (mag mile), close to everything. $30 cab fare form MDW. It can be $400 a night, but it can also be $150 a night, check HHilton.com or the travel sites. We like it as it is close to everything.
David Burke's Prime House is a restaurant not to miss. Their 40 day dry aged steak is the absolute best I've ever had, anywhere in the world. The restaurant is on the bottom floor of the James Hotel, another nice place with a good vibe.
There is always the Ritz, Sofatel and plenty others all in a great area with lots of nice restaurants (Gibson's and others) within walking distance.
727tiger From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 225 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (2 years 3 weeks 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 2308 times:
For a nice boutique hotel in the River North area, give a look at the Dana Hotel. Stayed there 2 years ago when I took my daughter to Chicago for a surprise weekend trip.
RoseFlyer From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 8746 posts, RR: 52 Reply 6, posted (2 years 3 weeks 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 2286 times:
If you are not price conscious, the Peninsula hotel downtown is the nicest I have ever stayed at. But if 5 star luxury is out of your league, Chicago has so many hotels.
Still super nice, but a little less and has great views is the Swisshotel.
In all honesty, there are so many 4 and 5 star hotels in Chicago that they all have to be super nice and with occupancy low, they are surprisingly affordable.
As for beds, the Westin heavenly bed brand is great.
If you have never designed an airplane part before, let the real designers do the work!
RoseFlyer From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 8746 posts, RR: 52 Reply 7, posted (2 years 3 weeks 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 2285 times:
Quoting WROORD (Reply 3): Try lookin at kayak.com they show maps, pictures and customer rating.
Just be careful with prices on kayak. They look great, but then you have extras like $35 for breakfast, $45 for parking, $30 for internet, etc. It is amazing at how all the things that are free at a Days Inn, you have to pay for a luxury hotel.
If you have never designed an airplane part before, let the real designers do the work!
SW733 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 6072 posts, RR: 10 Reply 8, posted (2 years 3 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 2279 times:
Quoting RoseFlyer (Reply 7): Just be careful with prices on kayak. They look great, but then you have extras like $35 for breakfast, $45 for parking, $30 for internet, etc. It is amazing at how all the things that are free at a Days Inn, you have to pay for a luxury hotel.
Yeah but it doesn't matter if you book at Kayak or Travelocity or the hotel itself, those fees will still be there. You could get a rate at the Conrad of, say, $339 on Hilton.com and a rate on Kayak.com of the same, and neither will include Internet or parking.
Stayed there last May and the place is exellent. Had a nice Jr. Suite looking over the river and the beds were wonderful. Close to everything and within walking distance to the Pier and Michigan/Rush districts.
Any views shared are strictly my own and do not a represent those of any former employer.
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