Downtown Chicago Hotels

Good choices?

[D_Blackwell]

Taking my mother on a short trip next year (mid-to-late June). The 'excuse' will be Tapis Rouge tickets to the Cirque du Soleil show Kooza, which she will love, and for which advance tickets go on sale later this week. We will fly out of Charlotte, then take a cab or train downtown. Will probably stay four or five nights. Plenty to do in downtown Chicago. Furthest North - Caldwell Gardens, Lincoln Park area. Furthest South - Museum of Science and Industry. Furthest West - Brookfield Zoo. Furthest East - however far we can swim:)), or a boat ride. So - more than we can see or do within a few cab rides of a downtown hotel. Don't see that we'll need a rental car.

What I'm after is downtown hotel suggestions; decent places, but without breaking the bankroll. Would prefer to spend the money taking her around town, maybe a couple of top flight dinners, as opposed to burning a fortune getting tucked in at night - which I know may not be possible, and am expecting downtown Chicago room rates to sting. Downtown hotel suggestions?

[Rugles]

Downtown Chicago hotels are all expensive. The cheap ones are likely not worth staying in.

I have recently found a great way to get 4 star hotels cheap, I got fantastic deal last week. <snip>

[edited by: lawman at 5:59 pm (utc) on Nov. 13, 2007]

[steve40]

must admit I love the drake but can be bit expensive

if you can find way to get it little cheaper highly recommend

steve

[dibbern2]

A few ideas:

Does it really have to be in the downtown area? What if you were virtually next to public trans, but 15-30 minutes away from downtown? You might save considerably. (Don't know how old your mother is, and how she would take to the el/subway.)

Chicago's a big convention city, and you can get really whacked if any meeting is in town. Check with the hotels or Chicgao Convention Bureau.

I'd stay away from hotels on the south or west side: rough neighborhoods can make you pretty much a prisoner in your hotel until you cab it back to the near north or downtown area. There are exceptions, of course, but it would help to discuss this with a native.

Post back or pm, and I'll help you with more suggestions, if you'd like. It's a pleasure to help someone enjoy our great city. You and your mother are going to have a great time.

[jsinger]

must admit I love the drake but can be bit expensive

Bit expensive? Outrageous, but hard to beat the location next to the Lake and shopping.

Stayed in a corner suite there 4 years ago. What luxury! Brought the whole family. I think there were four or five beds including a couple of ancient Murphy Beds that pulled down from the wall.

Normal rate for that suite was then something like $500 a night. We got it for half that (I can't recall why now).

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I like the Holiday inn near the Navy Pier. Not much atmosphere but lots around for kids to do. About $150 per day. Nice health club adjoining it.

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How's the Palmer House these days? Used to stay there all the time 20 years ago. Not cheap and the loop is pretty seedy.

[D_Blackwell]

Locked up the Cirque tickets moments after they came available. Though expensive, best of the best, so very happy there. Airfare CLT to ORD a bargain.

After much self inflicted agonizing and hassle:)), went with the Allerton on Michigan Avenue. On the cheap choice of options, which isn't really my first choice, but it's only a room for goodness sake, and if it doesn't turn out to be a poorly selected saving, it frees up a lot of $$. Better deal through Travelocity (by a pretty good bit) than directly from the hotel.