Chi Town Hotel Assistance-- Please

[Augsburger]

I am in need of some hotel assistance with the Chicago area HC crew.  My daughter and three of her classmates from Notre Dame plan to spend the Thursday through Saturday of Easter break visiting and sight seeing around Chicago. None of the girls are from the area so they have no clue where to stay that is centrally located to fun activities and reasonably priced.  I was thinking somewhere along the Magnificent Mile, Whacker, Loop, Michigan avenue area.  Am I searching in the right area or can you suggest something better?  None of the girls drink so proximity to bars is a negative, fun restaurants and fun activities are.

If you can recommend areas we should focus on when searching for hotels that would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dsavitsk]

I would look along the Mag Mile (Michigan Ave.), maybe around Grand or Illinois. That's right in the middle of the shopping district.  If you go too much further north you'll end up where all the clubs are, and further south -- in the loop -- is a bit empty at night. There are nice hotels east and west of Michigan in that area. It is also close to train stations if they want to see the rest of the city.

[Augsburger]

Thanks Doug!

[falkon]

It also depends on their budget.  You can find very reasonable hotels around O'Hare for 50-60/night while the same hotels downtown would be 100-120ish.  The difference is a 30 minute train ride on the blue line.  All the chicago activities are downtown.  If they want to do sightseeing, buy the citypass.  Also, dress much warmer than the temperature indicates.  It is very windy.

[grawk]

have them stay at Jon's house

[Augsburger]

*Note to self*             schedule a background check for John and have Navy Seal friends pay him a friendly "courtesy call".

 

 

 

 

I must say you Chicago HCers must lead a very cloistered life.    Either that or my statement that none of the girls drink left y'all clueless.    

Edited March 19, 2013 by Augsburger

[grawk]

i've stayed in chicago hotels a few times, but only on business trips, so the hotels were expensive, and I have no idea what they were near

 

My experience with chicago is it doesn't really matter where you stay, as long as you can get downtown via the train.  When I was in college I would go visit friends in downers grove, and take the train in, and just wander around town doing the ferris bueller tour of chicago.

[morphsci]

Look for hotels in Rosemont. They are significantly cheaper at any quality point compared to downtown hotels. You are right on the blue line so it is a straight shot to downtown Chicago. It is also close to OHare if you are flying in. The hotel for Canjam'10 was in Rosemont. The Fairmont, Wit and Swissotel are all very nice in downtown Chicago but they are not cheap.

Edited March 19, 2013 by morphsci

[Augsburger]

The girls will probably take the train in from South Bend so to minimize travel time I was thinking as close to downtown as possible.  The budget is around $200 per night so the Fairmont and Swissotel are out but we now have some good options to consider.  Thanks to all who posted!

[falkon]

$200 per night is easily doable downtown.  I've gotten Swissotel for 120.

[falkon]

http://www.travelzoo.com/hotels/chicago/

 

Check that.  Basically any hotel in the millenium park area is a block or 2 away from a train station.

[dsavitsk]

$200 per night is easily doable downtown.  I've gotten Swissotel for 120.

 

I just looked on Hotels.com and you can find really nice places downtown for $100. The Sofitel is $130, which is where I'd stay if I needed to stay downtown for some reason, though the location is not ideal for you.

 

 

Staying at the airport is depressing. Might as well stay in Southbend and take the train in from there.

[jvlgato]

have them stay at Jon's house

  

*Note to self*             schedule a background check for Jon and have Navy Seal friends pay him a friendly "courtesy call".

 

 

 

 

I must say you Chicago HCers must lead a very cloistered life.    Either that or my statement that none of the girls drink left y'all clueless.    

Was this directed at me? (Confused by spelling, should be 'John') Or does JP have a second home in Chicago? Well, a group of cute young Notre Dame girls at my place would be a no brainier! I'd be happy to lead the tour! Just not sure what Anne would think.

Agree that if even remotely affordable, stay downtown. Doesn't matter where, you can get anywhere with the train or bus, as Dan said, As long as you're not right next to Cabrini Green (there are no hotels right next to Cabrini Green, so just relax!). But if they want to step outside and be in the middle of it all, sure, The Mag Mile would be great. The best shopping will be right there for her to spend your money!

[grawk]

sorry, john , yes I meant you.

[morphsci]

 

Staying at the airport is depressing. Might as well stay in Southbend and take the train in from there.

I have to strongly disagree with this statement. When Karen and her sister did the Chicago Hell Run, we stayed at the Hilton in Rosemont. It was quite nice and a lot of fun. There was quite an active nightlife at the mb financial park although to be honest much of that revolved around the bars.

[jvlgato]

sorry, john , yes I meant you.

 Ah, no problem. It happens often.

 

Thanks for suggesting having a group of cute young college ladies at my house! Again, I'm in favor of this idea, pending spousal approval.

[Augsburger]

Thanks for all the suggestions.  I was just looking for best/convenient neighborhoods for the girls to stay and it appears the Magnificent Mile may be it.  Thanks for suggesting Rosemont Mike, but it appears it is 29 miles away from downtown Chicago and would not be as convenient as some of the MM hotels. Unfortunately the Fairmont and Swishotel quoted a budget busting $300+ per night so they are out.

[Pars]

My brother and his wife stayed at the Hyatt Regency a few years ago down on Michigan Ave. on Wacker... easy walk to the Mag mile. Another friend stayed at the James hotel on Ontario, 1 block from Michigan Ave. and said it was good. Not sure what pricing is like.

[emelius]

My mom & sister stayed at the W Hotel on North Lake Shore not too long ago & they're still with us to tell the tale...

[jvlgato]

i thought your name was spelled "J'onn."

Actually it's Jón, my Icelandic alter ego.

[Augsburger]

Hotel is booked, thanks for all the suggestions. 

[archosman]

Find out where Billy is.

 

Whatever happened to ole Beely?

[Augsburger]

Well this hotel venture is starting off to be a real cluster fuck. 

I made the reservations on Monday the 25th, two days later my visa card number was stolen, a counterfeit visa card was manufactured and used to purchase gas in the Chicago area, hmmmmm....

 

This morning I tried for three hours to coordinate with the hotel to pay for the room and incidentals with my Amex card. Three times I requested their credit card authorization form they require, three times they said they emailed it to me and three times there was no email.  I finally asked them to fax me the form which they did.  I faxed it back to them three times and when my daughter returns to the front desk to check in the clerk informs her that I need to email her my drivers license which is a violation of company policy and privacy laws.

 

Intercontinental Hotel Assholes!

[Voltron]

pain in the ass ripoff artists!  report them to management and see if you can get any concessions out of them.

[Augsburger]

Already did that and got a great big "we are sorry".  BFD, lot of good that does me.  Still haven't received the three emails with credit card authorization form attachment they promised from this morning.

 

Well if I ever lose my mind or become brain dead I am sure I can find a job in hospitality with these folks.