Hotel - question/help for anyone in the Chicago Area.

LowDown Hal · #1 05-02-2011, 09:12 AM

My wife wants to take me to the Blues Festival this year.

Any suggestions / recommendations on where to stay?
She has friends staying at the Grant Park Best Western.

THANKS,
.Hal

mkandolf · #2 05-02-2011, 09:40 AM

Hmm, when I've been going to the Chicago area lately, I stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Carol Stream. My son lives in Carol Stream, but we go to Chicago a lot when there. The hotel out there is a lot cheaper than in downtown Chicago ($110/night suite). Plus the hotel is a mile or two from the train station which runs ridiculous specials for weekend passes to ride all you want. Train is a half hour ride into downtown. Think it's like $8 for the pass, $.25/hour parking.

MJ5150 · #3 05-02-2011, 09:51 AM

The Hilton Garden Inn downtown is nice. I have stayed there a few times.

-Mike

GregC · #4 05-02-2011, 10:26 AM

Depends on your budget, but I would stay right by the festival as long as you can afford it. Staying out in the 'burbs does save you some money. But if your goal is to spend most of your time downtown or near it, be aware that commuter trains that go out to the 'burbs and back sometimes run only once an hour or less, stop at specific stations in the city that can take time to get to and the trip can take a while depending on which line you're on.

Phalex · #5 05-02-2011, 11:12 AM

Worst hotel room I ever stayed in was at the Congress hotel. We got a great deal on it online, but it was a crap hole. It is right downtown though. The lobby of the place is gorgeous, but it's really old.

Swissotel has a fantastic breakfast buffet.......

**Staccato** · #6 05-02-2011, 11:29 AM

We got a deal at a name brand hotel on Michigan Ave. by calling them, and asking: "what rate can you give us for this date _____." That is where the shopping is (and I felt much safer walking the sidewalks, there-than many parts of downtown).

Spinal Tapper · #7 05-02-2011, 03:51 PM

Staying downtown will be pricey, but it's WELL worth it. Especially if you aren't familiar with the city. Plus, some hotels include parking as part of your stay. Expect to pay around $150-250 a night, and parking (if not included) could be around $30-50 for 24 hours.

Get a lot though, your car will be safer, and you will avoid any unnecessary ticketing.

Any "cheap" hotels you might find anywhere outside of the loop can be bed-bug ridden crack houses. Up where I live, just North of Wrigleyville, you can find a hotel for $59-$100 a night, but you WONT want to stay there. Trust me.

LowDown Hal · #8 05-03-2011, 10:48 AM

Anyone have knowledge / experience of the Essex Hotel?

**j-raj** · #9 05-03-2011, 10:55 AM

Chicago Hilton (on Mich Ave.) is real close to a bunch of stuff and it is a decent place, I stayed there last month and enjoyed it.