Chicago Hotels

Road Runner

I’m going to Chicago for 5 days in October and I’m looking for a no frills budget hotel that’s in a good location for sights/shopping. I would be grateful for any recommendations.

Dodge

Stayed in the Best Western Inn of Chicago in December. Good 3 star tourist hotel. Its about 30 yards from the "Magnificet Mile" and all the shops there. 10 minute walk to The Loop, 10 minute walk to top of Magnifiecent Mile. Perfect location.

Quite reasonable too. I booked through the Best Western website

logistic

Im only back from Chicago. We stayed in the Essex Inn. Dont let the name put you off. Was a really nice hotel and great location. They even run a shuttle bus from the hotel to navy pier and the john hancock center for free. I would definitly recommend this hotel. I booked it though www.venere.com with no problems at all. My review is on that site aswell.

Heres a link to the hotel

http://en.venere.com/hotels_chicago/grant_park/hotel_essex_inn.html

Chicago is a really nice city any other questions let me know. Have a great time.

McSween

http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/CHIPHHH/index.do;jsessionid=5ILQ4XHKRD0BKCSGBI12VCQ

i'd highly recommend the palmer house hilton, i stayed there for two nights in nov 05, magnificent hotel. however the price for the 14th oct eg, is 359 dollars

i only paid a fraction of that, wouldnt have stayed for an outrageous price

dixiefly

Road Runner wrote:

I’m going to Chicago for 5 days in October and I’m looking for a no frills budget hotel that’s in a good location for sights/shopping. I would be grateful for any recommendations.

If that's the Best Western Grant Park, ask them if they have the Field Museum special rate.

Road Runner

Thanks for the replies lads, thats given me plenty to look at.
I was hoping to see an ice hockey game while i am over there. Is there much difficulty in getting tickets?

brettmirl

I was in Chicago and stayed here - http://www.hamptonsuiteschicago.com/ - excellent hotel for the price we payed. Buffet breakfast and free internet if you need it. Centrally located and rooms were very comfortable.

One word of warning, there is a fire station on one side of the hotel so ask for a room on the opposite side. Got a 4 nights for the price of 3 through www.expedia.com

As for the Ice Hockey, you will have no bother getting tickets. The Chicago Blackhawks are a bit pants and the stadium they use, The United Center, is huge.

We got tickets through Ticketmaster. The games do drag on a bit and there is no shortage of food/beer places inside. We were told to get a taxi to/from the stadium as it is supposed to be in a dodgy part of the city.

Dodge

Road Runner wrote:

I was hoping to see an ice hockey game while i am over there. Is there much difficulty in getting tickets?

The Blackhawks are rubbish, so absolutely no problem getting tickets. For about $65 we got tickets for the second tier. For that you get access to a waiter who'll get all the bber and food you need and bring it to your seat! You also get a free coat check which can be handy if its absolutely freezing outside. You can get tickets for about $25 if you want though

We got tickets for the Bulls in the NBA on the day (the chep seats) and that was great fun too with a packed night of entertainment with plenty to keep you occupied (unlike the hockey which is basically just the sport). Both nights enjoyable.

There's a special bus that leaves central (for that read tourist) Chicago and brings you right up to UNited Centre. After the game there's loads of buses waiting right outside the ground to bring you back into tourist land. We got this both night and it cost about $1.50 each I think its the No 10 bus and it only runs when there's something on in the United Centre