Thanks everyone, I appreciate your feedback. I'm currently leaning towards the Embassy Suites as it gets pretty decent reviews on tripadvisor recently and while not having a lounge, they have their social hour every evening. And with a rate of $102 this seems like a killer deal, and no "destination fee" that most hotels on the Marriott side I'm looking at require...

As to car in Chicago - I will not need that while staying downtown, but the days before and after that weekend. So returning the car and then picking up a new one would be more costly than just renting for the whole trip and park it, plus it saves the hassle of dropping off and picking up again...

Greetings - Dirk