Originally Posted by julleflyer
Friends from Europe has through their agent booked a few nights at Cass Hotel. We know hardly anything about Chicago, so please let me know if there are better hotels, in same price range and in that particular area or closed to the Lake.
Thank you so much.
There was an article in the CHICAGO TRIBUNE about lower-end business hotels on Thursday, June 2 entitled "Family of 4 can stay in city for $150".
Link as of right now (you may have to register):
http://www.chicagotribune.com/servic...,2528788.story
The dates of the stay make all the difference in price. Depending on whether 3+* hotels are busy, they might run well under $100 (maybe through Hotwire or Priceline) to well over $200. The hotels in this article are definitely less than 3-star. To say that the Congress has "Old-World charm" is really pushing it, IMO.
My parents come all the time to visit, look to stay in nice but not fancy 3-star places in good locations without spending a fortune; they often choose the Palmer House Hilton.
There is a youth hostel here, downtown, pretty new, nice as hostels go with some private rooms.
Summary of article:
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Cass Hotel
640 N. Wabash St., 312-787-4030 or
www.casshotel.com
Be warned: When you first step into the Cass Hotel, it will set off every alarm in your hotel-staying arsenal. There's a funny smell, grungy double doors, security cameras and a linoleum entranceway. Then we got to our room. Bright, airy and freshly painted. Cheerful new carpet. The plaster walls suddenly look charmingly vintage. New, double-paned windows silence the street noise, and it has a prime address off Rush Street. Beds are a little springy, and the bath towels thin and gray. Furnishings could best be described as "spare"--small space, no toiletries or other extras, tiny bedstand and the TV sat on a little shelf.
Cleanliness: The lobby and dim hallways aside, the rooms are clean, down to the scrubbed bathrooms. A few handprints on the walls were all we could spot.
Amenities: Premium cable, Internet access in the lobby. Self-service laundry. 150 rooms. Cass Cafe and the Sea of Happiness Lounge.
Price: $125.24, BEST FOR BARGAIN HUNTERS
We found it cheaper: $113.75 at
www.hotel-rates.com
Howard Johnson Inn
720 N. LaSalle St., 312-664-8100 or
www.hojo.com
Price: $147.07, BEST FOR A QUICK TRIP
We found it cheaper: $135.58 at
www.reservetravel.com
Congress Plaza Hotel
520 S. Michigan Ave., 312-427-3800 or
www.congressplazahotel.com
Price: $136.73, BEST FOR OLD-WORLD CHARM
Travelodge Hotel Downtown
65 E. Harrison St., 312-427-8000 or
www.travelodgehoteldowntown.com
Price: $137.88, BEST PSUEDO-SUITE
Chicago Chinatown Hotel
214 W. 22nd Pl., 312-225-8888 or
www.chinatownhotel.net
Price: $74.68, CHEAPEST OVERALL
If you want to spend a bit more:
Red Roof Inn
162 E. Ontario St., 312-787-3580 or
www.redroof.com