Chicago Area Hotels 2007 on [Master Thread]
Jul 21, 2009, 4:54 pm
#76
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Jul 21, 2009, 5:03 pm
#77
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Hooray for 5K!
Yes, I'm making my way through the individual threads now. The Westin River North thread has turned me off to that property.
Blissworld's pics of the Marvelous Suite at the WCC have piqued my interest there. Since it's the weekend, maybe we'd have a better shot at an upgrade.
Will check out Westin Michigan Ave and W Lakeshore next.
Thanks for the information!
Yes, I'm making my way through the individual threads now. The Westin River North thread has turned me off to that property.
Blissworld's pics of the Marvelous Suite at the WCC have piqued my interest there. Since it's the weekend, maybe we'd have a better shot at an upgrade.
Will check out Westin Michigan Ave and W Lakeshore next.
Thanks for the information!
Jul 21, 2009, 6:06 pm
#78
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Hooray for 5K!
Yes, I'm making my way through the individual threads now. The Westin River North thread has turned me off to that property.
Blissworld's pics of the Marvelous Suite at the WCC have piqued my interest there. Since it's the weekend, maybe we'd have a better shot at an upgrade.
Will check out Westin Michigan Ave and W Lakeshore next.
Thanks for the information!
Yes, I'm making my way through the individual threads now. The Westin River North thread has turned me off to that property.
Blissworld's pics of the Marvelous Suite at the WCC have piqued my interest there. Since it's the weekend, maybe we'd have a better shot at an upgrade.
Will check out Westin Michigan Ave and W Lakeshore next.
Thanks for the information!
Jul 21, 2009, 6:59 pm
#79
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I haven't stayed at the Westin River North, but can tell you that the W City Center is in the loop, which is going to be pretty dead during nights and weekends. Plus, there is a lot of variability in the room size at the City Center, so you could end up with some pretty tight quarters.
I'd probably recommend the W Lakeshore for your requirements. It's a 3 - 4 block walk to get to Michigan Ave and the associated shopping, there are a number of good restaurants in the Streeterville area (and Michigan Ave in general). You can pick up plenty of buses on Michigan to get down to the museums (about 10 minutes or so once on the bus).
Typically, the W Lakeshore has been good with Platinum recognition and Plats can regularly score a suite upgrade assuming capacity isn't too jammed up.
Assuming you end up at the River North, you're still in a good spot. Lots of good restaurants in the River North area and easy accessability to touristy things such as the architectural cruises. You may want to check the Westin River North master thread to confirm if the lounge is still operating.
I'd probably recommend the W Lakeshore for your requirements. It's a 3 - 4 block walk to get to Michigan Ave and the associated shopping, there are a number of good restaurants in the Streeterville area (and Michigan Ave in general). You can pick up plenty of buses on Michigan to get down to the museums (about 10 minutes or so once on the bus).
Typically, the W Lakeshore has been good with Platinum recognition and Plats can regularly score a suite upgrade assuming capacity isn't too jammed up.
Assuming you end up at the River North, you're still in a good spot. Lots of good restaurants in the River North area and easy accessability to touristy things such as the architectural cruises. You may want to check the Westin River North master thread to confirm if the lounge is still operating.
Jul 21, 2009, 7:44 pm
#80
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: LA & Mammoth Mtn, CA; Chicago native!
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Posts: 50
My husband and I are planning to redeem some of our free weekend night awards in Chicago, so money isn't an object (since we're not paying. hee hee.). Given this and his platinum status, can anyone suggest what Starwood option in Chicago would be best for us?
I'm not sure what we'll be doing yet. Probably some museuming, definitely some family visiting and most likely some good eating.
The Westin River North and the W City Center are the two highest category choices. I tend to like a lot of the perks of Ws (e.g. the Bliss junk and the room design), and it looks like there's more of a chance of a better upgrade there than at the River North... but I also like lounge access. How is the lounge at the Westin?
Should we consider any other category options, or are is the Westin River North and the W City Center really the best of the lot these days?
Thanks in advance for any insight!
I'm not sure what we'll be doing yet. Probably some museuming, definitely some family visiting and most likely some good eating.
The Westin River North and the W City Center are the two highest category choices. I tend to like a lot of the perks of Ws (e.g. the Bliss junk and the room design), and it looks like there's more of a chance of a better upgrade there than at the River North... but I also like lounge access. How is the lounge at the Westin?
Should we consider any other category options, or are is the Westin River North and the W City Center really the best of the lot these days?
Thanks in advance for any insight!
As others have mentioned, this area will be a little more "dead" on weekends, as it's in more of a business district than the other hotels. The hotels north of the river are closer to the main shopping and dining areas of downtown.
I've stayed at the Four Points, Westin River North and the Sheraton. Sheraton has never let me down in terms of service, and has always upgraded me to nicely sized suites. Four Points location is great, walkable to so many things. Most of the north-of-the-river properties are very walkable to a lot of attractions.
I'm actually going to be in Chicago this weekend too, for a friend's wedding, but will be staying at the Swissotel (across the river from Sheraton!). I TRIED to convince them to have the reception at the Sheraton or any other SPG property, but no dice.
Mar 3, 2010, 2:01 pm
#81
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I will be coming from MKE on a Saturday evening or early Sunday morning. Rates downtown are out of my price range Sat night ($200+). Will be staying at Sheraton Towers the next three nights for business, tho.
The 4 Points at ORD is only $62 after taxes for that night?! Other nights seem rather inexpensive, as well. What's the deal with this place? Would it really be that much of an inconvenience to take an Airport Express to ORD or Amtrak to Union and then the L to ORD when I am going downtown the following morning? 4 points has 24/7 shuttle to/from the airport, so that seems convenient enough.
Anyway, I know staying downtown would be easier, but not for an extra $150. Of course, this decision could change based on what the Q2 promo will be!
The 4 Points at ORD is only $62 after taxes for that night?! Other nights seem rather inexpensive, as well. What's the deal with this place? Would it really be that much of an inconvenience to take an Airport Express to ORD or Amtrak to Union and then the L to ORD when I am going downtown the following morning? 4 points has 24/7 shuttle to/from the airport, so that seems convenient enough.
Anyway, I know staying downtown would be easier, but not for an extra $150. Of course, this decision could change based on what the Q2 promo will be!
Mar 3, 2010, 2:18 pm
#82
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The 4P ORD is cheap because the ORD neighborhood is not in high demand on Sat. night!
Don't backtrack via downtown. Take the Airport Express to ORD on Sat., the L to downtown on Sun., then Amtrak back to Milwaukee on Wed.!
A single L fare costs $2.25, but U can get a 72-hour pass for $14. Clock starts when U first use it. More details here!
I like a small tavern called the Mirabel on Addison 4 blocks east of the Addison Blue Line stop between ORD & downtown, but it isn't a Sat. night hotspot. More of a Mon. or Tue. conversational pub owned by Germans & I speak German!
Don't backtrack via downtown. Take the Airport Express to ORD on Sat., the L to downtown on Sun., then Amtrak back to Milwaukee on Wed.!
A single L fare costs $2.25, but U can get a 72-hour pass for $14. Clock starts when U first use it. More details here!
I like a small tavern called the Mirabel on Addison 4 blocks east of the Addison Blue Line stop between ORD & downtown, but it isn't a Sat. night hotspot. More of a Mon. or Tue. conversational pub owned by Germans & I speak German!
Mar 3, 2010, 5:15 pm
#83
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The 4P ORD is cheap because the ORD neighborhood is not in high demand on Sat. night!
Don't backtrack via downtown. Take the Airport Express to ORD on Sat., the L to downtown on Sun., then Amtrak back to Milwaukee on Wed.!
A single L fare costs $2.25, but U can get a 72-hour pass for $14. Clock starts when U first use it. More details here!
I like a small tavern called the Mirabel on Addison 4 blocks east of the Addison Blue Line stop between ORD & downtown, but it isn't a Sat. night hotspot. More of a Mon. or Tue. conversational pub owned by Germans & I speak German!
Don't backtrack via downtown. Take the Airport Express to ORD on Sat., the L to downtown on Sun., then Amtrak back to Milwaukee on Wed.!
A single L fare costs $2.25, but U can get a 72-hour pass for $14. Clock starts when U first use it. More details here!
I like a small tavern called the Mirabel on Addison 4 blocks east of the Addison Blue Line stop between ORD & downtown, but it isn't a Sat. night hotspot. More of a Mon. or Tue. conversational pub owned by Germans & I speak German!
Will also by seeing the Chi Sox Wed night, but I'm not sure where my next move after that will be. I'm hoping for a MR to come up leaving the 20th, then fly back the 22nd or 23rd, and then back to CHA from MKE or CHI 
Last edited by mrredskin; Mar 3, 2010 at 5:24 pm
Mar 3, 2010, 6:11 pm
#84
Join Date: Nov 2009
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redskin you may want to check the Aloft O'Hare which has had alot of cheap prices as of late especially if you also are a AAA member. It is only about 1/2 from the blue line and they also have a shuttle and it is a much nicer property than the 4 points although the 4 points was better than I thought it was. Hope you enjoy Miller Park it is a great stadium but being from Milwaukee I am a bit biased :-).
Mar 3, 2010, 8:01 pm
#85
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redskin you may want to check the Aloft O'Hare which has had alot of cheap prices as of late especially if you also are a AAA member. It is only about 1/2 from the blue line and they also have a shuttle and it is a much nicer property than the 4 points although the 4 points was better than I thought it was. Hope you enjoy Miller Park it is a great stadium but being from Milwaukee I am a bit biased :-).
i've heard good things about miller. definitely looking forward to it!
Mar 3, 2010, 8:07 pm
#86
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Don't forget to check for BRGs. I got the Westin Michigan Ave for $136 on a weeknight (found at www.gtahotels.com) while the lowest SPG rate was $189.
So an extra 2000 pts and a credit toward the current $100 Amazon/Westin promo.
So an extra 2000 pts and a credit toward the current $100 Amazon/Westin promo.
Mar 4, 2010, 4:56 am
#87
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i did check that, but after taxes it was at least $30+ more expensive. it's just going to be a stopover for me, so i just need a decent place to sleep for the night. i would get the westin northwest ($65/night) but being 12 miles west of o'hare, i dont think they have a free shuttle i've heard good things about miller. definitely looking forward to it!
i've heard good things about miller. definitely looking forward to it!The rates at the Westin Chicago NW are good as well but no free shuttle.
Mar 4, 2010, 5:55 am
#88
Join Date: Dec 2009
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Don't forget to check for BRGs. I got the Westin Michigan Ave for $136 on a weeknight (found at www.gtahotels.com) while the lowest SPG rate was $189.
So an extra 2000 pts and a credit toward the current $100 Amazon/Westin promo.
So an extra 2000 pts and a credit toward the current $100 Amazon/Westin promo.
I checked the gta site. they had ZERO *wood hotels on there for that Wed night!
Last edited by mrredskin; Mar 4, 2010 at 6:06 am
Mar 4, 2010, 6:02 am
#89
Join Date: Dec 2009
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If I were renting a car, I would definitely stay at the NW. However, that's currently not part of my itinerary so the 4P ORD will probably be my best bet for this night. Heck, saving money this night COULD allow me to spend a little more the following Wed. after the Chi Sox game, depending on where I go the next day!
Mar 4, 2010, 6:23 am
#90
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The Westin O'Hare
https://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefe...ropertyID=1032
Aloft Chicago O'Hare
https://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefe...ropertyID=3124
Sheraton Gateway Suites Chicago O'Hare
https://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefe...?propertyID=40
Four Points by Sheraton Chicago O'Hare Airport
offers airport shuttle but it is not listed on their transportation web page.
https://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefe...propertyID=849
It is listed on the main page.
https://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefe...propertyID=849
Last edited by gfowler-ord-1k; Apr 2, 2010 at 7:48 am Reason: correction on 4PTs as suggested by schley