Hi all,

Heading to Chicago in late September. Will definitely be there Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th, but haven't decided about the Saturday night yet.

We're really struggling to find accommodation in our price range that seems to be in a 'commutable' location. We want to spend less than $80/night, and if we can't be downtown, we want to be somewhere that's no more than 30 minutes from downtown by bus or train - and somewhere we can get to even late in the evening.

We don't want, or expect, anything fancy, but not a hostel - a cheap place within walking distance of a train station would suit us just fine. Can anyone suggest areas I should be looking at?

We will try Priceline for a hotel closer to the city centre, but having had a look on betterbidding.com I'm not hopeful we'll get very far.

Any help much appreciated - even if it's to say we need to be looking at spending $100 realistically!

It doesn't meet your 30 minute rule (it's about 40 minutes, IIRC), but you could stay out by Ohare. The hotel shuttles will drop you off at either the Ohare or Rosemont blue line stops.

I can't help you with under $80/nt downtown, but for under $100/nt downtown, you might try Silversmith Hotel located near Millenium/Grant Park.

I recently saw a $93 rate listed for early August.

Reviews and photos: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...ECK_RATES_CONT

I just checked...1 win reported for your dates...3* $95 River North Courtyard...why are you pessimistic 2 months out?

From what I can tell, prices in Chicago seem to just be generally quite high, and the winning bids in September & October that I've seen were $80+.

I'm afraid I'm not terribly experienced at using Priceline - the times I've got bargains on it have been more by luck than judgement - if it's worth holding on a month or so to see if prices come down then that's what we'll do.

It's going to be a challenge to find a hotel in your price range ... anywhere close to the city. One option, probably right at your price-point or a couple of dollars above ... is the Heart O Chicago Motel. Public transportation is good and it's close to the Andersonville, Rogers Park and Devon Ave. restaurants. Check the website to see if it fits your needs:

http://www.heartochicago.com/

If I wanted cheap and central, I'd pick the old standby - The Ohio House on LaSalle St.

It's supposed to be clean, inexpensive, and quite centrally located. For similar money, I'd rather be downtown than out by the Heart O Chicago, but that's just me.

Dave

Not downtown, but University of Chicago area has its own charm. A commuter train, 1 block away, takes you to downtown in about 10 minutes. Room rates start at $65: http://ihouse.uchicago.edu/residency...cy_short.shtml

Walking distance from President Obama's house.

"Guests must be at least 18 years old and affiliated with either the University of Chicago or another cultural, educational or professional institution. Such guests include University guests, visiting scholars, current and prospective students, faculty, and staff. Guests of such affiliates are also welcome."

"Affiliated with a cultural, educational or professional institution" seems pretty broad category to me. Anyway if the idea appeals to OP, he can call and check.

That's lame. Obviously the text is referring to other institutions affiliated with the university. No need to steer someone into a borderline neighborhood to try to get a room under false pretenses.

Don't forget to look at Hotwire or Travelocity for their unnamed hotels, usually at the last minute. Memorial Day weekend I got the Holiday Inn-Mart Plaza for $55 per night on a Travelocity "hiidden" deal.

I have family coming to visit 7/20 (today) - 7/25, and it was really diffficult for me to find anything reasonable downtown. Hotel prices just seem (to me) to be up this week.

And yes, I used all my Priceline permutation bidding tricks along with Hotwire and the usual suspects.

Make refundable reservations somewhere.

Then try Priceline.

I have been very successful using PL for friends coming to visit. Four star Michigan Ave or Loop in the range of $55-90, both weekends and weekdays.

Unless there is a major convention/event at that time, you should easily get one.

I expect more from a MOD.

http://www.chicagotraveler.com/chica...es.htm#sep2010