Hello!

I'm new here, so be gentle with me!

I will be visiting Chicago for the first time in early September. A friend may or may not be traveling with me, so I'm looking for a nice and safe hotel in a good location in downtown Chicago in case I'm a solo traveler. Do you have any recommendations? I'd prefer to be in a 3.5-4 star hotel. With that being said, if I can get a 5 star hotel for the price of a 3.5 star hotel, I'd love it!

I do have Starwood PG, Marriott Rewards and Hilton Honors memberships, if there are any great rates floating around for members.

Thanks!

Westin Hotel (SPG)on Michigan Ave. Perfect location for everything. I am a single mature woman and live one block away and walk everywhere at anytime. Block to beach, restaurants, Museum of Contempoary Art, Architure Boat ride, shopping, rental bikes, theatre! You will love Chicago, especially in September. What are your interest?

I am a fan of The James. Great River North location close to restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. Boutique hotel with phenomenal service and spacious, comfortable rooms. A little on the pricey side, but my favorite to stay at in the city.

agreed, please post your interests as that will help in guiding you to a hotel that suits your needs.

Also, Chicago has a very active group of Flyertalkers, we generally meet about once per month for a lunch/dinner &/or drinks. So if you'd like some good company that can talk travel while visiting, please post on the CommunityBuzz thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/communitybuzz-380/ Chances are good that there will be Flyertalkers who would be happy to have a bite to eat and discuss the latest travel deals/promos.

The Langham just opened in the former IBM Building, across the street from the Trump. It looks like it will compete with Trump, Peninsula, Four Seasons and the Waldorf Astoria. No idea about the rates, but being brand new, perhaps you can get a deal.

http://chicago.langhamhotels.com/

If you aren't wedded to a particular hotel program, check Hotwire/Priceline. If you are here on a non-convention weekend you can get a great price for a 4-star.

Good time of year to come as the heat of summer dissipates.

My brother recently stayed at Club Quarters, 3.5-star (I think), on Wacker just W of Michigan. Under $60 all-in and perfectly fine.

I've gotten some pretty good deals with Priceline the last few years for hotels on Michigan Ave. Under $100/night. I've used them for cheap little 'getaways' once a year or so.

The Omni on Michigan could be worth a look. Well located, very safe. It has been a long time since I stayed there personally but I have heard many good recent reports from friends and colleagues. Not sure how it compares on price.

Looking forward to checking out the Thompson hotel. Not sure when it opens but didn't look like it would be in Aug when I go next. Saw something in Hotelchatter the other day.

Thompsonchicago.com

Omni is quite nice, tends to be expensive. As I recall it is 4.5 stars, one of relatively few, so you may be able to ID it in Priceline/Hotwire.

Depends on what you define early September, as first half of the month there is a huge convention going on in Chicago, Print13 expect to have 50,000 attendees (Sept 8-12), and a smaller one Canon expect to have 5500 attendees (Sept 10-12).

So with 55,500+ visitors basically from Sept 6-13 expect to see even a Hampton Inn would cost $200+ a night.

Also, being one of the hotel chain member doesn't give you a good rate for its members, it is for you to collect point and/or miles, gain status, as anyone can join for free.

Those are constantly $350+ even for low season, adding all the taxes expect $400+ a night.

I just Hotwired the Intercontinental for someone the other night. $106 plus fees vs. $269 plus tax directly. 4.5 stars, Mag Mile.

I'm definitely interested in visiting the touristy stuff...Art Institute, Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science and Industry, etc. I'd also appreciate any sightseeing advice! It's been kind of a random decision to add Chicago into my trip. I'm spending the first part of the weekend in Cincinnati before flying to Chicago.

I will be arriving the evening of September 1st and leaving midday on September 3rd to catch Amtrak to Milwaukee, so it sounds like I will miss the conventions...thank goodness! (I'm flying home from Milwaukee late in the evening on September 3rd.) I know it sounds like a crazy trip, but as an Idahoan with the goal of visiting all 50 states, I figured I may as well knock out a few of the Midwest states!

I may try bidding on Priceline, as I've had good luck with that in Seattle and Miami. I have a tentative booking at the Radisson Blu Aqua, but it can be easily cancelled. (I wanted to have something booked, though I'm still searching!)

Ideally, I'd like to find a room for less than $150 per night.

If you stay at the Radisson Blue, you'll be staying in "touristy stuff." That building is pretty amazing, designed by Chicago's hottest "starchitect."

If you go with Priceline, just stay with areas 7 (Millenium Park/Loop) and 8 (North Michigan Ave./River North).

The Radisson looked pretty snazzy. I'll probably stick with it, unless something else pops up.