I'm about to take my daughter to the American Girl Place in Chicago over Memorial Day (on E Chicago Ave. at N. Michigan Ave.) and I have several Hotel frequent flyer coupons so we can get a good price to stay just about anywhere. Where should we stay for a really special treat in the North Michigan Ave. area?
Thank you!

renoel- I'd been hoping someone would respond to you, because my wife and I are also taking our girls to Chicago for Memorial Day to go to American Girl Place. I can't personally vouch for any of the places, because I've only stayed at the Drake in that area, which was nice for business, but we were looking for a suite for this trip. I just booked the Omni. If their service is half as good as the two women I just spoke to in the hotel (front desk and reservations), our stay will be a delight. Possibly two of the most helpful and pleasant hotel people I've ever dealt with (I probably have about 25 hotel stays a year- not a lot for this board...). Omni is two blocks from American Girl Place and gets 4* from AAA and Mobil (and Frommer's calls it Kid Friendly). $159 for a one bedroom suite. After investigating a lot, I would love to have stayed at Four Seasons or Ritz but just couldn't justify the cost for a suite (now if I had just needed a room for 2 people like you seem to, I might have thought about splurging ($265 per night for regular room). An interesting option for you might be to try to book LeMeridien via Priceline. (There seem to be a lot of good values being booked there if you look at www.bidingfortravel.com)but with the setup we wanted with either a suite or two connected bedrooms, I just wasn't willing to role the dice, but if I had wanted one room, I might have gone this way. Good luck. Maybe we'll see you there.

We take daugther to AG a couple of times a year. Depends on if you also would like a pool. The Westin North Michigan is quite convienent but no pool.
Inter-Contential not very convienent to AG but probably half between AG and Navy Pier if doing this and Children's museum (recommend)at NP - pool former olympic training pool, but small and no shallow end.
Also close w/pools Hyatt, Omni and Doubletree.

another hint - if you plan on having tea or dinner at AG book early! Sunday brunch usually not a problem but Tea and dinner fill up early.

I think I'm going in late June. US Airways has an award to ORD for 15K for the month of June. I've been looking for an excuse to go with my 5yr old.

Any AG hints? Is lunch, dinner or tea better? What other kid friendly places to eat and see are there (besides those already listed above)?

Sorry, I'm local but did not see this post.

Hotels near the intersection you speak of are (in no particular order):
Westin, The Talbott, Ritz-Carlton, Regal Knickerbocker, The Peninsula, Park Hyatt, Four Seasons, The Drake (a Hilton property), Double Tree.

I am going to a wedding in Chicago in May that is taking place at the Inter-Continental hotel there, but want to stay at a Starwood Property since I am a Preferred Plus member. Does anybody have any opinions on the differences between the following four? Thanks.

Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers
301 East North Water Street

The Westin Chicago River North
320 N. Dearborn Ave

W Chicago Lakeshore
644 North Lake Shore Drive

The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago
909 N. Michigan Ave.

If you go to the Starwood forum, all these properties will be discussed in MUCH detail.

I'm heading to the American Girl place next month with my first grade daughter to celebrate the end of school. I'm staying at the Hilton Garden Inn on Grand Ave. What's the best way, other than rental car, to get from OHare to the Hilton? Also, what else is nearby that a young girl would enjoy?

From O�Hare, take the blue line El (train public transportation) into the city ($1.50 per person), takes an hour. Don�t worry, it is safe. http://www.yourcta.com/maps/maps/F2003D.html
You have two options, either exit at the Clark stop then walk about 6-7 blocks to the Hilton Garden Inn or you can get off at the Washington stop, transfer to the Red Line and take that north, lets you off right at Grand.

For Father-Daughter activities:

American Girl Place 111 East Chicago Avenue, my niece loved it, we had the afternoon tea there. http://www.americangirlplace.com/agp_chi_splash.php

Navy Pier has the Children�s museum, ferris wheel, ice skating, http://www.navypier.com/

The following usually have some kids activities, My niece and nephews look forward to coming to Chicago, as they know I�ll take them places.
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago
312-939-2438
http://www.sheddaquarium.org/

Field Museum of Natural History
1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago
(312) 665-7100
http://www.fmnh.org/

The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
(312) 443-3600
http://www.artic.edu/

Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo is located at 2200 North Cannon Drive, at Lake Shore Drive and Fullerton Parkway.
http://www.lpzoo.com/tour/tour.html

any other ?'s, just email me.

Thanks for the excellent response.