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.

rooms look pretty spartan http://www.casshotel.com/rooms.php but how much time are they really spending in the room? I'm a big fan of priceline if their dates are set. you didn't mention what price range they were getting the Cass room for so can't comment on that.

A price range and the dates they're staying would be helpful. I can help with some suggestions if you could provide those.

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:
------------
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

If your looking for a Nice Hotel I wouldn't look at Cass...

Sofitel hotel is great, right in the Michigan Ave area (has great lake/city views)
W Hotel sits on the lake (very nice hotel)

IF you want a nice hotel located in the center of it all.. Look at N. Michigan Ave hotels and some on Chestnut St.

If you want to go all-out. Get a room at the Park Hyatt
Also, The Drake Hotel

hmmm.. So many nice hotels in chicago.. But the streets I gave you should get you started. Let me know what you choose and I'll confirm its what you want (Since I live downtown on Michigan Ave)

WHATEVER YOU DO! Do not book at the Congress HOTEL.. I kid you not, the employees have been protesting for over 2years. . It's sad to see everyday when I pass by, how such crapy management is to let it go on this long..

The Cass used to be a "residential hotel." Now they try and trap unsuspecting foreigners that use the UTELL booking engine.

Your friends can do better.

On Hotwire, the 2.5 star boutique in the N. Michigan/Magnificent Mile area is the Raphael. I am told rooms might be a little small, and there's no pool, but it's a good location, in nice condition, and sometimes goes really cheap.

We really appreciate your comments. They pay $ 90 plus tax for 4 in one room. Personally I would go with better hotels, but they do not want to pay too much "just to sleep". Any comments are greatly appreciated.

I think they'd do better to get a private room at the (almost) brand-new youth hostel, for about the same price:

http://www.hichicago.org/whatsnew.htm

The Cass is a DUMP. AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE. But a good rrom for 4 for $90 at most times of the year is a rough task unless you get lucky on Priceline, which should be your first option at that price range.

Well, For $90 I don't think your going to get anything nice in chicago. Now these 4 will 2 be sharing 1 bed or 2 double rooms? Sorry but I live in Chicago and if you want to stay anywhere within the city I don't think that price is going to fit.