Downtown Chicago Hotels Help Please
 

I am going to a meeting at the Westin Michigan Ave (909 North Michigan Ave) but they are sold out. I will have an elderly friend with me who doesn't want to walk far, so I need to find a nice hotel really close to the Westin (I was hoping within a block or two). Can anyone give me a recommendation? I tried calling the Westin, but just get transferred to a voice mail.

Thank you!

In the luxury class, the Four Seasons is directly across Michigan Avenue, and the Ritz-Carlton (in Water Tower Place) and The Drake are also within two blocks of the Westin. Other 3* and 4* options are in that same approximate two-block radius (such as the Kinckerbocker or the Whitehall). What is your projected budget?

Chicago Hotel
 

Looks like there is also a Starwood property next door to the Westin as well.

Don't think so. That's probably the Westin.

The closest options are the Drake and Four Seasons. There's a Residence Inn a few more blocks away.

Why not find a hotel nearby that fits your budget best and just take a $5-$10 cab to the Westin as needed?

There are many many nice hotels within a 5-minute cab ride of 909 N.

Conrad
Inter-Continental
Hyatt
Sheraton
Omni
etc.

I think I'd prefer this option rather than restricting to 1-2 block radius.

What are the dates?

Thanks to all of you for the suggestions! I am going with either the Ritz Carleton or the Drake, since we needed something very close (there are lots of breaks/options at this meeting, so you can to skip a session and take a nap instead :-)).

I really appreciate the advice!

There's also the Knickerbocker, which is just down the block.

Westin Michigan Ave v. Intercontinental v. Fairmont v. Hilton Suites?

No status at any. The Hilton prepaid rate is +$15/nt, but the extra room will be a plus as we'll be bringing our toddler.

Any thoughts? I've been pretty happy before at the IC, but alas no points or stay credit on the IC F&F rate :(

P.S. Looks like I might be able to priceline the Hyatt McCormick @ $65, but I don't think the location is all that great for a leisure weekend.

Yeah, I wouldn't stay at the Hyatt McCormick unless I were here for a convention. Certainly not with a little kid. The IC has a really neat elaborate Moorish/Roman-style tiled pool area.

I've been in all those hotels, but never stayed in any, sorry. The Fairmont might be a lot higher in price.

Hotwire (and I presume Priceline) has been giving up some really good prices lately; specify N. Mich. Ave., 4-star minimum to start. Usually better deals toward the Loop.

If your toddler likes Legos, check the Lego Store at 520 N. Michigan, 3rd floor. Also a Disney Store nearby, and a Hershey store a few blocks north.

The Aquarium's Oceanarium has just had a refurb and the Field/MSI may be good bets, too.

Sometimes there are theatrical shows of interest (incl. children's, and things like the Chinese acrobats), half-price here: http://hottix.org/

The Hyatt McCormick is indeed a bit out of the way, but can have some spectatular deals when there isn't a convention in town and is actually a very nice property.

If you're the type who sets out in the morning and then doesn't go back to your hotel room until after dinner that evening I would give it some consideration. There is a Metra Electric line stop at McCormick that takes you right to the loop (I think frequency might be a problem on the weekends/evenings), you can catch a #3 bus right outside and take that to the loop, or in nice weather you can take a nice walk up the lakefront (perfectly safe and in the summer the path will be thronged with people in this area). A cab ride is quick from here and won't cost all that much.

But - if you're the type who pops back to the hotel room several times a day look elsewhere.

I basically agree with that, if you can get a good deal at the Hyatt McCormick and are not returning for a nap or something during the day. McCormick Place is about 22nd street, so you are looking at 3 miles or so from downtown. Cheap cab.

Metra info here: www.metrarail.com

Not all Metra Electric trains stop at McCormick, so look the schedule over carefully. Only every 2 hours on Sunday.

Thanks for all the advice.

Forgot to mention, price is the same at all (Hilton +15), and hotwire offers no real discounts though a real possibility of ending up at the Swiss, Allegro or Millenium.

Normally I would priceline but with the family in tow it's not worth the savings to lose some bargaining power in the even I get a room with issues. The Hyatt is tempting, but I think I'd rather sacrifice a little coin to be walking dist from Michigan Ave, Rush St, etc.

Have you tried the Friends and Family rate at the fairmont? A couple of weeks ago the discount wasn't available for the dates I wanted, but just yesterday they suddenly showed availability.

Anyone have recent opinions of the Sofitel at Water Tower Place?

I am coming the 2nd week of January...COLD, I know. But, the rate I snagged is $140...that's good right?

Patrick :-)

Raffaello is 201 East Delaware (Their new restaurant, Pelago, is great Italian!)