I will be in Chicago for the first time due to Comdex.

Can anybody give me some hints for choosing a good hotel for the show but also for some sightseeing apart from the show?

Thank you very much.

You can't go wrong with the Park Hyatt, Four Seasons or Ritz Carlon. They are on the near north side where much of the action is. They also have a good concierge which is very important for a city like Chicago. If you want to be near the convention center there are other Hyatt's, Hilton's, etc. nearby.

I completely agree with Stimpy...so long as you're NOT paying the bill AND your employer doesn't mind spending BIG bucks on you!

Seriously, all of the major chains have properties in Chicago. If you are planning to do nothing but stay at the show, then try to stay at the Hyatt at McCormick Place--it's right next door (literally). The downside: you need to take a relatively short cab ride to get anywhere but the hotel and convention center.

Assuming this is NOT the case, then you can pick a dozen hotels and not go wrong. Stimpy's recs. are the absolute top of the bunch, and a Mandarin Oriental will soon open (but I'm not sure when). If you can't stay at one of these properties, then check out the following (all of which are very nice and also close to a myriad of restaurants and shops): The Drake (pretty ritzy), Marriott (on N. Michigan Ave., nice rooms and great location), Inter-Continental (undergoing some renovations...be careful where they stick you), Westin N. Michigan Ave. (right next to the Hancock Bldg.), Wyndham (newer hotel just off of the main drag), the Hilton just off of Michigan Ave. near the new Nordstrom's , or the Sheraton (which a block or two off of the main shopping area...nice views).

The following hotels are just a little bit further south of the prime shopping and restaurant area, but not so much that you should ignore them: the Swissotel (nice views), the Hyatt Regency (you feel like you're in Grand Central Station), and the Fairmont.

If you prefer to stay closer to the Loop (the City's main business district), then you could try the Renaissance (very comfortable), House of Blues (eccentric), Hotel Monocco (very artsy looking), Westin River North, Palmer House Hilton (fairly tired and worn), or Hilton and Towers (large and impersonal, small rooms).

So, in the end, you have many options. But better book a room fast. Chicago is obviously a MAJOR convention city, and even with many new hotels, rooms are often scarce around major events. You can easily pay $300 + for a standard room at an average to slightly-above average property. You can also very easily not find ANY rooms downtown--forcing you to stay in a less desirable (but probably more moderately-prices, location outside of the main city area)

If there's a chain that you like to collect points/miles, then that's a good place to start. Perhaps others will have other suggestions (smaller, boutique hotels like the Ambassador or Sutton Place?). This list could go on and on, but it has to end someplace. There's also Days Inns, Holiday Inns, Courtyards, and Residence Inns if your looking for something a little bit on the lower end, too. In this category, I'd stay at the Residence Inn on Walton--great neighborhood and more realstic prices.

Good luck. Simply to make this whole process simple, I hope that you're biggest choice is to whether you're staying at the Ritz, Four Seasons, or Park Hyatt!

I agree with all the above comments, especially regarding the price of the Park Hyatt, Ritz etc. They can run over $400 per night. My personal favorite is the Hyatt Printers Row (in the financial area, Starwood will be opening a W down there soon as well, and I've heard some good things about the newly opened Burnham.
PS- when exactly does Comdex happen this year? I travel frequently to Chicago and would probably want to avoid this time, due to the difficulty in getting hotel rooms at reasonable prices.

first of all, thanks everybody for the advice so far.

Since I run my own business, I won't be spending $400 / night on the room, and I believe it'll be more fun for me to stay somewhere up north in/near the loop.

mauld, this year's Comdex/Spring is from April 2 to April 6.

A bit less expensive hotels in good locations are the Embassy Suites and the Marriott Residence Inn.

rcs85551 -- Check hotel prices on turbotrip.com, they have discounted inventory in many locations. For example, they offer Inter-Continental during Comdex week at $179, or Wyndham at $99 (cheapest rate quoted by Wyndham directly is $206).
Here is the direct link to Chicago page on turbotrip.com: http://www.turbotrip.com/usa/il/chicago/

Current vote for possibly best Chicago hotel property for the money:

The Burnham

Eugene, great website! thanks.
The Wyndham looks very good - not just the rates...

anybody experience with this hotel?

Doc, is The Burnham member of a chain?

I agree with Doc about the Burnham. It is a charming "boutique" hotel which recently opened in the refurbished landmark Reliance Building in the Loop across from Marshall Field's flagship store. It has a great little restaurant (reasonably priced) for which you definitely need reservations - the Atwood Cafe. Just north of the Loop are the Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Suites and Homewood Suites if you want value and Hilton points.

By the way, JohnnyGlobal, it is a Peninsula (not Mandarin Oriental) that is opening soon on Michigan, just south of Chicago Avenue.

I stand corrected. I knew it was one of those fancy Far East hotels!

I've stayed at the Ritz, Rennaissance, and House of Blues lately. All good properties. IF you want something different, the house of blues is quite interesting

I have stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn in the Loop area (plus Hilton points) and the Holiday Inn City Centre in the magnificent mile area if you want to shop afterwards. Both of them had reasonable prices last year.

Find the hotel you want to stay in, then book it thru http://www.hotrooms.com. This site specializes in discount prices for dozens of Chicago hotels. Site looks crappy but it's totally legit and you don't pay them, you pay the hotel directly.

I did it a couple of times last year and was really satisfied with their service and prices.

BTW I stayed at the Best Western Inn at E. Ohio St (so-so hotel, great location) and the Congress Plaza at Michigan Ave (so-so hotel, nice location) because I have to pay for it myself and I'm a poor college student :-)

Good luck!

Chicago area,

Hilton Garden Inn Oakbrook Terrace ($79/Night January 19-21)

Hilton Lisle/Naperville ($79/Night January 19-20)

Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown North ($99/Night January 17-22)