<p>H and I need to visit my elderly aunt in a small town in Indiana. It is a 3.5 hour drive from Chicago. I have always flown to Fort Wayne or have visited other cities before landing in her town. I am always so incredibly jet langed that I wish this trip to feel differenty as she has only 6-12 months left,</p>
<p>H has never been in Chicago, which is a city I so enjoy. So my question is --where would you stay for most likely your only stay--for 3 nights? I am ok with up to $275 a night or more if it is the concierge floor (which gives b'fast and happy hour (ie dinner) and so on.
THANKS!!!</p>
<p>Where do you want to see in Chicago? We have stayed at the Kimpton there, <a href=“http://www.monaco-chicago.com/”>http://www.monaco-chicago.com/</a>. I believe we also stayed at this hotel, which was where our meeting was held. <a href=“Hotel Locations - Hilton”>Hotel Locations - Hilton; Both were very nice, but very different. We liked the convenience of the 2nd hotel–close to a lot of tourist attractions, many of which we walked to. We liked the great restaurant at Monaco Kimpton.</p>
<p>So far I know that I would like to see the Cloud and and outdoor art works. H has never been to Marshall Fields (is it still called that?) or out on the pier. We do not like shopping. Love good restaurants. Mainly just walking and taking in the city in the day and then the evening.
I think there are now some boat trips that we would like.
Will most likely not visit the Art Museum unless the weather makes us go indoors.
Thanks for the tips and will look into those hotels.</p>
<p>Sorry, I meant the Conrad Hilton, one of the originals, on Michigan Avenue. It’s right across the street from the park and a longish walk to the aquarium, Field Museum and close to the Chicago Art Institute. We caught buses and other transit to the Museum of Science and Industry, which was very worthwhile! It’s an older hotel but the rooms were nice and large, with great views. We did catch the mass transit from the airport to the hotel but caught the taxi back (it was a trek with luggage, especially as I don’t think we got off at the closest stop).</p>
<p>I think you want to decide if you want to stay in the N Michigan / Water Tower area or more in the Loop. Either is fine - but if you’re not shoppers, N Mich will have less appeal. </p>
<p>Another Hilton is the Palmer House, which I like, but have never stayed there (since I’m local). </p>
<p>Just came back from a 3 day weekend. This is the 2nd time I have stayed at Comfort Inn and Suites 320 N. Michigan. It is at the very south end if the Magnificent Mile, 1/2 block south of the river. Perfect location. You are right by the river to sign up for the river architectural/lake tour…a must do…not boring at all. You are on the MM, which I didn’t shop this time but loved walking down. The hotel is close to where you exit on the Mile to walk to Navy Pier. It is 4 blocks from the Bean…4blocks from the loop…where Macy’s and the places where they have shows. The hotel is in an older building, but the rooms are great. They have a kitchen, lots of room for your stuff. Free breakfast which includes a nice array of food, although not fancy. The front desk staff are super nice. I first time I was there it was about $200, this last weekend was Lollapolloza, so it was $277…with tax it came out to 644. Parking not included. There is a self park to the west of the hotel on Wacker for 41 per day, and they do partial days…or valet at the hotel for 43. </p>
<p>This past winter we visited S in Chicago and used The Public - it’s located in the Gold Coast area, very desirable, short walk to the lakeshore and plenty of restaurants, Mag Mile, etc. We booked through Hotwire (if you know how to use Hotwire you can pretty much figure out which hotel is which - and I believe the reviews really confirmed that The Public was what we were getting) and paid just over $100ish/night. No breakfast included. No coffee maker in the room (they have a coffee bar in the lobby they want you to use). But very, nice otherwise. Rooms with modern furnishings. Not posh, but very nice IMO. </p>
<p>When my wife had a job that required regular trips to Chicago, she had a standing arrangement at the Burnham, which is a Kimpton hotel near the north end of the Loop, which is a pretty perfect location for just about anything. I was there with her a few times; the rooms were small but charming. I don’t think it’s generally cheap, but if you see an offer, that’s a great one to take. (I tend to like Kimpton hotels in general – they are all very hip, stylish rehabs of older buildings, some historic and some not.)</p>
<p>We have also gotten a good deal and stayed at The Silversmith, an older hotel in the mid-Loop. It was perfectly nice, not distinguished, but a fine base of operations and very convenient to the El lines (as almost anything in the Loop would be). And we have stayed several times in the Best Western in the South Loop, which was cheap, functional, and a great place to catch the bus to Hyde Park, but otherwise not an optimal location for Chicago sightseeing.</p>
<p>If you want to treat yourself stay at the Langham. If you are an AMEX platinum holder you should get free complimentary breakfast for 2, an upgrade of your room and usually a $100 hotel credit that can be used for food/bev. Best rate I saw earlier this month was around $340 which is a deal for this hotel.</p>
<p>There are lots of great hotels in Chicago and I bet I’ve stayed at 20+ of them. If we want to save money, we use Priceline and bid 4* at around $150. There is a new 5* that people are winning for around $240 on Hotwire. It is the Langham, previously mentioned by HarvestMoon, and is currently rated #1 on tripadvisor. We stayed there last month. If you don’t want to take any chances, the Kimptons are all wonderful. The Burnham might be closest to the Bean. </p>
<p>Chicago Greeters offers free walking tours of the Loop or Chicago neighborhoods. Our tour was wonderful. They are based a beautiful building accross the street from Millenium Park (The Bean). </p>
<p>We have a son who lives in Chicago, so we visit fairly often. We usually have Marriott Rewards Points from my husband’s work travel and find that the Springhill Suites in River North (410 North Dearborn) is pretty convenient for shopping on Mag Mile and also to the Grand Red line El stop. The location shares a lobby with the REsidence Inn and both provide breakfast and I think a light evening meal on some nights.</p>
<p>Oh and if you are arriving by car check out the Park Whiz web site for really reasonable parking fees.</p>
<p>The last time I went was with a group of ladies. We did the architectural boat tour, it is so touristy. But every one of us really liked it. It was surprisingly informative and fun. </p>
<p>Hotel Lincoln is this nice funky freaky boutique hotel and close to Lincoln Park and Seconnd City.
We got a good rate - they charge far more on weekends.</p>