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Chicago- The Godfrey hotel or the Hotel Burnham????

Chicago- The Godfrey hotel or the Hotel Burnham????

Old Nov 26th, 2014, 12:11 AM
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Chicago- The Godfrey hotel or the Hotel Burnham????

Hi everyone,
your help is needed again.
We can get a good deal on both of these hotels for our trip in July.
Which would you recommend for position, size and style of rooms, facilities etc.
Thanks in advance
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Old Nov 26th, 2014, 09:53 PM
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Any ideas?????
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Old Nov 27th, 2014, 06:06 AM
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Add Homewood Suites by Hilton to your list. Any that that have suites within 2 blocks of the Mag Mile, will be good.
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Old Nov 27th, 2014, 10:24 AM
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Thanks tomfuller for your suggestions. I will check it out.
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Old Nov 28th, 2014, 06:03 AM
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Hi, Magpies.
Of the Godfrey and Burnham Hotel, I'd choose the Burnham. As I've not stayed in either, I'm speaking only for location.

The Burnham is right on State Street, right in the Loop, and is walkable to the Art Institute and loop theaters and lots of shopping and dining options. Plus, all major transportation options are right out the front door (red line subway, major bus lines, elevated brown line train). You may hear the loop is a bit quiet at night, but that's more for the blocks west of Dearborn. In summer, State Street is lively.

The Godfrey looks really swank and isn't a terrible location, but the blocks feel a bit long headed west to Lasalle, and would feel a bit distant/out-of-the-way from much of what you'll likely be doing (taking buses to/from museums, shopping Michigan Ave/State Street.

If you want hotel options other than the Burnham or Godfrey, let us know what is most important to you (suite, pool, location, cost, rooftop bar).

Good luck planning!
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Old Nov 28th, 2014, 06:13 AM
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Also, the Burnham is in a gorgeous building. The restaurant there (the Atwood) is one I enjoy every Christmas holiday.
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Old Nov 28th, 2014, 06:34 AM
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Add the Sofitel to your list . I prefer staying north of the river and The Loop.
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Old Nov 28th, 2014, 03:29 PM
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Hi everyone,
thanks for your suggestions.
Happytrvlr we had decided upon the Sofitel before we knew our exact dates and the prices are quite high for that time.
( We were looking up to $275 or so per night )
I was leaning to the Burnham but my husband was keen on the Godfrey as it is quite new and modern. ( Both are good prices for 4 nights )
ChgoGal we are open to suggestions we will be staying from the 15th July for 4 nights and like a roomy modern feel perhaps with a view. Pool would be nice but not essential. Would like to have restaurants and bars within walking distance. Approx $275 a night.
Tomfuller I am still to check out your option.
It is the weekend over here so will do some research over the next couple of days.
Thanks again
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Old Nov 28th, 2014, 05:30 PM
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I love the Burnham and have stayed there a number of times. Love the service , the art nouveau building -beautiful, location and the restaurant. have stayed there in July and in October/November.
Only disadvantage is not very close to much other choice of restaurants and taxis and walking are needed.
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Old Nov 28th, 2014, 06:53 PM
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Why spend over $250/night?
http://www.homewoodsuiteschicago.com/
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Old Nov 28th, 2014, 07:18 PM
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Hi, Magpies.

I see why your husband would like the look of the Godfrey, but it is just a tiny bit out-of-the-way feeling. But if you're thinking you want a hotel with it's own lively bar on the property, where you could stay late and then wander up to your rooms without having to walk/taxi, that seems like a great one. The Hotel Wit (popular rooftop lounge on State Street, modern vibe) and the Dana Hotel (also rooftop) would be hotels with that vibe but are better positioned.

So, Chicago's best restaurants and bars are spread all over the city, many in the neighborhoods. There's a good concentration of restaurants/lounges in River North close to State and Illinois, STate and Huron, State and Kinzie. So some hotels that are a bit more modern and well positioned for both dining and walking, are...

The Palomar (with pool and wonderful Sable restaurant in the lobby)
The James Hotel (could be noisy as it's on a busy intersection)
The Kinzie (I have stayed at the Kinzie and like this hotel a lot.)

A bit more north, also near a concentration of restaurants/lounges, the Sofitel Water Tower would be a great location, or the new Thompson Hotel, but likely to be high for a July weekend.

Many of the best restaurants are west of the loop or in the various neighborhoods (where you wouldn't want to base yourself in a hotel), so if you seek those out, you'll be walking, or taking public transportation or taxis.

Really, the Burnham would be very nice if you have a great rate. There are many, many casual places to eat in walking distance, but if you are looking for better-fine dining, most of those places will be a walk/taxi ride no matter which hotel you choose. But there ARE fewer lounges and better-fine restaurants in the immediate vicinity except the popular Roof lounge (at the hotel Wit) so if having a cocktails at the end of each night is something you're thinking you might be wanting, I'd probably not choose the Burnham. It might not be as well suited for nightlife, and more for daytime activities (museums, shopping).

Sorry if that's confusing. Take a look at The Palomar, the Kinzie, the Dana and the Wit. I think those might work well.

Good luck with your search.
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Old Nov 29th, 2014, 07:06 AM
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I have lived both south and north of the Chicago River and highly recommend being north if you want to be able to have neighborhood restaurants nearby.
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Old Nov 29th, 2014, 05:08 PM
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Thanks again for suggestions. We are busy checking through each and everyone. My husband prefers the more modern hotel style but I have asked him to look at all suggestions. We are in our 40's so don't want a young hip bar / clubbing etc , more a quiet cocktail / beer at the end of the day / night.
We would like to be able to walk to restaurants / bars or have one in the hotel.
It is very difficult to select a hotel as there are so many to choose from and it seems the city is very spread out.
Will let you know what we decide.
Thanks again
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Old Dec 2nd, 2014, 02:31 AM
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Hi everyone,
just thought I would check back with you all.
While I was at work ( my husband had an RDO ) my husband booked the James hotel. He got a very good deal for 4 nights and is very happy with himself. ( I did tell him it wasn't on the "Fodors" list!!! )
It will be my turn to book Portland and Milwaukee??
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Old Dec 2nd, 2014, 02:32 AM
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ChgoGal you saved my husband as he said it was one of your recommendations.
Any ideas about Portland?
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Old Dec 2nd, 2014, 02:48 AM
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Ha! Well, good for your husband and you! The James is a great, great location. Much better placement than the Godfrey. I only mentioned the noise b/c my brother stayed at the Four Points Sheraton across the street and he mentioned he could hear the noise every so often. But different hotel, different windows, etc. And the lounge there does seem a laid-back place for a cocktail at the end of the night.

Glad you both got a deal. You'll be right in the thick of it all. Eataly and (popular) Shake Shack is close, as is the CTA Red Line subway and Michigan Avenue or State Street buses.

ANd once you get your itinerary somewhat formed, we can help with dining ideas. Unless you're a foodie and traveling for meals, I think it's better to plan your dining day around where you'll be/where you're headed.

Have fun planning!
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Old Dec 2nd, 2014, 05:23 AM
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Portland ME or Portland OR? The fancy hotel I know in Oregon is the Mark Spencer which is a couple blocks south of Powell's World of Books.
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Old Dec 2nd, 2014, 10:30 AM
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Thanks ChgoGal for your further advice.I will let you know more over the weekend. ( I am a teacher and going on school camp for a few days so will be out of action )
Tomfuller yes Portland in Oregon. I will check out your suggestion when I get a chance.
( We will be going from Seattle ( after staying a few days along the way ) to Portland and then flying from Portland to Chicago )
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Old Dec 2nd, 2014, 11:21 AM
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I would look at The Talbott. I have stayed there a number of times and the location is great:

https://www.talbotthotel.com/luxury/...ccommodations/
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