wildblueyonder

I expect that this topic has come up over and over (sorry) - but I did a quick search and couldn't really find any suggestions for cheap, but central accommodation in Chicago - I would be grateful of recommendations - thank you. (Preferably, we'd like to be close to the lake - so if that means outside of Chicago, we wouldn't mind).

NeoPatrick

It takes a lot to break a multi-billion dollar bank these days, so perhaps you need to give us an idea of budget. One person's "I got a great deal of $275 a night" is another person's "you paid HOW MUCH for a place to sleep?"
If staying outside of Chicago are you planning on going back and forth into town much? Will you have a car or will the public transporation eat up any savings?

wildblueyonder

Guilty on all charges, NeoPatrick - sorry!
We are going to be driving from E coast to W coast, so, yes, we'll have a hire car. On average, we generally pay up to $200 pn night for a room for myself, husband and grown up son (a suite if possible) - but, I realise that's asking a lot in Chicago and we're willing to pay up to$300 a night max. We are not city people (we live in a city, but would prefer not to!) but would like to see Chicago. We are not likely to be looking for nightlife or posh restaurants or even museums. But we would ideally be situated within walking distance of the lake, the river and, perhaps that tall building which you can go up and gain a lovely view (sorry - I've forgotten the name of it!) It would probably be better if we did stay in the city, as then we would see more of it, rather than if we stayed outside and were reluctant to drive into the big city/find parking spot etc. But it is an option, especially if nicely situated.

patg

Take a look at the hotels in Evanston - the Orrington and the Hilton Garden Inn. Evanston is the first suburb north of the city, is situated on the lakefront, and has a nice downtown with plenty of shops and restaurants. You can take a train to the city in under an hour.

Room rates in Chicago vary tremendously in the summer, depending on the convention schedule. Check in at tripadvisor.com to get some ideas of where people are finding the best rates.

Citylghts

I agree with patg's recommendation of Evanston. You may also want to look at hotels in the O'Hare/Rosemont area. You'll be farther from the lake but the rates are usually better than downtown.

What sorts of things are you planning to do while you're here? If you're heading to White Sox games or Univ of Chicago, there are better options.

To travel into the central city, I'd recommend public transit. CTA trains and buses run to O'Hare and the near suburbs. Visitor passes allow unlimited rides for a 24-hour period and start at $5 for 1-day

Citylghts

Sorry, I hit post too soon.

Check www.transitchicago.com. There are also some hotels a bit farther north in the Northbrook/Highland Park area. There is a Metra Train station close and trains run to the center city from there and other outer-ring suburbs. From Highland Park, the fare is $3.90 each way. Check www.metrarail.com.

If you do opt to drive into the city, the least expensive parking you'll probably find is the Millennium Park garage at $16 per day.

newby30

What's your idea of expensive? We recently stayed at the Embassy Suites State Street location for about $200 a nite. For a family of 4 in a big city it's a great deal. This location includes a cooked to order buffett breakfast each morning plus a two hours managers reception/cocktails/drinnks and light snaks in that price. Rooms are mostly all suites-separate bedroom, living area w/ wet bar. Great location, near subway line, grocery store next door and around corner also. Holiday Inn's arent bad either and there are two in the downtown area, but Embassy offers so much for w/ just a little more on price. Add in cost of breakfast for four, drinks in the evening and that's quite a savings.

NeoPatrick

You might want to look at Oakwood Apartments which does not even require a week stay. We had a huge one bedroom apartment for under $200 a night. Loved the location at Clark and Huron. We didn't have a car, but I think their parking is reasonable too.

I'm glad I asked about your first post. If I had to guess, I would have supposed you were looking for more like $100 a night, but you can do a lot for your budget in Chicago.

Maggi

When we stay in a large city, we always stay right in the city, rather than on the outskirts. For one thing you don't have to deal with the driving, getting lost, and most importantly, high parking costs. For another, you can just walk out the door and start sightseeing, and come back anytime you please throughout the day to rest and recuperate. If you will be in Chicago in warm weather, you don't have to worry about where the hotel is located, everything downtown is very easy to walk to, including the lake and the river. Near the river, we have had a reasonable stay at the Best Westin River North. The best things about this hotel were FREE parking (which I didn't see at any other downtown hotel) and a large pool, also not so common. Decor-wise it's not the fancy hotel, but the prices are good and we were satisfied. As was previously mentioned the Embassy Suites is also good - a little more centrally located, but no free parking and probably more expensive that the Best Western. Be sure and take the Architectural River Cruise!
http://www.architecture.org/tour_view.aspx?TourID=8
http://www.rivernorthhotel.com/

mcmckissic1

Hi there...also, if you are willing to gamble on exact hotel but get to pick your location at least and save a bundle by giving Priceline a try. We have had so much luck and saved a lot by using Priceline and Hotwire also.

NeoPatrick

But Priceline is very tricky for 3 adults including an adult son and the desire for a suite.

andrews98682

Evanston's nice, but I wouldn't stay there. If you're not staying in the loop/magnificent mile area, you might look at a place in Lincoln Park (there's the Days Inn, the Willow, Best Western Hawtorne, City Suites on Belmont). Some of them have parking. You'd be in a great neighborhood, near the Lake, Lincoln Park Park and Wrigley Field. And you'd be a pretty short train or bus ride from downtown.

wildblueyonder

Thank you all for your great suggestions - you've given me plenty to think about. I think that it will be best to stay in the city .... just need to find something in our price bracket - if not, Lincoln Park sounds good. The Embassy Suites would, indeed, be ideal - but doing a price check, a suite would cost us $400-$500 a night ....

JJ5

Honestly, even though you are looking for peak season, I think you can find it. You can't get rates like that in summer for a suite and space unless you hit the discount brokers, and/or rarely with a deal or special from the hotel. But regardless, I suggest strongly not to stay farther than Lincoln Park.

I only live 15 miles South and yet when I want to enjoy downtown or central Chicago, I stay there. It just is not the same when commuting, IMHO.

You might find what you are looking for at www.Hotwire.com or google discount brokers hotels Chicago. Or check on www.metromix.com for possible hotel specials.

The deals or rentals are out there, but harder to find then they used to be. And NeoPatrick is right about Priceline, because although possible it sounds like your strong suite preference would be problematic with their system overall.

On Hotwire you pay up front and your dates would have to be set in stone. Stay Michigan Ave or LOOP, Lincoln Park - those choices.

I routinely and even at Marathon time have gotten room and rooms for 1/2 or 1/3rd of your budget. I had more lead time, but keep up the search and when you find something grab it. Best Western River North, or any of the Lincoln Park locations might work. But I have had little luck in dealing directly with the hotel itself in the last 2 years.

Marsan

Every now and then Travelzoo describes a good deal on a Chicago hotel. I doubt there are any deals on suites, though.

shirley82

I just booked a room in Chicago on Priceline - not the name your own price option. I got the Radisson downtown for $180ish. I then called the hotel and asked them to change me to a room with two double beds. They did it for another $20 a night. It almost seemed too easy to me.
If you're not doing it last minute, you should be able to do the same thing. I should mention that I have not yet completed this stay, so I'm just assuming this will work out as planned.

sandypaws3

wildblueyonder,
It's easy to get from Oak Park to Chicago on the Metra, and you could stay in the Carleton Inn. I'm not sure what their rates are now, as they don't post them on their website, but when we checked a couple of years ago they were reasonable and less than Chicago. It's a pleasant, older hotel -- fireplace in the lobby, a couple of restaurants. We've eaten breakfast and lunch at Poor Phil's a few times. If you have time to stay around, there's a Hemingway museum in Oak Park.

http://www.carletonhotel.com/
http://www.ehfop.org/

Sandy