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Hotel Choice Chicago: Loop or Magnificent Mile?

Hotel Choice Chicago: Loop or Magnificent Mile?

Old Jun 27th, 2017, 04:41 PM
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Hotel Choice Chicago: Loop or Magnificent Mile?

This is our first time to Chicago. I am very interested in Hotel Monaco (located on/near the loop) found through a post on this site. However, someone suggested the Sofitel on the Magnificent Mile. Which location do you feel is best. We plan to do the Architecture tour, river walk, Cubs game, and possibly see Hamilton if we can get tickets for starters. Thank you.
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Old Jun 28th, 2017, 12:15 AM
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The Langham is all I'm gonna say. Get a room with a river view.
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Old Jun 28th, 2017, 12:26 AM
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I love the architecture of The Alise - used to be The Burnham located in the Relianve building a National Historic landmark in the Loop. Beautiful
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Old Jun 28th, 2017, 05:38 AM
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Thank you for your input. Would love the Langham but it is 700 aa night! I am interested in Hotel Monaco, Swissotel, and Sofitel. Love concept of being close to water along with central location for sites.
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Old Jun 28th, 2017, 06:25 AM
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For us it would be a toss up and would go with the price. If equal, probably Michigan Ave (M Mile). A little more walkable to good restaurants and lots of buses running up and down Michigan Ave that could get you to just about anywhere you cannot walk. Buy a multi day pass for transit.
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Old Jun 28th, 2017, 06:26 AM
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The Magnificent Mile is officially the portion of Michigan Avenue between the river and Oak Street. The Sofitel is about two blocks west of the Mag Mile. The Monaco is about 3/4 mile south of the Sofitel, just outside the NE corner of The Loop. The Swissôtel is about 3/4 mile east of the Monaco. The Monaco and Swissôtel have some rooms with river views, but also rooms with views of adjacent buildings.

All are a short walk from public transit, restaurants and attractions, so pick the one that best fits your wish list and budget.

The river walk is still a work in progress. If you don't already have Hamilton tickets, you're looking to pay north of $250 per seat. The CTA site has info on purchasing fare cards, a trip planner and how to track trains and buses with a smart phone. Check www.transitchicago.com. You can also get point-to-point walking directions on Google maps.
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Old Jun 28th, 2017, 07:34 AM
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We've stayed at the Intercontinental on Michigan Ave (back in late 90's) and at the Hotel Monaco (2008); really preferred the location of the Monaco; we did have dinner one evening at the Burnham (apparently now the Alise) and the architecture there was also lovely - both were Kimpton hotels at the time; we had dinner at both restaurants. The Oriental Theater was very walkable from the Monaco (we saw Wicked), but even closer to the Burnham (Alise). We got some yummy cheese caramel popcorn from a shop near there - it was still warm when we were eating it - and no calories! (smiley) We did the architecture tour both times which was great, went to the Chicago Art Institute - we walked everywhere. We loved the restaurant Osteria Via Stato that was a few blocks walk from the Monaco - the gnocchi was great; my husband had a fabulous steak there too!
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Old Jun 28th, 2017, 05:30 PM
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Hotel Monaco is in a great location. My favorite hotel is just around the corner on Wacker, The River. I found it to be very central to almost everything.
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Old Jun 28th, 2017, 05:48 PM
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Thank you so much for your input on location, hotels and also additional valuable info. I am going with the Monaco, due to reviews and your input on location. The comment on tickets to Hamilton is interesting as we live outside Phila. and usually travel to NYC once a year to see a musical. Haven't made it to Hamilton there due to tickets being upwards of $900. So we felt Chicago's prices were a bargain. Looking forward to touring this city!
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