Sisters wanna have fun...here we come Chicago
May 23rd, 2009, 02:59 AM
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Sisters wanna have fun...here we come Chicago
To celebrate my birthday with a zero my sister and I are headed to Chicago, July 29-Aug 2. This is a mid-way meeting point between upstate NY and Anchorage, AK. We can survive humidity but are not sure of where to stay or be centrally located for our interests.
Our budget, with airfare included (but NOT shopping) is $1000/sister. I am tempted to say at the Dana Hotel & Spa, b/c we could have drinks with a view, a massage at the end of the day, does anyone have an opinion on this hotel or a better idea for accommodations with view, rooftop lounge, a little luxury. Currently hotels.com is showing $134 / night for Dana. We don't need top-end but don't want run down in a questionable location, e.g, walking at night from restaurant to hotel.
I'd also like for us to have mani/pedi and hair styles one day...any great experiences/recommendations for travellers?
This decision to visit Chicago is quite recent so guide books haven't been consulted or past trip reports reviewed, I'd really like to learn of some fodorite favorite activities and recommendations for hotel and little luxury where we can walk to the lake shore, restaurants, museums..
Thanks!
Julie
Our budget, with airfare included (but NOT shopping) is $1000/sister. I am tempted to say at the Dana Hotel & Spa, b/c we could have drinks with a view, a massage at the end of the day, does anyone have an opinion on this hotel or a better idea for accommodations with view, rooftop lounge, a little luxury. Currently hotels.com is showing $134 / night for Dana. We don't need top-end but don't want run down in a questionable location, e.g, walking at night from restaurant to hotel.
I'd also like for us to have mani/pedi and hair styles one day...any great experiences/recommendations for travellers?
This decision to visit Chicago is quite recent so guide books haven't been consulted or past trip reports reviewed, I'd really like to learn of some fodorite favorite activities and recommendations for hotel and little luxury where we can walk to the lake shore, restaurants, museums..
Thanks!
Julie
May 23rd, 2009, 06:39 AM
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There are so many threads with suggestions on what to do in Chicago, many very recent threads. Just do a search for "Chicago".
The hotel's location - ideal and very safe, as safe as any location in Chicago can be. Walking distance to many restaurants, nightclubs, great shopping, etc.
The hotel's location - ideal and very safe, as safe as any location in Chicago can be. Walking distance to many restaurants, nightclubs, great shopping, etc.
May 23rd, 2009, 03:01 PM
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You might enjoy the Chicago Architecture cruise, if weather isn't too hot and sticky. Very interesting! I've been going to Chicago for years and I finally did the Arch. cruise last summer. What a lovely thing to do!
I don't know about the Dana Hotel at all.
If you are flying to OHare, take the blue line train into the city rather than fighting traffic in a taxi or shuttle. The cost is about $2 to $2.50 so very reasonable. The station at Clark/Lake is located in the heart of the busy Michigan Avenue scene. Easy to get a taxi from there to your hotel.
Have a good time.
I don't know about the Dana Hotel at all.
If you are flying to OHare, take the blue line train into the city rather than fighting traffic in a taxi or shuttle. The cost is about $2 to $2.50 so very reasonable. The station at Clark/Lake is located in the heart of the busy Michigan Avenue scene. Easy to get a taxi from there to your hotel.
Have a good time.
May 26th, 2009, 03:52 PM
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Hi Julie49 my name is Liana and I am the director of sales and marketing for the dana hotel and spa featuring ajasteak and Vertigo Skylounge. We would love for you to celebrate your birthday with us. We are located in the heart of downtown Chicago just three block from North Michigan Avenue. dana hotel and spa just opened in June of 2008 featuring 216 guestrooms and suites. Contact me directly at [email protected] so I can make the reservations for you. Your first Birthday drink is on us!!
May 26th, 2009, 05:59 PM
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Chicago is a great choice to celebrate your birthday. I was just at Hotel Dana a few days ago for drinks. I think you will like it. It is new and very nice. The staff was very friendly, it has a great rooftop bar and there is definitely a buzz even on weeknights. I'd definitely stay there if I need to stay in a hotel downtown.
It looks like they have a spa, but there are many great spas here. If you want a great hair stylist/mani/pedi, I recommend Maxine which is downtown on Rush and Superior. Then you can check out MI Ave from there. There is also Bliss spa in the W Lakeshore and many others.
You will have to time to check out at least one neighborhood. There are many threads about this, but I'd hate for you to come to Chicago and just stick downtown. The neighborhoods have so much to offer.
Have fun!
It looks like they have a spa, but there are many great spas here. If you want a great hair stylist/mani/pedi, I recommend Maxine which is downtown on Rush and Superior. Then you can check out MI Ave from there. There is also Bliss spa in the W Lakeshore and many others.
You will have to time to check out at least one neighborhood. There are many threads about this, but I'd hate for you to come to Chicago and just stick downtown. The neighborhoods have so much to offer.
Have fun!
Jun 2nd, 2009, 05:14 PM
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Everyone thanks for the tips....we are still putting dates together , but the Dana is our first choice.
We particuarly were looking for hair/mani/ped...thanks Gina for the tip on Maxine
Liana, I may take you up on the offer for a birthday drink!
We particuarly were looking for hair/mani/ped...thanks Gina for the tip on Maxine
Liana, I may take you up on the offer for a birthday drink!
Jun 2nd, 2009, 05:57 PM
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My husband and I visited Chicago over Memorial Day (click on my name for a trip report). We stayed at the Park Hyatt, which was great.
I'm not familiar with the Hotel Dana, but it seems like there are a lot of good deals to be had. One really cool hotel that you may be able to get for your price range is the James Hotel, just off Michigan Avenue. If you're interested in a hotel, don't just look on Expedia as often the hotel's website will have incentives/specials that aren't listed elsewhere.
The spa at the Peninsula (very swank) is supposedly to die for. It is just off Michigan Ave. on Superior.
I definitely recommend the Architectural River Cruise. I would also recommend the free Lincoln Park zoo if the weather is nice.
I'm not familiar with the Hotel Dana, but it seems like there are a lot of good deals to be had. One really cool hotel that you may be able to get for your price range is the James Hotel, just off Michigan Avenue. If you're interested in a hotel, don't just look on Expedia as often the hotel's website will have incentives/specials that aren't listed elsewhere.
The spa at the Peninsula (very swank) is supposedly to die for. It is just off Michigan Ave. on Superior.
I definitely recommend the Architectural River Cruise. I would also recommend the free Lincoln Park zoo if the weather is nice.
Jun 3rd, 2009, 01:43 AM
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Only on Sunday? "Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues" by the recommendation I'm thinking I can skip mass...I love the sound of the event but a little more detail would be helpful, e.g., when, etc.
Same for "second city"....
Yes, I admit I haven't sat down and really done my research.
Thanks for the tips, Julie
Same for "second city"....
Yes, I admit I haven't sat down and really done my research.
Thanks for the tips, Julie
Jun 5th, 2009, 05:16 PM
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Gospel brunch only on Sunday 10-12:30...here's a link:
http://www.houseofblues.com/venues/c...spelbrunch.php
Second City- famous for launching many a Saturday Night Live career (back when Saturday Night Live was good)
http://www.secondcity.com/
And then I had this link in my Chicago file too, if you just want to find some good blues music:
http://buddyguys.com/
http://www.houseofblues.com/venues/c...spelbrunch.php
Second City- famous for launching many a Saturday Night Live career (back when Saturday Night Live was good)
http://www.secondcity.com/
And then I had this link in my Chicago file too, if you just want to find some good blues music:
http://buddyguys.com/
