Stayed with my wife and daughter at The James in December.
Very pleased with all aspects of the hotel.Location is superb,staff was on the ball and the decor is refreshing.

I also had a good experience at The James. Rooms were very high tech, nice amenities and I enjoyed the wine bar downstairs.

Since there are only 2 of your travelling, Chicago is really a great city to use Priceline or at least Hotwire to get your hotel. There are a lot of nice hotels. Bid 4* Michigan Ave.
See www.betterbidding.com and biddingfortravel.com to see winning bids and suggestions

Thanks for the recommendations! The James sounds good, I'm also intrigued by the Affinia. Can anyone compare The James & Affinia?

LindainOhio, thank you for the suggestion but it won't work out to bid this trip because we're buying a flight & hotel pkg., works out to be just a bit above the flight alone. This lets us use our small regional airport close to home & is well worth it to us.

The Affinia is next door to the new Children's Hospital construction site so I wouldn't stay there until construction is over. Sometimes the street outside is blocked, continuing noise, etc.

Stay at The James if that is your other choice.Good reviews from friends who've stayed there. I wouldn't stay at the Hard Rock either but I am not a fan of anything Hard Rock.

OK, the construction info means the decision goes to The James. Now on to buy Cubs tickets & we're all set. Many thanks to all who responded.

After a long process with decided to choose the James also for our stay in May. We took advantage of the special offer on their website, stay 3 nights for the price of 2.

The reviews on trip advisor were very positive.....

Change in plans, ran into a hassle trying to book the package (lastminutetravel.com - my first & probably last attempt to use them). Ended up booking the flight separately and now thinking to go with Priceline or Hotwire.

LindainOhio said to go with Michigan Ave. - that's for Priceline, right?

Hotwire has an area called Magnificent Mile Area - Streeterville, is this the most central area & has anyone had any experience here? Checked on Better Bidding, looks like the 4* is the Hyatt. Thanks!

I stayed with 2 teens at the Hard Rock a couple of summers ago and was quite pleased. The location is extremely convenient and it's in a historic building.

We arrived by train, so I don't know much about getting into town from the airport, but we took a water taxi which was quite fun.

On Priceline, I would bid 4stars N Michigan Ave/River North. Good luck! We love Chicago!

A friend of mine has good success with this site for Chicago hotel bookings.

www.hotrooms.com

Priceline turned down my first bid, 4* N. Michigan Ave/River North. Will try again in 24 hrs. Will keep hotrooms.com in mind as well.

I got a good deal last fall on Expedia. I stayed at The River Hotel on Wacker Dr just off Michigan Ave. Great location. The room was smaller that I am used to but spotless, the sheets felt like they had been ironed and the bed was the most comfortable I have slept in at a hotel. The staff was wonderful. If you have traveled to Europe, the rooms are european size but with American technology.