I'm assuming you won't be using a car. My impression is that it would be a pain if you had one in the city, anyway.

The Magnificent Mile area is probably your best bet for being "in the middle of things." When I was there, I stayed in The Loop, which is also fine if maybe a little more on the quiet side at night.

Why are you going to Chicago?

What time of year are you going?

Do you want a large full service hotel or a small boutique?

Are you going mid week or over a weekend?

Are you comfortable with public transportation?

Is shopping important to you? More or less important than dining?

What are the sights you want to see? Museums? Architecture?

Are you familiar with Priceline and other discount hotel sites?

Are you aware that the cooler neighborhoods are not necessarily within walking distance of the typical tourist areas?

I am no Chicago expert, but those would be the things I would want to know to help you.

Hi, kurtv.

You may wish to center your search to the "Magnificent Mile" or "RIver North" areas. Chicago is not so big, really.

Most tourists would feel more comfortable within these parameters: north of the Chicago river (about 400 North) and south of Walton Street/900 North, 1-2 blocks east of Michigan, and up to 4 blocks west of Michigan. I always recommend the Amalfi, but some that you may wish to look at are The James, the Chicago Marriott downtown, the Conrad, Homewood Suites on Grand, the Hilton Garden Inn on Grand,

There are a few hotels along State Street and Wacker that would be nice to stay at, though. (The Wit, the Monaco, the Burnham).

And in the "loop," the area south of the river that is encircled/looped by the elevated train, the Palmer House is a large hotel that may be a nice option as it's a little more historic, and still far enough in the east-loop to feel nice to walk around at night. (The west loop gets pretty quiet and can feel grim if it's the winter.)

Post back if you have any addt'l. questions!

Look at hotels near Magnificent Mile, i.e, River North to the west side of Michigan Ave. and Streeterville, to the East of Michigan Ave. Also look at the Gold Coast, north of River North.You can easily walk or take a bus down to Millinium Park and the Art Institute, other museums.

Try The River Hotel on Wacker. If you go right out of their door you are 1/2 block from Michigan Ave. If you go left out of their door you are a block from a Loop or subway stop. Ask for a room with a view of the river.

Highly recommend staying north of the Chicago River.

I stayed in the Loop on my first two trips to Chicago and it was fine, if a little quiet at night. However, we were mostly there to go to the theatre, so it worked. This summer, we stayed in River North and this was a great location for walking to shopping and dining.