We are hoping to go for a September weekend attending 2 games.
I understand we need a hotel with access to the Red Line for Cellular Field?
If anyone has any suggestions for accomodation, walking distance to the transportation along wih restaurants and bars
Trying to stay in the $300 range

The Red Line is the State Street subway. Almost any hotel in the loop or River North/Michigan Avenue area would be within 3-4 blocks of a station.

September looks to be big month for conventions. The first weekend is a large Muslim gathering with 10,000 people exptected. The weekend of September 9 is a packaging convention with 40,000 attendees.

As most conventions require attendees to book rooms at least 30 days ahead, the hotels will be releasing the unsold rooms soon. What are your dates and how many people will there be?

Wow, now I know why all the Chicago hotels are so expensive the weekend of Sept. 8-9. Should I wait a few days before making a reservation (for a nice downtown hotel)?

Wow, I looked on quikbook real quick just to see for your dates.

Something really popped out at me. They have a fabulous rate for Affinity (used to be Fitzpatrick) on Michigan Ave. for that weekend.

If it's what and where I think it is. Grab it.

That would possibly even beat a priceline or hotwire price.

Do a search here for that hotel name too. I think someone just did a rec of that hotel.

I like to get a room downtown a couple of times a year, usually in colder weather, but Sept. is super.

Have fun.

I'm shocked at some of the pricing. If it were me, I would not wait. quikbook is cancellable, I think, on top of it.

I do know that priceline especially has not had great deals on rooms when the lead time is less than a month. Hasn't for ages!

Sorry, that's Affinia not Affinity.

Affinia at 166 East Superior.

I just read Travelocity reviews and they seem good to phenomenal, the only complaint was about renovation, which now seems over. It used to be the old Fitzpatrick.

It's such a good price that I might take it up for myself for one night that weekend.

JJ, quick, tell me what is a fabulous rate!

I'm at home now and it's later, it might not still be there (things change quickly on websites like that one) but it was with another 10% reduction upon the discount price- about $163 per night.

Now I think it is because the Affinia chain with NYC and others have a group deal that is going just exactly then.

But it's right next door to Neiman Marcus and so close to Hancock etc. - great location to Redline on State etc.

Actually, I would get better than that on Priceline for exactly where I wanted to be, but not this late in the game for Sept. 8-9.

This is the second time now I've caught out some of the less popular discount websites like hotels.com or quikbook having exact hotel information, no bidding, and a much better price than calling direct.

Twice in Chicago now, and one for Lake Tahoe. I think the more popular discount brokers are selling out now before the "easier" criteria and less popular ones sell their allotted number of rooms.

But this late, that is a terrific price. I read Tripadvisor too, and there was one real nay sayer on an issue due to renovation. But the most recent posts sound like it is all finished anyway. The beds look yummy, like W's.

I guess I missed it. Even when I checked just after your first post, I didn't see it.

Thank You for the response and sorry for the confusion

Our travel dates are 9/16 & 9/16

Thank You again

dmlove, yes, it is gone. And that's why I always grab it when I see it.

I grabbed one night, tee-hee.

DISNEYGAL,

There are still lots of choices under $300 that are enviable.

www.hotels.com

You may have to page down to 2nd or 3rd pages to view all. And that's just on the one website.

8th & 9th are lower than 15th & 16th.

dmlove, there are still good ones left, but not that good.

That Affinia one was right up there with the all time best for how late in the game it is.

On that hotels.com site there is a Hotel Allegro for both those weekends, for instance that is good and doable re your "boundaries".

It's modern, attached to the Cadillac Palace Theatre, and has a funkier, younger feel, but is perfectly fine.

So is Hotel Burnham and so many other.

Club Quarters is a real deal for the studio this late.

And Westin River is still ok for the reality. That one and Omni, and all others near/on the River, I just love.

Still you would do better on Priceline, hotwire, or a bidding site- for sure.

Know on hotels.com that they price quoted is "average" and when you open each hotel, they may be lower, higher or slightly different by type of room. You even get to designate that exact feature.

I've used all of the above and especially have use quikbook within the same month, and I didn't do that site location for you, but if it was I, I would try that one first and then go to .hotels- if I was not going to bid.

And I would not wait a second longer. That's why I have a $163 just redone, modern to the max hotel room. LOL!

Chicago is not like NYC. There are deals to be had 90% of the time, if you know where to look.

None, I repeat, none of these gives you any less "stay" perks than if you paid $400-$500 for the exact same thing. I know because I have stupid friends who seldom listen to logic and proven example.

JJ, I can actually get the Affinia for one night direct for $229 which is a lot more than $163, but still isn't bad. We'll stay at the airport when we arrive very late Friday night. Is the Affinia worth $229? I hear the beds are super-comfortable?

In fact, the Affinia has a AAA rate of $207 and a "Senior" rate of $195 -- what constitutes a "senior"?

I have no idea. But looking at the pictures and noticing the location and also the rec's from the NYC and other group association website, links- it should be fine.

Fitzpatrick was old, but it was just redone- and the rooms are probably small. But I'm sure no smaller than Boston or NYC- which can be like closets.

Beds do really look good. I read they are the same type as W's beds. Rather like the Heavenly beds at Westin.

Thanks. Enjoy your stay -- we might bump into you in the lobby! (although I'm staying at the Sofitel if I can get the price down!!!)