Looking for somewhere to get away to for a week in late April or early May. Haven't been to Chicago in a long time, and was thinking of renting an apartment for a week. On VRBO I see a great "studio" high up in the John Hancock Bldg., which sounds kind of fascinating. How would that be as a location for a week of theatre, restaurants, and no car public transportation?

Any other great ideas for where to stay, preferably more room than just a hotel room? Would like to keep the lodging under about $175 a night (and with hotels that means considerably less than that before the taxes are added on).

I would be hard-pressed to think of a more ideal location in terms of shopping, theatre, restaurants, sight-seeing, etc. You would definitely not want/need a car. You would be within walking distance of the Chicago Avenue stop on the red line, and could also take buses on Michigan Avenue. What we refer to as our "theater district" is on the other side of the river and west of State Street, but would be a nice walk on a nice day, or a really short cab, bus or el ride away.

It's a great location - you can walk to the Hottix booth, the Lookingglass theatre or to the offbeat performance art at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The downtown theatre district is a mile and a half away. Steppenwolf would require a short cab ride.

The Hancock was built in the late 60's, so I assume the place you are thinking of has been upgraded since then. The studios aren't large, but would be fine for one person. Some of the apartments have a big band (the exterior X braces) crossing the windows. Also, the windows in the Hancock don't open. I'm not trying to criticize, I'm trying to warn you of things that may make a difference in your decision. Hope you decide to come and enjoy some great theatre! Check out hottix.com and chicagoplays.com for information and metromix.com, suntimes.com and chireader.com for reviews.

Patrick, I hope you're planning to spend quality time at the Art Institute.

Here's the link for the apartment.
http://www.vrbo.com/53707

It says "remodeled" and the kitchen looks spectacular, but I could care less about that. It has a murphy bed and a sleeper sofa. I've emailed and asked a few questions, it just seems sorta neat and so "big city". And can't fault the views. I guess that picture is actually from the apartment? It looks like it was taken from a plane!

I haven't really studied anything, this was just a thought out of the blue this morning. But Steppenwolf and Goodman would be definites no matter what they're doing. And Howard, yes, never been to any of the museums in Chicago.

But can get round trip AA from Ft. Myers for $218 each, along with their current double mileage bonus promotion. Sounds like a fun week. Now to see if that apartment is really available. I hope I hear from them quickly.

I haven't heard anything yet from the owners of the Hancock Tower apartment. Meanwhile I find I can get a senior rate at the Hyatt Regency for $124 a night, still under $150 a night with all taxes. Any comments on choosing it over the apt -- particularly with regards to convenience? I won't use the kitchen at all, by the way, so that means nothing.

Looks like a nice place - it must be at least 70 stories up. The Hancock apartments start at the 44th story, but from the picture you'll be looking down at the Palmolive building, which is about 40 stories tall. You may feel a bit of sway up there. But, how can you complain when your "commute" consists of an elevator ride?

Looks like we posted at the same time, above. The Hyatt Regency would not be my choice - it's location is ok: right on the river on Wacker, east of Michigan. It's walking distance to downtown and to North Michigan Avenue. But, it is big and sterile. The neighborhood is mostly 9-5 businesses. It's next to a large subterranean court with convenience stores, etc., which is great if you work there, but doesn't appeal to me as a tourist.

If you want to stay in the Hancock area and don't care about a kitchen, you have at least 20 hotels to choose from. Look at the Drake, Sofitel, Omni Chicago, Fitzpatrick, Doubletree or Wyndham - here's a hotel map: http://www.choosechicago.com/hotels_northmichigan.html
The Amalfi or Westin River North would be good choices, too. They're on the map in the lower left corner.

Being just south of the river, the Hyatt is closer to the Loop theaters and the Art Institute, if those are on your agenda. I've been to plenty of meetings there, but I haven't stayed there since the late 90s. It is a HUGE convention hotel, so depending on the crowd you can run into packed public areas, waits for the elevator, etc. The Tripadvisor reviews are kind of mixed.

OK, back to hoping to hear from the owners of the apartment. The only reason I mentioned the Hyatt is because of the super senior rates we get there. I did a rough check of some of the other hotels mentioned, and it's pretty hard to get a rate at a nice one below $130 (which is $150 with tax). I don't think I want to try Priceline for a week long stay.

The only other VRBO that seemed appropriate I found was in the Oakwood Building (http://www.vrbo.com/51481)
Anyone care to comment on that location if the Hancock one isn't available?

The vrbo listing says Gold Coast, but a Google search on Oakwood Chicago says it is at 77 W. Huron. That is just west of Michigan Ave. and close to the mid-point of the Mag Mile. I know it's all very subjective, but I'd actually prefer that location (very close to the Omni on the map in the link patg provided). The top end of the Mag Mile and the River North areas will be about equidistant. Plenty of public transportation within a couple of blocks. It would be about a mile walk down to the Goodman or some other Loop theaters.

This is the building at Huron and Clark? I used to live about 3 blocks north of there, and LOVED the neighborhood - not as congested as the areas along the lake, but still within walking distance to nearly everything- about a half mile to Michigan Avenue, a mile to theatre district downtown. LaSalle Street, one block west, is a fast route for cabs, when you use one. LOTS of restaurants in the area. A few too many shapeless highrises, though - not much of an open feeling. Since it's a corporate rental place, I would think they would cater to the type of stay you are planning. The views can't touch the Hancock, but....

Patrick, since you were quoted such a good rate for the Hyatt Regency, can you also get a similar rate for the Park Hyatt Chicago? The Park Hyatt is at 800 N. Michigan Ave, practically across the street from the Hancock Building, Water Tower Place, et al, and near the beautiful old water tower. Either way, you can't go wrong with the location of either of the apartments. Keep in mind that late April, early May may be guaranteed spring in other parts of the country, but not in Chicago, so pack accordingly. I have spent many a blustery, cold, windy, rainy Memorial Day weekend in that city. If you have an overcast weekend in the Hancock apt, you will have a great view of the low-lying clouds. But the city is worth it. Chicagoans really earn their summers.

Patrick m'dear -- after the week (or so) you've put in, do this!

These are wonderful locations, don't think you'll really go wrong wherever...

IMHO the Hancock view is better than the Sears Tower's, and it's less of a tourist megillah to get to the Observation Deck.

You are in Music Heaven in Chicago, as you probably know. If you like jazz, be sure to get to the Showcase; classical? the CSO is incomparable; opera? ditto the Lyric (but need to get tix way ahead. And then there's R&B, etc. Theater, too, is great there. But you probably know all this.

If you're there long enough, consider popping up to Evanston or down to Hyde Park to putter around the college-town stores, bookshops, etc. You can do both on public transportation.

Give my regards to the sea otters at the Shedd, too!

Thanks for the ideas. One of the reasons for going is a long time friend who teaches at Northwestern, and we will certainly spend some time visiting her -- either up in Evanston where she lives or her coming into town with us. You people have really got me hoping for the Hancock Tower, which also provides a free pass for the observation deck by the way.

Two shows at Goodman I'd love to see and one at Steppenwolf. Will probably seek out some of the really fun stuff in that more northern theatre area or smaller funkier theatres. Not into the big tours and giant houses.

And no, the Park Hyatt doesn't offer senior rates. In fact, lowest I could bring up with them for our dates was over $300 a night.

Patrick, you are in for a real treat when you go to the Art Institute. I think it's one of our nation's best. For one, if you like Impressionists, you'll love it there.
Also, if you have time, take a ride to Oak Park to see the Frank Lloyd Wright designs.