I've looked at posts about the Hilton Chicago and it seems like a pretty nice place. So why do you think rates right before Easter are so much less than other places for the same time? I've reserved a double at $109 and I'm a bit concerned we are going to be stuck in a closet or some such thing. Any ideas?

Is that the downtown Hilton? If so, we liked it there...our room actually had TWO bathrooms which was very strange and something I'd never seen before except in suites or 2-bedroom units. That sounds like it must be a special weekend rate. Parking fee was sky-high if I remember correctly, so they'll nab you there if you're driving in.

It depends on convention business so you must have luckily picked a slow weekend. Sometimes supply and demand works your way!

It is a nice place in a great location. Budget $30+ daily for parking though.

$109 is about $20-30 more than many 4* hotels in Chicago are getting for their rooms released to Priceline, and double what people are paying for the Hyatt Regency.

Thanks for the replies. We are flying in (at a REALLY great rate), so don't have to worry about parking. I've been wary of looking at Priceline or any of the other hotel discount sites because we need 2 beds and most sites don't let you designate that.

Would it be better to take the train from O'Hare or to get a taxi/shuttle van?

If you are not loaded with luggage, take the train. The stop is a safe, easy block from the hotel.

Many hotels in big cities lower their rates around holidays because so few people are traveling for business then.

They have a lot of empty rooms, that's all, don't worry about it!

In Boston the week between Christmas and New Year hotel rooms were much less expensive than they normally are. No business travel.

We are talking the Hilton & Towers on Michigan Ave., correct? One bit of advice I have is don't be afraid to ask for a room facing Michigan Ave. Otherwise, you might get a room that is located near the service elevators, the windows face a brick wall, or some such. It won't necessarily be a bad room, but you could do better by asking perhaps.