Chicago
 

Will be in Chicago June 18-20 with my 16 year old daughter for a volleyball tourney at McCormick Place. One team Mom wants to stay at Ramada on S. Lake Shore Drive because it is near McCormick and doesn't charge for parking. It is near U. of Chicago campus. I don't think it is a good neighborhood plus it didn't get good reviews on tripadvisor.com. Anyone know? I am thinking we are better off getting something from Hotwire and staying closer to the fun (shopping, etc.) and taking public transportation to McCormick? Any suggestions? Not against staying in a burb either and driving in if it's not too much of a headache. Thanks.

If it were up to me, I would stay in the N.Michigan area for shopping, dining, and entertainment and take public transporation to McCormick Center.

Parking in any big city is an expense. If you are flying in, you will not need a rental car. If you are driving in, consider parking at O'Hare and taking the EL into town.

You are absolutely right-there is very little to do near U of C-the museum of science and industry is there but that's about it. Definately better off to stay in the loop or Mich. ave area. There is way more to do and McCormick Place is an easy drive or cab/bus ride.

there are some interesting public housing projects near McCormick Place...just kidding. Stay on North Michigan Ave if possible. Other options might be the Palmer House Hilton, Renaissance, Monaco, Hyatt, etc that are a little south of the river and between McCormick Place and Michigan Ave for shopping. Go to Navy Pier one evening for dinner, shopping, walking, people watching and fireworks. The Ferris Wheel is really great during the summer for a view of the skyline.

If you do decide to stay there-a friend who got married at U of C chapel had his family stay there - it is a decent enough place-and the hood is not all that bad there either. Go to Medici's for PIZZA!

Hi Spikeit, My mom, 16year old and I are also going to Chicago in July. I bid North Michigan Ave. on Priceline and received the Hyatt Regency for $65 per night. This should be a very good location for the things we want to see.

All the advice you've gotten is excellent. Stay in Magnificent Mile/ River North area. You'll be able shop, dine, see the sites, go to Navy Pier etc. The Ramada is not in a great area, and you certainly won't want to walk around at night. I live in the Chicago suburbs, but I wouldn't advise staying there -- it will make getting to McCormick Place that much more of a hassle.

Thanks for all the good advice. I think I will try Priceline to see what I can come up with. I have never used Priceline before but I feel adventurous. Any tips for Priceline?

I stayed at the Ramada on S. Lake Shore Drive for my U of C reunion last year, and I would only recommend it for that purpose. Not a place I would choose except it's the only hotel in Hyde Park. The place is desperately in need of renovation.

go to biddingfortravel.com

This site will give you lots of advice for Priceline bidding in chicago.

Hi,

I know you can get some good deals using priceline, but I don't like it because you don't know which hotel your getting. I know it probably costs mroe, but I always have good luck with hoteldiscounts.com.

Since you're new to the Priceline game, I thought I'd expand on the previous advice. At the biddingfortravel site you'll be able to see successful bids for a variety of hotels, so it will give you a handle on what amount to bid.

Next week, for instance, we are staying at the Tremont, a 2.5* a block and a half off Michigan Avenue for $48/nite. And I got that rate on my first try after seeing that there were several successful bids in the $45 range. We've had very good luck with 2.5* properties - I was actually hoping for the Courtyard by Marriott just east of Michigan where we stayed last fall - a really pleasant high-rise with complimentary buffet breakfast.

If you bring your car downtown, be prepared to pay upwards of $20/nite - and park it yourself (there are lots of self-park garages). Valet rates are ridiculous.

Spikeit, I also use the biddingfortravel site before placing a bid. It is helpful to know approximately how much to bid and what hotels may come up in the area that you are bidding.

Just be very careful when bidding with priceline and be sure that your dates are accurate. Read the FAQ on biddingfortravel so that you will understand free rebids. Also,please realize that once your bid is accepted, you may not cancel.

I have used priceline many times over the past several years and I have never had a bad experience. It is a great way to travel cheap! Good Luck! Laurie

Took your Priceline advice. Booked 2 rooms at the Hyatt Regency on E. Wacker Drive for $75 per night. Might have been able to get it cheaper but I was getting anxious. Anyone got any suggestions on a place to park other than the valet which I hear is expensive. Thanks again to everyone that replied.

Can't make any parking suggestions, but just wanted to tell you that we got the same hotel April 21-25 through Priceline for $65 a night and loved it's location. We flew into OHare and rode on the El. Used public transportation the entire time we were there. A visitors 5 day pass is $18. Hope you enjoy your stay.

You can park in Grant Park a few blocks south of the Hyatt (entrance is on Columbus Drive)for about $15 a day. Check with the hotel concierge on the best public transporation to McCormick Place - there is more than one bus that goes there. A cab would be about $10 - not bad if there are four of you.

no-way to the ramada. It is good only for those interested in U of C. The money you save on parking at the hotel you will pay Parking at McCormick - the Ramada is not any closer to McCormick than N. Michagan(actually it might be further).
Try Hotels in the loop. they may have better deals on the weekends(if that is when your tournament is) Try the Hilton and towers, RedRoof inn(n michigan area), Crown Plaza Allerton,
Also I heard the Best Western River north had free parking? don't know if it is true.

I agree with other poster on priceline also

Are you renting a car or driving in?

If you are driving, I would suggest driving to O'Hare instead for cheap daily parking and take the EL downtown.

You'll love the location of the Hyatt and the hotel is nice.

Make sure you go to Billy Goat Tavern under the Wrigley Building.

It used to be the gathering place for the Tribune writers and I can't imagine why that would change.

We will be driving in, although we are flexible and will certainly think about the O'Hare parking. Thanks for the tip on the Bill Goat Tavern. We will be taking public transportation once we are there. After volleyball we want to show the girls Chicago as they have never been into the City except for school bus trips. Thanks to everyone for all their good tips.

O'hare area has some decent hotels that might be a bit cheaper, but the Subway ride is an hour, also if you plan on using, cabs or Public transit the ramada is a very poor choice. It is very out of the way. and there is only bus service.

Check out Hotwire and Price line you should be able to get a good deal

dgruzew: She already got a good deal on priceline for the Hyatt.