My seven girlfriends and I are going to Chicago in June. Any ideas of a good hotel--possibly close to the top places to visit in Chicago. Of course, we don't like to spend too much, but as we're getting a little older, we can afford more. (Ages 47 to 60, but we seem much younger--HONESTLY!) Thanks. Ideas for a fun restaurant would be appreciated also. We like to have a really good time

Welcome to the Fodor's website, Lulu! You will find lots of good information about Chicago already posted on this site. Go to the search this forum box at the top of the page and type in Chicago hotels & restaurants. Then scroll down to Illinois in the topics box and hit the search button. After you have done some research on past posts, come back to us with another post on some specific questions and I'm sure that you'll find Chicago fodorites who will be more than willing to answer those questions! ><

My new favorite place is Howl at the Moon. It is a dueling piano bar that has fun music, sing alongs, and great people watching. It can be a little loud, but I had a blast there with a group aged 25-62. It was a weeknight and there wasn't a cover charge. The drinks are pricey, but it is downtown Chicago. I don't know the exact address, but it is in the area of House of Blues. I have been lucky with Hotwire for Chicago hotels. If you look at the specific areas and choose Mag Mile, or River North you should be fine. It is hard to recommend restauarants because there are so many.

Tizi Melloul is a great restaurant if you want something unique. The food is reasonably priced, especially for Chicago, and they have great drinks and wonderful fun decor. Belly dancing on Sundays.

The menu is broad and everyone can find something. If you like duck, its exceptionally good. Its a fun place to go with a crowd.

http://www.tizimelloul.com/

Recently returned from Chicago with a group of girlfriends. We ate at three restaurants, all unique and all a hit! I would return to any of them in a heartbeat. Tizi Melloul was one of them. The others were Blue Water Grill and Shaws Crab House.
http://www.shawscrabhouse.com/chicago.html
http://www.brguestrestaurants.com/re...cago/index.php