Chicago Advice Needed!
 

I will be competing in the Chicago marathon on October 12, 2003. My hotel reservations are already complete (Embassy Suites Navy Pier). However, my family is interested in driving to Chicago from St. Louis to cheer me on. The downtown hotels are already pretty full and the remaining rooms are very expensive. I am trying to find a suitable hotel (mid priced) outside the city for my parents to stay at. However, the hotel will need to be near some sort of public transportation so that my parents can get into the city in order to watch the race without having to drive their car (parking is a nightmare on race day).
I would obviously like to house my parents in a safe part of Chicago...please let me know if anyone can assist me in finding a suitable hotel. Thanks.

I, too, will be in Chicago for the marathon. I used Priceline and got the Hyatt Regency for $79.

Dan, Is that hotel downtown?

Thanks...I would for sure consider Priceline. Good luck in the marathon!

If you're looking for a place in the 'burbs with easy train access to the city try Tinley Park. There are a about 6 hotels all built in the last 5 years off I-80 and Harlem Ave. (easily accessible from St. Louis)and only need to drive less than a mile to the train station. Try Chicago Southland's website or searching for hotels and Tinley Park for hotels.

Try "The Willows". It's a boutique-style hotel on Surf Street (a very beautiful residential street) in the very popular neighborhood of Lincoln Park. Five minute cab ride from downtown. Buses within a five minute walk. Phone: 773-528-8400 or 800-787-3108. I live right down the street from this hotel. It's one of those "hidden gems" for most tourists.

I second the "Willows." Nice quiet, beautiful street, plenty of little shops and restaurants around, safe, short stroll from the water, and big rooms. It's just far enough away from downtown to feel like a different world, yet only a few minutes away by bus or cab.

Siems1111
You might want to try Hyatt McCormick Place. We just stayed there on the 29th floor with a great view of downtown Chicago and the harbour and lake. They have a shuttle that leaves every hour on the hour for downtown and Navy Pier.

I would try Priceline. Go to Biddingfortravel.com to see which hotels people are getting. should get a pretty good deal.