We will be in Chicago from January 1st until the evening of the 4th. I found a GREAT deal for the Amalfi - $411 total for the 4 nights (I have booked this as a 'back-up')
The Omni is running at $535 total (also a 'deal') and the Sofitel is $675 non-refundable rate Total.

My question is - should we stick with the Amalfi (it looks quite nice) or should we pay a little more for the Omni OR should we 'splurge' (sort of) with the Sofitel??

OR, any other suggestions?

This will be our first visit to Chicago BTW.

Hello from Detroit!

That is a Fantastic deal for the Amalfi. I have stayed there several times and LOVE the Hotel and it's staff. It's really modern, the lobby is tiny teenie but the rooms and perks make up for it. They have breakfast each morning at the elevator. Perfect to mosey on down there to get coffee and pastry. In the evening they have a manager's recp. that serves cocktails and a nice selection of salami's, cheese,olives and they serve a great drink called the Amalfini.

The Hotel is not far from all the action. Norstroms is within walking distance. There's a 7/11 around the corner to pick up snacks and drink. Redfish is a restaurant right next door with good food and a great band on the weekends. Harry Carry's is across the street. Awesome food.

I would highly recommend the Amalfi. And it's within walking distance of the trains.

We just left Chicago. Wonderful weather. Stayed at the Westin (909 N Michicagin). We had a great trip the Westin is close to all. Had dinner at Mike Dika's and I think their food is great. This hotel is close to everything. I love Chicago.

Thanks Mawmaw and Janet.

Janet, the Westin is working out at about $585 for our dates which is a bit more than the Amalfi and Omni. We really like the look of the Sofitel so I suppose that would be our 'splurge' hotel if we decided we wanted more luxury - thanks for the recommendation though!! Any other tips for our stay? I'm gouing to Google Mike Dika's and have a lokk at their menu (one of us is a strict vegetarian).

Mawmaw, yes, I thought that the deal was really good too AND with breakfast. The 'cocktail hour' is also a draw for me. Can I ask, is it one drink each at this or can you hang around for a while? Do people mix much?
Is the hotel fairly OK walking distance wise from the Magnificent Mile (I think it looks like about 3.5 blocks on Mapquest). Are the rooms nice?
Sorry for so many questions but I just want to have this decision made once and for all

The Sofitel Water Tower is one of my favorite hotels. Has a wonderful vibe--Chicago hip with a dash of Paris fizz. The bar really buzzes and it attracts more than just travellers passing through (also has a fireplace, nice in cold weather). Rooms are very comfortable. Just one caveat: the Sofitel is pet-friendly so if you have severe pet allergies, it's probably not for you. (It's not full of dogs, but you may run into one or two...last time I was there, a guest had with him his beautiful Portugese Water Dog.)

The restaurant is good and their nut pancakes (macademia nuts as I recall) are a great breakfast treat.

If you want to splurge, the Sofitel is worth it. But sign up ASAP for the Sofitel Privilege card (it's free). With it, you get a welcome drink on arrival (your choice from the bar or any item from the minibar), late checkout (up to 4 pm) and some other perks. We've been Privilege cardholders for year and Sofitel has always upgraded our room when possible. (info on www.sofitel.com)

OTOH, if you opt not to splurge on this trip, the Amalfi sounds fine.

OMO Not, it's not limited on one drink per person. You can eat and drink as much as you'd like. During the week it's on the slow side during the cocktail recp. on the weekends it's booming. And it's quality stuff too.

And the MM is withing walking distance too. I walked everywhere myself.

The rooms are really nice. I like a corner room myself. I would suggest a room away from the street, the noise can get pretty loud at night.

BTilke, you are doing a good job of convincing me towards the Sofitel but Mawmaw, you are doing the same! I'm afraid I am torn and am finding it very hard to make a decision!

BTilke, I am actually a Sofitel member already. We stayed in the Sofitel in Manhattan a couple of years ago. The hotel itself was absolutely fabulous with carpet that must have been an inch and a half thick (mmmmmm)BUT.. we found some of the staff, particularly the concierge staff (one moreso than the others) to be a bit pretentious and snobbish. It did put us off a bit I have to say. How is the Sofitel Watertower in that line?

Mawmay, sounds like the Amalfi is a REALLY good deal with that evening drinks reception. we would be there during the week so it sounds like it would be a bit quieter - probably no harm in that.

Thanks agiain for your help and advice, guess I just need to make a decision now

OMO, we found the staff at the Sofitel Water Tower to be charming and helpful. The French maitre d' at their restaurant is a hoot, he's a real smoothie, will flirt outrageously with the ladies in a lighthearted funny way.
I usually have good experiences at Sofitels...my favorite is the Dorint/Sofitel in Baden-Baden, it's like a house party there some week-ends. The only one we've been slightly disappointed with has been in Vienna, the staff were fine, but we felt the hotel overall just wasn't up to the usual Sofitel standards.

Either the Amalfi or Sofitel would be a good choice...depends on whether you want to splurge or not.

Though I have never stayed at the Sofitel I can say that the Watertower mall area is one of my fav's. I Love the food court there and the gourmet food store. I walked back to the Amalfi from there onetime in the winter. I froze my ass off. But the bargains I got was worth the walk back. That is a very busy area too.

OK this may be a long shot, but if your irish Chicago has a HUGE Irish community.

I'm the Queen of indecisiveness I'm afraid - on one hand the Amalfi deal seems way too good to pass up and I love the idea of the evening reception and not having to worry about breakfast in the mornings on the other hand I know hubby would love the luxury of the Sofitel and I'm tempted to book it as a surprise Christmas present ...decisions, decisions.

Mawmaw, you made a good guess - we are Irish. My Mum worked in Chicago for some years way back in the 60's. She had some great stories to tell and seemed to really love Chicago so it will be really nice to be able to see the City she loved so much. Unfortunately she's not in the best of health so we can't take her with us to see it again for herself (she hasn't been back since she left all those years ago) but it will be lovely to see the place she spent some of her youth.
Now, you mentioned bargains Mawmaw - do you mind me asking what kind of bargains? Clothes? Shoes? What's it best for?
BTilke, glad to hear the staff in the Water Tower are a friendly bunch. That Maiter'd soounds like our kind of guy too.