Can anyone please recommend reasonably priced accommodation for 3 Aussie women who want to see Chicago for the first time? We want to stay in the Magnificent Mile. B&Bs are fine, private condos and hotels all fine. We will be there for 3 nights from 16 September - 20 September. Thanks!

September is a wonderful time of year for Chicago. It can also be pretty busy with conventions and such, and a bit expensive, so you definitely want to get right on it for your hotel rooms.

I have stayed at the Fairfield Inn (a marriott hotel) just off Michigan on I think Ohio, and it was fine. About a block away was a Red Roof Inn, which is economy but not bad. I went in and checked it out for a friend. Further up, I stayed at I think the Rafael right by John Hancock and that was a suite where three people could have stayed.

I'll go see if I can find links for you. But definitely try to get your reservations nw.

Okay, it was Ontario:

http://www.fairfieldsuiteschicago.com/

http://www.redroof-chicago-downtown.com/

Apparently I was wrong about the name Rafael as I can't find it. It was a few years ago anyway.

Good luck, and enjoy!

Thank you Toucan2 - can't believe how promptly I got a reply. Much appreciated. We'll get onto it right away. Cheers!

Hi Canberragal!
I went to Chicago with 3 girlfriends a couple of years ago and we stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites on Illinois Ave. We had two double beds and a sleeper sofa and one bathroom and it worked out just fine.
http://www.hamptonsuiteschicago.com/

Here's the link for my trip report.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...me=PamT&fid=31

Have a great time!

canberragal You'll all Love Chicago.

I can highly recommend the Amalfi Hotel. It's right off Mich. Ave. Blocks from Norstrom's, around the corner from 24 hours drug store and 7/11, next door from Red Fish Cajun Restaurant and across the street from Harry Carry's. They serve a complimentary breakfast on each floor of the hotel at the elevators and have a complimentary cocktail hour each evening. The Hotel is modern and sleek. The staff is outstanding. And Sept. is a fantastic time of year in Chicago.

Theresa in Detroit.

Regarding Toucan's post, the Raphael Hotel has been recently remodeled and is now called the Raffaello.

Other suite hotels in that area are the Hilton Suites and the Omni Suites.

The Four Points by Sheraton on Rush has suites with two double beds and a sofa bed.

Canberragal, if you were interested in a B&B (but more apartment-type), then take a look at the Flemish House of Chicago. It's not on the Magnificent Mile, but pretty darn close. Only 3 blocks north of the top of the Mile, 3 blocks to the lake and 1/2 a block to N. Rush Street. Don't know if you'll find any availability this late, though, as it gets great reviews on Tripadvisor.

If you were looking for privately-owned condos, then take a look at the VRBO website. Lots to choose from.

By the way, the Celtic Festival is being held in Grant Park on September 15 and 16. You'll arrive too late for the first day, but maybe you'd like to stop by on the second.

My friend and I stayed at the Hyatt Regency on East Wacker back in March. The hotel was good - snazzy lobby, fine rooms. The main selling point for me was the location; it's on the river, just south of the Magnificent Mile and also in walking distance of the Loop, the Art Institute, lots of shopping. Really close to where the architecture boat tours leave. Have fun!

When my brother and I visited Chicago last year over Memorial Day weekend we stayed at The Silversmith Hotel. It was a very nice hotel. It is in The Loop area of the city, Chicago's Financial/Theater District. We chose it due to its convenience to the El. There were 5 different trains that stopped at the station just outside the hotel. What we had done was fly into O'Hare Airport and then took the Blue line into the city. We just took public transit whereever we wanted to go, never renting a car. Parking is extremely expensive within Chicago.

http://www.silversmithchicagohotel.com/

You don't say what your budget is, but if you're going to stay on Wacker, I prefer the Swissotel to the Hyatt. More intimate, nice staff. Try to get a room on the club level -- free breakfast in the a.m. and free drinks in the p.m.

I agree, the Hyatt is well-known for its HVAC issues. While it's unlikely to be extremely hot, it can get stuffy in those rooms even when the temperature is balmy outside. Lots of complaints from colleagues staying there for a conference last May.