Does anyone know of any great deals at downtown Chicago hotels for weekend in early December?? Got a quote of $155 for the Hyatt Regency which seems pretty good -- still looking for even better deal! Any help is appreciated. Would also like opinions on other downtown hotels.

I saw a $125 weekend rate for the Hyatt Regency but then realized it was the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place and not the one on Wacker Drive which is much more convenient to the sights and Michigan Avenue shopping. A trip from McCormick place would require a taxi ride.

Smarter Living's email today included a Marriott promotion called Great Holiday rates that claims rooms run from $44-$85 per night at all of their locations. I suspect you won't find that Chicago is that cheap (or that they have any rooms left at that rate) but you can try mentioning the program and seeing what they have. The number is 800-472-2427 for Marriott and Renaissance Hotels, 800-228-9290 for their other hotels (Fairfield, Courtyard, etc.)

The Hyatt on Printer's Row often has weekend specials. It is a little farther from the "tourist scene" so might have rooms when other hotels do not. Nevertheless, it is in a building and a neighborhood that are architecturally interesting. You are relatively close to the Art Institute and to Symphony Hall (not to mention Buddy Guy's Legends). There is a lot to take in around there and you won't feel like you are on the same circuit as every other tourist in Chicago. (Another place that often advertises extremely reasonable weekend rates is the Swissotel. I have never stayed there.)

By far, check out the DRAKE Hotel on Michigan Ave. It's an icon. Drop dead gorgeous. If you ask for corp rate, and are friendly, you can get $125 per nite, which is very very good. You will not be dissappointed.

My husband & I vacation in Chicago at least once a year & this year I found a web site that rents out apartments on a weekend or weekly basis. We stayed in an effiency apt.on millionaires row-it took me about 5 minutes to walk to Watertower Place. The web site is www.justpassingthrough.com. When we go to Chicago again that's where I'll stay.Check it out-if you have any questions please e-mail me-be glad to help. Vicki

Sorry, the location is the Gold Coast area.

The Best Western Inn of Chicago has an ideal location - a block off Michigan Avenue in the heart of Magnificent Mile shopping/restaurants. They usually run a good shopper's/weekend rate. We stayed there a few years ago for $89.

Hi Julie,

You might try www.8888hotels.com. I do a web search for rates every time I travel & I've ended up using this service the last a few times I've gone to Chicago. I just booked the midland for december at $79. It's a really nice hotel in the loop. When I called I found out they've got some other really good deals going on other nice hotels near Mich Ave--not all are listed on their site.

I hope this is not too late...We just stayed in the Congress Plaza Hotel for $99 (+$22 for parking). All I had to do was mention the Winter Break discount when I called in the reservation. The hotel is very old, but nice. The Wabash El line is practically out your back door. The discount was nearly $50.