I have booked the Ritz Carlton in Chicago for 5 nights at a rate of $630 per night. Someone told me that there are nice hotels at a much less expensive rate that are really nice. I was recommended the Omni, Westin and Intercontinental. If not the Ritz Carlton, which one would you choose and why. Are they all convenient to the city sites and magnificient mile.

While not on the same level of hotel as the Ritz, you should be able to get the Omni or Hyatt (several to choose from) for under $300 a nt. You could probably land a good hotel on Priceline for $150 nt. Enjoy!

The Peninsula and the Park Hyatt are closer in quality to the Ritz Carlton than the ones you've listed. All are on, or within a block of, Michigan Avenue. The Intercontinental and Peninsula are close to the river at the south end of the Mag Mile; the Omni, Westin and Ritz are closer to the north end.

The Drake would be another option for you. I don't have any input on any of them, as I'm much more of a budget hotel person, but will say that the location of all is perfectly fine. The Omni is an all suites hotel with plasma televisions in each room.

For better help, is there anything in particular you're looking for in the hotel? Who will be staying there (how many and ages, a couple or mother/daughter or friends, etc.)?

And about priceline - You can almost always get a 4* hotel for considerably less than the $150 that Pumpy mentioned, but you won't be getting anything in the same class as the Ritz that way. You can get very nice hotels, but it really depends on exactly what you want.

We stayed at the Omni a couple of years ago (in the spring, not high season which is summer) and loved staying there. We got a good deal on priceline, can't remember the exact price but it was around $200 per night.
I would definitely go there again.

I have stayed at The Ritz, The Drake, The Park Hyatt & The Pennisula (among others - but these are all within the range you are referring to). If I were to book any one of these hotels again it would definately be the Penn - you should be able to get a great suite for the price you are paying at The Ritz. I do not think that the Westin, or Omni are in the same league as the Ritz - though The Fairfield has some pretty nice suites.

ARGGGGHHHHH.........NOT THE FAIRFIELD - The FairMONT!

Just won a bid online for OMNI in Chicago. Looks like a somewhat cool trendy place. What type of toiletries do they have?