OK I know this subject has been treated before,but I'm having a panic attack.
Going to visit my daughter at the Univ. of Chicago next weekend and between graduation and some music festival or other, I can't seem to find an affordable room. Affordable for me (after tuition) is under $150. Does anyone have a suggestion? The hotel I stayed at in the fall has gone from 100 odd $ to $250. I just can't believe it, plus they are booked up for some of the time period I had intended to stay.

Some music festival is the Blues Fest, one of the three largest weekend events in the city. That, along with three large conventions, will bring over 150,000 people into the city for those few days.

In what area are you looking to stay? If you want a hotel in the loop, you can try the bidding sites such as Priceline, Hotwire, etc. But hotel rates are governed strictly by the law of supply and demand and with demand that high, you simply may not find something for $150.

How are you traveling? Will you have a car or do you need something near public transportation?

If you've been looking exclusively in the Loop area, you may have to widen your search to include the hotels near Midway, NW Indiana or west of the city.

Under $200 in the summer is practically unheard of. Have you tried the Hilton Garden Inn yet? A friend of mine recently go in there for less than $200.

Aye Yayay!!! No wonder.Yes I will have a car - will have been driving from the east coast and I thought my husband was taking care of reservations.

My suggestion is to try Priceline for this late date. Or Hotwire.