We are looking at spending 2 or 3 nights in Chicago next June. We have two teenagers (17 and 14) and are planning on visiting the Art Institute, Museum of Science and Industry, Adler Planetarium, Architecture River Cruise and possibly a Cubs game and Second City comedy show. We're not real interested in shopping or nightlife.

I've pretty much given up hope of finding anything downtown for a price we can afford. Can anyone recommend a hotel for under $200 a night close to downtown? If not there, what is the most convenient suburb for public transportation? Something within 15 minutes of downtown perhaps? We will have a car, but plan on taking the El or buses everywhere.

Check out the Hampton Inn and Suites and Hilton Garden Inn downtown. They may be a little more than $200, but are very convenient hotels and roomy enough for four people. Embassy Suites might work well; make the best reservation you can find and keep checking your dates at the other hotels until you leave.

One problem with the older hotels on the north side (near Wrigley) is that the rooms are too small for your group. As for suburbs, look at Evanston, but figure almost an hour to get downtown. (It is on the same line as Wrigley, though, and would be a shorter trip.)The Rosemont (O'Hare) area consistently has cheap rates on weekends - look at the original Marriott or the Renaissance for easy-to-walk access to the Blue Line El train, about 30 minutes to the Loop. Most other hotels will offer a shuttle to the Blue Line.

The Museum of Science and Industry is not downtown. Go to their website for transportation suggestions or figure on a $20 cab ride from downtown.

We have stayed at the Hilton Chicago and paid less than $200/night. We were happy with the hotel and location. I know they had a rate for less than $200/night in August when I was researching a possible trip. I would book something affordable and cancellable now, but keep checking hotels you are interested in because the rates may drop if they have space available. You might also want to check the convention schedule and avoid those dates if you can be flexible with your planning.

go to priceline ~ i have never spent more than $70 on a hotel on Michigan Ave using them.

If you don't know how to use them go to biddingfortravel.com first.

We stayed at Homewood Suites for under $200 with a good breakfast and supper (Mon-Thu) included. They offer one-bedroom suites in a great location for sightseeing and all transportation. You will love the place.

We took a bus from downtown to the Museum of science & industry..let us out almost in front of site..
I agree with "patq"re; Hilton Garden Inn
Good luck

I stayed at the Fairfield by Marriott on I think Ohio or maybe Ontario (both O's you know) in October for less than $200 a night, walking distance to all but the Museum of S&I. I popped into a a Red Roof Inn on the same street to check it out for friends coming on a budget. Also less than $200, lobby was nice enough, and I chatted with guests who said the rooms were okay, not wonderful, but clean and they had hot showers Across the street from that was also a Courtyard by Marriott. I think a little higher in price, but I used points there last March and it was nice enough.

The trouble with Priceline for this trip is that there are four of them. However, you might check the biddingfortravel.com site. It might be possible to get two rooms for less than $200.00 total. Don't forget the sky high parking rates though.

richbotnot
I have never stayed here but it is downtown and they offer free parking for a manager's special of $99.00 per night. Check out: http://www.rivernorthhotel.com/

Also, Embassy Suites offers free parking and free breakfast, which is a good savings, plus you have two rooms. I found a rate of $229.99 but I would check it out if you have AAA or any other discounts.

I just encourage you to stay downtown. You will enjoy your stay more.

It is not clear to me whether rich wants 1 or 2 rooms, or whether he/she wants to spend $200 total or per room.

Two years ago we stayed at the Westin, on the north side of Michigan ave, for $90/night. We got it through Priceline, and the lowest rate otherwise was $219. Priceline is worth a try if you know how to bid.

It was a very good hotel, the service was great, and we walked all over the town. It was 1 1/2 milies to the Museum area, and we walked this several times.

You can get a hotel in June for much, much less. I do it all the time. I've stayed right on the river, on Michigan Ave., in Hotel Allegro (theatre district) and all for less than $100 a day. Most times I use Priceline, and once in awhile I use www.hotwire.com.

You may like hotwire.com better because you can guess and it is more cut and dried by description, IMHO. There are also huge amounts of threads on this site (use the search - key words Chicago hotel)on exactly how you can do this. It comes up about once a week.

If you do this soon, with the 6 month lead- they will take your charge card for the total NOW, and you can not cancel. If you wait until Feb. to do hotwire and Priceline, it may be more $$ as summer is busy.

But I have gotten the next summer in July once (booked in Janurary) for a $79 a day- and when the stay occurred the cheapest rack rate in the place was $289.

4 star Michigan Ave used to get you one of the big giants quite often (Swissotel, Hyatt, Intercontinental ie.). If you are not adventurous and don't give it a try, you will be far, far behind in the $$ you spend on lodging. You can walk from the River area nearly everywhere. Do not stay out of the Downtown, River North, Michigan Ave., LOOP regions- especially in summer. Way too much time commuting and it's a waste. I know this as I take the train and 1/2 my day is NOT seeing the sights I would like.

Do it. It is not tricky, and it is not iffy. It works. Period. And you are treated exactly like every one else in the hotel, IMHO.

Do understand that car parking at any hotel is running $30 to $40 per day, but that Millenium garage etc may be 1/2 of that. But you will need to put your car somewhere.

A great hotel for teenagers, The Hard Rock Chicago, has been coming up a lot on Priceline lately. I stayed there recently for $99 per night and expect you could do the same, or better. It would be a fantastic location for your planned activities. You could get two rooms and request connecting. You'd feel like rock stars.

Enjoy Chicago,

Kevin

This website might help you plan your trip a bit. I know hotel rates jump for the weekend of Blues Fest.
www.chicagotraveler.com/chicago_festivals.htm

Hi...for a family I also second the Homewood Suites since they have a pullout couch. Or there is a new Hilton Suites Michigan Avenue with a separate room set-up. If you don't mind 2 queen beds, the Marriott Courtyard is a good locale as well. Whether you go directly to the websites or use Orbitz, Travelocity....most of these come in at less than $200 but may charge extra for 4 people. And for some reason, the Four Points Sheraton seems to have very good rates -- new hotel as of last year and a good location on Rush with self-parking.

Thanks for all the input. I found a Travelodge for $135 a night. Anyone stayed there lately?

If it's the one in the south Loop, (and even if it isn't) you should check the reviews on tripadvisor.com It isn't in the same class as the ones mentioned above,

Agree with patg...make the best reservation you can for now. Keep checking Travel Zoo. That site often has good deals.

Even tho you are going in June, June is a busy convention month in Chicago. Dont' wait too long to book (altho it does sound you are ready to finalize things..good for you!) I also like Hotwire and I do try to 'guess' which property one is describing. Good luck!

My husband and I stayed at the Red Roof Inn in September. We were really happy with the hotel itself, and the location was great:

http://www.redroof.com/reservations/...&CP=&TA=&redi=

~Liz

We have stayed at The Courtyard on Ontario. The parking garage is adjacent. The rooms were fine and the staff was friendly and helpful. This location has an indoor pool. There is a Starbucks in the lobby, a Dunkin Donuts across the street as well as a White Hen Pantry. (Like 7-11). We found this location to be very convenient. If you sign up on Marriott.com they will send a weekly update of hotel specials.