I am going to Chicago with two friends and need to pick between 2 hotels. One is Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, and the other is Holiday Inn City Center (300 East Ohio). Which would be better to stay? We will shop, go to a play at the Royal George, and eat at Frontera Grill (I think).

Thanks!

I don't see a big difference between the two. They are both your typical Holiday Inn hotel.

Having stayed in both, I would definitely pick the City Center option. I didn't care for the Mart Plaza; it has some dark corners on the floors, which as a woman staying alone, I didn't appreciate (and I was putin a room right next to one of the darkest corners). The service was non-existent. The HI CC is a much "brighter" property in terms of decor and service.
Neither would be my first choice of downtown Chicago hotels, but I think you'd do better with the City Center hotel.

My personal opinion of the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza is that it's way too far out of the center of things. I wouldn't stay there just because of the location. If those were my only two choices, I would definitely choose the City Center, having never stayed at either, just based on location.

The Mart area is dead on weekends. City Center has a better location for most tourists.

We liked the City Center. Great location. Convenient underground parking.

Definitely the City Center.

FYI- Priceline and hotwire have TERRIFIC deals for Chicago right now in Dec. & in Jan. I'm not waiting for Winter Delights and made a bunch of room reservations now.

Pick the City Center. The Mart is more of a business area and it's dead at night/weekends; The City Center is 2 blocks from Michigan Ave (shopping), 2 blocks from the Lake Michigan/Navy Pier. Lots of restaurants around. Have fun!