We´ll be in Chicago for 4 nights, july 2001 , a couple + a 10 ys old kid. We have following hotel options:
Talbott: 145,00; Hyatt: 165,95; Allerton: 139,00; Westin Mich.Ave: 99,00/140,00 (fri+sat); Intercontinental: 145,00; Executive Plaza: 99,00/109,00 (fri+sat).
Which one should we choose? We would like to stay in a good hotel, wonderful location.

I stayed at the Rahpael this summer. Huge room......Fabulous location. Very reasonable rates. It was perfect! Not very fancy.....but very nice! About a three minute walk to Michigan Ave. Go for it!

I stayed at the Homewood Suites on E. Grand last July. It was ideal. Less than 1 block off Michigan Ave. (walk through the Marriott Lobby). Had a sep. bedroom and kitchen, and great breakfasts. It would be perfect for a family of three. It's owned by Hilton. I'd stay there again.

Out of the cloices you put down I would stay at the Hyatt. Allerton is fairly old, and the Intercontinental in Chicago has never impressed me. Executive Plaza is a bit away from Michigan Ave shops. Hyatt is a block off of Michigan Ave. and depending on the room may have a view of the lake and Navy Pier. My wife and I usually stay next door at the Swissotel. It may be a bit more expensive though.

Just a thought, if you are coming in July you might not want to be on Michigan Ave. If the trip is planned for the first couple of weeks in July then the Taste of Chicago and following events may make a difference in your choice. In July you will have plenty of views without needing one in your hotel room, IMHO. Do you like crowds? If you don't mind crowds etc. then you may find very good lodging for less money near Grant Park. Hilton Inn & Towers has this brunch on Sundays that is beyond belief (Jazz radio station live
from this location.) Also less expensive option may be Palmer House Hilton, also close to Art Institute and Grant Park. I do like the Hotel Intercontinental and some others mentioned on Michigan Ave. but 10 year old may love access to "the Taste" and bands etc. there more than Michigan Ave.

Talbott is a nice European hotel (that you should find better rates than 145!) in a nice area. Needs a little work and update, though... some rooms show there age... but I stay there when in town for business and fun. Continental breakfast included.

The Executive Plaza is probably the largest rooms in Chicago for the price on weekends.

Check out "hotrooms.com" that only deals in Chicago hotels... I can usually get rooms during busy times at a great cost.

(And no, flamers, I'm NOT a travel agent or employee of above mentions!)

Here's the breakdown by major tourist mecca (from a lifelong Chicagoan)

Oak Street Beach - Talbott and Westin are easy walking distance, Allerton about 6 blocks away

Water Tower Shopping Ctr.- Westin, Talbott and Allerton are closest; InterContinental is walking distance also.

Navy Pier - all mentioned are a short cab ride away. Intercontinental is closest to free trolley line.

Art Institute, Museum of Broadcasting and Grant Park/ Taste of Chicago - Hyatt (I assume this is Hyatt Regency on Wacker Drive) and Executive House are closest, one half to three quarters of a mile away. They are also walking distance to State Street shopping, but their immediate areas are business oriented, not retail/tourist.

From my travels with kids, I have two words of advice about city hotels: swimming pool! Somehow the kid(s) are always raring to go when I need to rest! Don't think the Talbott or Raphael have one. Otherwise, they are all hotels with good reputations. Allerton, btw, was restored by new owners; the previous poster who mentioned it may not have stayed there recently.

Just stayed at the Renaissance Chicago on State and Wacker right along the Chicago River. It is a lovely hotel with a great staff. It not a huge hotel like the Hyatt so you get better service. Nice room. I got it at $130 but not sure what the rates will be in July. Good location in between downtown and Michigan Avenue. Also, lots of good restaurants in that area instead of the pricey Michigan Ave restaurants. Try the Lou Malnatti pizza!

We reserve the Homewood Suites for our families that come back for Reunion Weekend in June. Very close to the "L" and the Chicago buses/trolleys are easy to access there, as well.

We've stayed at most mentioned. Talbots is nice, but for the family, I'd recommend Homewood suites or Raphael. homewood of course has the "suite" facilities which may be nice with kids. Raphael is older, staff is wonderful and rooms large. I'd prefer the michigan ave area to state and wacker etc. Not the safest area.

We've stayed at most mentioned. Talbots is nice, but for the family, I'd recommend Homewood suites or Raphael. homewood of course has the "suite" facilities which may be nice with kids. Raphael is older, staff is wonderful and rooms large. I'd prefer the michigan ave area to state and wacker etc. Not the safest area.