We stayed at the Doubletree. Big problems at check-in due to wrong room type- we reserved 2 double bedded non-smoking suite, got a king bed smoking. Asked for a change and was put in a "one room" (not suite)arrangement, which Doubletree claims NOT to have. If you call them directly they claim to have "all suites". Then, they sent us to an occupied room. YUCK! Almost 2 hours later we unpacked in the room we had originally reserved. The front desk was difficult and I believe we were given the run around because we had a low rate and the hotel was sold out with others paying almost twice as much. However, our low rate was due to my reserving it 3 months ago, so this should not have been my problem. After checkin we had a great time, the concierge staff there is wonderful, as are the servers in the restaurants. Housekeeping did a very nice job and came asap when I needed a few extra towels. The room was as well worn, but clean. The checkin problems were upsetting and basically wrecked our first day, as we debated looking for other lodgings for the rest of the stay due to the bad attitude we experienced with the front desk. Thanks for the vent, overall we had a wonderful time.

Besides the hotel, what else did you see and do in Chicago?

Actually, eric, the above is very useful information.
What it tells me is that Doubletree didn't bend over too far backward to help deb and make their stay as pleasant as possible.
That's EXACTLY the kind of thing I want to know when I'm choosing a hotel!!
Thanks for the heads up, deb.

We ate at Piazanno's Italian Restaurant on State St. and it was wonderful. Very good service and food. The restaurant at the Doubletree, Mrs. Park's Cafe was good but expensive. Breakfast averaged $65 for 4, with one person eating only a bagel. The second night we ate at The Saloon, outside the lobby of the Seneca Hotel. It was expensive, with just average food. The ribs my son had were great though the rest of the meal was just OK. Speaking of the Seneca, it was very attractive on the outside and the lobby was small but elegant. It, like the Doubletee were nicely located for shopping. We decided to get tickets on the trolley this trip, and while the narrative was interesting, the waits to be picked up at the stops were very long. They said 15-20 minutes, but they were never less than 45.
Gina, I agree with you about wanting to know this type of info, it's the little things that make the trip. And "Eric the Red" may want to consult an anatomy book before he attempts further insults upon women.

Deb, I hope you enjoyed your trip ... I'm so glad you liked Pizano's. It's in my neighborhood and an easily-overlooked local place. Terrific food, though, and a real Chicago-type atmosphere. I'm not enormously impressed with The Saloon, either, especially for the money. Many better places in Chicago for that price or less.

If you return, here are just of few of the good, affordable breakfast places that I like: Wishbone, 1001 West Washington; Ann Sather, 929 West Belmont; John's Place, 1202 West Webster; Twisted Spoke, 501 North Ogden; The Original Pancake House (NOT IHOP), either 22 East Bellevue (close to Michigan Ave.) or 2020 Lincoln Park West (near the Zoo).

Sorry for your problems with the Doubletree. I don't know much about the hotels since I live here, but hopefully it didn't sour your trip.

Thanks, Heather! I envy you your access to such great restaurants! I have written down your suggestions because we will be back in June. Our Doubletree experience turned out to be nice, everyone working there was very helpful after we were finally settled in our room. I really don't like having checkin be such a problem though. I would say approximately 25% of the time we have experienced problems at checkin at a variety of hotels. I think they must overbook certain roomtypes like the airlines overbook most flights. Everything turns out OK if not everyone shows up, but is a mess when everyone does!! I love Chicago, the energy, the service and the sights.

Great to hear that you'll be back for improved weather in June!

If you ever want to book a very reasonable room in a nice location, try the Belden-Stratford [http://www.beldenstratford.com/hotelrooms.htm] but book through http://hotels.888-lodging.com/servle...emote=888guide [they have rooms discounted from near $200.00 down to $24/night]. It's a nice, old residential hotel in Lincoln Park. Right near the Zoo, bus lines [151 & 22], Michigan Avenue, etc.

I'm kind of partial to Chicago, too, but with my email address that probably goes without saying. ;-)

Drop me an email any time if you have questions or want any suggestions.