Chicago week-end girls get away
 

There are 4 of us heading to Chicago mid Dec. just over-nite. Want a 4 star hotel near Mag Mile. Renissance hotel looked nice. Has anyone stayed there? Any other hotel suggestions?

Renaissance is a lovely hotel, but more in the business district than the shopping district. Just a few blocks walk, however, to the main part of Mag Mile. You might consider the Talbott. I have recommended it to many. It is just "behind" upper Michigan Avenue to the west. Closer to Oak Street and other "boutique" shops.

Try quikbook.com. It lists many hotels as well as mapping their location.

Laurie-------Please don't tell others about the Talbott. We try to keep it a secret.

Curious

If you are looking for the best price, I'd go with priceline. Bidding NMA it looks like you would either get the Knickerbocker or the Intercontinental. I stayed recently at the Intercontinental on a priceline bid of $90 per night and got a great room that would have easily worked for 2 of you (or all four if you are staying college student style). They have a very cool indoor pool, too. Awesome location right on NMA. The reviews on the Knickerbocker are not as good but the location is also excellent and it looks like you'd get rooms in the same price range.

I agree with ChiDad, although I've only used Hotwire, not Priceline. Still got a good deal on a room at the Hyatt Regency on E. Wacker. I'm not familiar with the Renaissance, so I don't know if the Hyatt would be what you're looking for; I was mainly interested in location, price and a good place to sleep. For me, the location was perfect - walking distance of the Mag Mile, the Loop and the Art Institute. Snazzy lobby, rooms were fine. It was great for the price we got (I think $75/night).

I find it more difficult to use Priceline for 4 people. But you could use www.hotwire or www.quikbook with 4 easily

It's late for Dec. dates, so if you are going to make reservations direct it will be much, much more money- and don't forget that 17%-20% will be added for the City of Chicago after that total. Also if you have a car, do not be surprised at the $28-40 a day parking charge at any of these hotels.

Sounds like you want to reserve direct. If you have lots of bucks, the Ritz Carlton just won the best hotel in the USA award, and there are 2 out of the top 10 in Chicago. I think Peninsula is #5 now, rather reversed.

Renaissance was one of the 4 star bid results on Priceline for quite a while, so was Hyatt on the River, Swissotel, and Intercontinental.

without having checked the hotel websites, i can suggest a couple other 4-star options. try the hard rock hotel on michigan, the james hotel is modern and fabulous, i'm also a fan of the swissotel. the talbott is nice, but some rooms are much smaller than others.

have fun!

We stayed at the Marriott on Mag Mile. It was a good location - the hotel itself could have used a little updating but we were not in the room that much.

We stayed at the Courtyard on Ontario. It is in a great location just off of Michigan Ave. A 2 queen bed room is listed on Travelzoo for $109.

Oops. Noticed you wanted 4 star recs. If you can't book a 4 star, you may want to consider the Courtyard on Ontario

I've stayed in more than a dozen 4 and 5 star hotels in Chicago and my favorite hands-down is the Sofitel Water Tower. Was voted Trip Advisor's Best Luxury Hotel--Chicago.

The location is great, the style and service have French flair, the hotel bar hops with locals as well as hotel guests and the on-site restaurant serves fantastic breakfasts (plus there is an inexpensive diner just a block away).

http://www.sofitel.com/sofitel/fiche...he_hotel.shtml

Thanks to everyone so far for your help. My girlfriend too suggested Sofitel as a great hotel. My research has found this to be the case. Now just hoping to get a good deal. But even if it's not the greatest we are splitting it 4 ways, so not such a bad thing.

The Sofitel also has a great lounge/bar on the first floor.

My new fave restaurant in the area is La Madia. Phenomenal italian food at very affordable prices, and a great, not overpriced wine list.