Was looking for really low rates for Chicago hotels preferably in the Mag Mile area. These are the ones I found with rates under 100. Which of these is the nicest and a great value for the money?

Wyndham
Hampton Inn & Suites
Hilton Garden Inn
Radisson
Tremont
Raphael
Talbott
Best Western Inn of Chicago

Thanks.

Tremont

The Tremont or Talbot are both older (architecturally interesting older not 1960's older) and smaller "boutique" type hotels.

Tremont is a little tired, still nice though. I really like the Talbott, in the summer they have the best alfresco dining! PJ

I stayed at the Raphael 2 years ago. I really enjoyed my stay. It is in a good location and the suite we had was newly decorated in a hip decor. We didn't use any of the hotel's amenities, but there was a bar and restaurant in the lobby as I recall. If you want to get away from the chain hotels - this is a good choice. We waited too long to make reservations and could only get a suite ($169 a night)so make your reservations early.

FYI, The Knickerbocker hotel often has rooms under $100 and I found the accommodations to be really nice (and they have a good location)

Wyndham

I would also try Priceline or Hotwire (3 or 4* hotels for less than $50 or so), or HotRooms.com

The latter is a consilidator that i have found to have very good rates, as they only deal with hotels in Chicago and Washington, DC

I recommend the Radisson from that list but think you should try Hotwire and go for 4star properties

I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn for a week in December 2002. It wasn't bad but...I found it annoying that the sheets were too small to stay tucked in at the bottom--them came undone almost immediately every night. It seemed like they had put queen size sheets on a king sized bed. Also, I hope you like the smell of barbecued meat! The hotel's restaurant serves most grilled/barbecued meat and I could smell it up in the hallways on the 20th floor and even in my room once or twice. (Not a hotel for vegetarians). Under $100 is a good rate, though--I think my conference rate was about $150 a night plus tax.

Raphael. My parents stay there and love it. Beautiful building, off the hustle-and-bustle and close enough to walk down by the lake (weather permitting, of course). Second choice is the Tremont but don't eat at Ditka's (dreadful overpriced food).

Talbott hands down. Raphael was nice a couple years ago but is getting a little dumpier. Check the review section.

Hate the sheet thing too! Thanks for all of the information! I like to stay downtown every once in a while for a couple of nights. You get much more of a feel for it rather than going back home to the suburbs. I never know how some of the other hotels are that I haven't stayed at.

nightowl,
You may want to consider the Westin Chicago River North(across from the House of Blues). We booked there recently through Priceline (4 star hotels/Mag Mile) for $99. We've heard of others that have booked through Priceline as low as $79. This property used to be called the Nikko. Westin has refurbished all the rooms.
JoeG