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Dilemma! Going to Chicago for a week mid-June. I want to stay at the best hotel, but can't afford the best hotels{g}! Ideas?

Dilemma! Going to Chicago for a week mid-June. I want to stay at the best hotel, but can't afford the best hotels{g}! Ideas?

Old Apr 2nd, 2001, 02:33 AM
  #1  
Hiba
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Dilemma! Going to Chicago for a week mid-June. I want to stay at the best hotel, but can't afford the best hotels{g}! Ideas?

Oh & has anyone tried the W?
 
Old Apr 2nd, 2001, 03:07 AM
  #2  
Cobi
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Try Loew's House of Blues! It's very ecclectic and hip and located close to the theater district and many excellent restaurants.
 
Old Apr 2nd, 2001, 05:50 AM
  #3  
Dee
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What can you afford? There are a couple that have reasonable rates, you can get specials during certain seasons. I've stayed at Swissotel and Palmer House Hilton. Both are nice and near everything.
 
Old Apr 2nd, 2001, 09:38 AM
  #4  
s.fowler
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We like the Swissotel, but it is a little out of the way [at the south end of the "mag mile"] I'd go for the Four Seasons or the Ritz Carlton if $$$$ were no object. In the small very nice hotel category is the Whitehall.
 
Old Apr 2nd, 2001, 09:45 AM
  #5  
Jen
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First trip to California - suggestions for a family?

Thank you for your response.



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Author: xxxxx ([email protected])
Date: 04/01/2001, 07:32 pm ET

Kids ages 10 to 16. We have no idea where to go. Beach is important, but have heard so many things about different areas I don't know what to think. I have heard that Southern CA is dirty. I've heard comments about sewage in the ocean water. I've heard that central CA is nicer, but the water is too cold for swimming.

What I am looking for is a nice, clean, crime free area with beautiful beaches, clean water. Would love a place right on the beach where we could look out and see the ocean and hear it too!

Not too crowded. Moderately upscale, but not SNOOTY.

My husband has heard San Diego is beautiful; I've heard it's dirty plus I wonder with the proximity to Mexico how clean the ocean water is.

Should I just forget CA and plan on Florida instead?




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Author: xxxxx ([email protected])
Date: 04/02/2001, 07:03 am ET

anyone?



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Author: joe ([email protected])
Date: 04/02/2001, 10:34 am ET

My suggestion would be San Diego. Many great activities for families. Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Old Town, Balboa Park, etc. If you want to be on the beach, I would suggest the La Jolla Shores area. There are 2 side-by-side hotels that generally have tons of families when I walk by their beach. I do not know the names, but if you search for "San Diego" or "La Jolla" on this forum you may bring up an old thread that gives their names. The beach is sandy with a long slope of sand so it is fairly safe. Pay attention to swimming/surfing signs. For a change of pace, drive 5 minutes north to Torrey Pines and enjoy spectacular scenery and hiking.

Of course, La Jolla and on the beach mean $200+ per night.

A distant second choice would be Santa Barbara, but the activities pale in comparison for a family. The beaches are definitely not as clean as La Jolla shores either.



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Author: xxxxx ([email protected])
Date: 04/02/2001, 01:08 pm ET

Thank you very much. La Jolla Shores sounds just like what we are looking for!



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Author: Gary ([email protected])
Date: 04/02/2001, 01:40 pm ET


Just based on the ages of the children, I would put Santa Barbara a distant fourth, behind a tie between San Diego/La Jolla, Los Angeles County, and Orange County. In Orange County: Laguna Beach, Corona Del Mar, and Newport all have beautiful beaches and beach-front rentals and hotels--the cities are reasonably close to the Disney parks and Knott's Berry Farm. San Clemente is cheaper and has beautiful beaches as well. In Los Angeles County, there are great hotels (well-documented on this site) in Santa Monica, right on the beach. Santa Monica Pier is there, Venice Beach boardwalk and Third Street Prominade are nearby. About five miles north is Zuma Beach, a huge stretch of beautiful sand and my favorite beach in Southern California.

San Diego was a good idea--in addition to the other things mentioned above, you might consider the Hotel Del Coronado--if you can get a room. Great beach and nice area.

By the way, if you're familiar with Florida waters, you might be disappointed. The water here rarely gets above seventy degrees.





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Author: Jen ([email protected])
Date: 04/02/2001, 01:43 pm ET

Before you come, here are some good Chicago websites for you to check out
http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Tourism/ThingsToDo/Museums.html
http://www.ci.chi.il.us/
http://www.metromix.com/top/1,1419,M-Metromix-Home-X!Front,00.html

 
Old Apr 16th, 2001, 05:57 AM
  #6  
gina
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If you don't mind being off the main drag of Michigan Avenue, check out both the Hotel Monaco and the Hotel Burnham. The Burnham just made CN Traveler's list of top hotels under $200 and has just been redone. The Monaco is a bit closer to Michigan Avenue, was done just a few years ago, and is adorable. It should be under $200, too, and they have a wine and cheese reception in the evenings. I don't think the W is open yet, we haven't seen anything yet in Chicago. The House of Blues suggestion is also very good if you're in the mood for something a little funkier. The Lounge there is one of the sexiest places to have a drink in the city.
 
Old Apr 24th, 2001, 11:01 AM
  #7  
Erika
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Try calling Hot Rooms (or better yet, go to their website www.hotrooms.com). I don't know how they do it but they always manage to have the best rates for really, really good hotels. We had all of our out-of-town guests at our wedding book through them and everyone was really pleased with their rates and their cusotmer service. Definitely worth a try.
 
Old Apr 25th, 2001, 11:47 AM
  #8  
Sher
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Give the Cass Hotel a call. When in Chicago I stay there. It's near the river, has decent rates, and is clean and comfortable.
 
Old Apr 25th, 2001, 06:34 PM
  #9  
Carol
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We just got back from a long weekend in Chicago and stayed at the Raphael on E. Delaware St. one block off Michigan behind the Hancock Building, kitty-corner from WaterTower Place, 900 Michigan shops, etc. It couldn't have been a better location. Convenient cab rides to other areas and attractions. Public transport was also convenient but we didn't use it. The hotel was older but lovely--spacious rooms, nicely decorated, smallish baths but clean and updated. Mini-frig, robes and hair dryer also. If you don't ask you might get a view of a wall close by. We ended up in a smoking room, because we wanted a view, but no smells. I would definitely stay here again.
 
Old Apr 25th, 2001, 07:28 PM
  #10  
Susan
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I would suggest going to the Westin's website. WWW.Westin.com. If you look under the internet only rates, you can get very good prices at the Sheraton, Westin or W's (all under the same chain). We are going the first weekend in June and we were able to get a room at the Westin River North for under $150. The drawback is that you must pay for your hotel stay upfront and it is non refundable however, if you have confirmed your travel arrangements, this should not be an issue.
It's definitely worth a try.
 
Old Apr 30th, 2001, 04:08 PM
  #11  
Steph
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Try the HOtel Monocco...Or HOB hotel is great.
 

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