Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we would like to bring a group of eight people to Chicago to stay at a nice hotel on or near Michigan Avenue, shop, eat great food, and do so with a weekend or holiday hotel package. Does anyone have any information on who to contact? What experiences have you had in Christmases past? Thank you. D. Rucks.

Chicago is great at holidaytime. Many of the big stores have elaborate window decorations. The Westin is certainly nice [312-943-9625], right on Michigan Ave, next to the Hancock Tower and Water Tower Place. There is a Marriott [312-836-0100] a little further south that would probably be a little cheaper but is a longer walk to the shopping - it's just a block off Michigan Ave. Near the Marriott is a Best Western [312-573-3136] which is also less expensive altho certainly not as nice as the Westin. Another place that often advertises package deals is the Lenox House Suites [800-44-LENOX]. When you go, have someone give you walking directions to Boogie's (it's just a couple blocks off Michigan Ave). It's kind of a trendy clothing store downstairs, but upstairs is a 50's style hamburger joint, with formica tables, vinyl booths and HUGE burgers. Try to buy a Sunday Chicago Tribune somewhere (or go look at it in your public library). The travel section in the Sunday Trib always has lots of hotel ads.

Chicago at the holidays is pretty. And fun. Plenty to see and do. Most of the hotels run holiday specials. There must be a Chicago page, can you do a search? There are several smaller hotels (including a Motel 6 now, I think) just east of Michigan Avenue in the heart of the Gold Coast. They're all pretty good deals, and just a hop and a skip from all the shopping action. The hamburger at the Coq d'Or in the Drake (a great, dark paneled hideaway of a place) is great for a quiet lunch or the best bargain in town after 9 p.m. while you listen to the best piano bar guy in town/Midwest/nation -- Buddy Charles (if piano bars are your thing). It's like the Gold Coast's own neighborhood bar. Chicago is a really neat town for visitors. Enjoy!

We've always enjoyed the Palmer House. It's right in the Loop, and close to Marshall Field's State Street store, Filene's Basement, the Art Institute and theaters. They have weekend packages, but good luck finding anything under $100 a night, even on weekends.

Chicago is fabulous at any time of the year but is especially pretty with all the white lights along Michigan Ave during the holidays. A great place to stay convenient to Michigan Ave. shopping is the Raphael on E. Delaware Place. Call now for reservations and you can get some good deals. There are too many good restaurants to name but a few of our favs are: Bistro 110-go for lunch or dinner, Food Life for lunch at Water Tower Place, La Cantina at Italian Village for great italian food, Tucci Benuch also has good italian as does Carlucci. Blackhawk Lodge is good for American cuisine. Have a great time!(Mia Francesca is also very good but long waits and long cab ride for you)

The Best Western River North Hotel is a great holiday weekend spot. The price is a bargain. Free parking;indoor pool;and right in the middle of the restaurant and entertainment district.
Phone # (312)467-0800

We spent last Thanksgiving in Chicago and had a wonderful trip. We stayed at the Clarion Executive Plaza Hotel. I'm not sure if the hotel is all rooms, but we had a wonderful suite with a living room, sitting area, separate bedroom with sitting area and bath. They offer bed and breakfast specials. The hotel is right across the street from the Wrigley Building and Michigan Avenue. Our room had a view of all of the bridges coming into Chicago. We run, so we were within close proximity to Grant Park and the Navy Pier. On Thanksgiving Day, the pier was open as was their IMAX theatre. We were also within walking distance to the Sears Tower. We had a fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner at the Palmer House Hilton. Also, the famous Chicago deep dish pizza at Gino's East (be prepared to wait during prime hours). If you're in to Basketball, you could probably get the hotel maitre'd to get you tickets to a Bulls game if they are in town--but be prepared to pay! We didn't try it, but there is Michael Jordans' restaurant and Planet Hollywood on opposite corners. Oprah will probably not be taping during the holidays. Check out the shopping also on State Street. Also, take WARM coats and clothing, because when the wind is blowing 32 feels like 12 in Chicago.

For the past eight years my wife and I have joined two other couples in Chicago for the second weekend in December. We have stayed at many different hotels, but have settled on the Marriott Suites or the Raphael as our favorites for cost convenience and quality of accommodations. Both hotels are within two blocks of the Water Tower Mall, the Marriott is all suites and the Raphael is a combination of suites and single room accommodations at varying prices. Both hotels offer weekend discount rates for stays on Friday and Saturday nights. Both hotels fill up early so if you are thinking about either of these you may want to call for reservations very soon.