Embassy Suites Chicago- Downtown Lakefront...Nice Choice???
 

Hi there, has anyone stayed here recently by any chance?? It says it is three blocks from Navy Pier..how far from the aquarium?? Is it a nice place for kids??? lots to do?? Thanks in advance.

It is a decent area. Probably close to Michigan Ave. Plug it into Google Earth for a picture. Nice bicycling in the area. Don't know what you mean by nice place for kids. They cannot play in the street. It some distance to the aquarium but the bus to the aquarium runs down Michigan Ave.

hi, forgot to ask if we took the train, how far to Union Station to the hotel?? Thank you

It is a very good place for kids. There is an indoor pool, and the nightly 'happy hour' has pitchers of Shirley Temples. Lots of kids and fun families.

The hotel itself if very nice, at least it was a few years ago when we stayed there. I remember it being very sleek, modern and much more hip than your average Embassy Suites.

I would gladly return.

thanks a lot, we are thinking of taking the train from Ann Arbor to Chicago, my kids have never been on a train before. The hotel itself looks pretty nice, walking distance to many things, parking is $39/day, crazy!! I know all of Chicago is like this though.

It is several miles from Union Station. US is kind of in the middle of Chicago on the west side. But a cab ride would not be too bad. Drive down to South Bend and take the South Shore in. That would put you in the Ill Central Station on south Michagan Ave with an easy bus ride to the hotel. The South Shore is the last of the old urban electric. That would be a historcial ride and kind of pretty along the southern edge of Lake Michigan.

Hi there fmpden, thanks for your help, OK, this does sound like an option but I am not sure. Is the South Bend trip to Chicago by train then??? or a railcar or what, the South Shore?? just not sure what you mean but sounds like an option. Sorry I am so ignorant on this. Could you expand a little more. Thanks.

My advice is to leave the car at home and save $40 daily parking. Then you can catch cabs with abandon and still save money.

The trains are so easy in Chicago, and it is just as easy to hail a cab to get to the hotel, museum, etc.

If you have a museum pass in MI, check to see if you get free reciprocity to Field, Natural Science, Peggy N--- (butterfly), etc. We used to do that and saved a bundle. Also, one day a week, each museum is free.

At least during part of the year, the free tourist trolley would swing by the hotel. You might call the hotel to get details.

Also, can we take the CTA (train) from Union Station to the Embassy Suites?? Then from the Embassy Suites can we take the CTA (train) to the aquarium?? Is Navy Pier fun for little kids?? 5 & 3?? Thanks in advance.

I don't remember logistics enough to answer your train questions, sorry.

Navy Pier is great for little kids. They have a childrens museum onsite. There is also a big fun movie theatre onsite.

thanks for all of the responses, we may go on Mother's Day weekend in May. Can anyone tell me why the hotel prices jump so much for that weekend?? just because of Mother's Day?? How do I find out if there is a convention that weekend? thanks so much for all of your help.

The Embassy Suites Lakefront is one of the best places to stay in the city. It is right off Michigan Avenue, convenient to the the business area south of the river, convenient to the lake, Navy Pier, etc. We try to stay there twice a year. We would not consider any other location. The old name for the area is Streeterville. I'm not sure what the real estate people are calling it now, but it's one of the hottest areas in the city. You can walk to everything or catch the shuttle or free public trolley. It's the best place to stay downtown with kids. I know...I have four. We wouldn't stay anywhere else.

We go twice a year, almost a week over Thanksgiving and a week in the summer. We've been doing this for over 10 years. If you have any questions, let me know.

The Embassy Suites is in a great location for most of the tourist sights. It's about 2 miles from Union Station and you can reach there by cab or you can catch the Number 124 bus on Canal Street in front of the Station.

It will stop on Illinois and Columbus in front of the hotel. If you'll be using public transit frequently during your stay, you can buy visitor passes that allow unlimited rides for a 24-hour period. A 1-day pass is $5, a 2-day pass is $9 and a 3-day pass is $12.

There is a vending machine near the Metra ticket windows in Union Station.

If you opt for the South Shore Line from South Bend, you'll arrive at Millennium Station on <b>North</b> Michigan Ave and Randolph.

From there, you can walk 1 block east to Columbus and about 5 blocks north to your hotel or cross Randolph and catch the 124 bus there.

To reach the Museum Campus from the Embassy Suites, you can head west from the hotel to Michigan Ave and take the Number 146 bus southbound. It ends between the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium.

If you wanted to take the train, head 3 more blocks past Michigan to State and Grand and take the Red Line toward 95th Street. Exit at Roosevelt and walk about 5 blocks to the Museum Campus.

If the weather is nice, it would only be a 20-30 min walk down Columbus or Michigan Avenue.

For information on CTA buses and trains, check www.transitchicago.com. For info on the South Shore Line, which is officially known as the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, check www.nictd.com.

I just booked a couple of rooms at the ES for later this year and also noticed the parking charge was $39 a day! My husband always pays the bill so I don't know when that went up. Anyway, it's high by any standards. There is a lot of growth in the area around the ES so parking is at a premium. You can take a lot of cabs in Chicago for $39 a day. A car just stays parked in the hotel garage anyway. Cab fares around the center of the city will average around $10 (with tip) give or take a few dollars. It's worth it to get a cab from the train station. You will have two small children and luggage so I wouldn't try to navigate the streets, buses and trains upon arrival. Once you drop off your luggage, the trains and buses will be fine.


The hotel rates in Chicago are erratic and can go from being fairly reasonable to being very high, depending upon the convention activity. Chicago is also a popular destination for midwesterners (and others), particularly over holiday weekends. If you are looking for a more reasonably priced option, the Hampton Inn and Suites has much lower rates than the ES Lakefront, but has a two-room set up, complimentary breakfast, &amp; indoor pool. All good to have for the kiddos. It doesn't compare to the ES in terms of location, service and style, but it is definitely a well priced option for a family.

Citylghts provided some very good, detailed information about getting around. Young children are free on the trains and buses. Look into www.citypass.com and www.gochicagocard.com for sightseeing deals. You might be able to save a little money and time with them. The concierge at the ES Lakefront is pretty good so she can help you as well.

The architecture cruises that leave from Navy Pier are terrific. Chicago also has a free urban zoo in Lincoln Park, along Lakeshore Drive. You will need to take a cab or bus to get there, but it's a very pleasant spot to take the kids. Navy Pier has an IMAX theater which the kids love. Next door to the ES is a multiplex theater complex as well. There are two grocery stores within a block or so of the ES, Dominicks and Fox &amp; Obel.

All of these responses have been so wonderful and informative!! Thank you all so much!! I can't wait to go, I think we will try for Mother's Day weekend in May even though it's looking a little more expensive and we will for sure stay a t ES Lakefront, also to get my Hilton points. Thanks again, I need all the help I can get about getting around the town. We are going to for sure do the aquarium and Navy Pier area and maybe the urban zoo mentioned. Our kids are 5 and 3.

Our family stayed at the Embassy Suites Lakefront last year with 3 children under the age of 5. Be sure to ask for a room facing the lake as we were able to watch the fireworks from Navy Pier from our window. If fireworks are not scheduled at that time, at least the view is beautiful. The hotel was great for our family. We also ordered pizza from Giordano's that was delivered to our room...very easy and fun way to enjoy a dinner!

Thanks Corymom, that sounds so fun, the kids love fireworks, we will be there on the weekend, how do I find the schedule? just google Navy Pier fireworks? thanks.

mcmckissic1, reading between the lines it appears that you are trying to provide a train ride for the kids. Are you sure it is for the kids ??? Not the adults :-) At threee and five, they will not remember much.

To response to your earlier questions. The Shore Shore is basicly a commuter line that runs from South Bend, Michigan City, Chesterton, Ogden Dunes, and other communities along southern edge of L Michigan to Chicago. It was originally a part of the interurban electric rail system from the early 20th century. It is the sole survivor of this transportation mode. At one time it ran from downtown South Bend to Chicago. Now it ends/starts at the airport on the west side of S Bend. It runs several day and the fare is about $10 each way. Takes about an hour and half from SBend.

One of my wife's fondest childhood memories from the 50s is riding the SS from SBend to Chicago and having lunch in the tea room at Marshall Field on State Street especially during the Christmas season. Now only the South Shore is left. (Prior poster -- please do not insult the SS by calling it the Northern Indian Commuter Transporation District even if that is the &quot;official&quot; name) And it is too bad that a red star hangs on MField. Is nothing sacred ??

The South Shore station is under Milleunium park with direct access to Michigan Ave and a quick bus ride north to your hotel. Sounds like you are eager to use the L but it more diffiuclt from your hotel because the rail lines are located several blocks west from the lake front. It would be long walk with small kids. And the brown line (north from the Loop) is under rehab and the scheduled is effected especially on the weekends. The bus is the best bet to move along the Lake Shore.

I personally think it would be far more interesting taking the South Shore than AmTrack. Certainily more historical. Have fun either way.

I just looked at the Navy Pier website (Google under Navy Pier). Unfortunately, the fireworks are scheduled between Memorial Day and Labor Day. F.Y.I. there is also a wonderful Children's Museum walking distance from the hotel as well. Chicago is a great city for all ages.

thanks coymom, I think we will do the Childrens Museum also. We will have to catch the fireworks next time. thanks for checking. I have two girls so we will most likely go check out American Girl Place also.

sorry for the typeo corymom!!

I forgot -- you can find Sout Shore info at

http://www.nictd.com/index.htm

with some links to CTA .

Can anyone out there also tell me if Union Station is in a nice area and which part of the city closest to?? I may bid on P/L for a close hotel for the first night we are there because we will be getting in so late and for expense purposes,(Embassy Suites is high for that weekend) If we take the train, it gets in at 10 p.m. so all we will be doing is sleeping in the room anyway, then we will be ready to go and be there the next day. Just an idea I had but can't afford $250/night all three nights, P/L has the areas you bid on. thanks a lot.

Union Station is in the area known as West Loop on Canal between Jackson and Adams.

Amtrak and Metra trains run well into the night so the area is always populated. IMO it wouldn't be worth it to settle into a hotel at 10 or 11, then have to get up early the following morning to repack and move to another hotel?

There are only 3 hotels near Union Station. One is a Holiday Inn Express that overlooks I-290. The second is the Crowne Plaze Metro that overlooks I-90/94 and the third is a Marriott in the Medical District that's probably as far south from Union Station as the Embassy Suites is north.

Twice, several years ago, I bid on Priceline for a hotel in Chicago and was most pleasantly surprised. The key is to select your areas carefully (Loop or Michigan Ave.) and select no less than 4 star hotels. There are still some not-so-nice places that are considered 3 stars. You may get lucky. Try the Hampton Inn I suggested earlier and there are two (I think) Courtyards by Marriott that may fulfill your needs quite nicely for the entire trip. If you are AAA, then you should request those rates because they can add up to significant savings over the course of your trip.

If you are planning to do the whole deal (show &amp; tea) at Am. Girl Place, I would reserve asap. Your weekend may be a busy one. There are also carriage rides that depart from the Water Tower that the girls may like. You can negotiate price with the drivers.

Hi there..thanks so much for the responses, they are so appreciated, and the carriage ride sounds like lots of fun!! I booked the ES Lakefront for April 4-7, and I booked Amtrak train trip also, the girls I think will love taking the train, something fun and different for them. Rates for May were so high at E/S so decided for April. We will have fun and MAYBE it will be OK weather. We will maybe do the Children's Museum too if we have time, the Aquarium and Navy Pier, hopefully AG Place if time does not run out. Also, the Carriage Ride and someone said the Zoo was fun, the Urban Zoo maybe?? not sure. We will not have a car so will rely on cabs or Metro Transit.

There are two zoos in Chicago, the Brookfield Zoo and the Lincoln Park Zoo. The Lincoln Park Zoo is what you want. It's the free urban zoo just north of where you'll be staying.

dgg (and others), do you think the E/S hotel will store our small amount of luggage, hopefully only two bags, for us for the few hours on Sunday before we go to the train station for a 6:00 p.m. train departure?? I just thought of this problem!!

I absolutely can't imagine a hotel like Embassy Suites NOT happily holding your bags for you -- that's what they do!

Just wanted to say that as a special treat for the kids -- going to another place by train and then doing public transporation when there (assuming that's not how you get around at home) really makes for a fun and exciting trip. So much better than the car and getting into the car to drive everywhere when you get there.

Have fun.

That is exactly what we thought, since we have to take a car everywhere (we live in rural Michigan) we thought they would get a kick out of this different travel experience. The train looks like fun, I have not been on an Amtrak in 20 years and they enjoy new experiences. Thanks again.

The reason prices in mid-May are so high is that the American Assn of Museums meeting is bringing about 5,000 people to town along with an Emergency Medicine convention which is adding another 1,200.

The following week is the National Restaurant Show which expects in the neighborhood of 70,000.

Generally, the hotels hold rooms for conventions until about 30 days before. Then, anything not booked is released to the public. But since you've already decided on April, it won't be a problem now.

To reach the Lincoln Park Zoo, take the Number 151 bus northbound on Michigan Avenue. It will drop you at the main gate.

You didn't mention anything about your evenings, but remember that Wicked is continuing at the Ford Oriental Theatre. You'd know better if the 3 yo would be able to sit for 2.5 hours, but if you're interested, check www.broadwayinchicago.com. And, welcome to Chicago from another former Michigander.

mcmckissic1, I just had another thought about your proposed AmTrack train trip and you indicated it arrives in Chicago around 10 PM or so. Is there any way to check on the general &quot;on time&quot; status of that train. My limited experience with Amtrack through Denver to Chicago is that it is seldom on time and is often many hours late. But it is three day trip from the west coast and therefore has lots of opportunities to be late. Too bad the trip is at night. Is the return trip in the day?

Thanks, fmpden, for the funniest post of the day -- using the terms &quot;on time&quot; and &quot;Amtrak&quot; in the same sentence.
Very good point.

Hi there.... with the hotel prices in Chicago for that particular weekend plans changed just a little and instead of a night train on Wednesday eve. from Ann Arbor to Chicago, we are doing two nights at E/S instead of three and have an early Thursday a.m. train arriving by noon (hopefully)in Chicago. Short trip but it will still be fun I'm sure. So then, we will get to see the scenery on the way instead of it being in the dark. My only concern is our luggage on Saturday since our train doesen't leave Chicago till 6 p.m. Hopefully, as someone said earlier E/S will store it for us for the afternoon. I hope Amtrak is on time, have not been on the train in a long time. Looking forward to the trip.

I would do two things -- on the way in check to see if Union Station still has luggage storage lockers. They use to but have not been through US since 9/11. If storage is still available, that solves the problem. If not, the hotel will hold you luggage. Common problem with conference and business travelers. Just check it with the bellcap.