Am looking at Hotwire options for Chicago hotels. They list North Michigan Av/Water Tower/Gold Coast or Loop or Magnificent Mile/ Wacker Drive as the three options. We'll have car but probably won't want to use it to get around. We'll be interested in walking by the lake, a few good museums possibly, walking interesting neighborhoods, access to inexpensive ethnic restaurants, access to good public transportation if we need it etc. We are not really shoppers. Which area should I focus on when using Hotwire? Thanks

I think you will want to stay in the North Michigan Av/Water Tower/Gold Coast area. A fabulous hotel if you like a contemporary feel is the Sofitel -- can be a bit pricey, but they also have some good deals. Great city views, great service, you'll feel pampered. With the Water Tower location you'll be in the heart of the "Magnificent Mile" which is the shopping area, but the fun neighborhoods are just north of there. Gold Coast and North Michigan Ave. are north of that area and are fun if you want hip trendy neighborhoods. I have found that inexpensive ethnic restaurants are pretty easy to find in all parts of town. With regard to public transportation, cabs are really the easiest, I think. You won't be far from things and each trip isn't too expensive. Dress warm...it's called the windy city for a reason.

You can see a map of downtown hotels at www.choosechicago.com

The areas you mention adjoin and each is only about one square mile, so you won't be far from the action no matter which you choose. Some characteristics of each:
N Mich Ave/ Water Tower /Gold Coast is the high priced shopping district, with lots of hotels and condos on side streets. Hotel styles range from boutique to the huge convention type. You can walk to Oak Street Beach. The only subway is the Red Line. (www.transitchicago.com)

Loop: Business/shopping district, where some areas can be very quiet at night. Several nice theatres are located in the northern part of the Loop. It's convenient for the museum park and subway lines. Hotels are mostly mid-sized, but vary in quality. (if the Congress Hotel is a possibility, avoid this choice!)

Mag Mile/Wacker Drive hotels are all chains, part of a big-scale development project from the 1980's. This section is at the top of Grant Park, convenient to Navy Pier, lakefront and the museum campus, but isolated from the city itself and not convenient to the subway.

For inexpensive restaurants, you should check metromix.com and plug in your price range. There are lots of little asian places all over Chicago. Greektown and Chinatown are good values, though you should choose carefully. In general, you'll need to get away from the Michigan Avenue area to find reasonably priced food.

Forgot to mention that parking at most downtown hotels is $30 a day. There is a large garage in Grant Park (near Art Institute) that is half that price. You really don't want to drive in downtown Chicago.

I wouldn't stay in the Loop. It's our business district and there's not as much to do at night and not as much shopping. Your best bet is Gold Coast/N. Michigan Ave. You can walk to the lake (depending on when you're coming, you better dress warm). You've got Navy Pier, tons of shopping and restaurants. No car necessary. Depending on weather, you can also walk to theaters in the Loop and Millennium Park. If you want to hit the museums, the Art Institute is on S. Michigan Ave and the Field Museum is on Lake Shore Drive. If inclement weather, cab ride won't be expensive.

We got the Westin on Michigan Avenue through Priceline for next week (going to see Oprah) for $100. The cost was $200 on the Westin website.

We bid on a North Michigan Avenue Four Star.

Thanks much for all the tips. I knew parking would be high, but $30 a day really addis to the price of a hotel.

Go to www.biddingfortravel.com, select Chicago Il, and look at the parking info on the top of the page. I've never parked for free, but usually spend 15-20 instead of the 30-36 hotel parking costs

If you do get a loop hotel, the Millenium Park garage mentioned earlier for $15/day would be convenient. I personally prefer to stay in the loop because I prefer the shopping there and it's easy to get on the el, or walk on a nice day. From the loop you can easily walk to the Art Institute and to Lake Michigan, plus you have the brand new Millenium Park right there.

One thing to consider with parking fees, though - If you park with the hotel you pay that approximately $30 fee for each of the nights that you're staying there. You get in/out privileges should you choose to drive somewhere on any day, though you won't need your car in Chigaco proper. If you park in the garage that $15 is per 24-hour-period, so you'll often end up paying $15 times the number of hotel nights, plus one more $15. The longer you stay, the more this is worth it though. You also don't get in/out, so if you choose to go anywhere the rate may be slightly higher, or you may pay an extra day if the hours work out just right.