Guys trip to Chicago
 

I'm trying to plan a trip for 5 guys celebrating their 30th birthday over St Paddy's weekend (3/10-13). One guy is pushing for one of the Westin hotels, the one with some rooftop lounge. We're looking for a 4* hotel, close enough to stagger back from the pubs, and a good central place. Priceline has a bunch of 4*s in the Mich Ave area (Drake, Sheraton, Westin, Sofitel, Sutton Place).

The Hyatt at the Water Tower would be the perfect location for y'all and spitting distance to Rush Street.

I did Chicago for St. Patty's a couple of years ago and had a blast.

Any of the Priceline hotels you mentioned would be fine to stagger back to. I'd go with the North Michigan Ave. zone if you want the shortest staggering distance. Best scene, I believe, is at the W.

How well do you know Chicago?

never have been to chitown. is the 'W' the same as the Westin? are there any hotels on that list that are a no no? (north michigan ave, 4** on priceline). if it is a case of you can't go wrong with any of those hotels i'll do it, if there's a dud among any of those i'd rather not risk it. thanks.

The "W" is not the same as the Westin. They have two locations in Chicago, one in the loop and one on Lake Shore Drive. I don't think either one is convenient for what you are looking for. I agree that any of the priceline hotels you mentioned would be good. Stay in the North Michigan Avenue Area.

"Dud" is pretty subjective. I would not have a problem with any of the 4* hotels in the NMA/River North zone, but it's possible you would - either because of the hotel or the location. You can check listings of hotels at www.betterbidding.com and www.biddingfortravel.com Better Bidding even shows Chicago priceline hotels overlaid on a google map if that would be helpful to you. Be sure to look at the priceline area map to see where you could possibly end up before you bid. Most out of town visitors to Chicago looking for bars end up on Rush Street, at the State Street intersection, though that is by no means the only area that might interest you.

Another option you have is to use hotwire. Given the lists at Better Bidding you can often determine which hotel hotwire is offering based on the amenities, so that way you'd be more sure you're happy with it before buying, though you do sometimes have to pay slightly more through hotwire than through priceline.

Sorry - one other thing with priceline. You are only guaranteed a room that can sleep two people. So, you would need 3 rooms for 5 guys. And you are not guaranteed to get 2 beds in a room, if that matters to you. That's typically a busy weekend in Chicago, so you do run higher risk of not getting the bed type you want than at other times. Some online booking sites (directly through the hotels) do guarantee room and bed types at booking if that matters to you.

njgator,

Is this more of a wild, alcohol fueled, strip clubs, singles' bars hook-ups, stay up all night and drink at the parade thing? Or, a more reserved, alcohol fueled, cigars and poker, eat at Ditka's, asleep by 2am and watch and laugh at the people who did it the other way type of thing?

Curious as I've some experience with both.

Based on the type of trip you are seeking I would opt for a Rush St. locale.

probably a little of both. definitely alcohol involved, 'good scenery' is preferred but for the most part just a weekend where the guys can get together and get a little crazy. we used to have each other's bachelor parties for stuff like this but all but 1 is married now.

chidad, do you have e-mail?
[email protected]

j

I'd HIGHLY recommend the Sheraton on the river. It's a very new hotel and the rooms have amazing views of the city. It's very accessible and close to Michigan Avenue and the Loop. The Park Hyatt (the one near Water Tower) is also very good -- but I'd imagine more expensive as it's considered somewhat of a luxury hotel (or so I hear!). Hotel 71 is also an option as a cool botique hotel.

Do they still dye the river green?

so far have come up with

Omni Hotel (on Mich Ave)
Embassy Suites
Residence Inn
Park Hyatt
W

the suites more for accomodating 4-5 guys. any opinions on Park Hyatt or Omni for home base for the 'guy's trip'? btw, there will be minimal shopping or theatre.

Omni has plasma TVs in all the suites, if that appeals to you. ;) Park Hyatt is considered pretty luxury. I'm sure it's very nice, but feels to me more like a couples place or girls' place than a guys' trip type option.

You sound like you'd better North.

Yes, they still dye the Chicago River green during St. Patrick's Day week in March. One time they over-estimated on the dye lot and the river was green for 3 weeks. It's only for about 5 days or so now at the most.

And it is MUCH cleaner than it was when I was a girl. It was a sewer then.

Thank you JJ5, I was beginning to think my memory was playing tricks on me.

The Sofitel has one of the best bars in Chicago, so if you stayed there, you'd have minimal staggering to get back to the room. But it's a pretty sophisticated bar, not a get down and dirty drinking spot.

The W on LSD isn't the most convenient for walking to/from Rush. And it's overrated, IMO.

Not sure what your budget is, but have you checked The Peninsula?

$150-250

I'd go with the Omni. The Park Hyatt is quieter, the Omni is in a great location to get to the bars on Rush, great restaurants and my fave dive bar "Pippens".

Any comments on Sutton Place Hotel?

Sutton Place is a great hotel on Rush Street for bar-hopping and dining. It's close to the LuxBar, Gibson's and Hugo's Frog Bar as well as Tavern on Rush and Rosebud. It's a beautiful modern hotel as is the newer Sofitel which is about three blocks away. I would say you couldn't go wring with either.

the Park Hyatt is a great, great hotel. i stay there whenever i'm in chicago. beautiful, spacious rooms - central location on Michigan Ave - helpful service.

two+ years ago U2 was in town performing and after the concert we returned to the hotel to hang out in the bar and the band showed up! apparently they were also staying there. and then the next day, Sting sitting next to us at breakfast!

now i can't promise rock start sightings as clearly this was an unusual circunstance - but i can promise you'll like the hotel...

If you want to 'stumble' back to the hotel after hitting the bars on Rush/Division. I'd suggest Sutton Place hotel. It's literally right across the street from 10+ restaurants/bars! I know because I used to live across the street... it's a happening place!
Two other options that are closeby: Drake, Westin (on Michigan Ave), and Sofitel.
Have a wonderful time!

Hope you're getting your hotel figured out.

Before you arrive, check out St. Patrick's day highlights:

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/

http://www.chicagoreader.com/

http://www.southsideirishparade.org/

I wouldn't suggest Division Street but that's up to you guys.

The best location for what you're after is The Sutton Place! It is right in the middle of all the action, and the hotel's in-house bar is The Whiskey. Can't go wrong.

just want to be sure it isn't very cheesy, full of obnoxious college kids. would like a little sophistication as well as proximity to nightlife.

No, Sutton place is not the type of hotel college kids would go to. The 'younger' crowd goes to the bars on Division more. The Whisky bar is a bit more upscale/dressy. Right across the street is the steakhouse Gibsons--lots of stars go there when they're in town.