help with Chicago hotel choice
Feb 19th, 2008, 11:34 AM
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help with Chicago hotel choice
My husband is taking our daughter to Chicago the first weekend of June to see Wicked at the Ford Theatre. They have tickets for Sat. night performance. May go to Navy Pier or a museum (science & industry?) during the day, as this is their first time in Chicago. Where would you suggest staying that is in a good location to do the things I've mentioned? It's a special weekend so I'm not too concerned with price. Thanks in advance for your help!
Feb 19th, 2008, 01:35 PM
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Almost any hotel in The Loop or North Michigan Avenue area will be fine. Most attractions, with the exception of the Museum of Science & Industry, are within a couple square miles. So, they'll be able to walk most places. Public transit is also abundant.
Michigan Avenue has a greater concentration of shopping and restaurants while the Loop has the museums and theatres.
You should begin looking for a hotel soon as there are always conventions that block rooms. There is an oncologist meeting with 33,000 people through June 3. Neocon, an interior design show, runs June 9-11 with 50,000 attendees and the Blues Fest is June 5-8.
If you have trouble finding a hotel, you may want to book a room that you can cancel and keep looking. Most large meetings require their attendees to book 30-days ahead, any unbooked rooms are then released. So, you may find rooms that weren't previously available in early May.
Will your husband be driving or are they flying? If they'll have a car, hotel parking is currently around $40 per night but there are less expensive options in public garages. If they'll be flying, they can easily reach the center city via public transit from either airport.
Michigan Avenue has a greater concentration of shopping and restaurants while the Loop has the museums and theatres.
You should begin looking for a hotel soon as there are always conventions that block rooms. There is an oncologist meeting with 33,000 people through June 3. Neocon, an interior design show, runs June 9-11 with 50,000 attendees and the Blues Fest is June 5-8.
If you have trouble finding a hotel, you may want to book a room that you can cancel and keep looking. Most large meetings require their attendees to book 30-days ahead, any unbooked rooms are then released. So, you may find rooms that weren't previously available in early May.
Will your husband be driving or are they flying? If they'll have a car, hotel parking is currently around $40 per night but there are less expensive options in public garages. If they'll be flying, they can easily reach the center city via public transit from either airport.
Feb 19th, 2008, 03:16 PM
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My favorite location of the Chicago hotels I've stayed in was either the Intercontinental or the Omni. Both of these are a reasonable walk to the Ford Theatre. Both of these hotels have pools, but the Intercontinental's is gorgeous.
I've heard very good things about the Renaissance, which is about 2 blocks from the theatre, and is also in a good location.
This sounds like a great trip! I'm sure that your husband and daughter will have a great time. Wicked is fantastic!
I've heard very good things about the Renaissance, which is about 2 blocks from the theatre, and is also in a good location.
This sounds like a great trip! I'm sure that your husband and daughter will have a great time. Wicked is fantastic!
Feb 19th, 2008, 05:17 PM
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I second the person that said you need to book soon for June because of conventions! I traveled a lot to Chicago for business in 2006, and had trouble with getting a room in June for 2 trips b/c of conventions!
But I also tried several hotels over the 5 months, and have a few recommendations. Not sure of the age of your daughter, but 2 that are on the south side of the river that I think may appeal to young people b/c they are a bit fun/funky are the Hard Rock Hotel and the Monaco (a Kimpton hotel, as someone else mentioned). These are closer to the theater area than the ones north of the river, but all convenient to the Navy Pier. On the north side of the river, my favorite place was the Conrad - nice spacious rooms and convenient location.
But I also tried several hotels over the 5 months, and have a few recommendations. Not sure of the age of your daughter, but 2 that are on the south side of the river that I think may appeal to young people b/c they are a bit fun/funky are the Hard Rock Hotel and the Monaco (a Kimpton hotel, as someone else mentioned). These are closer to the theater area than the ones north of the river, but all convenient to the Navy Pier. On the north side of the river, my favorite place was the Conrad - nice spacious rooms and convenient location.
