We are looking for a decent hotel for a 3 night stay in Chicago. Any suggestions? Also, I noticed the Cass Hotel and Best Western look very, very reasonable. Any advice on either of those? Thanks.

Jen, If you are speaking of the Best Western Inn of Chicago, I can speak well of it. We have stayed there a couple of times. Nice, clean room, nothing fancy, but great location.... just right off of Michigan Avenue, and the rates are usually much better than the other hotels located off Michigan Avenue, or at least the times we have stayed there. We stay here when we are doing a "budget" Chicago weekend. Sometimes we stay someplace nicer, but this is our choice for a less expensive weekend. Hope this helps. Leah

The Cass Hotel is periodically mentioned here. I may be wronging the place, since I've never stayed there, and it is in a good location just west of Michigan Avenue between the river and Water Tower Place, but from the outside it looks like a transient hotel, NOT a tourist place at all.

Forget about the Cass. Which Best Western, I believe there is more than one. Hotel Raphael (sp?) is nice and great location. At times you can get in for $89.

I've never used this service, but i've heard that www.hotrooms.com has the best prices for Chicago hotels.

DO NOT stay at the Cass. I've never stayed at the Best Western, but have heard it's not bad. As a previous poster mentioned, try Hotrooms.com. Also, when comparing prices, check to see what they charge for parking (if you are driving). This can drive up the cost of the hotel.

I'm staying in Chicago for four nights at the end of the month. Booked a room on Travelocity at the Hyatt Regency for $99.95 night. Check it out!

Michelle:
I am curious - is your stay during the week or over a weekend?

Pat: I'm arriving Thursday, August 29 - staying four nights. Feel free to email me at the address on the previous post if you have more questions. I love to find bargains on the internet - and have great success at doing so.

Jen, Look at http://www.biddingfortravel.com. People report getting 3* and 4* hotels via Priceline in Chicago for about $50-$65/night.

With Priceline, you don't get to specify the exact hotel, but if you're a little adventurous it might save you some money and still get you a nice place to boot.

Usual disclaimers apply--no vested interest in your using Priceline or the Web site mentioned above, yadda, yadda.

Hope you enjoy your trip to Chicago...

Another suggestion is Hotwire.com. I like it better than priceline because you get to pick the price before you pay. I just grabbed four nights in San Diego at the Hilton for $78/night. Unheard of for San Diego in August. Everyone wants the beach!

The Palmer House is lovely, and offers occasional weekend bargain rates.

If you are looking for the best budget deal around, the new hostel downtown cannot be beat! for $20 a night, you have everything almost at your fingertips. Check out www.hichicago.org for all the details.
If you would like further Chicago information, feel free to ask.

Cheers!

Kevin