Hi

First visit to Chicago (from UK), I would appreciate any feedback on the hotels listed below.

We will be travelling with our teenager! Only other specification is that we require an excellent 4* hotel with a superb location, which must have plenty of restaurants within walkable distance.

Hotels shortlisted:

House of Blues
Hotel Burnham
Fairmont
Hotel Monaco
Millennium Knickerbocker

My instinct is the Knickerbocker, however, it appears to have very mixed reviews on this forum site, whereas on a UK site, it came out as very favourable.

I really would appreciate any feedback you can give.

Many thanks.
SB

SallyB,

I stayed at the Knickerbocker two years ago. The room was lovely but the bathroom was so miniscule that one had to turn sideways to squeeze between the toilet and the sink (I'm a very normal size). The hotel staff was sympathetic but there were no other rooms as the city was booked up with conventioneers. (Don't know when you're going to visit but Chicago hosts so many conventions, it can be tough to book during the largest ones. Plan accordingly!)

The House of Blues can be a fun and funky place to stay but it can also be VERY loud late into the night. Smokey in some parts too if that is an issue for you. Your teemager will almost certainly love it.

My preference for our family of three is a suites hotel north of the river and just off of Michigan Ave. First choices are the Omni Chicago Hotel and the Lenox Suites Hotel. They are both in the heart of the Magnificent Mile area with easy access to shops, restataurants and transporation.

I also strongly recommend you look at Quikbook.com for rate comparisons. They offer outstanding discounts on first rate hotels, a number of which appear on your list.

Chicago is a fantastic city. This site is an excellent resource for visiting.

You might get more replies to your question if you repost and include Chicago in your message title.

Good luck!

we stayed at the Fairmont in sept. We are from Canada,and wanted some thing central. It was beautiful...great location to all the sights,great staff,and this years trip...we will stick with Fairmont again....i recommend it,no not affiliated with Fairmont...

For location, the House of Blues or the Knickerbocker hotels would be best. They're both within walking distance of restaurants, shopping and other attractions. The other hotels are located closer to the business district and don't have as many dining options nearby. The Knickerbocker may be a bit stuffy for your teenager. My recommendation would be the House of Blues hotel. Enjoy your stay.

I stayed at the Hotel Burnham in early December and absolutely loved it! Location was good to me - on State Street right across from the flagship Marshall Field's, kind of equidistant between Michigan Ave. and the Art Institute. Lovely old hotel a block from the train line that runs to O'Hare, and a great restaurant in the lobby. Everything on Michigan Ave. is within a 5 minute walk.

I am from Chicago. The Fairmont is lovely if you want the park location. At the Fairmont you are closer to the museums. I wouldn't walk through the park when it's dark.

If you want a better walking location, pick Michigan Avenue. The Onmi is a newer all suites hotel on Michigan Avenue with a dynamite location for shopping and restaurants. The Knickerbocker is a couple blocks away, and still a very good location. However, the Knickbocker is an older hotel. I was married at the Knickerbocker. Most rooms are small, like in London.