I have to do some business on friday in Chicago, so i think i am going to spend the weekend there. i like to use internet sites like orbitz to make hotel reservations, but i dont know were to stay, not even a neighborhood. i think these sites save you a good bit of money. Could you all give me some advice so i can know were to book a hotel. thanks

Chicago's a VERY large metro area. Where is the business? What are your interests? How much can you spend per night? Did you enter the address of the place where you have business, to see what hotels were nearby?

Without knowing anything, I'd just say "Stay on Michigan Ave, Miracle Mile area". Central to just about everything you'd want in the city. But these kinds of broad questions are just too vague.

Have you checked out Fodor's destination guide on Chicago? That will be an excellent start.

Yeah, I agree look for someplace on the "miracle mile." Use fodors or the internet travel sites you mentioned. Try the map that orbitz provides to locate the specific district and you'll be able to pull the fares that you're looking for. It nice and easy. Have a great time in Chicago--its definitely "my kind of town."

Uhh, guys, it's called the Magnificent Mile. Also called North Michigan Avenue.

I agree it's where a lot of tourist action is on the weekends.

You might want to look at the info and the hotel maps on
www.chicago.il.org/

Yeah, you're right! "MAGNIFICENT Mile". "Miracle Mile" is a rather ironically-named stretch of Wilshire Blvd. here in LA. My bad.

It's hard to imagine any spectacular deals-- Chicago's always got a citywide event of some kind going on. Still, I'd spend the money. What a great town...!

thanks for all the input. my meeting in actually outside the city, but it will be over by 3, so it doesnot have to effect where i stay. Do any of you all know about the east Monroe St. Hilton, it is listed as a 4star only 1 mile off the magnificant mile on orbitz for $99. From all your comments, that seems like a good deal, there are some cheaper hotels, but that seems like a good mix of price and quality. if anyone has any input on the place let me know. thanks

Hey there's also a "Miracle Mile" in Fond Du Lac, WI, where a number of large Powerball jackpot tickets had been sold back in the mid to late 90's. HAHAHAHA!!!

That Hilton would be the Palmer House. There are plenty of reviews to read on Fodor's and tripadvisor.com
It's a property from the '20s that has a wonderful lobby and a great location if you're dependent on public transportation. It's in the Loop, which is pretty dead at night and on weekends. "Only a mile from the Mag Mile'" is a bit of a stretch; the hotel is on Monroe between State and Wabash, one and a half blocks from Michigan Avenue, 3 blocks from Art Institute, but one and a half miles from the heart of the shopping district on North Michigan. It's an easy walk, though. Ask for a room away from the el tracks.

I think if you want to stay on the Magnificent Mile please check out www.biddingfortravel.com for the hotels and what people have bid for a 4 star or better along Michigan Avenue. I think you can get a great deal especially on the weekend through Priceline using the info off of bidding for travel.

We received the Westin River North and the Hyatt Regency with bids of less than $90 for both. They were rated 4 stars.

Good find!

I actually had a similar situation pretty recently. I had to be in San Francisco for a conference, but I rarely leave the east coast...what was nice is that the hotel search feature on orbitz actually has a map that lets you see where your hotel is in relation to other things. I found that pretty useful.

Chicago is an incredible city...eat some deep dish for all of us here. Hopefully, you'll have a fantastic time. Good luck in your travels.