I would greatly appreciate any suggestions for hotels near Grant Park. We were going to stay at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park. But I have been reading a lot of bad reviews. Many thanks.

If you don't mind dorm style rooms with bunk beds and lockers, the HI Hostel on Congress will work for 1 night. The El goes right by it and it is within walking distance of Grant Park. My wife and I stayed there once between trains a few years ago. They even have a laundry room that I used. The upper floors are used for dorm rooms for DePaul University.

The Fairmont in Chicago is a very nice hotel and close to Grant Park. It has good dining too. It is a perfect place to stay for the Marathon.