My husband and I are planning a weekend trip to Chicago (1st time), and I found a very good price on a 4-star hotel located in the Loop. The website doesn't list the name/exact location of the hotel until after you purchase, but is this a good area and convenient to the heart of Michigan Ave/Magnificent Mile?

The Loop is the central business district and it not far from Michigan Ave (depending on the hotel-it might be on or just off Michigan.) The area is fine, it may be pretty quite during the weekend but it's safe. Depending on where in the Loop the hotel is located, it could be a 5 minute walk to Michigan Ave or a 20 minute walk. (P.S. it's called the Loop because it is the area encircled by the El lines.)

Last year my wife and I stayed at the Westin Michigan Ave, (in the N. Michigan area) which we got for $99 on Priceline, and which was very good, although somewhat north. We walked a lot.

I was hesitant about the Loop area, which I believe is south of the river, and some hotels may not be near the Magnificent Mile, which is north of the river.

I prefer to stay in the Loop and have stayed there more times than in the North Michigan Ave. area. I like the shopping there (not so expensive) and the hotels. It's also convenient for Grant Park, Millennium Park and museums.

There are hotels in the loop that would be less convenient, but I've always been willing to take that risk and have used priceline to get my reservations.

I'm guessing you're referring to hotwire. If so, check out www.betterbidding.com and the info there may help you to figure out which hotel it is before you reserve it.

Do know that most hotels in the loop are at least a mile away from the top of Michigan Avenue. Even at the river, you'd have that far to walk up to the Water Tower area.

If you are going to see live theater, museums (Field, Shedd Aq.) , new Millenium Park, State St., Art Institute, Cultural Center, Opera, most historic skyscrappers etc.- you will like to be Loop location. I prefer the Loop location to North Michigan Ave. myself. We have walked at night in Autumn from Oriental Theatre, and Cadillac Palace Theatre to east and south of State/Madison and we made jokes about there being a policeman in a donut shop at each cornor. Not EVERY cornor, but at least 3 or 4 until it got to be funny. It's not "unbusy" just not the see of humanity it is in the daytime. Loop is downtown to me.

You could be looking at up to a mile walk to Water Tower, but it is a very pleasant walk. Along Michigan Avenue you have some beautiful buildings on one side and Grant Park and the lake on the other. The view of the Wrigley and Tribune buildings from the Mich. Ave. bridge is breathtaking at night. Also, the Loop is quite safe, there are many people out until at least one or two in the morning. However, the farther west you are in the Loop, the fewer businesses will be open. You might not even find a McDonalds or Starbucks open in the west end of the loop on a weekend. State St. businesses are open seven days a week though. Also, Chicago is a city where you can catch a cab on the street if you get tired. I think I would take the chance and go with it. I doubt you'll be dissapointed.

Incidentally, the term Loop pre-dates the elevated train lines. It refers to a ground level street car system that turned around downtown. Don't bother waiting for it now, it's been out of service for well over a century.

flamingomonkey, we have pictures of that streetcar system on the "turnarounds" in our library archives. But I do remember streetcars myself on 63rd St., I think, and near Halsted or on Halsted. There were quite a few North South street car lines during the middle of the last century. Ashland and I think for awhile on Western Ave. as well.

As others have said, it depends on what you want to do when you are in Chicago.

The loop is closer to Grant Park & Millenium Park, which are both worth a visit. Buckingham Fountain is in Grant park; it is a nice walk, and also gets you on the lakefront.
On the other hand, if you want to do Water Tower/North Michigan, you might want to stay further north. But the walk is do-able if you like to walk and take your time.
We have stayed at the Sheraton on the Riverfont, it is just north of the river. There is a nice area to "stroll", there are some fountains, flowers, places to sit outside and eat.
Have fun.

Great time you'll have- We went for the time real time last yr(not just driving through)and we stayed in Mt Prospest. 15 miles from the loop. Had to drive to convention center and park for the el- or take the hotel shuttle to the air port for the el to towm... I said if I had to do it over stay downtown. You'll be there close to everything and the can take el/bus to attractions. Enjoy.. Mn Mom

I stayed at the Hotel Burnham in the loop a couple of years ago, when visiting Chicago to see a show at the Chicago Theater. It was a very easy walk to the theater. I think the train access is what was most appealing to me about the loop. The restaurant in Hotel Burnham was pretty good too.

However we had a hard time finding late night dining within walking distance.