Looking for a hotel and not sure which area to stay in? Which is closest to the majority of the "tourist attractions".. Which is the safest area? Thanks for any suggestions!

stay on or near the mag mile.

stay in the loop

Actually, it doesn't really matter, but just wanted to offer the opposite opinion. And I've stayed in the Loop more often than not.

Near the most "tourist attractions" is both difficult to define, and not particularly necessary. To walk from Loop hotels to the top of Michigan Ave. is just over a mile.

Loop hotels are closer to Millennium Park, theater and museums, plus shopping on State Street (Marshall Fields flagship store, Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx, Filene's Basement, Old Navy flagship store and many others).

Michigan Ave. hotels are closer to Navy Pier and higher end shopping. Michigan Ave. generally has more activity at night, but the Loop is still safe. Both are pretty convenient to public transportation, so you can take the bus and el many places, and cabs are easy to find and reasonably priced for most things you'd want to do.

My personal preference is to stay nearer the river and be between the two - Hyatt Regency on Wacker, Hotel 71 and others in the area are a good compromise. And if you're driving in, the Hyatt Regency is just a couple blocks from the Millennium Park parking garage which is relatively inexpensive (just over $16/day, compared to near $40 for Michigan Ave. hotel parking).

I second the Hotel 71 suggestion-the perfect location IMO on the edge of the Loop just off Michigan Ave. Both areas are safe and very close to one another.

It depends on what you want to do, but if I had a choice, I would stay on the south end of the of Mag Mile by the river, that way I could easily walk to both. The LOOP is closer to the theater district, and the Mag Mile is closer to bars/nightclubs/etc.

This same thread was done with the close to the same heading and a big discussion ensued. It was about a month or two ago.

I second Vittrad about staying on the River area that borders both.

I do Priceline and go anywhere that's 4 star or above and have gotten great variety. I like the river and theatre district the best because of where I go. You may go farther North etc. to shop.

I just got Hotel Allegro for $69 in December. Boutique type rooms and great for theatre district.

As jlm said, the farthest point on the Mag Mile is only about a mile north of the center of the loop.

If you're planning on visiting the museum campus, it's about 1.5 miles south of the loop and is accessible via the number 146 bus from anywhere on Michigan Avenue or State Street.

Safety shouldn't be an issue in either area. I've roamed through the loop and Mag Mile after the theatre and concerts and never had a problem. Just use common sense, be aware of who and what is around, stay in lighted areas, etc.

Thank you for all the great responses!

Don't know if I'm replying too late but I would definitely recommend the Sofitel Water Tower.

It was a great hotel and in a perfect location. Just a short stroll to Michigan Ave and all the great shopping and to anything else you wnat to get to. The train is just a short walk away. I have absolutely no complaints and would stay here again if returing to Chicago.

The rate we payed last July was about $220 USD/night.

Good luck.

I also like to stay at the top of the loop, bottom of the Mag Mile. We usually stay at the Hyatt on East Wacker. My favorite hotel however is the Park Hyatt on N.Michigan at the Water Tower.