My fiance and I are getting married in June and are planning a long-weekend "mini-moon" in Chicago the last weekend of August. (The big trip is saved for the First Anniversary-moon next year.) We'll be going Friday morning from EWR and returning the following Tuesday, so 4 nights away.

My FH lived in Chicago for 12 years but left about 6 years ago. I've long wanted to visit Chicago. We are mostly going for jazz and blues, architecture, art, beer and a weekend away. The one thing we don't know is where to stay. He never had any reason to go to any hotels there, so even for him this is a new topic. I would rather not stay in a large chain hotel; I'd like something funky or unusual. I don't want to spend a huge amount (again, saving for the Big Trip), but we can handle something that is $200 tops. We live just outside of NYC so we are quite familiar with big-city hotel rates. It doesn't necessarily have to be downtown, but accessible to public transportation. We will not be renting a car.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

I first have to ask: In which Chicago neighborhood did your FH previously live in Chicago? Any particular interest in staying there?

Since you don't want a large chain hotel, take a look at the Flemish House of Chicago, which is an apartment B&B, located in the Gold Coast neighborhood. Because of the city's hotel tax, even the least expensive rooms would exceed your budget by a very minimal amount. But keep in mind that it is a B&B (although you don't have the communal dining) so you don't have the cost of breakfast out - unless you prefer that.

Thanks. My FH has done some research and found 3 B&B's that look suitable. He likes Wicker Park and says it's all close to trains. I'm totally down with funky neighborhoods.

Rays Bucktown B&B in Wicker Park
Ruby Room in Wicker Park/Bucktown
Old Chicago Inn in Wrigleyville.

They all seem to be under $200 for our dates. I can't tell, though, if all of the bathrooms at Old Chicago Inn are shared. That's something that while I can deal with usually, it's not what I want for a mini-moon. I think my first choice is Rays, does anyone have any thoughts?

thanks!

The Blackstone is a historic gem. It has had a multi million dollar face lift to reveal gorgeous architecture.
It is owned by Marriott but has a Boutique type feel to it! Great service, not a big hotel.
It is on Michigan Ave in the South loop so you are near Sheds and Field Museum and a some jazz clubs nearby.
They have some fantastic deals for less than $150 on weekends.

Just a thought!

hikrchick, those rates that you are quoting for the 3 B&Bs, does that include the 15.4% city hotel tax? That's really the thing to keep in mind when you have a budget involved.

For example, with the Flemish House (which I thought you might like for your "mini-moon"), the lowest room rate is $175, but when you add in the city's hotel tax, you are just over $200.

Whichever area of Chicago your FH finds interesting....But please keep in mind that Wicker Park/Bucktown is a distance further away from the Magnificent Mile, Loop, etc. than other areas.

lurker, you really cannot compare deals gotten now as opposed to what will occur in the summer. Although, with the economy remaining stagnant, it's possible - if there aren't conventions in town.

However, if you were going for a boutique hotel, the one I'd recommend is the Hotel Burnham (a Kimpton).

i really enjoyed the wicker park and lincoln park neighborhoods. here is the link to the B&Bs in chicago on tripadvisor:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g3...is-Hotels.html

i stayed at wicker park inn for $150/night. the service and breakfast were mediocre at best, but if you're just looking for a clean and comfortable place to stay, this would be a good choice. it is close to the train and i felt safe walking in the area at night.

exiledprincess, I asked my FH and he said there is a lower tax for B&Bs, somewhere in the 11 percent range, and the rates included it. I'll take a look at Flemish House. As for the neighborhoods, I'm cool with something a bit outside of the main touristy areas. I might just need an afternoon browsing at a good used-book shop or some funky antique stores, and then sitting for a couple hours at a cafe with some tea. I'm good with public transportation.

thanks, citychicnyc for the link. I'll check it out.

No, I don't think so. Although it might be because of where they are located in Chicago or the number of rooms they have available.

If you look at the Flemish House's website, you will see they state that there is a hotel tax of 15.4% (in addition to the room rate).

I took a look at the website for Ray's. They state that their hotel tax rate is 11.9% (vs. the 15.9% for "downtown Chicago hotels") and it is *in addition* to the room rate, not included in it. I don't know if your FH had gotten quotes from the B&Bs themselves - but if he was looking at the room rates on their websites, those are exclusive of taxes.

About the "good used-book shop or funky antique stores" and "sitting for a couple of hours at a cafe with some tea".... As neighborhoods in Chicago become gentrified, expenses rise and the more inexpensive places tend to leave - perhaps for other neighborhoods, perhaps they close altogether. So, although there are still some places such as you indicate for purchases here and there, there won't be a lot - and be prepared for table limits and minimum dollar purchases at restaurants and coffee/tea houses (as they depend on turn-around) - especially if you are wanting to sit outside.

BTW, Chicago's sales tax is the highest of the major cities in the nation.

I just realized that the information on Ray's website said the tax rate was "14.9%" (not 15.9% - typo on my part) for downtown Chicago hotels, although I think it's still 15.4%.

thanks for all the good information, esp about shopping. Perhaps we'll just take a bottle of water and a snack and go sit in Lincoln Park with the Sunday paper. I'll let my FH know about the hotel tax rate.

I am one of those people who does think that the place you stay is important but I have stayed at really nice places in Chicago,in the summer, for very good rates using Priceline/Hotwire. The bids include tax. Some of those though are chains. For a first time visitor, I would bid for a 4* Michigan Avenue hotel.

Look at www.biddingfortravel.com and www.betterbidding.com and see what hotels are coming up on bids. It's great to get a deal on the hotel and then spend your money on other things--especially since you will be taking another trip.

You don't want a car in Chicago and all the hotels are very easy to get to.

I was just going to say the same thing, LindainOhio. That's what I would do for a mini-moon. And the same level too- 4 star Michigan Ave.

I have, and I have gotten the Hyatt, Intercontinental etc. all at different times.

I would never want to be away from the lake and all the downtown or near North stuff in June. You can even go to the beach- Oak Street.

If you bid on that room now, you might be paying 1/2 of what you have budgeted and have a hell of a lot more money for having fun. Everything is expensive. VERY!

And you also would have a much better room and far more services, IMHO.

I just did the same thing for Pittsburgh in June- mid- June for a baseball week. My hotwire room is on the river and I can take a ferry ride of a few blocks to the ball park. No time wasted.

If you use Priceline in Chicago- at 4 star- you just can't lose. They are all great. Michigan Ave gives you choices that are each better than the next.

JJ5 & Linda, the Flemish House is 1/2 block west from the Oak Street Beach in the Gold Coast.

The OP didn't want large chains so just giving her suggestions based on what she desired...

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will hand them over to my FH who is doing the planning. But really, honestly, we are not "fancy hotel" sort of people, it's not the thing we want to spend our money on, and I've never gotten into the whole Priceline thing. Just never wanted to play that game. I'd rather stay somewhere smaller with a bit more character. As I mentioned, I live just across the river from NYC and know all about hotels in the thick of the main tourist area, which is not something I'm interested in.

We are saving for a First Anniversary-moon hiking/kayaking/biking trip to Thailand or Patagonia or Hawaii so this is really just a short get-away several months after our wedding.

I will let him know about the Flemish House. THanks!

Congratulations on your upcoming nuptuals! I know of a hotel that has a boutique feel and has the most comfortable beds in town (no joke)! It's the Crowne Plaza Avenue Hotel Downtown. It's within walking distance to the Mag Mile where you can shop and eat till your hearts content. Within your budget for rooms as well. Check it out - you might be surprised!

Check out vrbo.com. You might be able to find a funky loft or one bedroom condo in your price range.