I am currently in Milwaukee, just finished doing an event for a client and was supposed to stay here another night before I head home to MI. HOWEVER, I can leave tonight around 6:30 and thought rather than staying here another night I'll drive 1/2 way home and spend the night in Chicago - do a little shopping, and relax before I head home.

I got a room on Priceline at the Sheraton for $70 (!) and when I stay at that particular hotel I usually park in the Millennium Park garage to save $$$.

But, I am by myself and will have to walk to the hotel myself - which I don't mind, except it's going to be late (possibly 9pmish). Does anyone have an idea on a spot that would be safer to park and walk to the hotel from? And still save some parking $$$?

I remember the last time that I stayed at the Sheraton I thought I remember a surface parking lot just across from the hotel - does anyone have some info about that lot? Cost, hours, etc....

Thanx in advance!

ttt

The Sheraton itself has a lot and there are quite a few other public lots in that area. I think that surface lot is still there but they are building alot in that area so I can't be sure. Another cheaper option might be to park in the Grant Park North lot and walk to the Sheraton or hop a cab. There will be alot of people around Randolph and Mi. on a Friday night (especially with the Sox rally today) and you can walk straight up Michigan and over to the Sheraton.

Park at the Sheraton and charge it to your client--don't they pick up your travel expenses anyway? With a $70 hotel room, you're saving them quite a bit already!
Racy

i called the hotel and they said that hotel parking is $35!!! I can't justify that at any price...

I guess you have to balance cheapness and safety.

Racy - I've never known a client to pick up expenses of a stopover that is for pleasure.

And you don't really have to balance safety with cost - the Millennium Park garage should be perfectly fine at that time of night. There will be people around. I would park there if I were arriving alone at that time of night, and then either walk or take a cab depending on weather and how much energy I have.

JLM - I was going to have to spend the night in MKE anyway to get home (i'm driving to MI from MKE) so instead of spening the night at the covention hotel ($129), I am spening the night in Chicago (that's why I got the priceline rate).

Thanx for your input - I think I will end up at the Mill. Garage since I know how to get there already.

Aaah - I misread the post, but now I get it.

I hope you'll feel safe in that area - I've been around there that time of night and later, and always felt safe.

$35 a night for parking is the going rate in that area. It is astounding how much they charge for parking. Some hotels charge $33/night and some charge $38, so $35 is dead on.

Heck, one time about a month after 9/11 (when travel was way down) I managed to catch a suite at the Drake for $59 directly through the Hilton website (no priceline sillyness). Still paid $33 a night for parking there.

Just park at the Millenium Park garage. There will be plenty of people in that area during that time. I've never felt unsafe in that area.