My husband and I will be coming in November to Chicago for the first time. (3 night vacation) For the life of me, I can't decide if it's better to stay near the loop or the magnificant mile. Help!!!!

For starters, they're both fine. I like the Loop better, but others prefer Michigan Ave.

If you'll be doing more theater/museum stuff then the Loop is closer, but it's not difficult to do those from Michigan Ave. area either.

If you'll be shopping on Michigan Ave., then obviously that location is closer, but again, it's easy to access from the Loop.

Loop doesn't have as many nearby restaurant and nightlife choices, but it's accessible to many train lines and easy to get to/from by cab, so that hasn't ever bothered me.

I'd recommend going with whatever location gets you the best deal on a hotel you're happy with. If you're considering priceline, don't hesitate to bid both areas (start with one, then add the other) after a bit of research.

I've always stayed in the Loop but would prefer the Mag Mile.

What sorts of things do you plan to do? What's your hotel budget? Are there any amenities that you couldn't live without or do you just want a basic room with a bed and shower?

If you're going to be primarily shopping the Mag Mile has a greater concentration of stores. If you're going to the museums, theatre and/or opera, The Loop would be better.

The farthest two points in both areas are only about a mile apart so if you stay in one, the other is easily within walking distance.

There are several threads on what sort of things to see and do. You don't say whether you're flying or driving, but all the downtown hotels are within a short walk or cab ride from public transit. The Blue Line runs between downtown and O'Hare. The Orange Line, between Midway and downtown. The fare is $1.75 and multiple-day visitor passes are available at both airports.

For complete transit info, check transitchicago.com. For info on events or restaurants, metromix.com. You can enter dates or cuisine, price and neighborhood and it will give you a list of possibilities.

You could stay in between the Loop and North Mich and have easy walks to both. Check out the Renaissance, Hotel 71 or Hard Rock.

Ditto Hard Rock. We stopped by for a quick cocktail and it looked nice.

I was also thinking the House of Blues Hotel/Westin Riv. North as kind of being a "Middle of the Road" area????

Short walk/taxi/El to everything?

I like the Gold Coast Doubletree. Easy for everything.

For "in the middle" the Hyatt on Wacker and the Swissotel are also great.

I'm not sure that I'd call the Gold Coast location "Easy for everything." I've stayed at the Omni Ambassador East which is in the Gold Coast area, and I did enjoy it. It's different from the other locations, but was nice. But it is further from the theater/museum area than even Michigan Ave., and is still a walk to Michigan Ave. also. It's also only convenient to the red line el. So, "easy for everything" not nearly as much as Loop or Michigan Ave., but still fine.

Because I've just made some reservations I do know that both Priceline and Hotwire have some GOOD deals in both areas. On Priceline I got the Hotel Allegro (Loop, same building as Cadillac Palace Theatre)for 2 nights in early Dec. for $76 a night. It's very eclectic- I've seen the decore. I'll be going to see HairSpray right there.

You can get better prices on Priceline but I like Hotwire in this time period because you can designate River/Wacker Drive area in Hotwire, which is in the MIDDLE. My favorites are all on the River actually, but especially for the warmer months. In December or winter I like downtown (LOOP) area better.

Most tourists like the Mag. Mile more because they like the glitter and increased "city" shopping/ high end restaurants etc. Not to say you can't get them in the Loop, because you can.
I tried twice, and I definitely like the Loop more. The Art Institute, the Theatre Distric and the old icons on State and on Washington are what I enjoy the most.

The rack rates are so much higher that I would never consider paying twice (in Priceline's case) for the same thing, same nights.

I've stayed at Palmer House, Swissotel, Hyatt on the River, Omni (North), House of Blues, Hotel Niko, Tremont, and now Hotel Allegro. There are many, many great hotels in Chicago.

The only place I would not choose for a short trip in cold weather is the Gold Coast. It's too far North for the central locations, IMHO.

Oh, I forgot, if at all possible- take this seriously:

TRY TO GET WICKED TICKETS NOW.

Whatever age you are- you BOTH would love it! And the cast!!!! SUPERB!

Ticketmaster

I would say stay on or north of the river. The Loop tends to quiet down after 6, whereas north of the river is very lively both during the day and at night. Access between the two neighborhoods is easy, but I think Mag mile is more fun (i.e., more restaurants, shopping, bars, and people). Westin on the river is nice (good beds) and House of Blues and Hotel 71 are also in very convenient locations. I don't know what your price point is, I love Le Meridien on Michigan great location, great rooms.

Truth be told, you'll be find almost anywhere on or near Michigan Avenue downtown, north or south of the river.

It's been 7 years since I was in Chicago and I stayed near the Loop. It was great. But you can't go wrong with either.

Both areas are good choices, and I've stayed in both, but I would prefer the Mag Mile area because there are more restaurants within an easy walking distance and there's more people out-and-about that area at night.

I would make your choice based upon the hotel. There are some hotels in the Loop that I like better than Mag Mile hotels and for me, the hotel is important, so that's how I would choose.