Weekend for the Girls in Chicago?
 

Will be meeting up with friend for short weekend in Chicago in early May. Please recommend boutique hotel room ($150 range)near Michigan Ave. and a couple of not-to-miss bistro-like restaurants.

I'm off to sleep right now, but a short answer would be to take a look at my Chicago page at Virtual Tourist -- and I'll try to get back to this thread in the morning :D

http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/21927/bdc28/

Hi,

My husband and I just recently stayed at the brand new Amalfi on Kinzie(just opened in feb) for a great rate. It included appetisers and continental breakfeast. They still did not have there liquor licence so they gave us 4 free drink passes at the Harry Careys across the street. Keefers and Ruth Chris steak houses are right there within walking distance. We had lunch at the new Grand Luxe which was great,
ask for a table by the window for a nice view of Michigan Ave. We also ate breakfeast at Bistro 110(across from Watertower) which was very good too.
Have Fun!!!
Susan

Bistros-if you are up in the Lincoln Park area at the zoo or the nature museum, you might stop by Mon Ami Gabi after you are done-dinner only. Closer to downtown is Brasserie Jo or near Second City is Bistro Margot. All three, as well as Bistro 110, can be reserved via www.opentable.com.

The most well known boutique style hotels are Hotel Burnham (near State St. shopping), Hotel Monaco (just on the other side of the river from Michigan Avenue) and Hotel Allegro (near the theatres).

I just got the Hotel Allegro on Priceline for $70/night over Memorial Day. I believe it can be had cheaper on non-holiday weekends.

I've stayed at The Raphael which is considered a boutique hotel (it's a block off of N. Michigan by the John Hancock building)--another hotel near there is the Tremont (also one block off n. mich and by the hancock, but in other direction). I got both really cheap on Hotwire (under $50). I would recommend using Hotwire and picking N. Michigan area (that's where the cool shopping is). I don't think you can go wrong in this area. Also, I recommend eating at THe Cheesecake Factory at the base of the Hancock--it has the best food and desserts!