Chicago Hotel Recommendations

[BCD]

Greetings,

I'm taking three of the owners of a large client of mine to Chicago for a couple nights to attend a Cubs day game and a couple nights of eating and excessive drinking. What recommendations do you have for a hip and comfortable hotel that is within walking/stumbling distance or a reasonable cab ride from an area with a lot of nightlife activity. Headed there in late April. All of us are in our mid to late 30s and I'm looking to stay under $300 per night per room.

Thanks,
BCD

 

[globetrotter]

friends of mine have stayed at the dana on state, and the senaca, both were very happy. my company keeps people in the Sonesta. all are downtown, fit your budget and are very nice.

 

[Maharlika]

The Fairmont.

 

[ragdoll]

I often stay at the Hotel Monaco off Wacker. It is part of the Kimpton group of hotels and has pretty good access to Michigan Ave and is just a short cab ride from points further north.

 

[The Snob]

The James. For your tourism purposes, the "Viagra Triangle"/"Gold Coast" and "River North" areas that the James is a hop and a skip from will be perfect. I prefer the nightlife elsewhere, but I think you'll be very satisfied. And it's hip--all modern decor and whatnot. Also, there is the Jbar downstairs that will suit your drinking purposes if you're really lazy--it's more of a lounge than a hotel bar. I haven't been there in eons, but it used to be fairly happening (in 2007). (If you're so inclined, my current favourite bar (which might be a little out of the way and possibly erring on young for you): Bar DeVille!) Here's a link to the yelp review and some photos for The James. http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-james-hotel-chicago. And here's a link to the website.

 

[The Snob]

By the way.. hotels are so ridiculously cheap right now; have you thought about trying something like priceline or hotwire and taking the "unnamed 4*+ hotel"? I've had excellent results with this.

For example: Vancouver Hyatt and another time the Marriott for less than $80/night. And also did it once in Toronto and landed the Royal Meridien for some absurdly low price... like $60 or something via naming my own price.

Of course, I guess if it's a corporate card--who cares? the stockholders won't know. hehe

 

[Cavalier]

Unknown 4 star from Priceline in Chicago will land you at the Omni, Intercontinental or W from my experience. $80 a night

I've always wanted to stay at the Peninsula.

Goldcoast area is lame, but a $10 taxi will get you to any night life.

 

[rdawson808]

Originally Posted by The Snob

By the way.. hotels are so ridiculously cheap right now; have you thought about trying something like priceline or hotwire and taking the "unnamed 4*+ hotel"? I've had excellent results with this.

Check betterbidding.com to see your likely hotel from Hotwire or Priceline. I've used it before for Hotwire reservations with good results.

b

 

[Despos]

The James is a good hotel and has one of the best steak houses in Chicago. David Burke's Primehouse.

Sofitel is good hotel. Great location, close to good restaurants like Pane Caldo and Le Colonial. 2 blocks from the viagra triangle.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by ragdoll

I often stay at the Hotel Monaco off Wacker. It is part of the Kimpton group of hotels and has pretty good access to Michigan Ave and is just a short cab ride from points further north.
I've stayed at the Monaco a few times, and recommend it. It's nice and within walking distance of where you might want to go. They are very pet friendly so you'll see pets in the lobby; however, I've never had a problem with noise. It's my favorite place to stay when I travel with my dog.

I've also had good experiences at the Westin, Intercontinental, Conrad Hilton, Four Seasons, and the Penninsula. All within walking distance of nice places to dine, shop, etc.

 

[gdl203]

Peninsula, Park Hyatt, Four Seasons - in that order. Not sure whether they're advertised below $300/night but they are with most corporate rates

 

[The Snob]

Originally Posted by Cavalier

Unknown 4 star from Priceline in Chicago will land you at the Omni, Intercontinental or W from my experience. $80 a night

I've always wanted to stay at the Peninsula.

Goldcoast area is lame, but a $10 taxi will get you to any night life.


Whoa! Intercontinental or W for $80/night! That is money.

 

[The Snob]

Originally Posted by JayJay

I've stayed at the Monaco a few times, and recommend it. It's nice and within walking distance of where you might want to go. They are very pet friendly so you'll see pets in the lobby; however, I've never had a problem with noise. It's my favorite place to stay when I travel with my dog.

I've also had good experiences at the Westin, Intercontinental, Conrad Hilton, Four Seasons, and the Penninsula. All within walking distance of nice places to dine, shop, etc.

I feel like the Hotel Monaco, location wise, is subpar. It's south of the river, after all. Too loop-y. Plus the James is a stone's throw away from the CTA Red Line (which I assume is what you will take to the Cubs game unless you guys cab it... but riding the CTA to a baseball game is like tradition)

 

[spertia]

The Park Hyatt gets my vote. I've stayed at the Fairmont, Hard Rock, Swissotel, and W, but I feel that the Park Hyatt is much nicer than all of those.

 

[JohnGalt]

I would say Four Seasons if you can get a rate that matches your budget.

Whatever you do - do not stay at the Swissotel.