Chicago Members - Hotel Choices

[VMan]

I'm taking a trip to Chicago with my girlfriend on the weekend of November 2nd.

I have the hotel choices narrowed down to three:

Best Western on 1100 South Michigan Ave (3 star)

Congress Plaza Hotel on 520 S Michigan Ave (2 star)

Essex Inn on 800 S Michigan Ave (4 star) - used to stay at this one as a kid

All are priced fairly similarly. Which one would you choose based on location/quality?

 

[Connemara]

Whichever is closest to Paul Stuart.

 

[FLMountainMan]

has anyone stayed at the Drake Hotel? One of my planned trips is to stay there (based purely on movie nostalgia) and then catch a Cubs game. Is the Drake worthy of the hype?

 

[topcatny]

Originally Posted by FLMountainMan

has anyone stayed at the Drake Hotel? One of my planned trips is to stay there (based purely on movie nostalgia) and then catch a Cubs game. Is the Drake worthy of the hype?

I stayed at the Drake 2 summers ago for work. The lobby and bar etc. are very cool. My room was just ok though. There was nothing wrong with it, but it was just tired looking. I would stay there again but I can't say it would be my first choice.

 

[VMan]

Went with the Essex Inn, case closed.

 

[Tomasso]

Originally Posted by VMan

Which one would you choose based on location?

None of them. You want to be on North Michigan Ave, on the other side of the river.

 

[gdl203]

Drake is OK but it's not that great

My favorites are Four Seasons, Park Hyatt and Peninsula - in that order. But I'm spoiled by fairly low corporate rates so that's probably not very useful advice for the OP

The James is pretty cool in the boutique category - not too expensive

 

[VMan]

I was told that the area I am staying in (800 S Michigan Ave) is pretty dangerous due to the proximity to the south side. Now, I am pretty comfortable in less-than-desirable areas, but how bad are we talking here?

 

[Buster]

Originally Posted by VMan

I was told that the area I am staying in (800 S Michigan Ave) is pretty dangerous due to the proximity to the south side. Now, I am pretty comfortable in less-than-desirable areas, but how bad are we talking here?

I don't find this area dangerous at all. It is on grant park, and miles away from what people refer to as the "south side".

 

[Duveen]

Closest to Paul Stuart is the Westin on Michigan Ave. The rooms are decent, and they generally have pretty good weekend deals (I've paid around $150/night, which is quite good for the location). Give it a think...

 

[dhc905]

I really like the Drake. I work in the 4 seasons building and have stayed there a couple times (weird I know, but when work blocks off rooms and they're not taken it saves me a 15 minute walk home). Honestly, I'd prefer the Drake just because it's dripping with history and "good" vintage (as opposed to ebay "vintage" which is just a euphamism for tired crap). My room was as good as the 4 seasons although the hallway could have used some work.