Calling Chicago Area PSers- Hotel Recommendation?

[April20]

I''m going to be in Chicago next Thursday/Friday for business. I come in Thursday afternoon and was just going to stay near the airport for convenience.... until I checked into downtown hotel rates. It is dirt cheap next week. So cheap, I can''t decide where to stay. Here are some of the options:

The Hotel Monaco on North Wabash (I do love a Kimpton hotel)
Raffaello Hotel on Delaware (stayed here with DH a couple years ago)
The Drake
Millenium Knickerbocker Hotel
The Westin Michigan Avenue
Hotel Allegro (also a Kimpton)
Avenue Hotel (stayed here the last time I stayed downtown, really liked it)

With the exception of the Westin and the Allegro, all of these hotel are UNDER $100. The Westin and Allegro are just over $100. Craziness I tell you! It would cost me just as much to stay out near the airport (yuck).

So, those familiar with Chicago, where would you stay? I need to be in Oak Park Friday morning, but not too early, so I should have time for a good breakfast before I head out. Recommendations for this? And while I''m at it, where would you go for dinner on Thursday night? I don''t want something too expensive. Last time I ate a Thai place that was within walking distance of the Avenue Hotel. It was decent, but not hugely memorable.

Thanks in advance!

 

[jas]

All things being equal, for a "classic" Chicago experience you might want to consider either the Drake or the Allegro. The Drake is old school, a Chicago institution, great location. Allegro is vintage cool.

I don''t think you could go wrong with any of these, though.

Just my .02

 

[sillyberry]

The only Chicago hotel I have ever stayed in is the Hyatt Regency, so I can''t be much help there.

However, for food: one of my favorite places for dinner is Quartino. Reasonably priced and yummy. Also good and cheap wine!

 

[Elmorton]

My mom stayed at the Monaco and LOVED it. She was very excited about the fact that if you miss your pet at home, they''ll bring you a goldfish for your room (?!). The location is fab, too.

 

[April20]

Date: 1/4/2010 8:50:35 PM
Author: Elmorton
My mom stayed at the Monaco and LOVED it. She was very excited about the fact that if you miss your pet at home, they''ll bring you a goldfish for your room (?!). The location is fab, too.

I forgot the Monaco does that! I''ve never gotten one.

I definitely want a location that is easy walking distance to restaurants. I imagine it will be C-O-L-D, so I don''t want to have to hike for blocks. Then again, there are always cabs.

 

[MagsyMay]

Both the Monaco and the Allegra have really cute decor and a fun, younger feel. I didn''t know about the goldfish, but that is hilarious! For a more old-school feel, the Drake and Knickerbocker are both beautiful, but not my personal style. Although for those prices, they might be

 

[Elmorton]

April, I''m a little south of Chicago, and it''s been freeeezing here. I''d cab it everywhere if I were you!

 

[omieluv]

Date: 1/4/2010 8:26:52 PM
Author:April20
I'm going to be in Chicago next Thursday/Friday for business. I come in Thursday afternoon and was just going to stay near the airport for convenience.... until I checked into downtown hotel rates. It is dirt cheap next week. So cheap, I can't decide where to stay. Here are some of the options:

The Hotel Monaco on North Wabash (I do love a Kimpton hotel)
Raffaello Hotel on Delaware (stayed here with DH a couple years ago)
The Drake
Millenium Knickerbocker Hotel
The Westin Michigan Avenue
Hotel Allegro (also a Kimpton)
Avenue Hotel (stayed here the last time I stayed downtown, really liked it)

With the exception of the Westin and the Allegro, all of these hotel are UNDER $100. The Westin and Allegro are just over $100. Craziness I tell you! It would cost me just as much to stay out near the airport (yuck).

So, those familiar with Chicago, where would you stay? I need to be in Oak Park Friday morning, but not too early, so I should have time for a good breakfast before I head out. Recommendations for this? And while I'm at it, where would you go for dinner on Thursday night? I don't want something too expensive. Last time I ate a Thai place that was within walking distance of the Avenue Hotel. It was decent, but not hugely memorable.

Thanks in advance!

I live quite near Oak Park, in fact, I lived in Oak Park for quite a while and went to the High School...plenty of great places to eat in Oak Park and Elmwood Park. Yes, it is quite cold, take cabs when possible. The Carleton of Oak Park is a nice hotel, however, I have heard great things about hotel Monaco. Maybe we can meet for lunch, pending your schedule.

 

[April20]

Date: 1/5/2010 1:17:30 AM
Author: omieluv

Date: 1/4/2010 8:26:52 PM
Author:April20
I''m going to be in Chicago next Thursday/Friday for business. I come in Thursday afternoon and was just going to stay near the airport for convenience.... until I checked into downtown hotel rates. It is dirt cheap next week. So cheap, I can''t decide where to stay. Here are some of the options:

The Hotel Monaco on North Wabash (I do love a Kimpton hotel)
Raffaello Hotel on Delaware (stayed here with DH a couple years ago)
The Drake
Millenium Knickerbocker Hotel
The Westin Michigan Avenue
Hotel Allegro (also a Kimpton)
Avenue Hotel (stayed here the last time I stayed downtown, really liked it)

With the exception of the Westin and the Allegro, all of these hotel are UNDER $100. The Westin and Allegro are just over $100. Craziness I tell you! It would cost me just as much to stay out near the airport (yuck).

So, those familiar with Chicago, where would you stay? I need to be in Oak Park Friday morning, but not too early, so I should have time for a good breakfast before I head out. Recommendations for this? And while I''m at it, where would you go for dinner on Thursday night? I don''t want something too expensive. Last time I ate a Thai place that was within walking distance of the Avenue Hotel. It was decent, but not hugely memorable.

Thanks in advance!

I live quite near Oak Park, in fact, I lived in Oak Park for quite a while and went to the High School...plenty of great places to eat in Oak Park and Elmwood Park. Yes, it is quite cold, take cabs when possible. The Carleton of Oak Park is a nice hotel, however, I have heard great things about hotel Monaco. Maybe we can meet for lunch, pending your schedule.

I''d love to but I don''t know that I can make it work this trip. I''m on the 320 back out. I''ll be back though. I''m in town to conduct a bid walk on a job and construction should start around March 1. I''ll be in town every other week until the job is done. I''ll make time for lunch for sure during one of those trips.

 

[Lilac]

I''ve never been to Chicago, so I can''t comment on those specific hotels, but DH and I stayed in the Hotel Palomar in Los Angeles (a Kimpton hotel) and the Hotel Monaco in Baltimore this past weekend (also a Kimpton hotel) and we LOVED them! We joined their Kimpton InTouch Guest Rewards and Loyalty Program (it takes maybe 5 minutes to fill out the form online) and if you join you get free internet access in your room and a $10 mini-bar credit. They also upgraded us from a standard room to a gorgeous suite with a jacuzzi! They were so nice and we requested a goldfish because I thought it sounded like such a cute idea so they brought us a fishbowl with two goldfish and we LOVED having them!

Like I said, I''ve never stayed at any Chicago Kimpton hotels, but in general the Kimpton hotels have been wonderful and DH and I have loved them - we can''t wait to stay in another one!

 

[April20]

Okay, I booked the Allegro. It looks really cool.

 

[annadragon]

Glad you booked the Allegro I can only comment on the Drake. It''s kinda meh for a hotel when you compare it to the Kimpton brand and style. The lobby is nice and plush but otherwise nothing to write home about.