68 replies to this topic

[trainman74]

Just wanted to update that I have still not been able to find a hotel, and time is running out ever so quickly! No offence, but this has become a nightmare!

Some suggestions have already been given in this thread. What's wrong with them -- sold out? More expensive than the posters thought? Too far away?

[Swadian Hardcore]

Just wanted to update that I have still not been able to find a hotel, and time is running out ever so quickly! No offence, but this has become a nightmare!

Some suggestions have already been given in this thread. What's wrong with them -- sold out? More expensive than the posters thought? Too far away?

In fact, all of them were more exoensive than the poster thought. too far away is not a problem, but the nightmare is bacause all the poster underestimated the price by up to 40%.

[Ispolkom]

In fact, all of them were more exoensive than the poster thought. too far away is not a problem, but the nightmare is bacause all the poster underestimated the price by up to 40%.

Not knowing the dates makes it difficult to make suggestions. When I personally looked at rates at the Comfort Inn in Aurora on dates I was interested in, I generally found rates under $100.

[Swadian Hardcore]

In fact, all of them were more exoensive than the poster thought. too far away is not a problem, but the nightmare is bacause all the poster underestimated the price by up to 40%.

Not knowing the dates makes it difficult to make suggestions. When I personally looked at rates at the Comfort Inn in Aurora on dates I was interested in, I generally found rates under $100.

Yeah, for my dates that is now $120.

[Everydaymatters]

Elgin stations are not convenient to hotels and I don't know if there are taxis there. Elgin has gone a bit downhill.

If distance is no problem, the Metra goes to Woodstock, which has a small hotel a block from the Metra station. Again, not sure of the price, but there are other hotels which the waiting taxis can take you to.

However, the Metra station for some of the trains is about 3 blocks from Union Station in Chicago. Don't know if you were aware of this.

[Swadian Hardcore]

Elgin stations are not convenient to hotels and I don't know if there are taxis there. Elgin has gone a bit downhill.

If distance is no problem, the Metra goes to Woodstock, which has a small hotel a block from the Metra station. Again, not sure of the price, but there are other hotels which the waiting taxis can take you to.

However, the Metra station for some of the trains is about 3 blocks from Union Station in Chicago. Don't know if you were aware of this.

Yeah, I know that. You're talking about the Ogilvie Center, formally North Western Terminal, unless I am mistaken again.

[Trogdor]

Yeah, I know that. You're talking about the Ogilvie Center, formally North Western Terminal, unless I am mistaken again.

You are mistaken. Ogilvie Station is formerly North Western Station. Formally, it is either Ogilvie Transportation Center, or Citigroup Center, depending on which part of the building you're referring to.

[Swadian Hardcore]

Yeah, I know that. You're talking about the Ogilvie Center, formally North Western Terminal, unless I am mistaken again.

You are mistaken. Ogilvie Station is formerly North Western Station. Formally, it is either Ogilvie Transportation Center, or Citigroup Center, depending on which part of the building you're referring to.

Oh, come on, man. I'm just a guy trying to find a hotel.

[Swadian Hardcore]

Argh! I meessed up, big time! I booked a hotel on Pricelne by naming my own price but I ended up in a really bad hotel with poor reviews! But I cannot cancel!

edit: not poor location

Edited by Swadian Hardcore, 24 June 2012 - 01:45 PM.

[Hotblack Desiato]

Argh! I meessed up, big time! I booked a hotel on Pricelne by naming my own price but I ended up in a really poor location with poor reviews! But I cannot cancel!

What hotel?

I've never had a problem with Priceline, but I'm always careful to select the area where I want the hotel to be, and pick a minimum star level. Then there are websites out there that can help you figure out what hotels you are likely to get based on the star level and location (no guarantees, but they tend to go with the same set of hotels regularly).

[Swadian Hardcore]

Argh! I meessed up, big time! I booked a hotel on Pricelne by naming my own price but I ended up in a really poor location with poor reviews! But I cannot cancel!

What hotel?

I've never had a problem with Priceline, but I'm always careful to select the area where I want the hotel to be, and pick a minimum star level. Then there are websites out there that can help you figure out what hotels you are likely to get based on the star level and location (no guarantees, but they tend to go with the same set of hotels regularly).

Oh, well. I guess it is just my own fault. I chose a three-star minimum for $80, but I still got a poor hotel. I guess the location is not too bad, so that is OK. Just that the hotel is reported to "stink" by reviewers.

[Devil's Advocate]

I've had great experiences with Priceline and Hotwire for Chicago, including the basic (but perfectly functional) Club Quarters and the storied Palmer House, where we passed by a certain former president as we were entering. No joke. If it's good enough for him I would imagine it's good enough for us. I always go for the Loop area and Magnificent Mile areas and I have never been disappointed thus far.

Argh! I meessed up, big time! I booked a hotel on Pricelne by naming my own price but I ended up in a really poor location with poor reviews! But I cannot cancel!

What hotel? I've never had a problem with Priceline, but I'm always careful to select the area where I want the hotel to be, and pick a minimum star level. Then there are websites out there that can help you figure out what hotels you are likely to get based on the star level and location (no guarantees, but they tend to go with the same set of hotels regularly).

Oh, well. I guess it is just my own fault. I chose a three-star minimum for $80, but I still got a poor hotel. I guess the location is not too bad, so that is OK. Just that the hotel is reported to "stink" by reviewers.

It's difficult to take what you say seriously without knowing which hotel you're actually talking about. This thread is full of bumbling half-attempts to explain what you want or when you plan to be there.

[John Bredin]

Let me guess. Based on thinking it's a bad hotel in a bad location, then conceding that the location isn't bad, I'd guess the Congress Hotel on South Michigan Avenue. Am I right?

[Swadian Hardcore]

Let me guess. Based on thinking it's a bad hotel in a bad location, then conceding that the location isn't bad, I'd guess the Congress Hotel on South Michigan Avenue. Am I right?

No.

[Swadian Hardcore]

Thanks for the help! No turning back now!

[June the Coach Rider]

I too am looking for somewhere safe to stay in chicago. I am going to try and catch a Cubs game at Wrigley field whilst I am in town next May. Is there a safe neighborhood between the two or where would you suggest I stay.

[Sorcha]

I too am looking for somewhere safe to stay in chicago. I am going to try and catch a Cubs game at Wrigley field whilst I am in town next May. Is there a safe neighborhood between the two or where would you suggest I stay.

Wrigley is in a safe area. You could also stay in Lincoln Park, which is just south of Wrigleyville/Lakeview.

What is your price range? When we go to Wrigley, we always stay at the Heart O'Chicago motel, which is in a neighborhood called "Andersonville". It has free parking, free Wi-Fi, and free breakfast, and it's on the Clark #22 bus line, which goes directly to Wrigley Field. The rooms aren't fancy, but they're the cleanest rooms I've ever stayed in. It looks like an old motel from the 1950s. They even use a ledger instead of a computer.

If you're willing to pay a bit more, I've had excellent luck with Hotwire. We've stayed in a few 4-5 star hotels in the Loop for around $125-175/night. Our most recent stay was at Hotel Sax, which we adored. Normally, it's $360/night, but we got it for $149/night through Hotwire.

Edited by Sorcha, 21 October 2012 - 04:30 PM.

[Blackwolf]

Alright! Passing through in three weeks. We did Deep Dish last February on our way through then, and its time to mix things up! Don't have much interest in Chicago Dogs, but Hot Italian Beef Sandwiches are a different story! Where, oh where, is the best shop dishing these bad-boys up at within walking distance of CUS?

[Devil's Advocate]

Hot Italian beef sandwiches? I don't think I ever associated Chicago with that.

I'm actually all about Chicago style Deep Dish, although I've never found anywhere outside of Chicago that can seem to get it right.

And I also like the Chicago style dogs, although I think they could still use some more research in the not too distant future.

[Blackwolf]

Hot Italian beef sandwiches? I don't think I ever associated Chicago with that.

You can blame the Food Network to making my mouth water with regard to Hot Italian Beef Sandwiches. Here's what Wikipedia has to say about them!

And I also like the Chicago style dogs, although I think they could still use some more research in the not too distant future.

I know... Not FROM Chicago, but there is a fancy hot dog place not far from my house that has a pretty darn tasty 'Chicago-style' hot dog. But there really are no places serving Hot Beef Sandwiches close to the ones I'm hankering for.

Also, since we're going round-trip, we'll be traversing Chicago twice in the span of a week. Might have to do Hot Beef one way, and Hot Dog the other? Unless the Deep Dish fever is caught!