Hotwire Hotel: 4* Chicago (Loop - Theater District) Virgin Hotels Chicago

[amym5]

Hello!

 

Coming in for a Sept 11-13 girls' weekend.

 

Hotwire search today shows:

 

4*  $180  100% recommended

 

-Free Internet

-Fitness Center

-Restaurant(s)

-Spa services

 

1)  Hoping for Virgin - how good are my odds?

2)  Any knowledge of the hotel (or other, perhaps better, choices) would be much appreciated!

 

Many thanks!  :)

 

 

[amym5]

Got it!  So happy!  Used the HOTWIRE link - hope I did everything right to get you credit.

 

AaronJB, in case you're replying - I've seen your posts, and I know you know lots about Chicago!

 

1)  Parking suggestions?  I think valet is $59, and we have shopping to do!

 

2) Favorite restaurants?  (walking distance - which means Grant Park to Oak St., in my book)  Make 'em great!  Trying to top my faves XOCO, Bongo Room, Hendrickx, Au Cheval, La Scarola - gimme some more great ones!  (Is Girl&Goat worth the wait, BTW?)

 

So excited to get the Virgin - found an earlier thread from another poster that helped a ton, too.

 

Thanks for the awesome site, everyone!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding and Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you received the hotel you were hoping for and that you're pleased with the results.

I will leave it to AaronJB to comment regarding your parking and restaurants questions.

Thank you for sharing your win and using the HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your purchase.

Enjoy your stay and have a great time in Chicago!

[AaronJB]

In terms of parking, there's unfortunately no cheap options, only less expensive by comparison. You're not that far from the Millennium Park/Grant Park lots. Navy Pier is further, but another option and would make for a pleasant stroll back to the hotel or off to Michigan Ave after. 

 

In terms of shopping, I think Michigan Ave has gotten somewhat more variety in the last 5-10 years, but I still think there is a lot you can get elsewhere and without a very hefty sales tax (which looks to go even higher next year.) It's fun to window shop, but I do recommend looking North of downtown at places like Luxury Garage Sale (http://luxurygaragesale.com/), which are more of a "treasure hunt". Not sure which way you're coming in, but there's also a terrific high-end outlet mall in Pleasant Prairie (https://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/store_listing.asp?id=90), which is just on the other side of the Wisconsin border.

 

In terms of eats, I do recommend Eataly, although I'm not crazy about having a meal there. Love the focaccia bread and I always marvel at how there never seems to be a thing out of place despite the massive crowds in there.  A couple of prime recommendations would be Boarding House (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g35805-d3708029-Reviews-The_Boarding_House-Chicago_Illinois.html), one of former "Check, Please" host (and the occasional Food Network appearance) and master sommelier Alpana Singh's (who responds to Yelp reviews, even) two restaurants. I do like Table 52, which is a cozy spot in the Gold Coast (http://www.yelp.com/biz/table-fifty-two-chicago). I like Sable (http://www.yelp.com/biz/sable-chicago) and while I think it's expensive for what it is, I like La Madia (http://www.yelp.com/biz/osteria-la-madia-chicago) for thin crust in a convenient River North location. Otherwise, for pizza I like Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder (http://www.yelp.com/biz/chicago-pizza-and-oven-grinder-company-chicago) near Lincoln Park Zoo (although that's cash only), or Lou Malnati's (River North or Gold Coast) downtown. Other options include Purple Pig (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g35805-d1647641-Reviews-The_Purple_Pig-Chicago_Illinois.html) and Allium (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g35805-d2649747-Reviews-Allium-Chicago_Illinois.html). Lastly, if you're up by Lincoln Park, there's always North Pond (http://www.yelp.com/biz/north-pond-chicago).

 

If you happen to head to the North Burbs on the way in or out, I recommend Abigail's (http://www.yelp.com/biz/abigails-american-bistro-highland-park). Former Smashing Pumpkins lead singer Billy Corgan's Madame Zuzu's is a couple blocks away. (http://www.yelp.com/biz/madame-zuzus-highland-park)

 

Girl and the Goat is worth it if you can get in. There used to be Little Goat Bread in the Chicago French Market (http://www.yelp.com/biz/chicago-french-market-chicago), but that closed along with a couple of other favorites (Wisma, which is still in the burbs.) It's a great concept, but unfortunately it just feels like there's not enough people aware of it (it's under the Ogilvie Transportation Center in the West Loop.)

 

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

Enjoy your stay.

[amym5]

AaronJB:

 

Awesome!  This is exactly what I was looking for (I'm a big fan of Lou Malnati's and Purple Pig, so we are very much on the same page.  I can't wait to try these out!!)  And the luxury garage sale sounds like fun, too.  Hadn't considered Navy Pier for parking, but I will now.

 

Thank you thank you, AaronJB!  This is a great list of new places to try!

 

And with my hotel win, it will make for a great getaway!

 

Once again, many thanks!

 

 

[AaronJB]

Happy to help! :)

Definitely a great deal and the property couldn't be any better located.

 

I'll also note that it's an easy walk from here to Wildberry (http://www.yelp.com/biz/wildberry-pancakes-and-cafe-chicago-2). I'm not a huge fan of a heavy breakfast before walking around the city all day, but Wildberry is good for traditional pancakes-style breakfast fare and quite popular.

 

Enjoy your stay.