Hotwire Hotel: Help with finding 16 hotel rooms in Chicago

[hivolume]

Hello,

I know this isn't usually the topic of this board, but was just wondering if anyone had experience getting a block of hotel rooms (16) in downtown Chicago. I am looking for May 7-9, and was hoping of finding something around $100/night. I don't really care what star level the hotel is. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Adam

[AaronJB]

Do you need downtown? If so, $100 will not be possible, as there are two conventions going on during that time.

If you don't mind the burbs, $100 is probably doable (although you'd have to do some calling and negotiation), and the hotels are in some very nice areas. Does everyone have to be in the same hotel or can the hotels be nearby one another?

Let me know if the burbs are possible, then I can lay out the various options.

[hivolume]

Thank you very much for getting back to me. The burbs would be fine, if the hotel is within walking distance to an el station. Otherwise, I need to stick downtown. These rooms are for a choir, and we are trying to compare the cost of hotels vs. just finding host families. So far, the best I have found downtown seems to be 159+ tax at either the Travelodge or the Inn of Chicago. Any other ideas would be great, or suggestions for properties in the burbs (near the train). Again, thanks for your help,

-Adam

[AaronJB]

The Springhill Suites O'Hare is $159 for these dates, but for 16 rooms, I would think they could possibly work with you on lowering the rate. The hotel is a short walk from an "L" station.

The Marriott Residence Inn Deerfield has Penthouse rooms for $199 that have 1 bed, 1 queen murphy bed, 1 sofabed and can have 1 rollaway. Those rooms are $199 for your dates, but may be less in a group rate. The big note with the Penthouse rooms in that hotel is that they are 1,000 square feet, have 2 bathrooms and 3 TVs (and a full kitchen), so it's as if you are renting big apartments and you may wind up needing less rooms as a result. The hotel offers free breakfast and a Metra station's a block away. There's also a grocery store in a mall a couple of blocks away. This is a great, upscale suburb, and the Chicago Botanic Garden (chicagobotanic.org) is in the nearby burb of Glencoe. Metra trains are larger, nicer commuter trains (like Amtrak; they have 2 levels and bathrooms) and more pleasant than the CTA trains.

Here's the specs for the Marriott rooms

Beds and Bedding Maximum Occupancy: 6

Beds in bedroom 1: 1 Queen

Bedroom is a loft

Beds in bedroom 2: 1 Queen Murphy

Sofabed

Rollaway beds permitted: 1

Cribs permitted: 1

Maximum cribs/rollaway beds permitted: 1

Duvet

Room Features 1000sqft/90sqm

Air-conditioned

Individual climate control

This room is non-smoking

Outdoor spaces total size 15sqft/1sqm

Living/sitting area

Dining area

Living room is separated

Windows may be opened

Ceilings, high and vaulted

Bath and Bathroom Features Bathrooms: 2

Hair dryer

Furniture and Furnishings Chair, oversized

Clock Radio

Fireplace

Table with seating for 4

Desk, writing / work, with electrical outlet, and data port

Iron and ironing board

Food & Beverages Grocery shopping service

First nighter kit

Bottled water, for a fee

Coffee maker / tea service

Kitchen features Fully equipped kitchen

Internet and Phones Phones: 3

Phone features: voicemail

Dial-up internet, complimentary

Wired internet, complimentary

Wireless internet, complimentary

Entertainment TV features: remote control, largest 27in/69cm

TVs: 3

Accessible Room Features This room type is not accessible

I'll keep looking for other alternates, but I wanted to put up a couple of options found so far.

[AaronJB]

There's a Red Roof Inn next to the Deerbrook Mall (the Residence Inn mentioned above is right nearby) that's $57 for a 1 king and $62 for 2 doubles. You can walk around the mall and the Metra station's right there. There's a Best Buy and a large Jewel grocery in that mall, as well. The reviews are halfway decent here:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g3...k_Illinois.html

I'll keep looking around.

[hivolume]

OK--I am in the process of calling around. Thank you very much for all of your help--I will let you know what we end up doing!

-Adam

[AaronJB]

The Evanston, IL Hilton Garden Inn is right next to both a Metra and CTA station, but is $189. May be worth a call as that's a nice hotel in a great town, but not sure if they'd come down that far on the rate.

[AaronJB]

The Residence Inn Downtown is $329 a night for your dates for 2 bedroom suites w/kitchen. That may be another way to cut down on rooms. You also get free breakfast and evening reception there.