Hotwire Hotel: help with Chicago hotels for a family trip

[AVK]

Hi,

Looks like you guys are pro at identifying good deals and matching the needs of travelers. We have booked a trip to Chicago for 7/3-7/5 and will be traveling with 3 kids, ages: 1.5 year old, 10 and 13 year olds. We would like to stay in Downtown area (Magnificent Mile - Streeterville), preferably at a 4/4.5* and not spend more than $150 per night per room (I guess we'll need 2 rooms or a suite). Hotwire gives me 2 options for 4* hotels:

4.5* for $132 per night with fitness center, restaurant, business center and high speed internet connection

4* for $119 per night - non-smoking, fitness center, restaurant, business center, high speed

can you help identify these hotels and let me know if these are good choices for a family to stay or make any other suggestions. On one of the threads there was a recommendation to stay at Conrad and that Orbitz had rates for $133. I couldn't find the same rate for our dates (no surprise since it is 4th of July weekend) but maybe there are deals on other sites for this hotel. Thanks in advance.

[AaronJB]

Welcome to the site. :)

Rates are date-specific, so that rate for the Conrad isn't available on these dates.

Would you prefer trying to fit everyone in one larger room or are you open to the idea of two rooms? Are you driving?

[AVK]

we are flying and would love to fit everyone in one larger room, I just didn't think it would be possible with 3 kids. We are open to 2 rooms idea too.

[AaronJB]

There are 4*'s on HOTWIRE when searching for 2 rooms 2 adults/3 kids, but they are $120+ per room per night.

My suggestion would be to search on Expedia for 2 adults/3 kids for these dates, and the Embassy Suites Downtown (which is the better located of the two ES properties) is $229 for these dates. Use coupon code 10JUN for $10 off per night = $219 per night.

While you would get more space w/2 rooms, this would offer free breakfast and evening reception, as well as a kitchenette. Additionally, great location (next to a subway stop and next to a grocery if you need snacks.) Easy walk to Michigan Ave. and a lot of restaurants around this ES in the River North area.

Please use the site's Expedia.com link if this is of interest.

[thereuare]

HOTWIRE asks for the number of adults/chidlren and defined children as age 2-17, so you could search HOTWIRE for 2adults/2children and still be abiding by their terms. It would likely be tight quarters with all five of you, but you'd save the addtional cost of a room... not sure if budget or comfort is the more important objective in this instance.

HOTWIRE has a 4* hotels for quad occupancy ~$125/nite, as well as what i believe to be the 3.5* Hotel Indigo for $135/nite, which i seem to reall AaronJB is quite favorable on, but i'll let him comment on that property in regards to the needs you've outlined above.... and let us know your own thoughts as well.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[AaronJB]

The Indigo is a favorite of mine, largely because it's nice to have a hotel with more "personality" (bright colors, photo murals) in comparison to the usual "all-business" (read: luxurious, but often a bit on the bland side) hotels in the city. The funky (in a good way) furniture, hardwood floors and other touches also give the Indigo a bit more "home-y" feel. It's a cute property, in the Gold Coast neighborhood, which is an easy walk from North Michigan Ave. and a pretty easy walk to Lincoln Park Zoo. There is an Edwardo's Pizza a couple of doors down and a subway station a couple of blocks away. A couple of grocery stores are nearby, and there are a variety of restaurants in the area. The Gold Coast is an upscale neighborhood - there are some very upscale and/or historic townhomes in the blocks to the North of the Indigo - there's also an early Frank Lloyd Wright work a few blocks to the NE, as well.

This is not the most centrally located hotel, but it does provide easy access to a subway and is only a couple of minutes walk from Michigan Ave. and about a 15-17 minute North to the Zoo/Lincoln Park. It's also a few blocks from Oak Street Beach. There's also a terrific Farmer's Market next to the Indigo that occurs on Saturdays, but not sure if it'll be open on July 4th.

I still think that the Embassy mentioned above (and that does come up when searches for 2 adults/3 kids) would be a good idea (free breakfast, more space for 5), but if you don't mind a smaller room, the Indigo would be a very nice choice for less.

[AaronJB]

Additionally, if you plan to go to the fireworks celebrations going on downtown, it will be extremely crowded, so be prepared.

I also see a 4* on HOTWIRE for these dates in the Mag Mile area, which would likely be the Sheraton...which I definitely would not recommend - probably my least favorite 4* North of the River.

[AaronJB]

Additionally, if you look up 2 adults/2 kids on Expedia there are more/cheaper options, but doing that would be at your own risk, as you would then have to sneak the third child in.