We've included hotels in the Loop in Chicago that we've had some sort of experience with. Thus, many quality hotels, such as The Drake Hotel, are not included. Also see the BiddingforTravel.com Chicago hotel list for a good list of options, with links to reviews.
- Club Quarters (111 W Adams St.): Located in the central Loop. The rooms can be small but are modern and clean. The hotel isn't anything special, but neither is it a bad place to stay. The BiddingforTravel.com reviews are pretty accurate, though some of the reviewers are a little harsher than we would be. Rates: $179.
- Hilton Chicago (720 South Michigan Ave.): Awesome location, overlooking the lake, across the street from Grant Park, right between Museum Campus and the Art Institute. Johnny stayed here once for a conference and thought it was very nice, though a hotel that was more modern (but with less personality) would likely have larger rooms.
- Holiday Inn-Mart Plaza (350 N. Orleans): Near the Merchandise Mart, located just north of the Chicago river and on the west end of the Loop. The hotel has a central atrium with moderately large rooms at a moderate price, and quality similar to other Holiday Inn hotels. There are some nice restaurants nearby, and a CTA stop is a stone's throw away, but besides that there's nothing really near here, not even shopping (the Merchandise Mart is a "mart" for vendors, not the general public). Rates: $179.
- Hyatt Regency Chicago (151 East Wacker Dr.): Very centrally located. Walking distance to Millennium Park, the Magnificent Mile, and the Art Institute. Has river and lake views. Rates: $239-279.
- Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago (163 East Walton Pl.): An older but nice hotel on the northern end of Michigan Ave. Right next to the Magnificent Mile and within walking distance of lots of great shopping. Rates: $199.
The above estimated room rates are the nightly rate, double occupancy, that we found online in May 2006 (with no special offers), for a stay from August 4-6, 2006.
