Best hotel in Chicago on a budget

Swmbo and I are going to Chicago last weekend this month for anniversary.

Need recommendations at around $200/night. High rise with a view would be nice, good restaurant a plus since we'll be getting in late enough on Friday that we won't want to go back out for food.

Lay it all on me.

Previously was recommended the Hyatt Regency on Wacker.

We stayed in the Congress, had a view of the lake, decent location, in your budget. It's an older hotel, but well maintained, and the staff was pleasant. I'd stay there again.

Priceline.

I wouldn't worry about a restaurant in the hotel. If you're downtown, you will be less than a ten minute walk to really good food.

I used priceline and chose my own price of $100 for a night with 4.5* hotel or better. We ended up at the Hardrock for the night.

For years I've done all my hotels through Priceline and the only been in one questionable room. Who knew there was a bad part of Niagra Falls. Otherwise it's been great with a lot of rooms I had no business being in like a Hyatt suite for $75 a night and a Marriott in Times Square for $150.

Driving? If the hotel has a parking garage (Hyatt @ Wacker/Michigan) they like to charge a lot for parking. You can drive down the block to public parking and save $10/day.

From the Hyatt website: Valet parking is available 24 hours a day and can be charged to your guestroom at the rate of $59 per night.

If using Priceline, here is how I would proceed.
Looking at Priceline's pre-set hotel prices it seems that $225-$250 per night is the going rate for either North Michigan Ave Area or Millennium Park Area.
The name your own price (nyop) section sells the idea of 60% off. My experience has been to get 40% off the going rate. That leads me to $125 as a price target.

I would go to nyop section and throw $125 at 5 star Mich Ave.
If that comes back with no answer, you have to change something.
I would then go Millenium Park, 5 star $125.
Next, 4.5 star Mich Ave $125
Next, 4.5 star Millennium $125
I bet you get a hit.

If all that strikes out, you may have to start over with wife's name/info but then repeat with a higher price, maybe $145.

As noted, added to these prices expect what I call "plus, plus"
They are going to hit you with tourist taxes, parking and maybe other fees but you are going to get hit with these charges if you pay full price too.
I am shooting here to keep your total nightly cash outlay to $200 per night.

At check-in, don't be shy. Tell the clerk it is anniversary. Say something like, "we hope the room will be special", "first time here", etc, then tip the clerk in advance.
Seems corny but it can work. Kindness to the clerk can go a long way.
Your not going to get free champagne/dinner but what your hoping for is a better view or one of the more recently upgraded rooms/floors.

Thanks guys, will definitely try Priceline. We're driving.

Any more recommendations on specific hotels? Hyatt on Wacker is probably our leading choice at the moment, but just trying to make sure we aren't overlooking a great option.

Tremont, Drake, W Chicago Lakeshore, Marriot... All can be had for less than $200, but you probably won't find it anywhere but priceline.

Palmer House is worth a try (priceline)

Seems to review pretty well on FlyerTalk: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyatt-gold-passport/133787-hyatt-regency-chicago-review-master-thread-20.html

I tend to enjoy my Hyatt stays when I travel for business.

also check hotwire. I have had good sucess with that way. and the prices are listed with star rating.

In case you haven't booked that Hyatt yet, just saw this: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hotel-deals/1584456-hyatt-regency-chicago-65-jun-30-jul-1-roomertravel.html

Ahhhh..... bummer. Wrong date. We're checking in the 27th, out on the 30th haha.

It's been a few years but the last couple times I was in Chicago I stayed at the Millenium Knickerbocker, on Walton Place just east of N. Michigan Avenue. I thought it was pretty nice, it's just around the corner from the John Hancock so it's close to food and shopping.

Our group stayed at a Marriot not far from the lake/hancock tower.....those were residences though for pretty cheap. IIRC it was a block over from "The Drake"

We were like a block off of the magnificent mile

+1 on the Congress---- it's right on Michigan Ave. and the rates used to be reasonable. It's older but was well run and clean when I was there.

I ended up spending the night on the roof of the Congress once......but that's a long story.

I think there is a holiday inn express in the river north area that is reasonable.

Motel 6. The roaches aren't that bad.

Priceline couldn't get us anything on Michigan or Millenium for $145/night 4, 4.5, or 5 star.

I think we're just going to book Hyatt on Wacker for $257/night come and go parking, eat all the fees, and just leave for home late Sunday night instead of Monday morning.

Dude, go get this card right now: https://creditcards.chase.com/credit-cards/hyatt-card.aspx and sign up for Hyatt Gold Passport.

As soon as you activate the card, you'll be Platinum status with HGP, which opens up a rate bucket on hyatt.com called My Elite Rate. I see $184 a night there right now on My Elite Rate. If I wasn't going to be in Boston the same weekend at the HR there, I'd give you my Gold Passport number.

szeis4cookie wrote: Dude, go get this card right now: https://creditcards.chase.com/credit-cards/hyatt-card.aspx and sign up for Hyatt Gold Passport. As soon as you activate the card, you'll be Platinum status with HGP, which opens up a rate bucket on hyatt.com called My Elite Rate. I see $184 a night there right now on My Elite Rate. If I wasn't going to be in Boston the same weekend at the HR there, I'd give you my Gold Passport number.

Heh honestly, between the two of us, we stay in hotels less than 10 nights a year, and don't particularly want another credit card. I can book the room for $199 anyways. $209 gets a king bed with a guaranteed high rise view, $257 includes parking.

I appreciate the thought, though!

I always stay at the courtyard there just off Michigan ave. 165 East Ontario Street It's not a 4-5 star place but it's right there on Michigan Ave and a short walk (6 blocks) to the train. Usually runs about $150 a night if you book in advance. I always get a clean room and the location is super convenient.