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Trip to Chicago - Hotel Needed
fortis
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I'm going to Chicago with 2 friends for the Pitchfork Music Festival during a weekend in July. We need a hotel to stay at and would prefer a cheap option. The festival takes place at Union Park which is right off a CTA line so I was thinking we get a cheaper hotel further away and ride that into the city. Once you're in the festival you can't exit so we'd only be there sparingly. Not being that familiar with Chicago, I turn to you guys to help me out.
fortis on
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Also al capone stayed at this hotel.
I got to stay in the Hyatt Regency in Dallas for 65 bucks a night through that site. Normally would have cost me 160.
You don't know which hotel you are going to be staying at when you pay. You just know the neighborhood and the hotel rating (1-5 stars). Really great site if you don't need to be in a specific hotel, just in a general area. Typically the good deals are only available from 1 day to a week before you need to stay there.
Lodging
Hostels
»Gateway Hostel
getawayhostel.com
616 W. Arlington Place
Chicago, IL 60614
773-929-5380
»Hostelling International
hichicago.org
312-360-0300
Hotels So hotels in downtown Chicago aren’t exactly known for being the most economical places to stay BUT here is a list of the CHEAPEST hotels we found near/in the loop:
» Crowne Plaza-Chicago-Metro
CrownePlazaChicagoMetro.com
733 West Madison
Chicago, IL 60661
1-800-227-6963 or 312-829-5000
» Hard Rock Hotel
hardrockhotelchicago.com
230 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60601
312-345-1000
» Homewood Hotel Downtown
homewoodsuiteschicago.com
40 East Grand
Chicago, IL 60605
800-CALL-HOME
» Hilton Chicago
hilton.com
720 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60605
800-444-6835
» Howard Johnson Downtown
howardjohnson.com
720 N La Salle Dr
Chicago, IL 60610
800-444-6835
» Red Roof Inn Downtown
redroof.com
162 E Ontario St
Chicago, IL 60611
800-444-6835
» House of Blues
houseofblueshotel.com
329 N Dearborn St
Chicago, IL 60610
877-569-3742
» Hotel search engines
The only reasonable option you'd have is staying by the very end of the green line in Oak Park, near the Harlem or Oak Park stops, but keep in mind you're also going to be riding the green line in and out through some extremely shady neighborhoods, through the entire west side.
Also note that the green line stops running just before 1am, so if you're planning on going to any afterparties, you're going to be shit out of luck.
You could try staying out near O'Hare and taking the Blue Line in and then transferring to the Green in the loop, but you'd be giving yourself an hour commute time each way. The blue line runs 24 hours, so you'd have the added advantage of being able to get home at any time.
Unfortunately, you may not want to rely entirely on public transportation for that weekend. The CTA doesn't step up the number of cars running on the green line for pitchfork, and 20,000 hipsters leaving that park and heading to the green line means Ashland station will be fucking packed. I attempted to take the green into the loop last year, waited 20 minutes and couldn't even get up the stairs onto the El platform, so I ended up walking down Madison until I found a cab.
If the idea of sitting outside each night waiting to get on the train is appealing, then go for it, but you might be better off just staying in one of the cheaper West Loop hotels near the Medical District and taking the Ashland bus north to get there and a cab to get home.
edit: Oh, and because this is such a common mistake: Union Park is off of the Ashland stop on the green line, at the intersection of Ashland and Lake. It's very close to the Loop. It's not off of the Ashland/63rd stop to the south. Do not go to Ashland/63rd. Every year I hear stories of some skinny white kids ending up lost in Englewood because they didn't realize the Green line has two stops on Ashland. Don't be those kids.
In general hotels in Chicago cost at least $80 or $90 for something decent, outside of downtown that is. I know some slum hotels for $50 to $60 but having seen the rooms with my own eyes i would not recommend them to anyone.
One reasonable option that is on the CTA elevated train orange line and that is just 20 minutes from where you are heading (i think) is the Carlton Inn Midway Hotel. Even though the rooms online often go for $120 or so i can often get a $90 rate just by calling, and they provide free internet, parking, Midway airport shuttle and a satisfying breakfast (Dunkin Donuts sandwiches and more).
The hostel downtown is clean and cheapest option if you are willing to share a room.
Enjoy your trip, it's an awesome city. (By the way i recommend a sunset cocktail on the 96th floor of the Hancock)