Page 142 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Chicago

140  TR A VELERS ’ NEEDS

WHERE TO STAY

Chicago has a room for every taste and cooking. Bed-and-breakfasts, often located in
budget. The top hotels are good value charming Victorian houses in residential areas,
by international standards. For those traveling are also a good option for visitors to Chicago.
on a budget, there are many inexpensive, The listings that follow on pages 142–5,
comfortable hotels and youth hostels will help you narrow down the numerous
in the city. Two-room suites are suitable choices. We have selected places that
for families, and some come with kitchenettes represent the best of their kind, in all
for guests who want to do their own price categories.

inquire about. Be sure you and Priceline.com offer a
understand the charges; some price comparison service, and
hotels offer these facilities for have good rates. Both charge a
free, other hotels will charge fee if you cancel for any reason.
handsomely for them.
The many conventions and
trade shows held in the city Hidden Costs
provide Chicago’s hotels with a Room rates are usually
major part of their business, so quoted assuming double
most hotels offer an array of occupancy; but always
business meeting rooms. check in advance because
some hotels quote single-
occupancy rates and charge
Hotel Rates and Discounts as much as $35 per night
Hotel prices in Chicago are for a second person.
competitive, but keep in mind Keep in mind, too, that a
Hotel Burnham’s lobby, modeled on the when booking that they charge room with a view will likely
1891 original (see p144) a steep 16.4 percent room tax. come at a premium.
Some establishments offer Convenience costs money.
Where to Look discounts to visitors attending a Parking at the hotel can lead to
Most of Chicago’s hotels are convention or major exhibition. an increase of as much as $50 a
clustered in two areas – They may also offer corporate day in the bill. There is also a
Downtown and the Near rates and discounts to persons steep premium charge for any
North Side. Downtown hotels in the military, senior citizens, drinks and snacks consumed
are particularly convenient teachers, automobile-club from the room’s mini-bar. A
for visitors interested in members, and frequent flyers. telephone call made from the
Chicago’s cultural sights such Business travelers often leave room will cost substantially
as the Art Institute of Chicago, the city on weekends, and more than one made from the
Museum Campus, and the hotels will offer special weekend pay phone in the hotel lobby.
theater district, as well as rates, so be sure to ask. Federal law states that hotels
those attending conventions With the exception of B&Bs, must inform guests of any
at McCormick Place. However, hotels in Chicago do not usually extra charges, but check the
this area can become quiet at include meals in the room rate. small print yourself while
night. By contrast, hotels on the Agencies such as Hotels.com making a reservation.
Near North Side, just north of
the Loop, are in one of the
liveliest areas of the city.
Contact the Illinois Bureau
of Tourism, the Visitor
Information Center or the
Chicago Convention and
Tourism Bureau for information.

Facilities
Air-conditioning and cable TV
are both standard in Chicago
hotels. Fax and photocopy
service, Wi-Fi, in-room speaker-
phones, exercise facilities, and a
swimming pool are amenities to The oppulent Regent Suite at The Langham, Chicago (see p144)
The Palmer House Hilton, one of the oldest and grandest hotels of Chicago

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