Chicago is...

[blueerica]

... my kind of town. At least from May 15th through the 21st.

Anyone have experiences with either of these hotels? I need to book ASAP, for an work trip, and want to know which is cooler by anyone's experience (and/or opinions, since they count, too).

Hotel Sax (http://www.hotelsaxchicago.com/)

InterContinental, Chicago (http://www.icchicagohotel.com/)

Hotel Sax seems like the 'cooler' of the two, but Intercontintental seems to be closer to stuff. not that I'll have a hell of a lot of time to do stuff.

Whatchu think?

[Not Afraid]

I've not stayed in either of them but both are in the "good" location. Being right on Michigan Ave is a beautiful thing, but Sax is just a few blocks away and Chicago is a great walking town. I wouldn't have qualms about staying at either. So, the W, the Sofitel and the Drake are out?

[blueerica]

I am trying to book under a special deal since I'll be at the foodie convention that week and the rates everywhere are rediculous - but I can get these two for a sweet $250/night and get the reimbursement (since they're the only two hotels left with rooms at the special rate).

I'm already booked with the rest of the marketing staff at the Allegro (http://www.allegrochicago.com/) for the 15th through the 19th... then they're out of rooms.

Other than the Sax and the InterContinental, the rest are at Midway by the airport, similarly priced and aren't near my buddies.

[Gn2Dlnd]

Like a shiny toy?

[Kevy Baby]

... a big city in Illinois.

[Not Afraid]

So, you're in the Loop for part of the trip? Where's the convention?

[BarTopDancer]

Can you send me a pizza from Giordano's?

Please?

Thank you

Springer says thank you too.

[Ghoulish Delight]

If you get the chance, you MUST take a walk around the art galleries of the River North area. For that matter, make sure you see us before you go, we've got a box of awesome walking tours.

[blueerica]

GD - Luckily, I've been to Chicago several times. I will hit you up for a list in case I have time, but every day I'll be on my feet... so I might be hitting up a river boat architecture tour if I get a chance. NA - Convention is at McCormick Place. I'm getting a little of two areas I spent less time staying in previously, so this is going to be a nice trip, all things considered. :)

[blueerica]

And BTD - I will do my best.

[blueerica]

Actually, I wonder if they'll be at the convention. I'll look into it.

[BarTopDancer]

And BTD - I will do my best.

Springer says Meow. [waves paw]meoooowwwwww [/waves paw] ;)

[€uroMeinke]

I stopped for Cocktails at the InterContinental as it was supposed to be swanky, but it struck me as old a stodgy - My preference is the Sofitel, but last minute rooms there are going to cost - and it's on the other side of town.

That said I'd pick the Sax as cooler over closer - Chicago's and easy city to get around in.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I can vouch for the Tremont, just off of Michigan on Chestnut. Not big on amenities, but a nice old school hotel with the bonus that they use the same potpouri in their lobby lounge that Lisa and Chris use in their bathroom.

[Gemini Cricket]

...Bornieo's favorite band.

...one of zapppop's favorite movies.


:)

[blueerica]

Yeah, I am pretty sure I am going with Hotel Sax and will call them after I get a few tasks out of the way. I was looking at it, and while the pictures seemed nice, it didn't seem to fit 'me' as well. So, if I must be separated from my comrades, then it may as well be in a place that has interesting things of its own.

Thanks for all the responses. :)

... a place for a great steak, which I intend to eat.

[Ghoulish Delight]

When we were there, the Drake Bros. Grill had a 2-for-1 steak deal on Tuesday.

[blueerica]

Oooh, that should be my last night there.

Unfortunately, I was retarded last night and figured I at least had until this morning to book my room at the Sax (since my phone call with the booking desk was at almost the end of their shift, and I was calling first thing this morning). Well, I didn't. I am staying on Michigan Avenue, and decided to go for the Allerton, which was on par with the two other choices, given how far away it is. I am still on hold to remain at the Allegro, which would be nice - but otherwise, I'm taking a top-o-the-week move northward.

Bleh.

I wanted the Sax. Turns out it was the former House of Blues.

[Not Afraid]

... a place for a great steak, which I intend to eat.

There are so many fantastic steak houses in Chicago. I've never had a bad piece of met there.

Capitol Grill (http://www.thecapitalgrille.com/Locations/Chicago/Main.asp?Location=Chicago) was wonderful and it's close by. They have dry aged beef to die for.



And, GD, we don't use potpouri in our bathroom. Perhaps it was just the smell of one of Jen's farts? ;)

[Ghoulish Delight]

Hmm, it's somewhere in your house. I believe it's lavender.

[Not Afraid]

There's some lavender hand lotion in the bathroom and the bedroom. If someone uses it, it will smell like lavender. Maybe that's it.

[Kevy Baby]

Hopefully hand lotion was not used in conjunction with the Penis Pokey book

[€uroMeinke]

Drake Brothers is great - I recommend the Marrow crusted New York

I'd also highly recommend Vermillion (http://vermilionreservations.googlepages.com/index.htm?gclid=CKSm0u7QrJICFSkwiQodx0gJNQ)- Indian Latin Fusion with awesome Cocktails...

Oh and if we're talking cocktails check out Nacional 27 (http://www.nacional27.net/) - for some of the best rum inspired drinks I've ever had.

And should you find yourself by the Navy Pier, talk a walk to the restaurant on the ground floor of the W Lakeshore, for Rose Petal infused garnished martinis and a sampling of contemporary tapas - especially the chorizo-stuffed-bacon-wrapped-dates

[blueerica]

I'm getting more excited about this with each passing day - which numbers only two... so that says a lot.

It sounds like I'll be getting a little more free time than I thought, kind of in the middle of my schedule... so we shall see. I also have a feeling I can get one of my co-workers out to have some fun with me earlier on.

[blueerica]

Well, I leave tomorrow morning!

I'll be staying at the Allegro only, no moving required, thankfully. I'm still not sure how much time I will actually have, but I am in the process of making plans with an old friend who lives there. I also plan to have some good steak.

And maybe take a picture or two, even though it will be quite rainy. Then again, I like big cities that get rained on. Something very urban about those moments.

[GusGus]

Have a great time!

[BarTopDancer]

Chicago is full of yummy Giordano's pizza.

[Not Afraid]

Chicago is a fantastic town. Have a blast!

[€uroMeinke]

Say hi to my boss

[Kevy Baby]

Say hi to my bossHi €uroMeinke's boss http://home.mindspring.com/%7Ekevin_elder/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/wave.gif

[blueerica]

... kind of cloudly.

... has lots of rush hour traffic.

[BarTopDancer]

Say hi to my boss too!

[blueerica]

I paid the price for high fashion. Pictures to come.

[3894]

Well, drat. I just saw this thread or I'd have suggested a LoT Chi Town meet.

Next time?

[blueerica]

OOoh! Next time will be likely the same time of year... And perhaps next year the Cone-Meinkes will be in town? I'll be here from (probably) May 14th until May 20th-ish at a minimum. I may try to take another trip between now and then.

Chicago is kicking my ass with this trade show. I've been home kicking it old school with... OK, I'm just kicking my feet up and am feeling kooky. Must be exhaustion.

The National Restaurant Association tradeshow has been fantastic thus far (minus the tired legs part). Lots of great food, cheeses galore!!!!!!! and wines and goodies. It truly has been fantastic.

Hopefully tonight I will be able to meet up with an old high school friend for drinks, etc. Otherwise I fear I may crash out.

And in the trippy department... my (ex) uncle is at the trade show as an attendee. Neither of us knew the other would be there, despite our occasional communications... guess no one thought to mention it, har har. I may try to meet up with him and his new wife sometime this week.