British visitor coming over in May (Chicago, Paris: apartment, renting, hotels)

[chrisuk]

Hi

Am coming over with a friend to the US and will be in Chicago for a few days at the end of May. Does anyone have any recommendations for hotels out of town that are located on the subway for easy access to downtown, in a safe area and have free parking? Looking at a budget sub $100 ideally.

I have been on the usual hotel sites but am not sure what the areas are like/transport links to down town etc.

From reading on here it sounds like anywhere in the north side would be suitable in terms of safety?

Does anyone have any recommendations about night life too? To suit two males lates 20s - where do all Chicago's women hang out?

many thanks for your help

[Drover]

For a relatively safe location, free parking, walkable access to our "subway" system (most of which actually runs at-grade or is elevated), and rooms at less than $100/night, the go-to place is the Heart o' Chicago Motel. Bear in mind the following though: 1. The building is old, ugly, and sometimes attracts, uhm, "eccentric" guests; 2. no internet access (they claim to have it but visitors often complain it is either non-functional or non-existent); 3. they do not provide towels; 4. they also don't provide shampoo or soap. You're on your own to provide that stuff.

Heart O' Chicago Motel

[chrisuk]

Originally Posted by Drover

For a relatively safe location, free parking, walkable access to our "subway" system (most of which actually runs at-grade or is elevated), and rooms at less than $100/night, the go-to place is the Heart o' Chicago Motel. Bear in mind the following though: 1. The building is old, ugly, and sometimes attracts, uhm, "eccentric" guests; 2. no internet access (they claim to have it but visitors often complain it is either non-functional or non-existent); 3. they do not provide towels; 4. they also don't provide shampoo or soap. You're on your own to provide that stuff.

Heart O' Chicago Motel

Thanks mate, i've seen that on my searches will keep it in mind. You put subway in " " do you call it something else or were you just referring to the fact that it's not underground?

Also been having a look on Airbnb - seems a cool idea renting an apartment off someone for a few days. Am i right in saying it'd be best to look in the north of the city and not elsewhere?

[tonythetuna]

Originally Posted by chrisuk

Thanks mate, i've seen that on my searches will keep it in mind. You put subway in " " do you call it something else or were you just referring to the fact that it's not underground?

Most of Chicago's train system is not underground. We usually call all of the train system the "L" or "EL" since much more of it is elevated than underground or at ground level. Some people just simply call it the train or use the proper terms for the specific lines.

Originally Posted by chrisuk

Am i right in saying it'd be best to look in the north of the city and not elsewhere?

The north side of the city is your best bet.

[chirack]

Honestly the touristy things to do are in downtown chicago and for the most part I can't recomind staying outside of town. The time saved on the commute is worth a stay downtown if you can afford it. The north side of the city however is also a good bet. Less touristy but more neigborhoody.

[OrangeAndBlue]

It should be possible to find a sub $100 hotel downtown, unless there is a convention or something going on during the time you'll be here. Search the River North, Magnificent Mile, Loop, Near North areas on any of the major hotel search websites like hotels.com, expedia, hotwire, etc.
Have you checked the Howard Johnson on LaSalle Street in River North? It's nothing fancy but it's in a good location and usually around only $80 per night.

[aragx6]

This was several years ago, but we booked the Hilton Garden Inn near the mag mile for a weekend at the end of March for $97/night. Might be worth checking out.

A friend of mine booked a place in Paris on Homeaway.com which is a similar concept to airbnb. Check it out, but if you have specific questions about a neighborhood definitely come back and ask us. There are certainly neighborhoods on the northside that, while not warzones, are also probably not what you'd be looking for in terms of amenities.

[chrisuk]

Thanks for the advice all. Trouble is having a car with us parking's a problem downtown isn't it? Or at least expensive?

[aragx6]

^Yes having a car as a tourist is almost always more of a hassle than it's worth. So you guys are driving into town?

[chirack]

Originally Posted by chrisuk

Thanks for the advice all. Trouble is having a car with us parking's a problem downtown isn't it? Or at least expensive?

Yes and some hotels around Ohare also charge for parking. It would be best if you didn't have the car. You don't need it downtown and it will be more hassle than it is worth.