Where to stay? (Chicago, Industry: apartment, hotels, live in)

[roselily]

We're planning a trip to Chicago probably in March. We want to see the normal touristy stuff (Zoo, Museum of Science and Industry, catch the Tossers if possible are our essentials for this trip. If time we'd be happy to do more, but that might be enough!)

We do have friends who live in the Northern 'burbs but they have a small apartment and we're thinking privacy is a good thing

Where would you recommend staying? We tend to like business class hotels that have a pool/hottub and continental breakfasts over 4-star hotels where they nickel and dime you for everything, but if there is some local gem you would recommend over the chains I'd love to hear about it.

We haven't decided whether to drive or take the train in, so that will also make a difference (if we have a car or are relying on public transit.)

[squirrels]

You'll enjoy your stay a lot more if you don't have to worry about a car. Parking costs money in any busier area, and touristy areas will be croweded that time of year thanks to the St. Patricks Day people (early and late arrivals). You can get anywhere you need to go with buses, trains, and your feet, and you'll often get there quicker than if you drove.

But anyway, the only hotel I've stayed in was this place on Adams (I think) called Club Quarters. It was reasonably priced at something like $110/night, very nice for the cost, and is very close to multiple bus and train lines.