Cheap Places To Stay In Chicago (Victoria, Palmer: rentals, credit card, how much)

[Northern-Mike]

I am planning a trip to the Windy City soon. It seems all the decent hotels go for around $150 a night to start. I am on a budget, is there any hotels on the outskirts near public transportation worth staying at? Now I have thought about hotels at O'Hare and Midway, but they seem to be like an hour away. Is there any hotels that are closer and on public transportation that are under $100 a night? Thanks for your help!

[flamadiddle]

Why not bid under $100 on priceline? I got a room at the Palmer House Hilton a few years ago for $95 a night and similar deals at the Wyndham Riverfront and Doubletree.

[Northern-Mike]

While that would be a good way to go, I do not presently have a credit card and some hotels will not let you rent a room without one at all.

[tjasse]

The rates at Chicago hotels are VERY different between winter and summer. I have stayed at hotels right off of miraculous mile for only $59 in the winter. The same one looks like it is $179 right now. Last summer the same hotel was $339/night. Even tiny Air BNB rentals nearby were over $150.

Try the HI Hostel in the south loop.

[Northern-Mike]

Thank you for the suggestion Tjasse. I had forgotten about the HI Hostel. It is still a little pricey for a private room with a shared bathroom, but still much more affordable than the hotels in the area. Thank you again! - Mike

[steeps]

I stayed at the Getaway Hostel. It's in a awesome Victorian high-end neighborhood. North of downtown. But a short "el" train ride to the Loop or what I preferred.... using CLARK St/Broadway bus to downtown. You can get off easy for the Northern parts like North Michigan Ave. 1/2 block east of the Hostel. Clark St bus also goes north to unfinished Wrigley Field or "el"train. Also the Hostel is few blocks from Fullerton Beach that's very nice. You can call to book rooms and pay on arrival. Good amount of other Hostels around and in downtown now too.

Getaway Hostel sight (included because it gives complete accommodations and some other Hostels, but not all)
Chicago Getaway Hostel, Chicago, USA: Book Now!

Directly to Hostel sight
Chicago Youth Hostel Rooms & Rates

All Hostels list
Chicago Hostels Listing - All Hostels in Chicago at Hostels.com

[NealIRC]

Why not go to places that are $100/week?

[emathias]

Expecting to stay in central Chicago during the summer for under $100 per night is overly optimistic, especially if you're booking with less than a month to go. And in order to get the best deals, you will need a credit card.

If you had a credit card, you could use Airbnb which would give you a fair number of options near transit on the North Side near good transit for well under $100 per night even after fees and taxes. Some of them are even "instant book" properties, so you know they're available and don't have to inquire with the host first.

Even if you have poor credit or don't want to owe money, if you have cash you can get a secured credit card, which gives you access to everything a credit card does without getting yourself into debt.

[Northern-Mike]

Thanks, now don't get me wrong. I do have a debit card. It is just that some hotels will only accept credit cards instead.

I have been looking into both Hostels and Airbnb as well. My thing is with Hostels the clientel tends to be quite young. Also, I tend to value my privacy as well. We'lll see though, I am adaptable.

[Atlanta_BD]

Many hotels still accept debit cards for incidentals. Before booking a room on Priceline, just call the hotels and ask if they take debit cards and also find out how much they authorize to the card for incidentals. Some hotels authorize as much as $500 per night.