Chicago Accommodation Guide
from WorldWeb.com Travel Guide

	The Chicago Night Skyline1

Apart from having some of the best live music clubs in the country, great deep-dish pizza, and a cityscape that spans Lake Michigan, Chicago has plenty of highlights to offer travelers of all sorts. Some of the finest dining in the world awaits guests at restaurants around the city. Many like to stroll the downtown boulevards, taking in the sights and attractions of the city. Included is the famous Sears Tower that stands 103 stories over the Chicago skyline. The Navy Pier also attracts a lot of visitors. Navy Pier is easily able to sustain its giant Ferris wheel, an IMAX theater, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the Chicago Children's Museum and the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows—all in the area's 50 acres (20 hectares).

	Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park2

Parks and gardens are popular attractions in Chicago. Places like Millennium Park, Lincoln Park and Grant Park offer residents a taste of the outdoor life and exhibit local artwork in the form of memorials, sculptures and statues. Buckingham Fountain, donated to Chicago in 1927 by Kate Buckingham, displays a gorgeous show with water and lights during the evenings. Carriage rides, hop-on-hop-off tours and guided walks through all of these historical locations are available year-round.

Another major area of interest to tourists and locals alike is the Magnificent Mile located along Michigan Avenue. Here, one can find upscale accommodations, elegant dining and high-end retailers. Located here are also some of the city's best hot-spots to experience Chicago's powerful nightlife and the famous boom of Chicago deep house and electronica music.

Chicago is a big city. Without the proper information, a traveler could easily get lost in the shuffle of the Windy City. That's why WorldWeb.com offers the following information to help visitors find the right place to stay at a price that meets their budget.

USEFUL ACCOMMODATION LINKS FOR CHICAGO

• Chicago Accommodations Guide – An accommodation guide for Chicago. It is categorized into hotels and motels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, extended stay suites, conference centers and more.
• Map of Chicago – A visitor and tourist city map of greater Chicago and the surrounding area.
  
• Hotel and Motel Room Search/Reservations – A search tool to find and book accommodations online.

AREAS OF CHICAGO

Chicago is situated right on the banks of Lake Michigan. The downtown is made up of the financial district, the Magnificent Mile, Grant Park and Navy Pier. Farther north is uptown Chicago. Less urbanized, but still not lacking in necessities, uptown Chicago is home to Lincoln Park and Belmont Harbor.

DOWNTOWN ACCOMMODATIONS

Hotels and Conference Centers
Chicago boasts some of the most glamorous hotels in the country. Whether one is looking for accommodations that offer pools and spas, elegant dining, room service, parking, or just a place to rest one's head close to the nearest pub, it can be found in downtown Chicago along the Magnificent Mile.

	A Typical Room at the Drake Hotel3

The first choice of celebrities and heads-of-state during their stay in the Windy City is the Drake Hotel, located conveniently on the Mag Mile. The Drake overlooks Lake Michigan and is only half-an-hour's drive from Chicago's airports. It was opened in 1920 with the intention of providing guests with not only a luxurious and comfortable stay, but a memorable one. They are equipped with three in-house restaurants, a fitness center, a huge business conference center, high-speed Internet in all rooms and two full-size ballrooms. Suites are outfitted in decadent and comfortable modern decor. Persian rugs, wooden cabinetry and fresh flowers leave visitors of the Drake feeling like royalty.

	Live Music at the House Of Blues4

For any fan of the Blues, the House of Blues Downtown Chicago is the premier destination. It is located a short walking distance from the Magnificent Mile and Grant Park. The vibrant design from Morocco, East India and the American South has made this one of the most visually stimulating venues in Chicago. Blue-lit lounges, furniture more comfortable than one can imagine and a motif that oozes culture has made this hotel one of the most popular places to stay in all of the Midwest. Here, visitors can catch all the latest concerts and performances by local and international musical artists in an environment that fosters the ultimate music experience.

In the thick of Chicago's financial district and only moments away from Michigan Avenue is the Hilton Garden Inn. The Hilton is different from other hotels in the area due to its historic construction. Marble and granite, instead of glass and steel, were used during the building of this hotel reminiscent of the early 20th century. Brass fixtures and classic cherry furnishings give another touch of class to this already tremendously upscale establishment. All amenities can be found right inside the hotel. They have three exquisite restaurants on site, the fine Lakeside Green Lounge, a fully-stocked fitness center, an indoor pool, a shopping arcade and a comprehensive business center to meet the most demanding of needs.

The only hotel with a front entrance leading out onto the Magnificent Mile is the Intercontinental Hotel. With an investment of a quarter-million dollars, this accommodation has maintained that feel of Chicago during the 1920s. They have a junior-Olympic sized swimming pool, a fully-loaded fitness center and six ballrooms for large gatherings or conferences. If having the Magnificent Mile at the doorstep is not enough, the Intercontinental gives one access to the entire world with their ensuite high-speed Internet connections. Three different venues for dining can also be found here. Everything else is just moments down Michigan Avenue.

Hostels
Hostels provide accommodations for backpackers and extended stay travelers not wishing to unload their wallets on one visit. The rooms vary from dormitory style sleeping to private single suites. Hostels provide a warm atmosphere that is conducive to meeting people from all over the world.

	A Dormitory at the HI Chicago5

Hostelling International (HI) hosts thousands of hostels worldwide. The HI Chicago is of modern design and is one of the largest hostels in North America. It is close to all major transit and bus routes and is walking distance from the Magnificent Mile, Lake Michigan and Grant Park. Here, there are meeting rooms, a large public kitchen facility and 24-hour service by staff. All rooms have air conditioning as well. With visitors from all over the world, this hostel is a fantastic place to meet fellow travelers.

UPTOWN NORTH ACCOMMODATIONS

Hotels and Conference Centers
The Econo Lodge of Great Lakes/North Chicago is located on Chicago's north end. They have an outdoor pool for guests and offer a continental breakfast each morning. This place specializes in a comfortable stay that won't deplete bank accounts.

Bed and Breakfasts
For a more personal experience, some choose to stay in a bed and breakfast. B&Bs are often run from the owner's private residence allowing him or her to fuse a part of their personality with the place. Obviously, a fresh breakfast is always included. B&Bs commonly have less than 20 rooms.

The Old Town Chicago B&B is just north of downtown Chicago. Set in a quiet neighborhood and garnished with modern renovations from 1999, this place keeps at bay that feeling of just staying in another hotel. This B&B is located only moments away from Lincoln Park and only 2 mi (3 km) north of Michigan Avenue. A chef's kitchen, wireless Internet access, a lush rooftop garden, a penthouse sitting area, full laundry facilities and a fitness room give visitors everything they possibly need for a night or a week's rest. Rates here include help-yourself breakfast, snacks and beverages.

The Flemish House B&B is located uptown just steps away from Michigan Avenue. This house was built in 1892 and still retains that feel with wood-paneled walling, in-laid wooden flooring, majestically high ceilings, decorative moldings and fireplaces. This B&B also features kitchenettes in each room. Bathrooms have just been renovated with new fixtures and tiling.

Then there's the Cityscene B&B dug in right close to Lincoln Park uptown. Here, guests receive their own private rooms complete with steam showers. It is also equipped with a full kitchen to allow guests to prepare their own meals. After burning down in the 1871 Chicago Fire, this place was fully restored and developed as an icon in suburban city-stay living.

MOBILE ACCOMMODATIONS

RV Rentals
An RV is a mobile living accommodation that offers the comforts of home while out on the road. RVs typically provide a bed or two, a bathroom and cooking facilities in the back of the mobile cab.

USA RV Rentals provides RV pick-up and drop-off in dozens of cities around the States including Chicago. RVs range in price depending on the amenities required. Most sleep around six people, have electric generators, and come with a TV, VCR and DVD.

Campsites
The Chicago Northwest KOA is always looking for new visitors to try out their RV park located in Chicago's north side. This RV park offers 50 amps of power and dozens of surrounding attractions including Six Flags Great America.

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PHOTO COURTESY

1. Downtown Chicago at Night as Seen from the Air.
2. Kelvin Kay; c/o Wikipedia; Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park Puts on a Spectacular Night Time Display.; Chicago, IL., USA
3. c/o The Drake Hotel; Each Room at the Drake is Comfortable and has a Breathtaking View.; Chicago, IL., USA
4. The House of Blues Features Local and International Musical Headliners.
5. c/o HI Chicago; A Typical Dormitory Room at the HI Chicago, One of the Largest Hostels in the US.; Chicago, IL., USA