Chicago’s Cheap Hotels
With your tour guide,
Anne P. Mitchell
| Summary: Cheap hotels don't have to be run down, dirty, or with few amenities. There are many cheap hotels in the Chicago area which offer everything you need, including cheap hotel rates! |
So you’re looking for a comfortable hotel, in a central location, that won’t break the bank? Piece of cake! Chicago has some of the most luxurious and expensive hotels in the world, but if you’re willing to take a few steps outside of the downtown area, you’ll find an abundance of affordable, even cheap hotels in some of Chicago’s coolest neighborhoods, offering surprisingly cheap hotel rates.
Lincoln Park and Lakeview on Chicago’s north side are located near buses and subways that will take you to all of Chicago’s biggest tourists attractions in a matter of minutes. Cabs are plentiful as well. But once you check out the nearby surroundings at some of these cheap hotels, you might not want to leave the area.
Lincoln Park is filled with trendy boutiques, upscale restaurants, hip bars and clubs and miles and miles of lush green parks. Lincoln Park also has some of the most budget-friendly hotels near the lakefront. The Days Inn Lincoln Park easy access to two great areas! Cross the street and you’re in Lakeview, cross back, you’re in Lincoln Park, so you get the best of both worlds here. Located at 644 W. Diversey Parkway, the Days Inn Lincoln Park is steps away from Borders, Barnes & Noble, a variety of French, Irish, American, Thai, Chinese and Italian restaurants and also coffee shops, juice bars, boutiques and consignment shops, salons, dance clubs and bars. This popular hotel has 124 rooms, free Wi-Fi service, free breakfast, free Bally Fitness passes (located directly around the corner at Century Mall) and several different room types ranging in price from $100 per night for single rooms up to $180 for full executive suites. Book online or by calling 888-LPN-DAYS.
If $100 per night is still too rich for your wallet, located just around the corner at Surf and Broadway, only two blocks away from the lake, is the Willows Hotel (formerly the Surf Hotel) 555 W. Surf Street. This vintage Lakeview hotel has 55 rooms and features standard amenities such as continental breakfast, Wi-Fi service and cable. Small, standard and deluxe room sizes are available and prices start at just $89 (although they can range up to $200+, depending on the time of the year, size of room and whether it’s a weekend booking). Guests may book online at http //www.cityinns.com/willows/ or by calling 800-787-3108.
Wake up to the sweet smell of Swedish pancakes and cinnamon rolls at the City Suites Hotel, 933 W. Belmont Avenue. This beautiful Art Deco hotel is next door to Chicago’s most popular Swedish restaurant, Ann Sather. It’s also steps away from the Belmont El stop and it’s located on Chicago’s famous Belmont Avenue shopping strip. This hotel has 45 rooms, and sizes include standard, double, queen, king and executive and, much like its sister hotel (The Willows Hotel), prices start at around $89, but unlike the Willows Hotel, prices rarely reach more than $150-$160 a night, even on weekends. Reserve online at http //www.cityinns.com/citysuites/ or call toll-free 800-248-9108.
Just a few blocks east and several blocks north, you’ll find the Best Western Hawthorn Terrace, 3434 N. Broadway Avenue. With 59 rooms and a location just a few steps away from Lake Shore Drive, this is one of Chicago’s hidden gems. Besides restaurants, boutiques, bars, clubs and restaurants, this area also has golf courses, a bird sanctuary and a busy bike path along the lakefront as well as tennis courts, several dog parks and a dog beach! Yes, pets are allowed here, so feel free to bring Fido along.
This Best Western features a business center, fitness center, sauna and whirlpool and each room has high speed Internet service and satellite TV. Deluxe rooms feature whirlpool tubs, king sized beds and nice views of the patio terrace. There is also a self-parking lot next door ($14.50 plus tax). Depending on the time of year and room size rates may range from $99 per night up to $150 per night. It’s best to book online as Internet specials are posted regularly. Log onto www.bestwestern.com. The toll free number is 888-675-2378.
These are just a few examples of hotels which offer all of the comforts and convenience of their more expensive downtown Chicago counterparts, allowing you to save a few dollars which, let’s face it, is much better spent on meals or, hey, shopping!
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