From: annie@ivgate.omahug.org
Date: Tue Jul 06 2004 - 08:32:03 CDT
First of all, welcome to everybody who recently joined the Pinkfest list!
We've picked up quite a few lately. If you have any questions or concerns,
just reply.
. . . . .
Although we're still 3+ months out, I have been spot-checking air and
hotel rates for the Pinkfest period, and here's what I've seen recently
that's of note:
Southwest has real and bookable $49 each way fares to/from many markets
to the Chicago Midway airport. They also seem to have $39 fares at
times, but I haven't seen this for a while.
Delta has some $90-ish round trip fares at that time, but they don't
seem to be as convenient, for me, anyway. (Flying to Chicago by way of
Cincinatti is not my idea of a fun way to spend the morning.) :)
The Southwest web site (www.iflyswa.com) shows the Red Roof Inn (where
several Pinkfest people have stayed over the years) at $85 per night
over the Pinkfest period. This normally goes for around $100. It's not
the Ritz, and the rooms are smallish, but it's clean and comfortable,
and quite reasonable for a hotel in the River North area.
Travelocity is showing $115 for the Palmer House. This is an unheard of
low rate for the PH. This is a VERY nice hotel!
. . . . .
Yes, I realize that some of the rates I've mentioned may sound on the
high side, especially those who are used to prices for the DLV hotels.
In Chicago for Pinkfest, there are basically two choices as far as
hotels, the first being in the city proper, with rooms beginning in the
$80's and going up to infinity, and out in the 'burbs, for much less.
In the city, you can get a decent room for just under $100 if you look
around a bit, and a very nice one for under $150, again, if you do a bit
of legwork with the mouse. :) One thing to keep in mind is that parking
is almost never free and often not very convenient at most of the
downtown Chicago hotel. If you have a vehicle and stay near downtown,
plan on $20 or so per day for parking.
One trick that some tourists do is park in the long term lot at Midway
Airport (something like $10 per day) and take the train into the city.
If you want a decent place cheaper, have a vehicle, and don't mind
driving to the activities, there's a bolus of reasonably-priced places,
including most of the familiar motel chains, by each of the two
airports, and, of course, by the exits on the various expressways as
they enter the suburbs.
Here are some hotels where some of the Pinkfest people have
stayed over the years with good reports:
* Econo-Lodge (O'Hare)
* Super-8 (O'Hare)
* Palmer House
* Hilton Gardens (Grand)
* Best Western River North (LaSalle at Ohio, parking included)
* Red Roof Inn (St Clair and Ontario)
* Comfort Inn (now a Rodeway) Halsted & Madison
There's a Super-8 (or is it an Econo-Lodge? I forget) right next to
Hunters Dance Club out in Elk Grove Village. I've stayed there but not
for Pinkfest, and at that time I didn't know what Hunters is. :)
I've also stayed at the Holiday Inn City Center (corner Fairbanks and
Ohio) and the Hyatt Regency (N. Wacker) but not for Pinkfest. Both are
very nice but start at about $170.
There are also some nice and very reasonably priced motels along I-80
south of the city, if you don't mind a drive up into the city for the
activities and such.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Wed Jul 21 2004 - 10:40:57 CDT