From: Tina (pinkfest@pinkmyst.com)
Date: Tue Aug 26 2008 - 01:43:28 CDT
Usually, I like to stay downtown at the Hilton Garden Inn (10 E. Grand
Ave, a couple of blocks WEST of the Magnificent Mile), but they are
waaayyy too expensive this year at $349. The best downtown rate that
I've found (and booked) was at the Doubletree at 300 East Ohio (a couple
of blocks EAST of the Mile) for $179 (AARP rate, 24 hours cancellation
notice required). For some reason they go up to $188 that Saturday
night. Arriving Thursday, leaving Sunday.
Not a great rate, but I'll be focused on downtown with or without
Pinkfest activities. (Examples of places I like: Chicago Chop House,
Baton, Gentry on State, Red Head Piano Bar, etc). I also have a lot of
personal business to focus on.
I don't plan to do much suburb stuff this year (Hunter's, for example.)
Last year was the first I really ventured away from downtown and Boy's
Town, and, generally, I lost too much time driving around.
I don't plan to rent a car, but if I need one (like to go to that bar on
Roosevelt), Hertz is just a couple of blocks away from the Hilton. As
Annie has pointed out, hotel daily parking rates have become rather
expensive ($38 per night at the Doubletree). I can ride a lot of
downtown cabs for that alone, without even factoring in the daily rental
car rate, or the cost of a DUI.
P.S. Regarding taking the trains to/from the suburbs to/from downtown,
Brookshire and I did that a lot when we were in Chicago and Wilmette in
January of this year. They're easy to figure out, and cleaner and safer
than I was expecting. And you don't have to worry about keeping warm -
the homeless guy passed out next to you will take care of that. ;-)
(I know: typical Texas girl's prejudice against mass transit, but I am
serious about the ease and safety).
Thanks,
Tina
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