Book Your hotels ASAP!

I have finally nailed down the hotel that we are going to be reserving a hotel block in. The rate will be $205 + tax per night. (it's about $235 total/night). Once I get the contract signed and back to them, I will be given a special reservations phone number to you to call to book your rooms. That will probably be available tomorrow.

The hotel block is at:
Hyatt Regency Chicago
151 East Wacker Drive,
Chicago, Illinois, 60601
(click to check it out)

It's less about 50 steps from Millenium Park, Michigan Ave (aka Magnificent Mile), Chicago River, (and my office, not that that's relevant). It's a great location and right in the desirable part of downtown. And it's about 1 mile from the reception site. Cabs are everywhere, so there is no need to rent a car.

If you are NOT planning on staying in the hotel block, or if you would prefer to do a expedia-type reservation, that's cool too. If you are booking online: buyer beware! There are many locations that can claim to be minutes from the loop, or where ever. That doesn't mean it is in a good part of Chicago.

Here are a few guidelines when you are booking your stay.

A) Airfare from Boston/NYC to Chicago on a non-holiday will always be less than $200. No need to book a plane ticket right this second. Just keep your eyes open for a good deal and as soon as you see something below $150, book it. Midway and O'Hare are both the same distance from the Loop. Either is about $25 - $40 in a cab.

B) Book your hotel ASAP. There is a very large convention being held in Chicago on my wedding weekend (the NERVE of some people). Many hotels are already booked, and the prices will only go up. That being said, if you start looking now, there are a ton of hotels downtown. So even if you aren't staying at the Hyatt, there are plenty of other options.

C) In Chicago, there is a really logical coordinate system with addresses. the 0 N/S & 0 E/W intersection is at Madison and State downtown (look at the map above). Consider that the center of the grid. That's right in the middle of the loop. As you get farther away from that intersection, the number part of the address gets higher, either going north or south, or east or west. Unlike places like Boston... 200 N. Whatever street will be about the same amount north as 200 N. Someother Street. So you if you can get the cross road, you can figure out where the place is you are looking at. For example: The reception is just West of the Loop. (1300 West Randolph). The hotel is just East and a little north from the loop (151 E. Wacker). As you go further from that intersection the address will reflect either a XXX N. or XXX S. address. (or a XXX E. or XXX W.)

As a rule, If you want to be in a good part of downtown: do NOT pick an address with an address:
* further south than 500 South [Street Name].
* further west than 400 West [Street Name].
* further north than 900 North [Street Name].
* All East addresses are ok (as long as they aren't too far north or south).

To get a good indication, you can ask the hotel or look at the address of the cross street. Or, just mapquest how far it is from 1 N. State St. Anything withing a half mile from there is good. If you are going to go further out, go North.

Good key words:
Magnificant Mile
River North
Theater District
Millenium Park
Lakefront

Or, you can just call me and I'll tell you if someplace is in a good 'hood.

Then again, if you are booking a room in the hotel block, I'll have a weblink or a phone number tomorrow. Happy travels!