I'm headed to Chicago to do some research the first weekend in March. Looking for a hotel, bed/breakfast, hostel, and/or tent in a park that's affordable, reasonably clean, close-ish to the airport, and/or easy to get a taxi to/from.

I think I need to be near Grant Park and/or Lake Michigan, based on where I need to be for my research.

Any ideas of affordable spots?!?

Make a reservation with DA MAYOR as he has 40 million dollars in idle trucks around the Windy City. Maybe you can stay in one of the payloads.

Doing research on what?

There's a nice little Euro-style hotel on Surf, just east off Broadway, and just south of Boystown, that used to be called the Surf; it may go by the name of the Willows now. I stay there every now and then because it's affordable and close to everything: El, Lincoln Park, nightlife. Ask for a room on the top floor at the end of the hall, away from the elevator. Rooms go for $70+ a night, which is a good deal for this place. My favorite amenity: mega-channel free cable TV!

The Burnham - downtown in the Loop on State Street is nice. It's a historic landmark - probably the first high-rise building, even though its only about 10 stories tall - that's been nicely restored as a small hotel. You can take the subway from the airport at be dropped off across at the front door of the hotel. You're only a few blocks from the Art Institute of Chicago and the lake.

What about staying with MIB?

Thanks gents. I've got a tentative reservation at The Allegro. Partially cuz I stayed at one of their "sister" hotels in Nawlins, and because, at the moment I did the reservation, I could afford it... I'll def. look into these other options, though. THANKS again!,

B

FYI - the Burnham is part of the Kimpton Group of hotels too.

Hey, where's the Allegro? There's one close to the lake in Boystown that friends stayed at for a gay event last fall; I'll see if I can find the name and send it to you just in case. BTW, where are you doing research? How long will you be in town? If you're up near Evanston, let me know.

Is he young, is he cute, does he have a...? eek!

Never mind.

I'm doing "gay research", as you might imagine. It's got to be kinda "confidential", so...yeah. THat's about all I can say. I feel like Sydney Bristow, or something, but it's honestly nothing "cloak and dagger"...

I kinda need to be over by the lake, so The Allegro seemed to be a good choice. But, like I said, if something else affordable opens up... or, if there are other recommendations, Holla! I'm going to check out the other places recommended this weekend.

Pulse?

You can get significantly closer to the lake than the Allegro, B Man, depending on what part of the lake you need to be near (it's a big lake). Grant Park is right across the street from the Hilton & Towers, which has a LOT of rooms and is therefore pretty affordable (around $100 according to the Net).

The Allegro & Hotel Monaco are both Kimpton Hotels, and you can't really go too wrong with them, IMO.

There's also the Hotel 71 which I've had people stay with - it's right on the river, totally designed-out.

The Surf (now Willows) I've heard mixed things about. Small rooms, mostly. But nice neighborhood setting, and a short walk to Lincoln Park/Lake Michigan. The other hotel around there is the Days Inn.

I was going to say that there are way more amenities in Lincoln Park/Lakeview, but now that I think about it, the Allegro is close to the Siskel Film Centre, the (expensive) theater district, a couple of decent restaurants, Marshall Field's, and trains to get you everywhere else in the city. Still, I'd personally suggest Lincoln Park, particularly if you like to go out. There's at least one decent Bed & Breakfast in that part of town, too.

I may or may not be in town then if you want to get together for a bite to eat or a beer and talk some tennis. There's a Margaret Cho show in Cincinnati that I'm trying to get to. But if you do want to connect, let me know!

Well, that's a start.

Shit, jake, I totally forgot you were in the area. Yeah, zap me a note or something. I'm up to my eyeballs in work, coursework, and prep work for this trip.

But I'm doing nuthin' while I'm in town except for Sat a.m. and early afternoon.

So holla!