julie

Has anyone stayed at the Fairfield on Ontario in Chicago lately? I just found it for $99 night and I think that is a very good rate if the hotel is OK. We are not looking for fancy but don't want dirty or problematic either.

Since location is very important we usually stay at BW Inn but they are at $130. We are going for shopping only so $30 a night makes a difference--but not worth it if the hotel is questionable.

Thanks in advance for any help.

julie

Just called the hotel directly and was quoted $249/night.

Dan

I walk by it all of the time. Looks nice.

Laurie

I have never stayed at this Fairmont but have stayed at others and they are nice. Nothing fancy but clean and comfortable. This hotel is in a great location. Check out www.quikbook.com for rates on other hotels - you might be able to get a better deal.

julie

Dan, How far is it from Michigan Ave? Also, can you tell me where on Michigan I will be?
We are used to staying on Ohio which puts us right at Eddie Bauer. We are fairly familiar with that area so if you can just tell what store I will see I should have a good idea of where I will be.

Thanks so much for your help.

Laurie

Julie, it is just east of Michigan about 1 block (closer to the lake). Ontario is only one block north of Ohio. Eventhough I am in the area all the time because I work right there, I am not exactly sure what store is on the corner but I think it is Ann Taylor with Guess across the street. It is very close to where you are used to staying.

julie

Thanks Laurie. I went ahead a booked it for $99/night. I don't think that price is beatable and it sounds like the location will be great.

Are you up for answering another question? We like to branch out a little bit each year and we've heard talk of Halsted. I'm thinking it's not too far from Crate & Barrel Outlet but I'm not exactly sure what we will find in the Halsted area.

Thanks for your help.

patg

Halsted Street north of North Avenue (where the C&B outlet is) is a mix of small, unique shops, good restaurants and theatre. The Royal George and Steppenwolf Theatres are about a block north of North Ave. You might get tickets to one of their shows, go shopping, starting at Fullerton or Armitage Ave. and working south, in late afternoon, then have dinner and then go to the theatre. I like Don Juan's, Itto Sushi and Trattoria Gianni in that area. Parking is difficult (the theatres have their own lots but also restrict the hours of use) so take cabs.

Ashton

Are people combining hotels in this post? Julie asked about Fairfield Inn and people are mentioning $249 (surely not a Fairfield Inn rate, right?) and the Fairmont, which is luxury.

julie

I'm not combining hotels. I called the Fairfield Inn and was quoted $249. Seems high to me also, but it does have a very good location.

Now, Laurie did mention Fairmont but based on her later reply I believe that was just a typo and she was in fact referring to Fairfield.

Laurie

Sorry, Julie, I did mean to say the Fairfield. I agree with Patg that if you do venture to the Crate & Barrel outlet you should try to get tickets to a show and have dinner in that area. The Steppenwolf is a great theater. Many famous actors have started there. One of my favorite restaurants in that area is an Italian resaurant Vinci. If you do go to Steppenwolf, they have a parking garage. Otherwise, you should take a cab because even if you do find a spot most of the street parking in that area is permit parking. BTW - the Crate & Barrel outlet does have some great sales but it is small compared to the real store on Michigan Avenue. Have fun.

MD4

Julie- along with the Crate & Barrel Outlet, there is a Z Gallerie (think Pottery Barn with spice, www.zgallerie.com), a sizeable Pottery Barn, and a World Market store in the same area. Great shopping- I ventured there for the first time on my last trip to Chicago. Tip- if you are not driving a car, take the phone # of a couple of cab companies with you to call. They are not as prevalent in that area. Too far to walk back to Michigan Ave area. Not sure of the safety of the parts in between either. Happy shopping!