Cheap but Quality Accomodations

Hop on to VRBO.com. It stands for "vacation rentals by owner". You may be able to find an apartment or condo for much, much less.

We have used this sight many times for many different locations all over the United States and have NEVER had a problem.

Have a great time in Chicago!

1 mom found this helpful

Have you looked through Priceline or Orbitz? We've found some really good deals through them for other locations.

I don't know the rates, but you may want to check out http://www.chicagoguesthouse.com/

The owner is a former colleague of mine.

Do you have a hotel you deal directly with on business? We use the Hilton family of hotels for 98% of business and personal travel. Sometimes the hotel itself (not online, not priceline or discounters) will cut a good break for you. Just ask for the sales dept.

I do this alot because my hubby is in Houson 3-4 times a month so I negotiated a deal much lower than the rack rate and we as long as he stays a minimum of nights until Dec 31, we have that rate.

Can't hurt to ask. Also, check the suite hotels such as Residence Inn (a Marriott property) which are basically mini apartments.

Good luck!!

I am hooked on B&B's. I have paid on average $100 a night, but it includes a full breakfast. With four, you would probably have to pay a little extra, and not all want children, but I've had no problems finding people who welcome them. They just ask if my kids are well behaved, which they are. Google Chicago area B&B's. You will never want to stay in a hotel again!

You could try looking at the towns around chicago with a train station that takes you right into chicago-Arlington Heights, Palatine, Barrington, Northbrook, Deerfield, Forest Glen, those are all the stops I can think of off the top of my head. T.

Do not stay anywhere near or where you would have to take I90, it is full of construction and just terrible traffice, I94, 294 is good even I55 is ok to take.
There are tons of cheap hotels if you go to priceline.com and put in your price too at times. Downtown Evanston is a nice area and only 20 minutes to the city not sure the hotels will be any cheaper though. You definitely ahve to do the Arcitecual boat tour, it is expensive like $20 a person but well worht all the information, beautiful sites and views and breeze on the boat. Navy pier is fun to walk and free however the swings and ferris wheel are not free. There is a great chinese acrobat show there I hear is fantastic. Walk to Oak street beach or take a cab to North ave beach your kids will like that one with all the volleyball courts and young bodys there. There is six flags and they have a water park but you need two days there to get it all done and sometimes they have buy one get the next day free or coupons at hte grocery store. Can you stay in the suburbs and commute on the train?

Where exactly are you going? There are suburbs that have pretty decent prices, you can take a train back to the city.

Try vrbo.com. It's vacation rentals by owner. You may find a little apartment or even a house in the suburbs or city that could be cheaper than a hotel/motel and with a kitchen you could save on eating out all the time.

The Belden Stratford is in Lincoln Park across the street from the Lincoln Park Zoo (which is free :)...they sometimes have deals if you go to their website. It's a hotel but many people live there. There are also two great restaurants in it...its a historic building...really beautiful. Good luck! Hotels.com is also a great site for deals.

Try the Carleton Inn of Oak Park (request the motor inn/motel part, not the hotel part). It's one block from the Harlem Lake stop on the Green Line, two blocks from the UP-North Metra Line -- both of which go into downtown Chicago in less than 1/2 hour. Carleton Inn offers AAA rates. It has a great hotel pub called Poor Phils, and across the street is the pricier but very delicious Marion Street Cheese Market gourmet restaurant. Enjoy your visit to Chicagoland!

My suggestion would be to look outside the city but near rail service. And south rather than west for cost. I believe you can purchase children's rail passes that will cover your whole trip, perhaps for adults as well. Check into Homewood-Flossmoor area, Matteson area. There is a large Holiday Inn on Lincoln Hwy in Matteson just minutes from the Metra station. Once you're in town, you can navigate pretty much anywhere. Another cost saving suggestion would be to eat your main/large meal at lunchtime with light/snack later.

J.