My husband and I are FINALLY going to get a chance to go away for a night and want to stay downtown. We can't afford the super high end hotels but would like to stay somewhere nice. Any suggestions? Also, we used to (you know- "before kids") enjoy a nice Sunday brunch buffet but don't know of any good spots downtown. Any suggestions?
Thanks so much!
I recommend checking out Priceline.com. We just spent last weekend at the Westin for less than half of what they normally charge. As for the Swissotel, I was there once and thought it was gorgeous.
For brunch, I recommend Yolk on Michigan and Roosevelt, or the Grand Lux cafe on Ontario and State is very nice as well. It's owned by the Cheesecake Factory but is more upscale, in my opinion.
Have fun!
I'm rather out of the loop myself, but I'd second Priceline or Hotwire to get a great bargain... always nice to stay someplace new and unexpected. Also metromix has great reviews:
http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants/producer_guide/ch...
One spot they recommend is FLO on Chicago... approachable, bohemian and artsy, but excellent southwest inspired cuisine. Go early or expect lines!!! HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME!
You have to check out Hotwire.com for the best hotel rates. You pick an area and a star rating. You then pay and then they tell you the hotel. I have never been disappointed. Last time that I did this, I ended up in The Omni on Michigan Ave. Not so bad.
There have been several brunch suggestions in the south loop, all with which I agree. If you're looking for a buffet type brunch, Grace O'Malley's at 14th and Michigan has a good one.
I've had several family and friends who have gotten good deals at the Hilton downtown (Balbo and Michigan) through priceline and have very much enjoyed it.
The Signature Room (95th Floor of the Hancock) offers Sunday brunch. I'm not sure what they currently charge though.
I don't know anything about the hotels since we live close to downtown. I DO know several great sunday breakfast spots, but most of them are in the neighborhoods rather than downtown. Here are my personal favorites:
Cafe Meli (corner of Jackson and Halsted in Greektown)
Wishbone (Morgan and Washington, also other locations)
Lou Mitchells (a Chicago standard)
Orange (there's one in the South Loop and one in Roscoe Village)
The Bongo Room (one in Wicker Park and one at Wabash and Roosevelt)
None of these are buffets but they all have great food. Get there early (before 9:00) unless you want to wait forever.
Have a fun weekend!!
Whatever you do. Dont stay at the Swissotel. Not only is it over priced but myself and a bunch of friends stayed there. There was mold in the bathrooms like you would not believe (I have the pics to prove it) when we complained the response we got was. Oh the manager is not here. So I showed them my pics at the front conseirge desk. He said. Oh I see no mold it is hard to tell from a pic. So I asked him to come to the room . he said no he was too busy(standing around I guess.) we were disappointed to say the least.
