Hi guys and girls,

I am planning my first trip to Chicago finally, after hearing many great things about the city. Please can you give me tips on what area to stay and hotels you like? Foodie voyages I should not live without?

Thank you

JJxx

Prior thread on the topic is linked below. One of the posts has links on prior threads that discuss the areas to stay in. Posting hotel names on a public board is a no no. Hotel recommendations should be sent via PM.

http://www.theeroticreview.com/discussion_boards/viewmsg.asp?MessageID=194997&boardID=10&page=1#194997

As I am from New York and not Chicago I do not read the boards in other cities usually.

Any PM suggestions would be greatly received please, as choosing the wrong hotel is a major f**k up, as we know.  

Thanking you muchly.

While Mr. Bauer is correct that this question pops up frequently, we are still always happy to provide guidance for lovely visitors such as yourself. Previous posts seem to come to the consensus that the best places to stay are either downtown, Near North side, or in the Schaumburg area just northeast of the airport. These areas seem to provide the best business traffic for providers. Downtown is more expensive but allows you to more easily explore our city. Schaumburg is very accessible for suburbanites and offers a large number of nice hotels at a very reasonable rate.  

As to food, Chicago's biggest claim to fame is our deep dish pizza. Giordano's, Pizzeria Unos, or Lou Malnatis are all good examples as well as many other restaurants. Next in line would be our great steak restaueants. Ruth's Chris, Chicago Cut, and Gibsons are some of my personal favorites.Beyond that it depends on what you're looking for. Chicago has almost every ethnic food you could possibly want. if you are a foodie my recommendation is to stay in a hotel downtown or on the Near North Side and you will be within walking distance of almost any food of any quality you could desire.  Chicago is also a good city for those that want to walk and explore and this is one of the best times of the year to do that. Having peeked at your website I'm certain you will have no trouble finding willing guides to help you explore the city. Barring that, a quick search on this board will give you many more recommendations as Mr Bauer indicated.  Best of luck and welcome to the Windy City.

Jennifer,

Disregard the negativity.  Some people just like to "hear" themselves write.  Welcome to Chicago! With reviews like yours, we are happy to have you.  Depending on the length of your stay, you may want to split your time between the Downtown/Magnificent Mile area and the suburbs.  The popular suburban areas are Oakbrook, Schaumburg, and the O'Hare area.  Downtown/Mag Mile has great restaurants, shopping and cultural events.  Tough parking /traffic for those gentlemen who live in the suburbs.  Oakbrook and Schaumburg are located near great malls and have plenty of restaurant options at all price points.  Parking is easy.   Hotel choices are many, again at all price points.  Those recommendations may best come from the ladies.  Enjoy your stay!

Downtown is a must.  All my New York friends are genuinely surprised at the quality of sights and sounds.  We don't try to be Manhattan - and we're not.  We are different.  I will pm you a specific hotel a gal and I tried downtown.  I think you will appreciate it.  

Wherever you stay, give us a hint - major cross street is best - so we can secure a Spot Hero parking slot.  That brings the cost down to under $20.  Not a bad idea for you if you get your own car.  

Food - I am way behind the scene at this point but once upon a time Spiaggia was the thing.  I will give you a suggestion that is utterly impractical but will being you back one day when you can drive around.  Froggy's in Highwood.  One of the lady French restaurants - same gal and I went there.  It's too far but trust me it's worth it some day.

Thanks so much for the positive ideas & suggestions guys

I am actually an avid foodie, and love to research and try out restaurants, bars & great coffee places as a personal project. I am a bit of a budding travel blogger, so its not just Jennifer on Tour who gets excited about the possibilities of a new city. Being in a convenient hotel, that is also close to all of the other 'none indoors' kinds of fun, means I get to do both!

Ive heard many great things about Chicago, and have wanted to visit for years, so local knowledge is priceless to me.

Cheers

JJx

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