BlogHer - Chicago for Travelers: About Those Hotels... - Comments

Yes, Sheila, Let's Lunch

Pam — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 07:48:54 -0500

People make fun of ladies who lunch, but I want to be one professionally. :) Let's.

Hi Pam, I'm at the City

Seafarer — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 08:41:28 -0500

Hi Pam, I'm at the City Centre as well; would love to get a gaggle together for lunch sometime while we're there.

People can also take the subway/CTA system in from O'Hare (not sure about Midway.) I'm probably going to buy a multi-day transit pass while I'm there, from one of the machines in the stations.

Sheila Scarborough
Family Travel: See The World With Your Kids
Kid Trippin' on Disney's Family.com

Thanks Pam!

Kalyn Denny — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 14:09:03 -0500

Hi Pam,
Thanks for confirming that I did find the right number for airport express. As for the hotel prices, my very well-traveled brother lived in Chicago for 12 years and he was astonished that Blogher got a rate at the "W" for around $200. Good job everyone!

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

Happy to Help Fellow Travelers!

Pam — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 12:21:50 -0500

I'm DELIGHTED that anyone is finding my obscure skill useful. :)

Nerd's Eye View

Thanks for the info

Virginia DeBolt — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 12:07:27 -0500

Thanks to you, I just reserved a ride from Midway to the hotel on the shuttle. It's easy to do online.

http://www.webteacher.ws/
http://first50.wordpress.com/

Thanks Pam

Lisa Stone — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 09:21:59 -0500

You're right - I already knew how hard Elisa and Kristy worked to keep costs down for all of us, in ongoing commitment to our grassroots conference. But it is terrific to have such well-researched third-party confirmation.

You really know your stuff - I'm going to try some of these angles the next time I research a family vacation!

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette

Chicago for Travelers: About Those Hotels...

Pam — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 10:59:39 -0500

It's not that I don't trust our fearless leaders, quite the contrary. But, if you're like me, you're always looking for the best possible deal for your travel bucks and face it, a plane ticket to Chicago, a conference pass, and three nights hotel is a lot of dough. I like my privacy - especially when I'm traveling because I need a quiet place switch off and write - so the Hostel didn't appeal. That's why I went hunting for cheaper digs for the weekend near the Navy Pier.

And you know what? It ain't happening. I checked in with the Chicago Tourism folks when I couldn't find anything using the endless number of deal sleuthing sites out there. Their picks were 50-100 dollars a night more. And sure, I could try a gamble on Priceline, but who knows where I'd end up? And Priceline is quite clear on their cancellation policy: No, no, no. Meh. Not such a great idea really, unless it's the day before your arrival and you're locked in.

I also did a little hunting on Craig's List: Chicago. If you're traveling with a crew, you might find that the "executive apartments" listed there appeal. I love hotel alternatives - you get a decently stocked kitchen, you don't have to pay seven dollars to drink a cup of coffee while lying in bed, and you don't have the starchy anonymity of hotels where Everything Looks the Same. But there are no great deals to be had here, either - though again, I recommend checking it out if you're bringing the family or you want to make a girl's weekend out of it.

I wouldn't call my homework exhaustive. I limited my search to the waterfront and the Loop - areas convenient to the conference. You can find lower rates out by the airports, out in the neighborhoods... but you won't be able to walk to the conference, you'll have to take a cab or navigate public transit. Totally doable, I think, but I wasn't going to point you there without providing transit information and hey, do you want an excursion between you and your BlogHer breakfast? I don't.

There you have it. My not quite neutral third party research shows that the conference organizers have scored righteous deals for the conference. I expect our organizers didn't need validation of that fact, but I did, and maybe you did too. Now I've got it.

There are still rooms left at Chicago City Center, I know because I reserved mine this morning. This reminds me: travelbloggers lunch in Chicago anyone?

Hotel Shuttle Update: Airport Express

Oâ€™HARE Airport: Cost is $25.00 per person one-way. Vans depart Oâ€™Hare every half hour from 6:20am to 5:50pm, with departures leaving every 15 minutes during peak hours. (Vans depart from lower level of the baggage claim area). Reservations are required for pick up prior to 6:20am and after 5:50pm, reservations can be made at www.airportexpress.com or 773-247-1200 or 1-800-654-7871.

MIDWAY Airport: Cost is $20.00 per person one-way. Vans depart Midway for downtown every 20-40 minutes in from of the Main Terminal. INFORMATION: 1-800-654-7871

Note: There's a 4 dollar discount if you get the round trip. That's a latte right there!

Pam blogs about travel and other adventures at Nerd's Eye View.