Exotica 2003 in Chicago: Who's coming? - Other Events

T tikibars Tiki Socialite Aku Hall, Chicago Joined: Apr 11, 2002 Posts: 2034	T tikibars Posted posted on Mon, Jul 21, 2003 11:53 AM On 2003-07-16 15:56, thejab wrote: Me and Robin are staying near the loop in the Swissotel. We got a huge room with a view for $119/night on the Swissotel website. There are plenty of good rates still on Expedia and other websites for around $100 in and near the loop. I found the room rates were much higher on Thursday and Sunday at some hotels - I presume because of the business clientele. Since we're flying into Midway there is really no advantage in staying at the Marriot for us, except for the Friday Kona Kai event, and after that we are heading over to the Rock-a-tiki anyway. Also, I like to be in the heart of town close to all the museums, bars, and restaurants. And most of the "L" lines start at the loop so it's easy to get to most neighborhoods from there. I guess if one is driving while there it might be a real advantage staying near O'Hare as most of those hotels offer free parking while downtown hotels charge a fee ($20-30/day). Dean Most of the poits you make are valid and accurate, but there is another side to this too. The Swissotel is near the end of Wacker street, by the lake, and will indeed give you great view. I was just there this weekend for a sound production job in one of the ball rooms. It's a nice place (but I am surprised you, of all people, didn't pick a more vintage hotel!). However, it is a good 1/2 mile walk to the nearest L stop, and said L lines are the orange, brown, and purple lines, which will get you to and from Midway, but not ANY of the Exotica events (well, they come reasonably close to Delilahs and Kitsch'n). The Blue Line, conversely, will get you within walking distance or a $3 cab hop to at least three Exotica events, and it is right near the O'Hare Mariott (and the Kona Kai is within this hotel!). But, it is like 1.5 miles from Swissotel - too far to walk. Even Rock A Tiki is a $6-$8 cab ride from Swissotel, but is near the Blue Line, ...and not the Brown/Orange/Purple lines. However, it is true that if you want to check out the museums and stuff, you'll want to be in the Loop, but if you get a hotel in the Loop, you are going to end up spending a fortune on cabs, or for those of you bringing cars, another fortune on parking (yes, $30 or $40 pr night is accurate - and musch cheaper or free at Mariott). You WILL NOT get street parking in the Loop overnight or during either rush hour. You will be towed instantly. If you want my 2 cents, I recommend keeping your reservation at the Swissotel during the non-E03 part of your stay, for access to museums and the varied interesting architecture and history of the Loop area, but moving to the admittedly boring Mariott for the E03 weekend. In fact, a recent flurry of Email among the E03 planning crew, we more or less decided to make the O'Hare Mariott the 'official' E03 hotel. So get signed up! JT

On 2003-07-16 15:56, thejab wrote:
Me and Robin are staying near the loop in the Swissotel. We got a huge room with a view for $119/night on the Swissotel website. There are plenty of good rates still on Expedia and other websites for around $100 in and near the loop. I found the room rates were much higher on Thursday and Sunday at some hotels - I presume because of the business clientele.

Since we're flying into Midway there is really no advantage in staying at the Marriot for us, except for the Friday Kona Kai event, and after that we are heading over to the Rock-a-tiki anyway. Also, I like to be in the heart of town close to all the museums, bars, and restaurants. And most of the "L" lines start at the loop so it's easy to get to most neighborhoods from there.

I guess if one is driving while there it might be a real advantage staying near O'Hare as most of those hotels offer free parking while downtown hotels charge a fee ($20-30/day).

Dean

Most of the poits you make are valid and accurate, but there is another side to this too.

The Swissotel is near the end of Wacker street, by the lake, and will indeed give you great view. I was just there this weekend for a sound production job in one of the ball rooms. It's a nice place (but I am surprised you, of all people, didn't pick a more vintage hotel!).

However, it is a good 1/2 mile walk to the nearest L stop, and said L lines are the orange, brown, and purple lines, which will get you to and from Midway, but not ANY of the Exotica events (well, they come reasonably close to Delilahs and Kitsch'n). The Blue Line, conversely, will get you within walking distance or a $3 cab hop to at least three Exotica events, and it is right near the O'Hare Mariott (and the Kona Kai is within this hotel!). But, it is like 1.5 miles from Swissotel - too far to walk.

Even Rock A Tiki is a $6-$8 cab ride from Swissotel, but is near the Blue Line, ...and not the Brown/Orange/Purple lines.

However, it is true that if you want to check out the museums and stuff, you'll want to be in the Loop, but if you get a hotel in the Loop, you are going to end up spending a fortune on cabs, or for those of you bringing cars, another fortune on parking (yes, $30 or $40 pr night is accurate - and musch cheaper or free at Mariott). You WILL NOT get street parking in the Loop overnight or during either rush hour. You will be towed instantly.

If you want my 2 cents, I recommend keeping your reservation at the Swissotel during the non-E03 part of your stay, for access to museums and the varied interesting architecture and history of the Loop area, but moving to the admittedly boring Mariott for the E03 weekend.

In fact, a recent flurry of Email among the E03 planning crew, we more or less decided to make the O'Hare Mariott the 'official' E03 hotel.

So get signed up!

Post #43790 by tikibars on Mon, Jul 21, 2003 11:53 AM