Finding an Affordable Hotel in Chicago

A trip to the Windy City is a one-of-a-kind travel experiences. Award-winning theaters, deep-dish pizza joints and architectural wonders are sprinkled throughout the city to make your visit to Chi-Town an irresistible vacation. However, while it's easy to find something to enjoy in the Second City, finding an affordable Chicago hotel can prove to be a tougher assignment.

The most popular hotels are the ones situated near O'Hare International Airport, Near North and the Loop, located in the city's center. Unfortunately, many of these hotels are more elegant and luxurious and may be out of the price range for someone wishing to enjoy their Chicago travel plans on a budget. But don't get discouraged. Finding an affordable hotel in Chicago can be accomplished and here are a few examples.

Chicago's Affordable Hotels

If you are planning to book a hotel in the Near North district of Chicago, the term "budget" may take on a different meaning. For instance, the Whitehall Hotel can be considered a budget hotel in this area, but it offers luxurious amenities, and the elegance and charm of a European chateau. The rates for rooms at the Whitehall Hotel begin around $169 per night. It's close to the shopping excitement of the Magnificent Mile, the theater district and first-class restaurants.

Hotels located near the Loop or the downtown areas are also pricier than you may expect, but there are a few choice budget hotels thrown in for good measure. For example, the Congress Plaza Hotel is nicely situated just a few steps from historic Grant Park and rooms start from $109 per night. A true piece of Chicago's legend, the Congress Plaza Hotel has housed Presidents, celebrities and foreign dignitaries over its storied history. It was built in 1893 to house visitors to the World's Columbian Exposition.

Businessmen and women visiting Chicago for a meeting or convention can take advantage of the numerous hotels around O'Hare International Airport. This can be a perfect place to find a cheap hotel in Chicago. Again, many of these hotels offer the epitome of luxury and charge accordingly; however, there are some popular chain budget hotels that may be exactly what you're looking for in your accommodations conveniently located near the airport. The Comfort Inn has a few locations near the airport where you can get a reliable and comfortable room for between $80 and $90 a night. There's also the Econo Lodge and Quality Inns placed conveniently close to the airport for similar rates and dependability.

Expensive Chicago Hotels Made Affordable

Depending on the season, you can get lucky with a room at a posh Chicago hotel for about the same rates as those found in the budget hotels. The key to locking in those cheap rates is to plan your trip in advance, compare package deals on the Internet and make your reservations as early as possible. Following these simple steps will have you sleeping in the lap of luxury while keeping true to your budget. Plan, research and reserve early -- these are the three necessary steps to finding an affordable hotel in Chicago.