The Essex Inn is not one of Chicago's nicer hotels. My wife and I stayed there one night, and we were not very impressed. We knew it wasn't a top of the line hotel. However, this was shortly after a "complete renovation" of all their rooms. We couldn't tell what part of the room was renovated? .... because it seemed a little dirty and the shower, toilet, sink, windows, drapes and carpet were clearly many years old.
The Essex Inn has become a popular destination before Bear games. 1. Because it is so close to Soldier Field. 2. It is cheaper than many. 3. They have room/game ticket packages.
When I'm staying in Chicago the night before or after a Bear's game, I like to use Orbitz.com. Even if I don't buy the hotel room through Orbitz......I like it for research. Select Hotel Only. Then select a Place of Interest (Soldier Field). When the Hotel choices appear, Select "rank by distance from Landmark." It will list the hotels from closest to Soldier to furthest from Soldier. Then look at the hotels from cheapest to most expensive. You should find a few hotels to choose from that are on the lower end AND close to the stadium.
I just did a quick search for those dates. The prices seem a little high right now. There is a chance the hotels (near Soldier) already know there is a game that night....... and have adjusted their rates up?
Did you want to stay so close to Soldier Field so you can walk to &/or from the game (without having to drive and park)? Since it is a preseason game, you can probably get a parking pass for face value (or less) right next to the stadium. That would allow you to stay a hotel further from the stadium. Keep in mind - - - there are different traffic patterns for a weekday night preseason game than a Sunday afternoon game. There is a ton of traffic (all directions) from 4 - 6 p.m. as work lets out. For a Sunday game, most of the fans arrive early to Tailgate. Tailgating isn't as popular for a preseason game on a Thursday night, so you have more people trying to get to the stadium right before kickoff (causing congestion). Add to that.... a lot of season ticket holders sell their tickets to people going to their first game. Unfortunatly, many of them don't know where they are going (and the parking signs around the stadium aren't always that clear).
My advice....... find a nice hotel 10-15 miles from the stadium. Buy a cheap parking pass. Plan on getting to the stadium between 3 & 4 (before the craziness begins). Pack a small meal to eat in the parking lot or walk around the lakefront and stadium.
Feel free to e-mail me through our website below if you have any questions!
We've stayed there a few times for their Bears package. It was worth it at the time because it was about $350 ($420 for playoffs, this was in 05/06) and included two tickets to the game, parking and obviously a nights stay. Bottom line, you get what you pay for, it's nothing special, but it was clean (I wouldn't call it a dive either). I wouldn't stay there, though, if it wasn't a package deal. The Hilton is right across the street and at times I have been able to get a very reasonable rate (you just have to keep checking).
They jacked up their prices on the Bears package last year (as expected) and to me it was no longer a value (you could buy tickets on the secondary market and stay at the Hilton for cheaper, I think it was just south of $1,000 and the game I checked on wasn't even the Packers).
wibearchick:Thanks, Cubman! Last time I checked prices for the night of 8/21, the Hilton was $339 and Essex was $129. Without question, the Hilton looks nicer, but we're just looking for a clean, comfortable place to "crash" after the game, and then leave the next morning. It sounds like Essex might work fine for that purpose. Thanks again!
Also check out the Ohio House...it's on Ohio but can't remember the cross street. You'd have to take a cab to Soldier Field cause it's at the western edge of downtown but it's clean and very reasonable....also has a small restaurant for breakfast.
Don’t know if it helps, but I stayed in the best western back in November last year. We took a bit of a gamble as it was my first time in the states and having the wife with me, it had to have all the things she needs. It was clean and secure and I would have no problems in recommending it to anyone. Sure you get what you pay for but I had no complaints. The only downside I would say is that (although not an issue now I believe) smoking was allowed. Coming from the UK where we had the ban in place, there was a noticeable aroma to the room.
On the plus side its closer to Soldier Field too
Ive stayed at the Essex many times with the Bears packages and it is an older hotel, however, I found it to be clean, and comfortable. The staff was curtious and helpful and the food in the restaraunt in the lobby had a very good breakfast.
If you are a Bears fan and looking for a better / classier hotel to stay at without paying the hig end dollars try the Palmer House Hilton on Monroe / Walbash St. I believe it is. The Palmer House is a very fine hotel with very plush accomidations but it is a bit pricer yet cheaper than the Hilton Towers on Michigan Ave.
Personally I dont need all the fluff when Im going to a Bears game. I prefer a warm bed in my room and a view of Soldier Field when I wake up Sunday morning so I stay at the Essex Inn. Its chock full of Bears fans and Im cool with the older digs myself. What ever floats your boat!
So long as the Bears win!!!
Good luck