Question for the Chicago folks

[Rob D.]

With the National just a few months away, , can anyone in the Chicago area provide a quick review of the Embassy Suites O'Hare/Rosemont (the one across the street from the convention center)?

I've heard a couple comments that it's a bit run down and hasn't been updated in some time. I've always had good success with Embassy Suites, so that surprised me a bit.

Any thoughts from anyone who knows?

Thanks.

[Kawika]

I stayed there during 2008 National. Wouldn't say it was run down at all. It was modern, clean and quiet and was perfectly fine by me.

[wonkaticket]

Well now I know where not to stay if Rob D is there...

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by wonkaticket

Well now I know where not to stay if Rob D is there...

"Come for the cards, stay for the fajitas."

[HRBAKER]

Rob,
No issues as I recall.

[4815162342]

I'm curious about this too, since it's where me and my buddy are staying. We stayed at Embassy Suites last year for the Baltimore National. We had to take the Light Rail in, but it was well worth it for the price and to have a suite.

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[B O'Brien]

Do the Embassy Suites still do the 5-7 all you can drink free happy hour? If so, who cares what the rest of the hotel looks like!

Back when I spent a lot of time in CHI, I would stay at the Sofitel if I got stuck at O'Hare or had an early morning flight out, but that was on the company dime. Some good times have been had there!

Hope all is well,
Bob

[Jewish-collector]

Rob,

I'm very honored you're using this:

[ecRich]

I stayed at this hotel in 2003, and thought it was just fine. If you are only there for the show, then this is a good choice as there is not a damn thing to do in this area other than to walk across the street to the card show. If the wife is coming, she probably will not be happy stuck there. Go to the happy hour and get happy and stagger back to the show, just don't make too many deals as you might regret it later.

[Rich Klein]

Rich

[Jewish-collector]

Originally Posted by ecRich

I stayed at this hotel in 2003, and thought it was just fine. If you are only there for the show, then this is a good choice as there is not a damn thing to do in this area other than to walk across the street to the card show. If the wife is coming, she probably will not be happy stuck there. Go to the happy hour and get happy and stagger back to the show, just don't make too many deals as you might regret it later.

What do you mean nothing to do ? There's plenty to do in Chicago.

[Bicem]

Originally Posted by Rob D.

"Come for the cards, stay for the fajitas."

who said that, Chaucer?

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

I think I've stayed at every one of those hotels near the convention center at some point. They're all among my favorites for overall comfort. The free breakfasts at the Embassy are an added bonus (the breakfasts at the others are not complimentary and can be pricey). Watch out for the trail of tears skyway, though!

[Tony Gordon]

"Trail of Tears Skyway" -- I love it! I often find people lost in there. I've always wondered how a walk across the street can take so long and be sooo tiring.

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by Tony Gordon

"Trail of Tears Skyway" -- I love it! I often find people lost in there. I've always wondered how a walk across the street can take so long and be sooo tiring.

What is this?

[Tony Gordon]

It's a walkway from the parking lot and/or I believe Embassy Suites that goes over River Road and winds its way into the convention center.

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by Tony Gordon

It's a walkway from the parking lot and/or I believe Embassy Suites that goes over River Road and winds its way into the convention center.

...and a working example of the "greenhouse effect."

[autograf]

Saw Wilt Chamberlain walking down that way once. And no, he didn't have a naked woman with him. I think we're (HRBAKER, et al) at the Hampton Inn around the corner. The Embassy there is okay. I got the Hyatt once on a Priceline.com for $40.00. That was sweet. Not the National though..........

[Jewish-collector]

I guess I better book the hotel soon. It's only a little more than 2 months away.

[tbob]

I booked my hotel for the Convention last night since I didn't want to wait until the last minute and end up a great distance from the show. When I attempted to book a room through the National Convention website it kept coming up "no rooms available" for several that were suggested so I went to the Hilton website and using my AAA discount card got a nice room at the Rosemont Hilton (used to to be the Sofitel). This is one of the hotels which is connected by the Skyway. I stayed there about 4 years ago when the show was in Chicago and it was a nice hotel, since then Hilton has bought it and refurbished it. The price was reasonable and I recommend it to anyone looking for a hotel near the show.

[sox1903wschamp]

Well I am not answering the original question from Rob but I stay at the La Quinta up the road a bit because its free for me and then take the train right to the door. Works for me.

[Rich Klein]

Originally Posted by autograf

Saw Wilt Chamberlain walking down that way once. And no, he didn't have a naked woman with him. I think we're (HRBAKER, et al) at the Hampton Inn around the corner. The Embassy there is okay. I got the Hyatt once on a Priceline.com for $40.00. That was sweet. Not the National though..........

I've think I've told this story before -- but I love it because it's a chance to name drop

When I was doing the US Tennis Open as a statistician in the 1980's -- Wilt always attended because he loved watching women's tennis (no jokes please)

One day, I was doing stats on what was then court 3 and there was supposed to be a guard there to make sure the press people could have their own place. The guard never showed up and we didn't have many people in the press area -- and while I was trying to keep the stats on the match, I also had to act as the security guard.

Wilt saw what was occuring and after about 5 minutes I had the tallest security guard in the buisness helping to keep order in the press area. During the breaks we would have nice conversations as well about tennis. BTW -- Wilt each year was given a CBS televsion badge.

It really was an enjoyable afternoon and I gained a ton of respect for him because he made sure that *I" could do my job

Rich