hotel block question - downtown

arrabelle

hi chicago ladies!  looking for advice re: our hotel blocks.  

many of our guests are OOTers, some have never been to chicago.  i thought a hotel in walking distance to the lakefront/tourist attractions might be enjoyable for them.  however, our church is near university hospital, and our reception is in the west loop (aeree loft).

we're providing a shuttle between the locations.  but now i'm wondering if we should find a hotel/hotels closer to our venue.  maybe not as convenient for sightseeing, but less time on a shuttle for the wedding.  (or a shorter cab ride if they miss the shuttle).

which location would you choose for your guests?  

thank you!

MyWedding13

I would do a hotel near the venue because that is where they are going to end their evening. The last thing I would want as a guest at the end of a wedding is having to travel farther to the hotel. I would rather travel for entertainment during the day. 

WinterWed17

We used the Crowne Plaza Metro, which is the only hotel in the West Loop, because our venue was in the neighborhood too. It was super convenient for guests. A lot of people walked. They treated us very well. They give some good incentives too for the bride and groom if you block with them.

jg2ea

winterwed17- Where was your venue? We're having ours at Carnivale not far from the Crowne Plaza.

If the venue is close enough to the hotel, is it reasonable for guests to take a cab?

BettyB9

Oh my, I had never seen aeree loft when looking for venues, it's beautiful, I really like it!

I would say that having a hotel near the reception site would be best, so guests can get back to their rooms after easier.  It will most likely be late, and if people have imbibed, closer is better.  Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of hotels I can think of in that area. The Crowne Plaza has been mentioned.  Or a little further east, maybe the W or the La Quinta Inn -- it's their flagship building, so nicer than most La Quinta's, and fairly new.

arrabelle

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_hotel-block-question-downtown?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:72Discussion:c4cee316-af4a-42d1-903d-c3df9aa129a4Post:14c25695-5aba-48d2-8e2b-30183c8c3f19">Re: hotel block question - downtown</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>Oh my, I had never seen aeree loft when looking for venues, it's beautiful, I really like it! </strong>I would say that having a hotel near the reception site would be best, so guests can get back to their rooms after easier.  It will most likely be late, and if people have imbibed, closer is better.  Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of hotels I can think of in that area. The Crowne Plaza has been mentioned.  Or a little further east, maybe the W or the La Quinta Inn -- it's their flagship building, so nicer than most La Quinta's, and fairly new.
Posted by BettyB9[/QUOTE]

<div>thank you!   it was a great find.   they don't have a catering list, we can buy our own booze, they negotiated on price, and they're letting us party until 4am.  *win!*</div><div>
</div><div>and thanks everyone for the hotel input.  i mean, the loft is only 3 miles from millennium park but in city traffic that could be 10-20 minutes on a shuttle or in a taxi.  i don't know if i'm crazy about having people stay in the area though?....we might have to drive around and look at the places you've all mentioned the next time we're in the city.</div><div>
</div><div>thank you!</div>