Courtyard Chicago Downtown / Magnificent Mile, Chicago

OK so I've only been to Chicago once in recent memory, but my trip was arranged a short notice and I needed a place to stay.

Having a relatively tight budget and wanting to be "in the city" as I had a few days to kill to get a cheaper airfare, I wanted to be central - but all the hotels I could find cost far too much (is it just me or is £200 a night a tad steep?)

When I found the Magnificent Mile I thought I had struck gold, but you know what it's like, it's much cheaper than the rest (cost me £80/night) - there's going to be something major they forgot to tell me in the brochure...

But - it was indeed Magnificent!

First, the downside.....I had a rental car to park. The hotel particulars said it had parking - which it does - but not specific to the hotel - so I had to fight the guard for a space when I arrived late afternoon on a Saturday.....and it costs $30/day to park there, and it's incredibly tight space wise so I felt a bit unnerved manouvering an american barge-like car round - but I did it.

So - the upside.

Clean, airy, very comfy beds, fantastic staff, lovely environment, right in the heart of the city (as in near - 5 mins walk - to the Sears tower and in the heart of the shopping areas), great room, excellent service.

What I wanted more than anything after 17 hours travel to get there was a cold beer, a light dinner and to just relax. I walked into the hotel restuarant and was served by the nicest team, given a great dinner, a perfect beer and then sat at the bar chatting with locals like I was one myself - I could not have felt more at home.

I stayed for 4 days total and every day enjoyed my time in and around the hotel - the staff even coping with an unexpected business visitor and taking the initiative to call me and tell me they were looking for me and didnt' have my phone number, and patching the two of us together.

There was a gym and a pool but I didn't have time to test them out other than to go take a look - and they looked up to the normal hotel standard (small but well appointed).

All together, a brilliant hotel, right by a few deli's so you can grab a light bite instead of using the restaurant, with all the facilities you need. We are going back to Chicago to visit friends soon and this will most certainly be our chosen base!