[Iris]

The Fujoshi, on 28 May 2011 - 05:54 PM, said:

Hilton is associated with the Emby right? I can probably use my card to get points if I stayed there? Do you know if they have a fridge/micro/other things and how close is it to the Rosemount?

Because free nights are a good thing.

Here is a map that shows real well where it sets.
http://www.rosemont....f/skybridge.pdf

There is no fridge or microwave in the room. There is a coffee machine, safe in the room, and the tv allows you to hook up things like gaming systems and laptops to it (I know some hotels block that stuff). It was a little cheaper then the Embassy. I believe the price difference this year was $145 (for four people and double beds) at the Hilton versus either $175 or $195 at the Embassy.

[Stormy-chan]

Iris, on 28 May 2011 - 08:45 PM, said:

Here is a map that shows real well where it sets.
http://www.rosemont....f/skybridge.pdf

There is no fridge or microwave in the room. There is a coffee machine, safe in the room, and the tv allows you to hook up things like gaming systems and laptops to it (I know some hotels block that stuff). It was a little cheaper then the Embassy. I believe the price difference this year was $145 (for four people and double beds) at the Hilton versus either $175 or $195 at the Embassy.

Yes if money is an issue the Embassy can be a bit more, but you are also getting more. With the mini-fridge, microwave, breakfast buffet with omelet bar, and for the 21+ the free drinks during the managers reception every evening, I consider it to be a great deal for the money.

It just comes down to what amenities you want verses what you can afford to pay for the weekend split between how ever many are in the room.

If I can I will stay at the Embassy every ACEN because I enjoy the perks they offer and the amenities

[Justine]

I'm not worried about price or anything. My main concerns are:
-Mini fridge, micro, coffee maker combo!
-Close to con, getting tired of walking.
-Preferably, 18 check in age.
-Quite and comfortable rooms. I love to unwind at the end of a busy convention day.

[Exezer]

I 2nd that on the Embassy....you walk out and the convention center is right across the street and as people say the happy hour and the free breakfast are awesome.

This post has been edited by Exezer: 30 May 2011 - 12:42 PM

[chainedbyroses]

Justine, on 30 May 2011 - 12:26 PM, said:

I'm not worried about price or anything. My main concerns are:
-Mini fridge, micro, coffee maker combo!
-Close to con, getting tired of walking.
-Preferably, 18 check in age.
-Quite and comfortable rooms. I love to unwind at the end of a busy convention day.

Okay, gonna beat everyone to the chase here. If you are 18+ but under 21, yes you can legally rent a hotel. HOWEVER, per IL law, minors can't check into hotels with liquor & all that jazz. Now, EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. there is a deluge of threads on the matter of having booked but can't check in. Every year, I reply the same, and every year, I wind up helping a few people at con hysterical they're not being let checkin (talk to front desk & ask for a manager folks!). The solution is actually impossibly simple (perhaps that's why no one thinks of it).

Magic answer? Talk to the Head Manager.

Once you've booked (or while booking online if you so desire) your room -- Call [hotel name] > ask for head manager. (You may or may not get him depending on time of call & if he's in that day. If you get voicemail, leave a nice message -- they do actually get back to you). Let him know you're a 18+but-21 guest to be staying in May for ACen (April for 2012!! ), and that you would like all liquor removed from your room before your arrival, so that you cna actually check in to the hotel. Ask him if there are any other conditions that particular hotel has for under-21s (such as parents/someone 21+ claiming liability over you; room checks to guarantee no liquor; etc.).

To answer your other points, as best I know, only the Embassy meets all the criteria. (alternating colors to make easier to read :3)
- Mini-fridge is actually fairly spacious (quite a bit larger than those made for dorms & the average hotel). Microwave is quick and functional (again, better than dorm-designed ones). Coffee-maker is, well, a coffee maker, and it works a lot faster than the ones in the DoubleTree (though odds are my former roomies just broke it in their drunken debauchery & that's why it took 8 minutes to brew water. :/). All the more awesome, you can bring breakfast up in the morning (REAL food :D), bag/fridge it, and have food for nuking later. (Or just grab a few cereals and milks/yogurts works too~.)
- Close to con. It's actually faster to get to the Dealer's Hall from the Embassy than the Hyatt or any other hotel (aside from DoubleTree, as they're literally next to each other). Literally just cross the street, walk through the car turnaround, open the doors, and you're in. As for getting into the Hyatt, it's more efficient to walk outside than take the hamster trail - it'll cut about 5min off your walk (from any hotel bc the loiterers in there in groups and large props/wings/etc), and even better -- it doesn't reek of BO.
- 18 to check in. If you call and talk to the head manager, they're more than willing to accomodate. Even better - -they're friendly AND go out of their way to be nice and helpful. (Example: last year we checked in just about 5 minutes before breakfast was to be ending; because the checkin process would take a while, she let us run in to grab eats with our keys, let my one roomie who wasn't hungry hold/watch our stuff, and finished the checkin routine for us. We'd gotten up at like 5am, rushed out, emergency pharmacy run, & caught the trains on River Road, so we were incredibly grateful she went out of her way to let us eat. If you ever read this Embassy Check-in lady, thank you <3.)
- Quiet. Given that ACen is the population of a small city in urban/large states, or a large city in rural states, noise is to be expected. However, the Embassy was one of the quietest I've seen at ACen. There is no insane screaming at ungodly hours, there is no idiocy of chucking things off balconies, there is no party block heard for floors around. Basically it's the antithesis of the Hyatt (aside from the congoers and cosplay). The rooms are nice, the beds are comfy and yeah, they're called Embassy SUITES fora reason~ :3 That, coupled with a nice REAL breakfast in the morning makes it my top choice for the ACENpocalypse next year. :3

[Kasin]

any one go to the sushi bar in the hyatt???

[STVO]

I've only been to two different ones of the 8 years I have went to Anime Central.

First one is Hyatt Regency of course. It is the top of the action where you interact with the vast majority of the convention and even panels take place there. I like it a lot because of all the action and I don't really sleep much as is at Anime Central. The only downsides are the price of it is ridiculous if you don't have 4 or more people you want to stay with. Also while the hotel is designed nicely, they're asking for a lot of money when they don't even include a microwave or an empty mini-fridge in your room.

This year, I stayed at Holiday Inn on Higgins Road by myself. To keep a long story short and not get into personal issues, at the last minute I was left without a roommate for the Hyatt Regency and if I wanted to stay alone, it would have cost me a little too much. So I decided that because I was staying alone, I should try to find one of the cheaper hotels in the Rosemont area. Price wise, you can not go wrong with Holiday Inn, I stayed Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights for a little over $300. It was very roomy, I had my own refrigerator and microwave to save money from going out all of the time. I was also in reasonable distance of a McDonalds, other restaurants, and Target wasn't too far either! The biggest downside: It's a heck of walk from the Hyatt and Donald E. Stephen's Convention Center. How far is it you ask? 45 minutes to an hour!!! Now if you aren't wearing costumes there, I'd say it was okay but I am a big cosplayer (I was Brak this year) and to do this multiple times is a bit much! There were a few (and I mean a few) shuttle buses on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday but they didn't occur very often and were either night only or morning only. I used that one time. If you are familiar with Hopstop, there is an RTA that goes towards the convention center and if you plan accordingly can get a ride to the convention. Besides those few times, I either got rides from friends who were driving that way or I just called a cab. Honestly, if the walk was 30 minutes or less, I would easily continue staying there and by myself (I like my space for the most part) but the distance is way too killer for me to stay alone. Oh another pro I would like to add is Free Parking! I bet that not too many other hotels can state that claim to fame.

Have any of you or your friends ever stayed at Motel 6? I know most of them aren't quality venues but for $55.99 for one person a night is real dang good! Just as long as there's no cockroaches or you don't have to sleep in a room with 20 random strangers, I wouldn't mind doing that if the friends I am recruiting for Hyatt bail on me. Yelp.com's review average for that particular location is 3 out of 5 stars which doesn't bother me too much but leaves me a little concerned.

This post has been edited by STVO: 31 May 2011 - 05:11 PM

[Justine]

chainedbyroses, on 30 May 2011 - 02:02 PM, said:

Okay, gonna beat everyone to the chase here. If you are 18+ but under 21, yes you can legally rent a hotel. HOWEVER, per IL law, minors can't check into hotels with liquor & all that jazz. Now, EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. there is a deluge of threads on the matter of having booked but can't check in. Every year, I reply the same, and every year, I wind up helping a few people at con hysterical they're not being let checkin (talk to front desk & ask for a manager folks!). The solution is actually impossibly simple (perhaps that's why no one thinks of it).

Magic answer? Talk to the Head Manager.

Once you've booked (or while booking online if you so desire) your room -- Call [hotel name] > ask for head manager. (You may or may not get him depending on time of call & if he's in that day. If you get voicemail, leave a nice message -- they do actually get back to you). Let him know you're a 18+but-21 guest to be staying in May for ACen (April for 2012!! ), and that you would like all liquor removed from your room before your arrival, so that you cna actually check in to the hotel. Ask him if there are any other conditions that particular hotel has for under-21s (such as parents/someone 21+ claiming liability over you; room checks to guarantee no liquor; etc.).

To answer your other points, as best I know, only the Embassy meets all the criteria. (alternating colors to make easier to read :3)
- Mini-fridge is actually fairly spacious (quite a bit larger than those made for dorms & the average hotel). Microwave is quick and functional (again, better than dorm-designed ones). Coffee-maker is, well, a coffee maker, and it works a lot faster than the ones in the DoubleTree (though odds are my former roomies just broke it in their drunken debauchery & that's why it took 8 minutes to brew water. :/). All the more awesome, you can bring breakfast up in the morning (REAL food ), bag/fridge it, and have food for nuking later. (Or just grab a few cereals and milks/yogurts works too~.)
- Close to con. It's actually faster to get to the Dealer's Hall from the Embassy than the Hyatt or any other hotel (aside from DoubleTree, as they're literally next to each other). Literally just cross the street, walk through the car turnaround, open the doors, and you're in. As for getting into the Hyatt, it's more efficient to walk outside than take the hamster trail - it'll cut about 5min off your walk (from any hotel bc the loiterers in there in groups and large props/wings/etc), and even better -- it doesn't reek of BO.
- 18 to check in. If you call and talk to the head manager, they're more than willing to accomodate. Even better - -they're friendly AND go out of their way to be nice and helpful. (Example: last year we checked in just about 5 minutes before breakfast was to be ending; because the checkin process would take a while, she let us run in to grab eats with our keys, let my one roomie who wasn't hungry hold/watch our stuff, and finished the checkin routine for us. We'd gotten up at like 5am, rushed out, emergency pharmacy run, & caught the trains on River Road, so we were incredibly grateful she went out of her way to let us eat. If you ever read this Embassy Check-in lady, thank you <3.)
- Quiet. Given that ACen is the population of a small city in urban/large states, or a large city in rural states, noise is to be expected. However, the Embassy was one of the quietest I've seen at ACen. There is no insane screaming at ungodly hours, there is no idiocy of chucking things off balconies, there is no party block heard for floors around. Basically it's the antithesis of the Hyatt (aside from the congoers and cosplay). The rooms are nice, the beds are comfy and yeah, they're called Embassy SUITES fora reason~ :3 That, coupled with a nice REAL breakfast in the morning makes it my top choice for the ACENpocalypse next year. :3

Okay, you sold me :3 I'm totally doing Embassy next year.

[Kasin]

i thought u can request a mini frig at the hyatt.

[CrimsonAnime]

I've only stayed at the Hyatt and the hilton when it was called the Sofitel.

I personally like the hyatt better. I love the room - spacious, clean, and some/most come with a balcony. I also like being in the center of it all. It's nice to be bored of panels, out of cosplay and just chilling in the lobby of the hotel and still see crowds and crowds of great cosplayers pass you by. even though the elevators are over crowded and take a while - if you are prepared for this - it's not really something to get upset over in my opinion. The hyatt is pretty much BOOKED plus people are having room parties plus people have visitors plus there are bulky cosplays - waiting for an elevator is going to happen and often times, the wait and the ride is fun if you get around the right people.

The Hilton when i stayed was also nice. Roomy and comfortable. Cool keys not cards to get in. My biggeset issue was the creepy path to the skywalk. You have to take this tiny 2 person elevator up one floor to it and then you get off in this tiny 3 person room. At night when everything is dark and strangely illuminated by street lights - it's a little freaky. Other than that it was nice. It's not as noisy as the Hyatt can sometimes be - might be because of how it's built or just because there are less cosplayers there at all hours of the night - so a good nights sleep is pretty much guaranteed. Plus with them now having panels there, you can still jump from your room to a panel line.

Hope this helps.

[STVO]

Kasin, on 01 June 2011 - 11:52 AM, said:

i thought u can request a mini frig at the hyatt.

I think you can but they charge you extra. The mini-fridge AND microwave at Holiday Inn were free. Also, I thought some mini-fridges at the Hyatt did have Coke cans, snacks, and what not. Sure you can have some of them, but it will cost you quite a bit.

[The Fujoshi]

STVO, on 03 June 2011 - 10:35 PM, said:

I think you can but they charge you extra. The mini-fridge AND microwave at Holiday Inn were free. Also, I thought some mini-fridges at the Hyatt did have Coke cans, snacks, and what not. Sure you can have some of them, but it will cost you quite a bit.

THIS THIS THIS. It's mentioned on the forums in the hotel section. Fridges/etc. anything extra for a room they charge that's not already there. So read everything carefully before you make extra purchases.

I have no idea about the sushi bar and if it's free or not at the Hyatt. They do have food bars/courts but you have to pay for them, as well as the store in the lobby. I was there for the past two years or more and remember this fact. But it does help that the gameroom and panels are right under you. Well...you still have to deal with the horrible Hyatt elevator though if you are up on the five or six floor~

You have to consider price+overall food issue. One hotel might be cheaper but you have to go buy takeout or buy a cooler, which adds onto the overall cost of staying there compared to paying a bit more and they have a fridge or free food. It's really up to the person on what they want.

The closest hotels once again are in order: (but I haven't been to every single hotel fyi,) that are under the Acen block are:

Hyatt
Hilton (via tunnels, but it's a walk.)
Embassy
Double Tree
Everything else is car distance.

[Darko]

Seeing as ive only stayed in the hyatt a couple times im biased. but


i really enjoyed my stay in the hyatt this year
the staff were super polite and we got an awesome room right on the lobby level
Score!

[cloudacmaster]

Darko, on 05 June 2011 - 08:20 PM, said:

Seeing as ive only stayed in the hyatt a couple times im biased. but


i really enjoyed my stay in the hyatt this year
the staff were super polite and we got an awesome room right on the lobby level
Score!

This. Seeing as we roomed together.

[S1NN3R]

I've stayed in the Sofitel, Hyatt, Embassy Suites, Doubletree, Holiday Inn O'Hare, and Aloft.

By far the most pleasant for me was the Aloft, which is what keeps me coming back. Has everything you'd need. Rooms don't normally come with a micro, but you can request. Last year it was $10, well worth it food wise.

[The Fujoshi]

S1NN3R, on 06 June 2011 - 01:15 AM, said:

I've stayed in the Sofitel, Hyatt, Embassy Suites, Doubletree, Holiday Inn O'Hare, and Aloft.

By far the most pleasant for me was the Aloft, which is what keeps me coming back. Has everything you'd need. Rooms don't normally come with a micro, but you can request. Last year it was $10, well worth it food wise.

How far is the Aloft and what is the price range estimate? (I know it changes each year~) Also what do they normally have? You mentioned about requesting a micro for ten bucks but what about a fridge? Also how big is it? Suite wise or Studio wise?

[GITS SAC Motoko]

Yeah like Fujoshi said, how far away is Aloft and how less is it than the Hyatt? Because I don't want to walk a far length to ACEN I like to be right in the mix...XD This was my first year staying (I was in the Hyatt) it was fun and the room was nice. But we brought all our own food so we didn't have a problem. But if the Embassy is better how much is it a night (ACEN rate, example like this current year) because I bet it's also nice just to walk across the street.

[magishine]

this past year for the embassy suites, I spend about $600 for the room and the parking for 2. I also had to come up with 25 dollars as a deposit because I paid in cash. I was there Thursday through Sunday so that's what it cost me. results may vary. consult your doctor before use

[The Fujoshi]

GITS SAC Motoko, on 30 June 2011 - 01:24 PM, said:

Yeah like Fujoshi said, how far away is Aloft and how less is it than the Hyatt? Because I don't want to walk a far length to ACEN I like to be right in the mix...XD This was my first year staying (I was in the Hyatt) it was fun and the room was nice. But we brought all our own food so we didn't have a problem. But if the Embassy is better how much is it a night (ACEN rate, example like this current year) because I bet it's also nice just to walk across the street.

Adding to what magishine said it varies. Keep in mind the hotels all go up each year. Hyatt was 165 dollars a night this year and Emby was 145 dollars.

I personally paid 400-500 without parking at the Embassy for four days and two guests. Most hotels add on 50-100 dollars to the rate for things such as room service, etc.

Cost wise its cheaper to get a room that is split up/roomates and with options such as microwave. Let it be Aloft, Hyatt, etc.

This post has been edited by The Fujoshi: 01 August 2011 - 01:52 PM

[Midori-Chan]

I've only stayed at Embassy for the past two years and it's great. Hearing what my friends had to say about staying at other hotels, I think I'll be staying there every year I go to ACen. =)

[gunner78]

I enjoyed the Double Tree for three years but I recently changed it to the Hyatt O' Hare. I wouldn't say it's better than the Double but I want to get as close to the action as possible. Plus, the balcony is amazing.

This post has been edited by gunner78: 13 August 2011 - 12:46 PM

[Saoen]

Darko, on 05 June 2011 - 08:20 PM, said:

Seeing as ive only stayed in the hyatt a couple times im biased. but


i really enjoyed my stay in the hyatt this year
the staff were super polite and we got an awesome room right on the lobby level
Score!

Wish I had that kind of luck. My first year at the Hyatt not only did I not get the room I reserved, I ended up in a room made for two people with 4 grown men. It was very unpleasant

[Toreizhoukeizu]

I have been to 4 hotels since my first acen back in 2005. The Embassy is by far the best in my opinion. The 2 room combo we always get is comfy and they have complimentary breakfast that is UNLIMITED.

Nothing like being full for the first half of a con day and not having to be hungry and snack on stuff constantly

This post has been edited by Toreizhoukeizu: 21 October 2011 - 12:26 AM

[MissiePanda]

We'll be staying in the Embassy this year, WAY TOO MANY PERKS TO PASS IT UP. I was pretty sure you had to walk to the con, it's short so it's not a big deal, but - I also read that they have a skywalk to the con? Is that true? O:

[El Ken]

The skywalk technically only connects the Hyatt, Convention Center, Hilton and the DoubleTree. It passes through the parking garage behind the Embassy, so you can go down the stairs from the garage and you're right at the lobby entrance of the Embassy. It's a much shorter walk outside from the Hyatt to the Embassy, though. I'd only recommend the skywalk in the case of bad weather, but even then it'll be very crowded.

[Kent]

If you don't mind about a 15 minute walk I recommend the Chicago Marriott Suites O'Hare. It's cheap at $98 a night with AAA discount. I think its $119 a night without. They have the biggest rooms in the area, similar to the Embassy. They have 1 king and double beds suites with a separate living area. In the room there is a fridge but no micro. The biggest thing though is they don't charge extra per person 2 or more. So its the same price a night even if you have up to 5 people per room.

[freakishdarling]

We had a room at the Marriott my first year, it was sweeeeeet. Amazing room, amazing service, but it was a pretty long walk there and back to the con. I stayed at the two Hyatts, obviously the one that hosts the con and also the one further down the road. The one that was further down, had terrible service, the room was exquisite and actually much nicer then the Hyatt that hosts the con, but the people there gave us the wrong information twice including telling us that they were the Hyatt that hosts Acen, which they weren't, and that they had shuttle buses to and from the convention center, which they don't. This will be my first year at the Embassy, I've heard great things so I'm super psyched.

[TheStrongJaeger]

I've only stayed in the Hyatt and the Doubletree one year when I was too slow in reserving my room. For my money nothing beats the Hyatt. The hotel itself is beautiful, the rooms are comfortable and you are right in the thick of all the action the whole weekend. Sure it costs a little more than the other hotels but for me it's an investment in the fun I'm going to have.

[Red Juliet]

Hyatt O'Hare- My vote is for the Hyatt. I stayed there three years and I'm going again this year. It's always busy and full of activity which I love. The ambulances are kind of a hassle yeah, but my apartment is a block away from the fire station so I am totally used to seeing and hearing the ambulances. The elevators are nightmare but I'm so used to them now it doesn't bother me at all. Plus I can always take the stairs down, so really I only have to use the elevator half the time! The restaurants are super expensive though, so ordering in or eating somewhere else is recommended.

Doubletree- Fantastic place to stay. It's close enough and we got free cookies when we checked in. The halls are fairly quiet and the people, whether workers or con-goers are all really nice. I usually get asked what's going on from those that don't know about ACen, and they are all very interested in it. The rooms are nice, although the one we were in was a little small for four people. It only had one bed and a pull-out sofa. The bathroom was a huge bonus, the shower was HUGE. I loved it.

Crowne Plaza- I stayed here last year and it was very nice. There were some parking issues and the customer service wasn't all that great but again the people staying in the hotel were very nice. It was a little bit of a walk, I'm used to walking but it was kind of a pain in heels. Literally. It's far easier for people to travel back and forth in comfortable shoes and costumes, or in normal clothing. We ordered pizza and pasta, there were little brochures in the lobby with delivery places so it was a piece of cake to find something to eat.

This post has been edited by Red Juliet: 05 January 2012 - 10:38 PM

[BrokenRemnantStudios]

I myself have stayed at The Hyatt and the Doubletree. Both nice hotels.

The Hyatt was definately the sun which the con orbited around so there's always a lot of action, and almost always some idiot that feels the need to pull the fire alarm. If you're looking for 24/3 con action, the Hyatt is the place for you!

The Double Tree was nice in that it was quiet, a little less pricey and still close to everything.

Because of a change in my financial situation, I'll be staying at the Chicago O'hare Garden Hotel, a couple miles down the road. It's gonna be a pain to get up early in order to get to the con and set up the table but hey...at $42 a night, i'll take it!