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No personal experience with this yet, but we are trying to put together a low-budget Chicago trip once the HSR segment starts up in July. We have found several no-frills type hotels (Super 8, Knights, Travelodge, etc.) around the Homewood/Hazel Crest area. Depending on your travel dates, they go for $30-60. Metra serves both towns, and several of the hotels are within walking distance from the Metra stations. From what I understand, it's a decent suburban area (though correct me if I'm wrong; when I used to have family in Chicagoland, they were in the NW suburbs). Metra Electric line runs you $5 each way to get to Millenium Station, so it's not a bad deal even considering the extra cost.
I can't speak to Hazel at all, but I've seen a few people post that Homewood is not exactly the safest station around and I think I've even seen a news report or two about crime in the parking lot at Homewood. So I'd be careful about going there.

Perhaps someone from the Chicago area can comment further on this and that station's safety.
 
While one can sometimes get lucky with a downtown hotel, especially if there are no conventions in town, personally I'd look at hotels out near the airports. They tend to be much cheaper and you can still ride the subway/L to get to those locations, saving money over needing to use METRA.
Check rates at the couple of hotels in downtown Evanston, too -- that's 'L'-accessible and is a safe, walkable area. I can vouch for the Hilton Orrington being a nice hotel, although it's been almost 20 years since I stayed there.
 
No personal experience with this yet, but we are trying to put together a low-budget Chicago trip once the HSR segment starts up in July. We have found several no-frills type hotels (Super 8, Knights, Travelodge, etc.) around the Homewood/Hazel Crest area. Depending on your travel dates, they go for $30-60. Metra serves both towns, and several of the hotels are within walking distance from the Metra stations. From what I understand, it's a decent suburban area (though correct me if I'm wrong; when I used to have family in Chicagoland, they were in the NW suburbs). Metra Electric line runs you $5 each way to get to Millenium Station, so it's not a bad deal even considering the extra cost.
I can't speak to Hazel at all, but I've seen a few people post that Homewood is not exactly the safest station around and I think I've even seen a news report or two about crime in the parking lot at Homewood. So I'd be careful about going there.

Perhaps someone from the Chicago area can comment further on this and that station's safety.
Homewood is a perfectly safe place, with a excellent downtown with many nice restaurants. The station and parking lots are right across the street from the police station, so I wouldn't be concerned about your safety in downtown Homewood. Now, the hotels around Interstate 294 and Halsted street are another story, They're not within easy walking distance of the train station and the clientel at some of them probably aren't the best. I can't think of any hotel/motel within walking distance of any Metra Electric station (except at McCormick Place and the downtown stations). It would probably be best to check at some of the hotels/motels on the outskirts of the Loop near Union Station. The motels just south of Midway Airport are also a good bet, especially if they offer shuttle service. The Orange Line CTA will take you close to Union Station, although some walking, at both the airport and the downtown end, is necessary.
 
No personal experience with this yet, but we are trying to put together a low-budget Chicago trip once the HSR segment starts up in July. We have found several no-frills type hotels (Super 8, Knights, Travelodge, etc.) around the Homewood/Hazel Crest area. Depending on your travel dates, they go for $30-60. Metra serves both towns, and several of the hotels are within walking distance from the Metra stations. From what I understand, it's a decent suburban area (though correct me if I'm wrong; when I used to have family in Chicagoland, they were in the NW suburbs). Metra Electric line runs you $5 each way to get to Millenium Station, so it's not a bad deal even considering the extra cost.
I can't speak to Hazel at all, but I've seen a few people post that Homewood is not exactly the safest station around and I think I've even seen a news report or two about crime in the parking lot at Homewood. So I'd be careful about going there.

Perhaps someone from the Chicago area can comment further on this and that station's safety.
Homewood is a perfectly safe place, with a excellent downtown with many nice restaurants. The station and parking lots are right across the street from the police station, so I wouldn't be concerned about your safety in downtown Homewood. Now, the hotels around Interstate 294 and Halsted street are another story, They're not within easy walking distance of the train station and the clientel at some of them probably aren't the best. I can't think of any hotel/motel within walking distance of any Metra Electric station (except at McCormick Place and the downtown stations). It would probably be best to check at some of the hotels/motels on the outskirts of the Loop near Union Station. The motels just south of Midway Airport are also a good bet, especially if they offer shuttle service. The Orange Line CTA will take you close to Union Station, although some walking, at both the airport and the downtown end, is necessary.
All right, good to know. This is the sort of thing you can't tell from Google Maps/Street View. Well, I guess we'll stick with what we know: the Elk Grove Village/airport area. That's where my late aunt used to live, and we visited there often. Very nice suburb, as are the neighbouring Mt. Prospect and Des Plaines. Still fairly cheap hotels, as well, due to the proximity to O'Hare.
 
I'm a bit confused now. So you guys say to look at hotels around the airport? Anywhere that does not require transfers out of Union Station? How about Elgin, Aurora, or Joliet? Are they safe?
 
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I'm a bit confused now. So you guys say to look at hotels around the airport? Anywhere that does not require transfers out of Union Station? How about Elgin, Aurora, or Joliet? Are they safe?
There's a Comfort Inn hotel almost adjacent to the Aurora Metra station. It would be very convenient. It is just on other side of the Roundhouse Brewery/Restaurant from the station.

Harrah's Casino in Joliet has a hotel that is three-four blocks from the train station.

Downtown Joliet is quite safe during the day. At night, it's petty empty, except around the casino or if there's a baseball game at the stadium adjacent to the train station.
 
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We always stay at the Heart O'Chicago Motel. It looks sketchy, but it's really very nice, safe, and clean. It just has that 1950s vibe because they haven't changed the sign since then. The rooms are straight out of the 1980s. :)

It's $80/night for a king-size bed, and you get free Wi-Fi (ask the desk for the password). They also have free parking, which is unheard of in the city limits. I know you're rail-fanning, but I wanted to toss that out there anyway. ;)

It's on the #22 bus line (Clark). It's also a short walk or bus ride to the 'L' (red line).

If you want a neighborhood to associate it with, it's in the northern part of Andersonville, up at the tippy-top of Lake Shore Drive.
 
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It's also a short walk or bus ride to the El (red line).
In Chicago, that's spelled 'L' (yes, with single quotes) -- surprised one of the other folks on this forum didn't jump on you for this first! :D
Aaaaaargh... I keep doing that. It's a habit from an old chat I used to haunt where the "L" would get all screwed up, so we changed it to "El" for the purposes of chatting.

I'll fix it. ;)
 
if u take metra to the brookfield station

a short walk to the rodeway inn on W. Ogden Ave.

in lyons

59 a night there are resterants close by and a starbucks on the corner

i have stayed there when ever i was in chicago for events and concerts
 
Just wanted to update that I have still not been able to find a hotel, and time is running out ever so quickly! No offence, but this has become a nightmare!
 
Just wanted to update that I have still not been able to find a hotel, and time is running out ever so quickly! No offence, but this has become a nightmare!
Some suggestions have already been given in this thread. What's wrong with them -- sold out? More expensive than the posters thought? Too far away?
In fact, all of them were more exoensive than the poster thought. too far away is not a problem, but the nightmare is bacause all the poster underestimated the price by up to 40%.
 
In fact, all of them were more exoensive than the poster thought. too far away is not a problem, but the nightmare is bacause all the poster underestimated the price by up to 40%.
Not knowing the dates makes it difficult to make suggestions. When I personally looked at rates at the Comfort Inn in Aurora on dates I was interested in, I generally found rates under $100.
 
In fact, all of them were more exoensive than the poster thought. too far away is not a problem, but the nightmare is bacause all the poster underestimated the price by up to 40%.
Not knowing the dates makes it difficult to make suggestions. When I personally looked at rates at the Comfort Inn in Aurora on dates I was interested in, I generally found rates under $100.
Yeah, for my dates that is now $120.
 
Elgin stations are not convenient to hotels and I don't know if there are taxis there. Elgin has gone a bit downhill.

If distance is no problem, the Metra goes to Woodstock, which has a small hotel a block from the Metra station. Again, not sure of the price, but there are other hotels which the waiting taxis can take you to.

However, the Metra station for some of the trains is about 3 blocks from Union Station in Chicago. Don't know if you were aware of this.
 
Elgin stations are not convenient to hotels and I don't know if there are taxis there. Elgin has gone a bit downhill.

If distance is no problem, the Metra goes to Woodstock, which has a small hotel a block from the Metra station. Again, not sure of the price, but there are other hotels which the waiting taxis can take you to.

However, the Metra station for some of the trains is about 3 blocks from Union Station in Chicago. Don't know if you were aware of this.
Yeah, I know that. You're talking about the Ogilvie Center, formally North Western Terminal, unless I am mistaken again.
 
Yeah, I know that. You're talking about the Ogilvie Center, formally North Western Terminal, unless I am mistaken again.
You are mistaken. Ogilvie Station is formerly North Western Station. Formally, it is either Ogilvie Transportation Center, or Citigroup Center, depending on which part of the building you're referring to.
 
Yeah, I know that. You're talking about the Ogilvie Center, formally North Western Terminal, unless I am mistaken again.
You are mistaken. Ogilvie Station is formerly North Western Station. Formally, it is either Ogilvie Transportation Center, or Citigroup Center, depending on which part of the building you're referring to.
Oh, come on, man. I'm just a guy trying to find a hotel.
 
Argh! I meessed up, big time! I booked a hotel on Pricelne by naming my own price but I ended up in a really bad hotel with poor reviews! But I cannot cancel!

edit: not poor location
 
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Argh! I meessed up, big time! I booked a hotel on Pricelne by naming my own price but I ended up in a really poor location with poor reviews! But I cannot cancel!
What hotel?

I've never had a problem with Priceline, but I'm always careful to select the area where I want the hotel to be, and pick a minimum star level. Then there are websites out there that can help you figure out what hotels you are likely to get based on the star level and location (no guarantees, but they tend to go with the same set of hotels regularly).
 
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