Sherman's Travel

In honor of the “Windy City’s” 175th birthday, the upscale Affinia Chicago is inviting travelers to discover all the city has to offer with rates as low as $175 a night. Stay through June 30 and you will also receive two cocktails at C-View, the 29th floor rooftop lounge, a tasty gift tin of Chicago’s signature Garrett’s Popcorn, four ride vouchers to explore Chicago’s largest outdoor playground, Navy Pier, and a $10 Chicago Transit Authority card to live like a local during your trip. All added up together, these extras provide a value of $69.

The stylish Affinia is situated in the lively Navy Pier district and located just steps away from the Magnificent Mile, which offers a wide range of shopping and dining options. Or stay in and relax in the spacious rooms that feature eclectic decor, high-speed Internet, 32” flat-screen cable TV, and more. When you get hungry, check out C-House, celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson’s restaurant, or enjoy the breathtaking views of the city from the rooftop terrace while sipping your free cocktail.

For more information and to book visit the Affinia Chicago website or call 866-246-2203 and mention promotional code CELCHI.

See our Chicago Destination Guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, packages, and more travel deals.

Good news for fans of Ian Schrager hotels who can’t afford the typical Ian Schrager hotels. The new PUBLIC Chicago – and the modernized Pump Room restaurant – opened in September along Chicago’s Gold Coast as the first in Schrager’s PUBLIC brand, which rejects the opulent design concepts and hefty room rates he espoused over twenty years ago as founder of Morgans Hotel Group (Morgans includes The Royalton in New York and The Sanderson in London, among others). Schrager’s launch of the new PUBLIC brand brings with it a more toned-down approach as well as affordable rates (PUBLIC offers a $135 a night promotional rate for a standard queen room for available through mid-March 2012) which he hopes will draw consumers to this and other planned PUBLIC hotels in New York and elsewhere. In launching the PUBLIC brand, Schrager says he aims to once again revolutionize the hotel industry, which has lost touch with what consumers want in place of posturing and overly-posh amenities.

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Sure, Chicago is cold in winter, but jaw-dropping hotel rates – as well as access to the same stellar free attractions – make this season the perfect time to visit. (We also just picked Chicago as one of our Top 10 Value Travel Destinations in 2012.) While you’re there, bed down at the Wyndham Hotel Blake located in the South Loop. Set in a pair of historic buildings, the 162 unique rooms may sport 12-foot ceilings or run as large as 450 square feet, but all boast free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and Bath & Body Works amenities. Be sure to stop by the hotel’s Custom House Tavern for a burger – voted one of the country’s best by Food & Wine magazine – and then grab a drink at Bar Blake. This January and February, rates at Hotel Blake start at just $89/night!

THE VALUE: Booking in winter will save you close to 50 percent off peak season rates.

THE CATCH: The lowest rates are not available on weekends. Payment must be made in full at booking and is non-refundable.

THE DETAILS: Book via the hotel’s website.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on hotels, flights, vacation packages, and more travel deals.

For general trip-planning information, see our Chicago Travel Guide.

Get away to the 4-star Affina Chicago located in the center of the action. Rates at the hotel this winter begin at just $104 per night, which saves you over half on rates later in the season.

The Affinia Chicago is steps from the Magnificent Mile, home to famous modern architecture, world-class dining, and fantastic shopping. It’s also within walking distance to countless other Chicago attractions, including the theatre district, Lake Michigan, Navy Pier, and the Wrigley Building.

The hotel features spacious guestrooms with high-speed Internet and flat-screen TVs. Visit C-View at the top of the hotel, a rooftop lounge with incredible views of the city, then dine at the C-House restaurant, run by Top Chef star, Marcus Samuelsson.

THE VALUE: Save over 50% on rooms at the Affinia compared to rates later in the season.

THE CATCH: The Windy City is chilly during the winter months.

THE DETAILS: These rates are available on select dates between January and March. Visit the Affinia Chicago or call 312-787-6000 to book your stay.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates and travel deals on flights to Chicago.

For general trip-planning information, see our Chicago Travel Guide.

Sunny days and endless activities make the Windy City the perfect spot for a summer family getaway. With Affinia Chicago’s Navy Pier Getaway, you’ll get accommodations for four, overnight parking, four tickets to Pier Park (featuring attractions like a carousel and miniature golf), and a child’s digital camera to record the trip – all for $175. If you travel Sunday-Thursday, the hotel will also throw in four free tickets to the Chicago Children’s Museum. The package is available through September 7.

THE VALUE: Rates at the Chicago Affinia normally start at $229/night. When you add in the perks and extras, the Navy Pier package gives savings of close to $150 (or more if you stay midweek!).

THE CATCH: When looking through the online reservation calendar, there are already several dates with no availability for this package (mostly weekend stays in May and June).

THE DETAILS: Click here to book online or call 866-246-2203. Be sure to use code PIERFS.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates and travel deals on flights to Chicago.

For general trip-planning information, see our Chicago Travel Guide.