Lotus Rock Star

One great option is to stay at any of the hotels near Midway Airport (click here for a list of hotels and contact info). All these properties cater to business travelers, so they're well-equipped with Internet access, many provide complimentary breakfast every morning, and all offer a free shuttle service to Midway Airport and the "Orange Line" El train. Just hop on the train going downtown and disembark at the Quincy Station. From there, it's a short walk to the IBM Innovation Center at the corner of Wacker and Franklin.

We also found some deals on hotels near the "friendly confines" of Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. This vibrant neighborhood is full of great restaurants and night-life, and there's just something charming about the El stop right next to the venerable ballpark. A quick look at the pennants flying over the stadium shows you the rankings of the National and American league teams that day! The El trip is a bit shorter from there than if you're staying near Midway Airport, and it would be a great place to target if you want to truly experience Chicago.

If you're looking for something a little quieter, check out the hotels we found in Evanston. Home to Northwestern University (Note from Rob: ..."and birthplace of Rob Novak"...sorry, couldn't resist honey...), Evanston is just a little north of Chicago proper, right on the lake. Again, it's an easy El ride from the Evanston hotels to the Quincy Station, and the Chicago Transit Authority maps seem to indicate that there are express trains during rush hour from Evanston into downtown Chicago.

Click here for the list of hotels near Wrigley Field and in Evanston. And check out this great printable map of the entire El system. It's fast, easy, convenient, much less expensive than taxis, and ready for you to explore!

Common Sense Disclaimer: We've tried our best to provide accurate, detailed directions for walking to the El stations from these various hotels, as well as which El lines to take. However, we've done all that from maps, and not by going to every property and pacing it out ourselves. Therefore, please verify directions with your hotel's front desk before taking off. They might be able to give you better directions and let you know about things only the "locals" know.