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Chicago's business district, laced with the overhead train tracks of the El, is a desirable—if slightly noisy—place to stay. Hotels here tend to be fairly priced, and many are housed in historic buildings, giving them a charm you won't find along glitzier North Michigan Avenue. Easy access to the Art Institute and Millennium Park is a plus.
In the South Loop, the spots of gentrification—most apparent in the new restaurants popping up along South Michigan Avenue—have made this area increasingly popular. A hotel boom has not occurred here yet, so lodging choices are limited to a few old reliables. Many hotels offer package deals with the nearby Museum Campus.
The Hampton Inn Majestic is in one of the most high-traffic areas of town; it offers stunning, quiet guest rooms done up in designer tones. (Online photos, which can make the rooms look orange, don't do this place justice.) The Internet access and a 24-hour fitness center (both free) benefit more than just business travelers. The service is responsive and the common areas are large.
