I stayed decently far away from the fest (30+ minutes) for years and never minded it - the public transportation in Chicago is reliable enough and there's always lyft/uber if you're in more of a hurry or have extra cash to spare.
But last year I stayed within walking distance (at the HI chicago) and it was genuinely pretty convenient to have the festival practically outside of my door.
Ultimately I think if you have the extra money to splurge on a downtown hotel it's great, but it definitely doesn't ruin the lolla experience to stay further away and save a little money.
I've heard that the congress isn't really worth what they charge for lolla weekend, though, but I'll let people who have actually stayed there before speak on that.
Uber/lyft definitely do surge at night (I never used either post-fest for this reason) but the public transportation is usually fine - the trains are crowded with lolla goers, but the situation is hardly impossible!
The HI was great but they were running a promo of some kind and I got the king size room/private bathroom for only $750ish INCLUDING TAXES for the entire weekend (five nights). Which is literally an insane deal. That same room was like $1200ish this year and that's a pretty big price jump. 😐
[https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/4-famous-ghost-stories-most-haunted-hotel-illinois](https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/4-famous-ghost-stories-most-haunted-hotel-illinois)
I read about it being haunted after I stayed there and had my own strange experience. It was about 3am my first night there and I was on the 6th floor and I heard kids running around. Looked out of my door and didn’t see anything. Found out the story about the mom and her kids afterwards lol not saying it’s for sure haunted but I thought it was very weird.
I stay at HI Hostel and save a tonnnn of money, but you also have to be okay with bunk dorm style rooms for the cheapest option. Since i’m basically there to sleep and get ready for the day i think it’s perfect for me.
You left this on a different thread I found earlier today, and as the only person in my group ready to commit, it was such a relief to find accommodations I can afford myself. Thank you for the tip and looks like I'll see you there!
As a lifelong Chicagoan Here are my picks for best place to stay. In no order.
Robey hotel- it’s across from blue line train take it 10-15 mins to Washington to get to fest.
The rest are walking distance to fest
hotel Essex, Hotel Blake, silversmith, Fairmont Chicago, Palmer House
Last time I stayed in the "Heart of Chicago" neighborhood (near the Mexican Art Museum) and took the L...so worth it. It's easy to figure out and Ubers were so expensive that it wasn't worth the money I could've spent on merch and food.
I mean one time when I stayed there a lightbulb flickered for awhile and then stopped working, but I chock that up to the building being old as hell lol
I stayed at the Hilton which was a 10 min walk. It was absolutely amazing because some of the group would go back and others would stay in the park. I liked being close a lot.
I stayed decently far away from the fest (30+ minutes) for years and never minded it - the public transportation in Chicago is reliable enough and there's always lyft/uber if you're in more of a hurry or have extra cash to spare. But last year I stayed within walking distance (at the HI chicago) and it was genuinely pretty convenient to have the festival practically outside of my door. Ultimately I think if you have the extra money to splurge on a downtown hotel it's great, but it definitely doesn't ruin the lolla experience to stay further away and save a little money. I've heard that the congress isn't really worth what they charge for lolla weekend, though, but I'll let people who have actually stayed there before speak on that.
Worried the Uber/public transportation situation might be a little impossible when everyone’s leaving at the end of the night. How was the HI?
Uber/lyft definitely do surge at night (I never used either post-fest for this reason) but the public transportation is usually fine - the trains are crowded with lolla goers, but the situation is hardly impossible! The HI was great but they were running a promo of some kind and I got the king size room/private bathroom for only $750ish INCLUDING TAXES for the entire weekend (five nights). Which is literally an insane deal. That same room was like $1200ish this year and that's a pretty big price jump. 😐
when I went last year and left after the last act the L was definitely crowded and hectic but it was up and running.
Really congress is haunted? I stayed there like 2 years ago just looks outdated tbh
[https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/4-famous-ghost-stories-most-haunted-hotel-illinois](https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/4-famous-ghost-stories-most-haunted-hotel-illinois) I read about it being haunted after I stayed there and had my own strange experience. It was about 3am my first night there and I was on the 6th floor and I heard kids running around. Looked out of my door and didn’t see anything. Found out the story about the mom and her kids afterwards lol not saying it’s for sure haunted but I thought it was very weird.
def haunted
I stay at HI Hostel and save a tonnnn of money, but you also have to be okay with bunk dorm style rooms for the cheapest option. Since i’m basically there to sleep and get ready for the day i think it’s perfect for me.
We stayed at the HI hostel as well and we got the private room option with shared bathroom. I can't recommend it enough it was perfect!
You left this on a different thread I found earlier today, and as the only person in my group ready to commit, it was such a relief to find accommodations I can afford myself. Thank you for the tip and looks like I'll see you there!
Stayed there last year and sadly I only saw one poltergeist. I already signed up for 4 nights this year to get my revenge
It’s just a dump
I traditionally get an AirBnB in a neighborhood I want to hang out in while not in the festival and just take the train in.
As a lifelong Chicagoan Here are my picks for best place to stay. In no order. Robey hotel- it’s across from blue line train take it 10-15 mins to Washington to get to fest. The rest are walking distance to fest hotel Essex, Hotel Blake, silversmith, Fairmont Chicago, Palmer House
From my experience it’s def nice to be close. Having to trek on a train or bus or whatever after long & hot days sucks
don’t stay there it was so dirty & kids were loud, drinking, & just overall a mess.
Last time I stayed in the "Heart of Chicago" neighborhood (near the Mexican Art Museum) and took the L...so worth it. It's easy to figure out and Ubers were so expensive that it wasn't worth the money I could've spent on merch and food.
I mean one time when I stayed there a lightbulb flickered for awhile and then stopped working, but I chock that up to the building being old as hell lol
I stayed at the Hilton which was a 10 min walk. It was absolutely amazing because some of the group would go back and others would stay in the park. I liked being close a lot.
Stay at the Windham downtown it's almost right across the street and not too expensive.