The Red Roof Inn Chicago Downtown will be our SIG hotel headquarters for MLA, 2008. We are holding a block for up to 20 rooms from May 14-23, 2008. The hotel, located at 162 East Ontario Street, 1-312-787-3580 is within 5 blocks of the MLA's convention hotel which is the Hyatt Regency, at 151 East Wacker Drive -- where sessions will be held. In an excellent location, the Red Roof Inn is in the midst of Chicago's Michigan Avenue shopping district, with a good variety of restaurants, clubs, and attractions.
The hotel website should give you most necessary information including parking, airport transportation, etc. If this is all deja vu, yes, our SIG stayed at the Red Roof Inn, a vintage hotel --when it was Motel 6 --during May, 1999. It has been renovated since then. And there are to be further renovations to begin during the year.
Our special group rate is $159.99 per night, one person (king bedded room), or $169.99 per night for two persons (two bedded room), plus tax at present rate of 15.5%. No meals are included. The hotel is requesting in advance specific dates with an estimation of room types. I have estimated arrivals as early as Wednesday May 14, and departures as late as Friday May 23, with appropriate room blocks -- with maximal amounts of 20 each May 16 to May 21. If there is a need for even earlier arrivals/later departures, please let me know. I sense that Chicago being central (chauvinism aside), we could have a good turn-out for both MLA and the SIG.
RESERVATIONS need to be called in to 1-312-787-3580, and it is essential we use the Group code B281SIG (our "Special Interest Group" code) at the time of reservation. Sorry no toll free # is available for our reservations. When making your reservation, please make sure you obtain and save your confirmation number. This is very important as giving the Group Code puts us in the hotels's "corporate list." It was indicated that helps give us priority for renovated rooms as they occur. (Renovations are expected to take place in 2007 into 2008).
It is also advisable to get the name of the person you spoke with, along with date and time of reservation. Our room block will be released April 14, 2008, with rooms and rates then subject to availability.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY CANCELLATION BETWEEN APRIL 14, 2008 AND MAY 14, 2008 (THE BEGINNING OF OUR ROOM BLOCK) MAY RESULT IN A ONE NIGHT'S CHARGE. THE REASON FOR THIS IS THE HOTEL'S CONCERN OF LOSING AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF ROOMS JUST BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF OUR STAY. I WILL WORK DILIGENTLY WITH THE HOTEL, MODERATING THE PACE AND FLOW OF OUR RESERVATIONS IN THE HOPES THAT SUCH CHARGES DO NOT OCCUR. OUR RECORD AT OUR HOTELS HAS CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATED COMMITMENT, AND I SEE NO REASON WHY THIS WOULD CHANGE.
It is also recommended to make your reservations earlier rather than later, especially if you will be arriving and departing at the pre and post "periphery times." Accommodations in Chicago will be challenging during this time, as the National Restaurant Association will be dominating the city hotel-wise.
There are a limited number of larger rooms that can sleep up
to four persons, and rooms include a microwave and minifridge, at a
nightly rate of $199.99, plus tax. If you are interested, you will need
to contact Vanessa Peterson, Sales Manager, at 1-312-787-3580 (same
number as mentioned before).
Check-in time is
3:00 p.m.; check-out time is 12:00 p.m.
Reservations will be closely and continually monitored. If we sense there is added interest, we will try to increase our room block. With a credit card guarantee, you can always cancel or adjust, and rebook subject to availability, subject to the limitations just before described.
Transportation and Parking: Transportation is available to the hotel from the airport by taxi and shuttle. To and from the O'Hare airport, taxi (per cab ride) costs runs approximately $35.00 to $40.00 each; to and from Midway airport, taxi costs run approxmiately $25.00 - $30.00; and O'Hare airport one-way shuttle service runs $25.00 one way, depending on how many people traveling; to and from Midway Airport runs $20.00 one way depending on how many people traveling. Taxi fare from Union Station (Amtrak) runs approximately $10.00 one way. In and out Parking is $33.00 per night. The above-mentioned transportation and parking rates are as of this writing.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you be experiencing problems, “misunderstandings,” or clarification needs, etc.
Chicago boasts cultural, culinary, nightlife, sports, sightseeing attractions too numerous to mention. The new Center on Halsted (Street), Chicago's all-encompassing LBGT community center has very recently opened, and worth a visit. The following weekend after MLA is the annual hosting of International Mr. Leather in Chicago. I will be keeping you posted of any of relevant developments re: the hotel, and possibly Chicago events.
Richard S. Klein, 2400 N. Lakeview Ave. # 512, Chicago,
Illinois 60614-2732
Tel: 773-327-4618. – Preferred Access.
Also, Aqua Terra Travel, Chicago, IL 800-376-3784,
312-787-2400 (leave message for me, and I’ll get back to you)
Email: rsklein_98@yahoo.com (Please note there is an underscore, not a
dash between rsklein and 98).
This page was last updated on 2 July 2007. Credits