A letter from Tomdog to the Tony dog

Dear Tony,

I think you know I’m on my way to Chicago with my friend Timmay in a few weeks – we will be there in a couple days and are wondering if there are any inexpensive but nice _and_ safe places you would recommend we stay at. We arrive on a Thursday, then we’re going to see a game at Wrigley Field on a Friday afternoon, then leave that Saturday AM.

We have no idea if we should try to stay in the city somewhere or a suburb and then take the train in.

Any suggestions you have would be very appreciated.

Yes Tomdog I know of yours and Timmmmmmmaaaaay’s plans. And I celebrate them!

I’d stay downtown. It’s safe enough for Oprah and theres lots more happening there than the Burbs, trust me, i know. Sigh.

If i were you, I would use a Priceline/Hotwire type name-yr-own price site, but first I’d do a little research with a message board like Better Bidding dot com. This is a good forum, for example.

These are two areas I’d recommend: The Loop, and “Magnificent Mile – Streeterville”. Below are some hotels in those areas based on star-rating. I would pick the hood you want and bid like $95 a night or something. Start from there. When I fly to canada I always use Hotwire and I usually get really good rates on really nice rooms.

Chicago (The Loop)
4* Hotel Allegro (previously 3.5*)
Amenities: Boutique, Restaurant, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business

4* Hotel Burnham (previously 4.5*)
Amenities: Boutique, Restaurant, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business

4* Palmer House Hilton (previously 3.5*)
Amenities: Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business
OR
Amenities: Restaurant, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business
(same as W Chicago City Center)

4* W Chicago City Center (previously 4.5*)
Amenities: Restaurant, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet
(VP now shows Hi-SPeed Internet, making this the same as the Palmer House Hilton)

4* The Wit
Amenities: Restaurant, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Spa

Chicago (Magnificent Mile – Streeterville)
4.5* Hilton Conrad (previously 4*)
Amenities: Restaurant, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business
(same as Inter-Continental and The James)

4.5* Inter-Continental Chicago (previously 4*)
Customer Favorite
Amenities: Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business

4.5* James Hotel (previously 4*)
Amenities: Restaurant, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Laundry, Spa
OR
Amenities: Restaurant, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business
(same as Conrad Hilton and the Inter-Continental)

4* Hard Rock Hotel
Amenities: Restaurant, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business
(Restaurant only added recently)
(same as Hyatt and Sheraton and Westin River North and Inter-Continental )

4* Hotel Felix
Amenities: Restaurant, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Spa
(same as Hyatt and Swissotel)
OR
Amenities: Boutique, Restaurant, Fitness, Smoke Free, Hi-Speed Internet, Business

4* Hotel Monaco Chicago (previously 4.5*) (moved from LOOP zone)
Amenities: Boutique, Restaurant, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business

Good Luck!

happy birthday

Matthew Good!

matt good is still the most listened to artist in the pierce household

today is Matt’s big day and i couldnt be happier for him.

the last time i saw your boy he was in his tourbus in Austin munching on a pizza. he had just performed in a club called Prague during SXSW and i’m pretty sure he said something like “we havent played SXSW in 10 years, and i hope its 10 years until we play here again.”

on the long list of wonderful and unexpected gifts that blogging has given me, learning about matt and his music and becoming friends with him is one of the best.

may you enjoy your soccer and eat something better than pizza today, bro.