Hotel prices vary greatly depending on what events are going on in the local area. Around graduation time, getting a room can be almost impossible. The same is true when Ohio State or Michigan visit Evanston for a football game. For most other football weekends, expect to pay $130 to $250 per night. The neighboring suburb of Skokie also has a few hotels, but they tend to fill up for big games, too. Glenview in particular seems to have hotel rooms that are not affected by the events going on in Evanston, and you can usually find rooms there for under $100/night.
I do not include a listing of Chicago hotels simply because there are so many of them. In general, you can drive or take public transportation from a downtown Chicago hotel to the stadium in 35 minutes to an hour. There are also plenty of hotels elsewhere in the metropolitan area, but keep in mind that it can take well over an hour to get to the stadium from some suburbs, especially from the western and southern suburbs.
Evanston Hotels |
Skokie Hotels |
Glenview/Northbrook Hotels |
Evanston Hotels
Best Western University Plaza
Location: 1501 Sherman Ave. 847-491-6400
The Best Western (formerly a Holiday Inn), is on the corner of Sherman and Lake. It is across the street from Tommy Nevin's Pub, which is a good reason to stay at this hotel. The glowing Best Western sign at the top of this 12-story structure is a helpful landmark for finding your way around. The location is right in downtown Evanston, within walking distance of restaurants and shops. This hotel has some covered on-site self-parking (for a fee).
Hilton Garden Inn
Location:1818 Maple Ave. 847-475-6400
The Hilton Garden Inn is located on the corner of Maple and University Place. It is very close to the Century movie theaters and next to a large public parking garage. This hotel is relatively new. The parking garage charges about $12/day. The hotel is close to restaurants, shops, and the movie theatres. On Saturday mornings in the fall, the Farmer's market is held directly behind this hotel.
The Homestead
Location: 1625 Hinman Ave. 847-475-3300
This is an extended-stay hotel with 90 rooms in a classic building that dates from the 1920's. They have several types of rooms ranging from "guest rooms" to two-bedroom apartments. For short stays (less than a week), they offer only the guest rooms. This establishment has an on-site restaurant called Quince. The hotel is about three blocks east of downtown Evanston. It offers indoor parking for its guests.
Hotel Orrington
Location: 1710 Orrington Ave. 847-866-8700
The Hotel Orrington (formerly the Omni Orrington) is located on Orrington Avenue, between Clark Street and Church Street. This hotel was completely remodeled in 2004 and is now considered an upscale hotel. It is probably the highest-priced hotel in Evanston, but it is also the only Evanston hotel that has a four-diamond rating from AAA. It has a ballroom and convention center, two restaurants and a bar. Expect to pay in excess of $250/night (and for some weekends, way in excess of $250).
The building itself is old, and even though it was fully remodeled, the room sizes are small by today's standards. However, the rooms are well decorated and well maintained. The hotel does not offer self-parking, so guests have to use the hotel's valet parking service.
In terms of restaurants, the Orrington is still trying to find its niche. It has a moderately-priced restaurant called the Globe Café, which used to be the Coaches Café (and before that, Gary Barnett's, named after the NU Football coach who took Northwestern to the Rose Bowl.) The Northwestern sports theme is gone, but the bar side of the restaurant still has a few screens for watching sports. The more expensive restaurant is a sushi lounge called Blu (Blu, not Blue). Note that Blu replaces Narra, which lasted only about one year. Because the Orrington is located within a short walk of so many restaurants, you are not locked into the two on-site eateries.
Margarita European Inn
Location:1566 Oak Ave. 847-869-2273
The Margarita European Inn is located on Oak, between Davis and Grove. Think of it as something halfway between a hotel and a bed-and-breakfast. The inn has 42 rooms, and it often has rooms available when everything else in downtown Evanston is sold out. The vintage building has European charm, which means that some rooms (the cheapest ones) lack private baths. However, it is a beautiful old building. The ground level houses the Va Pensiero restaurant, a high quality (and expensive) Italian restaurant. While waiting for a table at Va Pensiero, I often carry a glass of wine upstairs into the parlor. The parlor and the library are wonderful rooms, with sculpted woodwork and moldings. The place is definitely something from another era. This hotel is three blocks west of the heart of downtown Evanston. I am not sure what the parking situation is at this hotel.
Skokie Hotels
The suburban town of Skokie is just west of Evanston. While I have not confirmed it, I suspect that all of the Skokie hotels listed below have free on-site parking.
Comfort Inn Skokie
Location: 9333 Skokie Blvd, Skokie 847-679-4200
One of the Comfort Inn chain, this hotel is located on Skokie Blvd a few blocks south of Golf road. The location is not as convenient as the Double Tree, but it is not bad either. Because of its proximity to Evanston, this hotel will cost more than you would usually expect for a Comfort Inn. It will take about 10-minutes to drive to the stadium, but allow more time if you arriving within an hour of kickoff.
Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center - Chicago North Shore
Location: 9599 Skokie Blvd., Skokie 847-679-7000
This hotel is on the corner of Golf road and Skokie Blvd. It is in a great location for those who love to shop. On the opposite corner is Old Orchard shopping center (now officially called Westfield Shoppingtown at Old Orchard). The shopping center also has movie theatres. The North Shore Performing Arts center is next door to the hotel, so you might be able to combine a football game with a concert or a theatre performance. This hotel underwent a major renovation and remodeling in 2006. It is about a 10-minute drive to the stadium, but allow more time if arriving within an hour of kickoff.
Hampton Inn & Suites in Skokie
Location: 5201 Old Orchard Road, Skokie 847-583-1111
The Hampton Inn & Suites Skokie is on Old Orchard road at the Edens Expressway. It is within a 10-minute walk of Old Orchard shopping center, and it has a Ruby Tuesday restaurant next door. The location is a convenient one. You can expect a 10-minute drive to the stadium, but allow more time if you arriving within an hour of kickoff.
Holiday Inn Chicago-Skokie North Shore
Location: 5300 W. Touhy Ave, Skokie 847-679-8900
This hotel is on Touhy, about three blocks west of the Edens Expressway (I-94). Skokie is a large suburb that covers a lot of ground, and this hotel is near the southern edge of Skokie. Compared to the other Skokie hotels, this one is about twice as far from the stadium. Also, this part of Skokie has a lot of small shopping centers and tends to be busy with traffic. You can expect a 15 - 20 minute drive to the stadium, but allow more time if you arriving within an hour of kickoff.
Glenview and Northbrook Hotels
These hotels often have rooms available even when the Evanston and Skokie hotels are filled. There are other hotels in these suburbs, too. You can check www.tripadvisor.com for recommendations.
Courtyard Chicago Glenview
Location: 1801 Milwaukee Ave, Glenview 847-803-2500
Fairfield Inn
Location: 4514 W. Lake Ave, Glenview 847-299-1600
Hilton Northbrook
Location: 2855 N. Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook 847-480-7500
Crowne Plaza Hotel Chicago - Northbrook
Location: Northbrook 2875 N. Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook 847-298-2525
Staybridge Suites
Location: 2600 Lehigh Ave, Glenview 847-657-0002
This is a relatively new hotel in Glenview on land that used to be part of the Glenview Naval Air Station.
Wyndham Glenview Suites
Location: 1400 Milwaukee Ave, Glenview 847-803-9800
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