Amenities include conference rooms, health clubs, business centers and on-site restaurants. Chicago hosts hundreds of conventions each year, including some that total more than 60,000 attendees. That's because convention groups buy large blocks of discounted rooms guaranteeing high occupancy and allowing hotels to sell the few remaining rooms at a premium. When convention business is slack, hotels offer huge discounts. Weekend and winter rates can be as low 40 percent below full rate.
Special packages can include free meals, museum tickets and other goodies.
If possible, schedule your trip to avoid large conventions and trade shows. A list of upcoming conventions and trade shows, plus estimated attendance, can be accessed through Digital City Chicago. Also,numerous public events and trade shows held in suburban Rosemont affect availability of hotel rooms near O'Hare International Airport . Never too early Suppose you're not a business traveler. Say your cousin decides to get married on the opening day of a major convention or your class reunion coincides with a trade show.