Chicago Hotels, From $119

Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, from $119 per room per night
The No Hidden Fees package, developed by Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers and AAA Travel, includes the most frequently used hotel features and services (which usually appear on your bill as extra charges) in the up-front room rate, in order to save guests from sticker shock at checkout. The rate covers high-speed Internet access, unlimited calls to all 50 states, valet parking, and access to the fitness center—a total savings of $75 per day. The 1,209-room hotel also has a sundeck and an indoor pool. Rates start at $119 per night. The timing of this package coincides with the annual Taste of Chicago food fest (June 26–July 5), Chicago Outdoor Film Festival (July 14–Aug. 25), 51st Annual Chicago Air and Water Show (Aug. 15–16), and the 31st Annual Chicago Jazz Festival (Sept. 4–6). When Through Sept. 7, 2009. Book By June 30, 2009. Details Note that you do not have to be a AAA member to take advantage of this offer. Breakfast is not included. Taxes are an additional 15.4 percent. Based on single or double occupancy. Mention the AUTOHOT promo when booking. Contact 800/233-4100, Sheraton.com; or call your local AAA Travel office.

Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, from $129 per room per night
The Everyday Heroes package rewards law enforcement and military personnel, nurses, and teachers with a 30 percent discount on rates for a standard room (typically $199), a 50 percent discount on a second room for friends and family, and a 50 percent discount at various restaurants, including Java Bar, LB's Bistro and Patisserie, and the Link by Sheraton Café. Rates start at $129 per night for the first room and $99 per night for the second room ($99 is 50 percent off the standard rate of $199). When Through Sept. 12, 2009. Book By June 30, 2009. Details Breakfast is not included. Taxes are an additional 15.4 percent. Based on single or double occupancy. Mention the Everyday Heroes promo for reservations made by phone or enter the code HEROES when booking online. Contact 800/233-4100, sheraton.com.

Cloud Gate sculpture at Millenium Park in Chicago (Justin Lightley/Getty) [enlarge photo]

The James Chicago, from $146 per room per night
Book two consecutive nights at the central James Chicago and stay the third night free of charge. The hotel designed this package with business travelers in mind, allowing them to extend a business trip at no or a reduced additional cost. Hotel perks include complimentary Internet and webcam access and free use of bicycles. Guests can also enjoy the hotel's art collection, dine at David Burke's Primehouse, and take advantage of the gym and the spa. Rates start at $219 per room per night for two nights, with the third night free, which breaks down to $146 per room per night for a three-night stay. When Through Dec. 31, 2009. Book By June 30, 2009. Details The third night free discount is reflected in the rate. Breakfast is not included. Taxes are an additional 15.4 percent. Based on single or double occupancy. Contact 877/526-3755, jameshotels.com.

The Talbott Hotel, from $159 per room per night
In celebration of its own birthday, the Talbott Hotel has launched a Pay Your Age special, which allows guests whose birthdays fall on a night of their stay to pay the amount equal to the age they are turning. For example, if you're turning 50 during your visit, you pay $50 for the night of your actual birthday. The 16-floor hotel is right by Michigan Avenue. Rates start at $159 per room per night for non-birthday nights. When Through Dec. 31, 2010. Details Only guests who have stayed at the Talbott between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2008, qualify for the pay-your-age discount on their birthday in 2009. If you stay at the Talbott in 2009, you'll qualify for the pay-your-age rate on the night of your birthday in 2010. The pay-your-age rate is per room per night. Breakfast is not included in the birthday rate however, breakfast will be included for the other nights of your stay. Taxes are an additional 15.4 percent. Based on single or double occupancy. Contact 800/825-2688, talbotthotel.com.

Affinia Chicago, from $169 per room per night
The A Day of Fun in the Sun package includes accommodations, a Navy Pier coupon book, and four tickets to each of the following Navy Pier attractions: the IMAX Theater, the Ferris wheel, the carousel, the wave swinger, and miniature golf. The 215-room property has a seafood restaurant called C-House, helmed by chef Marcus Samuelsson, and a rooftop lounge. If you stay on a Saturday, you'll get a free trolley ride to the pier by showing your hotel key card. The value of these package amenities adds up to $144. Rates start at $169 per night in a standard room; add $50 for a suite. When Through Sept. 7, 2009. Details Breakfast is not included. Taxes are an additional 15.4 percent. Based on single or double occupancy. Mention promo code PIER when booking. Contact 866/246-2203, affinia.com.

Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, from $195 per room per night
The Chic Picnic special includes four nights in a superior room at the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower with the fourth night free, late checkout at 4 p.m., and a picnic basket created by the hotel chef. If you stay eight nights, you'll get two nights (the fourth and the eighth) free. The 415-room property is in downtown Chicago near the Magnificent Mile, Michigan Avenue, the Art Institute, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Rates start at $195 per room per night. When Through Aug. 31, 2009. Book By July 5, 2009. Details A minimum of four nights is required for the fourth-night-free special. Breakfast is not included. Taxes are an additional 15.4 percent. Based on single or double occupancy. Contact 800/763-4835, sofitel.com.

InterContinental Chicago, from $249 per person per night
In light of the start of baseball season, the InterContinental Chicago is treating its guests to a Chicago Cubs Wrigley Rooftop Experience: You can watch the Cubs play from the roof at the Lakeview Baseball Club, a private three-level rooftop club across from Wrigley Field. The package also includes an open bar and a buffet-style selection of food at the club, two Chicago Transit passes to get to and from the game, and a bag of Garrett popcorn upon arrival. Rates start at $249 per person per night, but may vary depending on the game date. The package saves you about 20 percent off the cost of all its inclusions. When Through Oct. 4, 2009 (last Cubs home game). Details Breakfast is not included. Taxes are an additional 15.4 percent. Based on single or double occupancy. Contact 312/321-8846, icchicagohotel.com.

Alternative: Consider an Apartment Rental
The peer-to-peer website Roomorama lists affordable short-term room and apartment rentals. It may be an especially good resource for travelers planning to attend the Lollapalooza music festival, which takes over Chicago's Grant Park August 7 to 9 and may crowd hotels. At press time, the cheapest rate we found was $75 for one night in a private, air-conditioned room within a two-bedroom condo, including continental breakfast, shared bathroom access, kitchen use, unlimited Internet access, TV, laundry facilities, and free parking. The condo is located at Logan Square, a three-minute walk to the nearest bus stop. Rates start at $75. When Ongoing. The listed rate was for Aug. 7–9, 2009, to coincide with Lollapalooza. Details Minimum stay requirement is one night. Other hosts may require you to stay longer. Some properties/hosts offer breakfast and others do not. Taxes are 12 percent; this fee can be additional or included in the base rate, depending on the host. Based on single or double occupancy; varies by property. Contact roomorama.com. For more information about the music festival and to get tickets, check lollapalooza.com.

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