The Best Hotel to stay for ACEN
The time is almost upon us!
Anime Central, one of the biggest anime conventions in Chicago, just announced their hotel block schedule. At 12 PM Central Time, guests reserve their hotel for lodging. Like any other hotel block, you have many hotel choices to choose from, but it's also locked within a limited time frame. With tens of thousands of people anxiously waiting for their confirmation emails behind their computer screens, not everyone will be able to get the hotel of their choice. Luckily, there are other options.
As someone who's been to ACEN (Anime Central in short) and other conventions in Chicago, I have a great deal of knowledge on the hotels I stayed at from the pricing to the room size and amenities. So when the time comes for you to sign up for a trip for any specific entertainment expo in the Rosemont area, you'll know which place to go to. Just to make it clear, I'm writing in the perspective of groups rather than individuals due to previous experiences but the choices down below can cater to those that rather have to room to themselves.
Hyatt Regency
Bringing up the most popular hotel first on this list, Hyatt Regency is the hotel that many new and veteran attendees strive to obtain for their stay. Can you blame them? The hotel lobby is a staple for many photoshoots, vlogs, and nighttime activities. Either you've stayed there or heard enough about it to persuade your next trip.
Since my first rodeo at ACEN in 2016, I strive to obtain a room at the Hyatt for my group. I always made sure that my friends and I got the standard room with 2 beds and a balcony. Depending on how big your group of friends or family consists of, roominess will vary, unless you upgrade to a deluxe suite of course.
In my previous outings, a standard room can lodge 4 to 10 people. It depends on if members of your party is okay with sleeping on the floor via air mattresses and sleeping bags (bring them at your own convenience). The addition of a balcony adds more relaxation space for guests and makes up for memorable night time moments, especially when a concert is going on in the distance.
Despite how popular and nice the hotel looks and how convenient it is to connect to the convention center, there are some drawbacks. For those that want to take a swim or relax in a hot tub, Hyatt does not have a pool area. For first time guests, you'll be intimidated by the long lines to use the elevators to reach your hotel room. There's always the stairs, but it's not ideal if you're in an elaborate cosplay. If you're not a big fan of crowds aside from conventions, then this isn't the place for you. The Hyatt is a hub for nighttime events such as the rave and tabletop gaming. A lot of people tend to flock around the lobby area causing foot traffic jams and limited walk through space. I'm not going to get more into the food amenities since I usually order for delivery outside the hotel, but there are various dining areas and shops where you can purchase food any time (until closing hours).
If this your first time going to Anime Central or you want to see what the hubbub is about Hyatt Regency, I say go for it. It might be a little pricey, but you're getting one of the best.
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/illinois/hyatt-regency-ohare/chiro
Marriott Suites
Remember when I said that I always strive to obtain a room at the Hyatt Regency? Funnily enough, when it was my turn to get a hotel room, I missed the hotel block and had to choose somewhere else to lodge. That's when Marriott Suites came to the rescue.
A bit of a stretch walk (best time was 15 minutes) to the convention center, the hotel makes up for comfort. Since it's not as popular of a destination as Hyatt Regency, you won't run into problems with overcrowding and nighttime crowds. The dining area is a bit on the small side, but there is McDonald's nearby for a quick and inexpensive food options. At least it has a pool and a couple of hot tubs to relax after the trek from the convention center to the hotel.
A standard suite offers a living room area with a sleeper sofa and a separate bedroom. No balcony view, but that's nothing to worry about. When my friends and I went there, it didn't feel as cramped since people could switch between the living room and the bedroom.
Like the Hyatt, where there are good things, there are some drawbacks to the Marriott Suites. Due to a lack of a car, we had to walk back and forth between convention center and hotel. What made it worse was the rain and how tired it made people coming back. Two out of the three elevators broke down on the last day, causing my friends to either wait long periods of time or walk down the stairs with their luggage.
The standard fare is similar to that of the Hyatt Regency, you're trading location convenience with a bigger room, more peace and quiet, and a swimming pool. Not bad, but go if you have access to the shuttle service or if the other hotels nearby are not available.
Crowne Plaza
Okay, so this is the point afterwards where I have not gone into the rooms, but have chilled out in the lobby/ dining areas to get a good idea of the services and amenities they offer.
Crowne Plaza is where G-Fest is held (see Godzilla Fest if curious) for the last 10-15 years. It's almost practically across the street from the convention center. Since it too holds it own conventions, the layout is not exactly clear cut or maneuverable as the Hyatt or the Marriott. But, I do recommend dining at the Caddyshack restaurant. They got some really delicious and filling burger dishes there!
But based on some information I gathered, the rooms offer a decent amount of room for the price. Speaking of which, it is considered the one of the most inexpensive prices per night (incredibly less than Hyatt, Marriott, and others mentioned in this post). After all, if you need a hotel just to sleep and chill after a long day walking around the convention, dancing at the rave, or playing video games after posing at a cosplay group photoshoot, then Crowne Plaza is just across the street from the entrance of the convention center.
https://www.crowneplazaohare.com/
DoubleTree
One of the places I considered going to is the DoubleTree Hotel. Like Crowne Plaza, it is also across the street from the convention center. The only upside is that the DoubleTree has a sky bridge where you can traverse without weather problems.
The standard hotel room fits in the same category as Crowne Plaza. If you have a group of 4 people, I'd suggest getting the 2 queen beds, which is sufficient for decent lodging. Larger groups would require a separate adjoining room.
Dining services include lounge, bistro, and steakhouse so you have those options besides ordering delivery for you and your party. Pool area is a plus. One positive to add to the DoubleTree above other hotels is that they offer free cookies to guests. Apparently they are famous among guests, causing the hotel company to release the recipe for all.
So, if you want you and your group to lodge at a hotel for Anime Central or other conventions in the Rosemont area, come to DoubleTree for the convenience, stay for the cookies.
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/chidtdt-doubletree-chicago-ohare-airport-rosemont/
Embassy Suites
When a friend of mine discussed potential hotel options with me, she mentioned Embassy Suites as an alternative to the Hyatt Regency hotel. At first I was adamant about the switch since I always wanted to stay at Hyatt with the group. After doing a bit of research on the hotel, I can safely and enthusiastically say that this is a better, if not worthy alternative hotel to stay in for any convention.
The suite offers two rooms, one with a large table for dining and hanging out and the other for sleeping and storing luggage. Even if it's just a four person group, Embassy Suites offers more room(s) at a generous cost per night. A bit on the expensive side, but it offers more comfort and is closer to the convention center by half the distance of Hyatt's sky bridge. In fact, Embassy shares the same sky bridge as DoubleTree. Also, as a big plus, complimentary breakfast (whenever it's scheduled of course).
So if you and your group are willing to split the costs between each other, want to get more room for hangouts and luggage, and easy/hassle free access to the convention center, then Embassy Suites is the best spot for your next convention expedition.
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/chirmes-embassy-suites-chicago-ohare-rosemont/
The Afterword
I've had some entertaining and hilarious adventures during my stay at Anime Central. The hotels in the area have been convenient and accommodating to me and our group and we look forward to returning to ACEN again in 2021. Since the hotel block is scheduled to release next week, it inspired me to write this piece up. I wanted to inform people who have or haven't booked a hotel room and gone to Anime Central before. Not everyone has the same requirements for their hotel as each other. I learned over time that my group didn't really care for the rave or the huge crowds. Some of us cared more about the pool, which besides room space, was influential to me switching hotels in the first place. The information and insights might have been known beforehand or newfound for the readers, but it's good to know that there are plenty of options nearby. And don't fret about the pricing, if ACEN gets cancelled in 2021, you could always cancel your reservation. But if it does go according to plan, then think of the price you pay as a way to compensate for two conventions (the one cancelled and the one about to occur).
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