Photo: Steve Wrubel/Courtesy of Lollapalooza
You know you’ll be exhausted after a day of doing this.
With some 300,000 people expected at this year’s sold-out Lollapalooza (August 2 to 4), the gargantuan three-day music festival at Grant Park won’t seem as fun come closing time. In case you’re still looking for a hotel—or simply want to avoid having to go all the way home between days of the festival—here are six downtown hotels with rooms still available for the weekend (rates shown reflect the lowest priced rooms available from August 2 to August 3). Added bonus: Many of these hotels are putting on their own Lolla-related festivities to rival the boatload of after parties scheduled around town.
Acme Hotel Company
15 E. Ohio St., 312-894-0800; from $299
The trendy, comfortable hotel sports the new Berkshire Room, a cocktail bar where you can grab a bite to eat between siestas—and some of the lowest rates found during the fest starting from $299. Acme is also offering the “Recover like a Rockstar” package (from $389), which includes a six-pack of 312 beer, two bottles of Powerade, two aspirin packets, a $10 gift certificate to M Burger and discounted services at IVme Hydration Clinic (think oxygen bar and B12 shot).
Hard Rock Hotel
230 N. Michigan Ave., 312-345-1000; from $399
Stay here if you don’t care a lick about sleeping or mind dealing with the madhouse in the lobby. In addition to direct access to the Hard Rock’s own Lolla party, which will rally for three full days and nights with artist performances, engagements, and DJ sets (passes from $200), there should be celeb sightings galore. Avail yourself to the $25 all-you-can-eat “Drunk Brunch” in the hotel’s modern Chuck’s Manufacturing, backed by more DJ sets and performances.
Hotel Monaco
225 N. Wabash Ave., 866-610-0081; from $409
You’ll like the in-room window banquettes big enough to sleep in and South Water Kitchen restaurant, where pints are half price for guests wearing Lolla wristbands. Stay here—or at any Kimpton hotel in the city— and get an additional 25 percent off when you mention the promo code LOLLA.
Radisson Blu Aqua
221 N. Columbus Dr., 312-565-5258; from $396
With views of Grant park from the rooftop, which also houses one of the city’s best outdoor hotel pools, this Jeanne Gang-designed hotel offers the most scenic and refreshing respite above the fest. Bonus: You may spot Lady Gaga, who frequents the Aqua to visit boyfriend Taylor Kinney.
Trump International Hotel & Towers
401 N. Wabash Ave., 312-588-8000; from $525
Sleep in a plush bed and make time for the spa at this luxury hotel on the river. Book the Trumpalooza package (from $585) just for the chauffeured Cadillac drop off at Grant Park. The package also includes a deluxe guest room, cocktails for two in Rebar (where a DJ will spin music mostly inspired by The Cure), and two Lolla fanny packs stocked with a map, bottled water, ear plugs, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
W Lakeshore
644 N. Lake Shore Dr., 312-943-9200; from $574 (mention SYMLIVE)
Stay near the lake and book the W Music Insider Package for two cocktails in Whiskey Sky, a $50 credit at WAVE restaurant, and a late check-out of 2 p.m. Arrive by August 1 and you’ll also get VIP access to the W Hotels Worldwide Symmetry Live performance, an exclusive set by British soul powerhouse Jessie Ware (also performing at Lollapalooza).
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