Official Conference Hotels
Palmer House Hilton. The Headquarters hotel where all conference activities take place is known as the longest-running hotel in North America. The hotel is recently remodeled, but it still has the feel of a grand hotel of its era, including a private dining room that Al Capone used, complete with secret passages for hasty exits. The hotel also features a 10,000-square-foot health club with an indoor lap pool, cardiovascular equipment, spa tub, steam room and sauna. MPSA attendees staying at the hotel have free access to the health club and free in-room internet access. The Palmer House Hilton, 17 East Monroe St., Chicago, Illinois 60603. The Palmer House web page provides directions to the hotel from a variety of locations; those who are driving might refer to Mapquest.
Reservations can be made online (click here) or by calling the Palmer House at 877-865-5321. To get the special conference room rate, provide the conference code MDP.
Palmer House Rates: Single—$190; Double—$220 (Executive Level Single—$232; Double—$262). Note that this hotel is currently SOLD OUT on Saturday night.
Silversmith Hotel & Suites. This four-star European boutique style hotel stands at the corner of Wabash and Monroe Streets at 10 South Wabash Avenue right by the Palmer House. Built in 1897, this national landmark hotel features a marble mosaic entry hall, a marble and cast-iron grand staircase, and an intricate classical relief ceiling and silver display. The hotel offers complimentary access to a 24-hour fitness center and wireless Internet. The regular guest rooms are one-third larger than the guest rooms in the Palmer House, and MPSA attendees can reserve a suite for just $20 more than a standard room. Regular double rooms are less expensive than any of the other conference hotels. The Silversmith has a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and a lounge that serves cocktails and offers lunch and dinner fare.
Reservations can be online (click here) or by calling 800-979-0084. To get the special conference room rate, use the group code MID040109.
Silversmith Rates: Single—$190; Double—$210; Suite (single)—$210; Suite (double)—$230.
Swissotel Chicago. The triangular glass-enclosed Swissotel Chicago was specifically designed to offer panoramic views of the Chicago skyline, Lake Michigan, and Navy Pier from every angle. Sharing the view are dining options including The Palm (see Zagat), which serves steak, seafood, and Italian specialties, and Geneva's, known for its buffet-style breakfast. MPSA attendees can use the Penthouse Health Club free of charge (the views of the city are fantastic), and in-room Internet access is complementary. The 43-story Swissotel offers 632 smoke-free, contemporary guestrooms with Italian marble-clad bathrooms and flat-screen televisions. This four-star hotel is located less than one mile north of the Palmer House at 323 East Wacker Drive.
For reservations, call 888-73-SWISS or 312-565-0565. For the conference room rate, tell the reservation desk that you are attending the Midwest Political Science Association conference.
Swissotel Rates: Single—$190; Double—$220 Note that this hotel is currently SOLD OUT on Saturday night .
InterContinental Chicago. The historic InterContinental Chicago Hotel is located at 505 North Michigan Avenue, and the hotel's front entrance opens onto the Magnificent Mile. This four-star hotel is less than one mile north of the Palmer House. The InterContinental Chicago features a four-story lobby with a grand staircase and cast-bronze ornamentation. The hotel's Zest restaurant (see Zagat) overlooks downtown Chicago and serves regional cuisine that reflects continental influences. In-room Internet access is complementary, as is use of the gym, including a heated indoor pool where "Tarzan" star Johnny Weissmuller once swam. Two towers house 792 guestrooms that afford Chicago or Michigan Avenue views. Rooms in the historic tower offer European design in russet and gold tones and Italian-marble bathrooms. Main tower rooms feature contemporary décor with mahogany furnishings. All rooms contain coffee makers, a mini bar, and plasma-screen televisions.
For reservations, call 312-944-4100 or 800-628-2112 and identify yourself as a participant in the MPSA National Conference to get the special conference rate.
InterContiental Rates: Single—$190; Double—$220. Note that this hotel is currently SOLD OUT on Friday and Saturday nights.
Chicago Hilton. When this property opened as The Stevens in 1927, it boasted an 18-hole rooftop golf course, its own hospital, and a 1,200-seat theater that showed "talking pictures." Today, the hotel offers three dining options that include an Irish Pub where exchange students from Ireland work as servers and local Irish bands perform on select evenings. It is about one mile south of the Palmer House and overlooks Grant Park. Please note that guests must pay a fee for In-room internet access or use of the gym.
For reservations, call 800-445-8667 or 312-922-4400. Provide the group code MPS to get the special conference rate.
Chicago Hilton Rates: Single—$190; Double—$220
Hostelling International Chicago. This hostel is located at 24 East Congress Parkway and offers affordable rates -- $28-$34/night (plus tax); continental breakfast every morning from 7-9 am; shared accommodations in separate male/female dormitory-style rooms with 8 or more beds, bunk-bed style; towels, linens, and pillows provided; single-sex showers and restroom facilities; two in-house restaurants, internet room, information desk, self-service kitchen; 24-hour access and 24-hour security; not age restrictions. For reservations, contact Hostelling International Chicago at 312-360-0300 or e-mail reserve@hichicago.org.