We did a 4 week tour of the USA over December/January 2007, with 3 older children (girl, 22, boy, 19 and boy, 18), going to San Francisco [Omni Hotel], Miami (South Beach) [Beacon Hotel], Orlando (Disneyworld, Pop Century Resort), Chicago [Drake Hotel], New York (for Christmas) [Beacon Hotel], Boston [Omni Hotel], New York (again) [Roosevelt Hotel] (including New Year’s Eve at the Renaissance Hotel overlooking Times Square), and a day trip to Niagara Falls. It was sometimes very cosy - sometimes downright stressful - with the kids.

Anyway, here are my accommodation reviews. I’ll mention side trips and tours too. Sometimes the accommodation was arranged through a travel agent, but on a couple of occasions I organised it direct.

I chose The Drake purely on its reputation, history, celeb status, etc. I did not expect this to be a cheap or budget stay (and was not disappointed!), but I did try some cost-saving measures which The Drake was happy to accommodate (see below). Put simply, I wanted to stay at the famous Drake Hotel in Chicago, regardless of cost.

I couldn't seem to get a travel agent who could organise it, so I ended up contacting the hotel itself. I tried email from their website several times early in 2007 (for a December stay), but received no response. As I really wanted to try this hotel, I ended up phoning it from Brisbane, and made the booking that way. The girl I spoke to was very helpful with room options, but despite a promise that I would receive email confirmation, none came. It may have been my "Strein" accent. However, when I sought confirmation in November by email, I did get a favourable response promptly by email, and when we arrived at the hotel for our 3 nights, all was in order.

One thing to note - we couldn't pre-arrange transfers from Chicago O'Hare airport to the city (the only place in many countries and cities that I haven't been able to), but it was simple enough to arrange a return transfer door-to-door from the transport desk near luggage collection at the airport, and phone in a booking for the return journey.

The Drake is an old and impressive building, with views of Lake Michigan. Great foyer. It was all I'd hoped for in that regard. It is very well located - close to shops (including Macy's) and restaurants (some great and reasonably priced Irish pubs - we ate twice at the close-by Dublin Pub it was so good - and it is also close to a great pancake place - The Original Pancake House - where we had breakfast every morning). Some of our best meals were in Chicago. The Drake is also virtually next door to the enormous John Hancock Centre (you can view The Drake from the top). Very convenient location.

We had a Junior Suite with two bathrooms, which would have been superb for less people. It had 2 comfortable queen sized beds, couch and chair, desk and chair, TV unit with drawers, closet, room safe, minibar, ethernet, and two enormous bathrooms (I'd say the best bathrooms on the trip). As there were 5 of us, we also took 2 trundle beds (my cost-cutting measure) at no cost (that I'm aware of). The staff were helpful in that regard. That meant everyone had a separate bed, but it was cosy, and the two extra beds (which stood upright during the day) took up a lot of floor space at night. We had windows but were too low down for a good view. The room was quite austere - very Hilton - but nothing to complain about.

Reception/check-in was fine, as was check out, and the staff helpful with maps, etc.

We did a city tour with an ex-Chicago cop as a bus driver/tour guide, which was very entertaining. We later changed buses to go to the John Hancock Centre (which was the last stop on our tour). Both drivers were happy to stop the bus and open the doors to let me take photos. Afterwards, when we were supposed to be returned to our hotel (remember - just around the corner from the John Hancock Centre), that bus driver was kind enough to take us all the way to the Sears Tower, even though he was under no obligation to do so. Just us 5 in the big coach - he earned his tip for that! At the Sears Tower, the bus driver (at his own suggestion) got out of the bus, lay on his back on the sidewalk and took photos of us 5 with the Sears Tower towering above us. Very friendly folk in Chicago. One girl passing in the street offered us help to find the Dublin Pub without being asked, simply because she'd heard us mention it .

Lake Michigan was an awesome sight in winter.

I recommend the free zoo at Lincoln Park.

Chicago was great, and though expensive, I'm pleased that I stayed at The Drake.