Through Travelocity, I found a rewarding combination of decent accommodation and outstanding location: The Tremont Hotel, just off fabulous Michigan Avenue.

Right now, there are scores of other hotels in prime Chicago locations offering excellent rates. Since I stayed at The Tremont, I'll share this specific information:

• The room was $120 USD/night, including taxes and energy fees.

• Just one block from both Michigan Avenue (across from the John Hancock Center) and Rush Street (Chicago's eating/entertainment favorite), it could easily cost twice that much. Most others in the area are much more money.

• The hotel was built in the 1920s and has been renovated. Rooms are smallish and sometimes noisy, but very clean and well-maintained.

• A 90-minute, expert-guided architectural tour is included free with the Travelocity deal. Tour costs $21 USD/person for everyone else.

• Excluding walking tour deal, the savings over traditional rates in this location: $85 X 3 nights=$255.

Note: If you reserve via Internet, a follow-up phone call is in order. Our "non-smoking" room was not available on arrival, and we were told such reservations on-line often are garbled.

Budget Problem #2: Outrageous Parking Fees

Although the Tremont's room rates are reasonable, its parking prices are not.

They offer valet service with in/out privileges for $32 USD/day.

So my three-day stay will produce a parking bill of $96!