Chicago is being attacked by yet another superhero action film crew. This time, it is for the shooting of the new Superman movie “Man of Steel” starring Henry Cavill.

Comicbook superhero fans seeking a glimpse of the shooting or the stars will find them in Downtown Chicago until Sept 17. Parking on South Wells Street is on hold until Sunday because of the filming, and the film crew’s trailers are in the 311 South Wacker building parking lot nearby.

Hotel 71, Chicago

Among downtown Chicago hotels in the Loop, the usual suspects that cater to these film crews include Hotel 71 on East Wacker Drive and the Trump Tower across the river.

When “The Dark Knight” was being filmed, Hotel 71 was one of the stars in the hit Batman movie when the ballroom on the hotel’s 39th floor was used as Bruce Wayne’s penthouse.

The hotel started offering a Bruce Wayne package with a stay in a penthouse similar to the one shown in the movie.

Man of Steel star Henry Cavill was in the hotel earlier this year in July, and did a photo shoot on the same 39th floor.

Hotel 71 also offered a ‘Transformers’ package when some scenes from the third installment of the Transformers series were shot outside the hotel on Wacker Drive last year.

Hotel 71, located perfectly for leisure on the Magnificent Mile, has just completed a $15 million renovation, and offers nightly rates from $159. They have guest rooms and suites with views of Downtown or the Chicago River.

Trump Tower has benefited just as much from its role in both movies. In fact, the Transformers stars actually were staying in the hotel too, so it’s a good choice for getting up close to the Man of Steel shooting and the stars.

Just remember the not-so-secret codeword “Autumn Frost” under which the movie is being filmed.

Photo – Hotel 71

More info: 71 East Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60601; (312) 346-7100

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Sept 11, 2011 is the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. It’s about time the 9/11 Memorial and Museum opens, and they are indeed about to open their doors to visitors on Sept 12, 2001 – after its dedication on Sept 11, 2011.

9/11 Memorial Preview Site

NYC is expecting millions of visitors and tourists will be coming to Ground Zero. If you’re going to be there, it’s best to find a place to stay in Lower Manhattan, preferably in close proximity to the World Trade Center site.

The Downtown Alliance recommends 17 hotels which provide easy access to the 9/11 Memorial.

Out of these 17 hotels, eleven are taking part in the “Get More NYC: Lower Manhattan” promotion, wherein guests staying at these hotels get a complimentary Downtown Culture Pass and late checkout.

The complimentary pass offers 3 days of admissions and discounts to nine cultural attractions downtown, including the 9/11 Memorial Preview site and the Tribute WTC Visitor Center.

These 11 hotels are listed below:

01. Andaz Wall Street (Promo code: GETMOR)
02. Best Western Seaport Inn Downtown (Promo code: GETMORE)
03. Doubletree by Hilton NYC – Financial District (Promo code: PK7)
04. Gild Hall – A Thompson Hotel (Promo code: MORE)
05. Holiday Inn Express NYC Wall Street (no late checkout; Promo code: ISHD1)
06. Holiday Inn New York City – Wall Street (no late checkout; Promo code: ISHD1)
07. The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park (Promo code: EB6)
08. Millenium Hilton (Promo code: 2755717)
09. New York Marriott Downtown (Promo code: ES7)
10. W New York – Downtown (Promo code: SETNYCCO)
11. World Center Hotel (Promo code: GETMORE2011)

Of these, the hotels nearest Ground Zero are the last four in the list above, of which two are new and two have been fully renovated post-9/11. They’re all likely to be full up for the 9/11 Memorial dedication and opening dates, but it’s something to keep in mind when visiting on a later date. In case you need it, here’s UpTake’s database of Manhattan hotels.

Don’t forget to reserve your free visitor pass online at 911memorial.org. Photo – kjarrett

Related posts:
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I was in Villahermosa, Mexico for one reason only: it was a midway point on my bus trip between Mexico City and the Mayan Ruins of Palenque. After eight hours in a bus, I wanted only to catch a few hours sleep before hitting the road again; I certainly didn’t need anything fancy. As with the rest of my trip, I was focused on finding the most economically priced room, but my Internet searches had turned up only pricey options, so I got off the bus and threw myself upon the mercy of the first taxi driver I found.

Hotel is located n the heart of the central business district

The driver listened to my needs and with a wave of the hand and a cavalier “no problemo,” he headed for the city center. Ten minutes later he pulled up in front of the Hotel Oriente, assuring me that it was the most affordable hotel in town, and that it was a really nice place. He was right on the money. My $28 room was sparkling clean with firm beds, newish bedding, nice thick Read More »

Hyatt Regency in Downtown Tampa Bay

It was a complete accident that I found myself spending a night at the Hyatt Regency in Tampa Bay, Florida.

I was planning to spend a day at Busch Gardens and was hoping to find a hotel nearby.  Unfortunately, Busch Gardens isn’t surrounded on four sides by hotels eager to take advantage of amusement park business, unlike the amusement parks in Orlando.  I began to investigate my options on Priceline and figured “something cheap in the downtown area” would do.  I named my own price and ended up with a confirmation number for the Hyatt Regency.

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