If you’re in town for a Cubs game or taking in a show, and you’ll take value over glamour and service, City Suites Hotel fits the bill. It’s right by the Red Line, which can zip you to the Loop in less than a half hour (but also rumbles by 24 hours a day, so light sleepers might want to bring ear plugs), and the lake is less than a mile east. Plus, you’re surrounded by residential areas, including Boystown, comedy clubs, bars, and restaurants. Standard rooms are quite small, so opt for a suite if you expect to spend much time in the room. Breakfast is included (pastries, cereal, breakfast sandwiches) and parking is only $25, so the hotel is a definite bargain. The neighborhood here is safe, but it does feels more urban and unpredictable than downtown and River North, so use common sense. (The fact that there’s a “no public restrooms” sign at the hotel entrance says something). This property has two sister properties, The Willows and The Majestic, which are both a step up in appearance and an improvement in noise level.