Is Rosemont a good place to stay in Chicago?

Rosemont is a practical base if you have an early flight from O'Hare, a trade show at the convention centre or a concert at the Allstate Arena. Most hotels run free shuttles to the terminals, and Rosemont station on the Blue Line goes to the airport in one direction and straight to the Loop in the other. It suits business travellers, event-goers and anyone passing through.

The area is built around travel and events. River Road has a long row of big hotels, the convention centre and offices, while Parkway Bank Park gathers restaurants, bars and entertainment around a central plaza. The Fashion Outlets of Chicago is close by for shopping, and planes are a constant sight overhead as they come in to land.

The downside is that Rosemont isn't really Chicago. It's a long ride into the city on the Blue Line, there's nothing of the city's architecture, lakefront or neighbourhood life around you, and away from Parkway Bank Park the streets are dominated by highways and car parks. For a sightseeing trip, you'll spend a lot of time on the train.

What makes Rosemont worth considering is convenience. You can walk from your hotel to the convention centre or the arena, reach the terminals in minutes and still get downtown without a car, often for less than you'd pay for a big hotel in the Loop.