Illinois hotels and motels abound, but which one offers the best accommodations for your particular business trip? If you plan to be there a day or a weekend, the accommodations you need will be different than those needed for a longer stay. If you are entertaining your clients or meeting with them for business, this can also be a factor in where you stay, especially if you are providing the meeting room.

Choose the best facilities to make your business trip a success. You may need wireless Internet, unlimited free local calls, a business center to send faxes or meeting room capabilities. On longer stays, you may prefer a suite to just a room. Look for the following when you book motels in Illinois:

1. Find Chicago lodging offering overnight accommodations.

2. Pick Chicago motels for your long-term business needs.

3. Find Illinois hotels and motels near resorts, and mix business with pleasure.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for motels in IL for short term stays

If you are going to Illinois for a one day business meeting, you just need a place to park yourself overnight, and then catch your flight home in the morning. As long as the room is clean, comfortable and offers basics such as Internet, it should do the job for you.

I recommend: Red Roof Inn provides high-speed Internet access (a daily fee may apply) and many rooms offer microwaves and refrigerators. La Quinta Inn offers free wireless high-speed Internet access and complimentary breakfast. Express checkout is also available for your convenience.

Pick extended stay cheap motels in Illinois for longer stays

When you will be staying for a week or longer, an extended stay Illinois hotel is your best bet for a successful business trip. These hotels offer more than one room suites; they provide full kitchens, business centers, high speed wireless Internet and meeting centers.

I recommend: Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites by Intercontinental offers suites with on-site guest self-laundry facilities. Omni Chicago Hotel offers full kitchens in some of their suites and separate living, dining and sleeping rooms.

Find Illinois hotels near resorts

After you complete your work in Illinois, it's time for some eagle watching, fishing or hiking. Alternatively, enjoy a Cubs game or visit the Museum of Contemporary Art; the choice is yours. Find the best rates for your working vacation.

I recommend: Harpole's Heartland Lodge offers horseback riding, fishing and cross-country skiing. Go on the hayride after dinner, and just relax and let someone else do the work. Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa offers golf and hot air ballooning in summer and sledding and ice skating in the winter. Swim in the indoor pool year round, or check out their fitness center.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make your Illinois motels reservation online or by calling the hotel directly. You can also choose to work with a travel agent to book your motels. IL provides a large listing of travel agents who will work to get you a last minute deal at the right price.