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Bad Rate - $159 at the Courtyard Marriott Downtown Chicago

Where: 30 East Hubbard [map], Chicago, il, United States, 60611

[Ed. Note: This is the Bad Rate in our Good Rate/Bad Rate feature. The rates quoted here were valid on February 13, 2007 and are subject to change. Enjoy.]

We're not sure what's gotten into the Marriott folks with their Courtyard pricing. Week after week we find rates that are right up there with neighboring Hiltons, Hyatts, and Westins. Maybe the bean counters are smoking something during those pricing meetings. Or maybe business travelers with corporate accounts have the green light to book a 2.5-star or 3-star hotel but don't have permission to book a 4-star, even when the rate is better at the latter. (Or maybe they have to book a place with free wi-fi? That would be an interesting development.)

We can't think of any other plausible explanation for Chicago-area Courtyard by Marriott hotels to be charging $139 to $159 a night, the latter for the Downtown Courtyard Marriott Chicago. This for a routine mid-range business hotel, when you can get a sumptuous night at this week's Good Rate--Hotel Blake--for $30 less.

Not that this is a terrible hotel or anything. Their billing it as "a haven of urban sophistication" is wishful thinking, but it's in a convenient location and you get what you expect, with not too many surprises. When we pulled up Hotwire to check Chicago for a night this week, however, we got rates for this hotel class and area ranging from $81 to $108. Maybe the listed rates are just for suckers and you're supposed to know to go to Hotwire or Priceline to get a Courtyard at a normal price.

[Photo: Ryan J. Bonnell]