A decent lodging option outside of HP is the Jaslin in China Town. I got a room there for about $80 on a weekend and had a spectacular panoramic view of the Loop from my window. This hotel caters to an Asian clientele so it was a great multi-cultural experience for me. I was only a mile or so away from South Loop where I was meeting my daughter and her friend for dinner. Parking is just down the street at the public lot and the L is over in that direction as well. There is a Star Bucks right around the corner and accessible through the hotel lobby. Via the Dan Ryan you are less than 15 min. away from any destination in HP, but the more scenic LSD (via Stevenson) is just a couple minutes longer in non-rush-hour traffic.