Hi Alicia,
Was on the same Chicago to New Orleans trip as Keith, Jan & Steve and agree that the hotels were in good locations. On that particular trip we did have spare time in each city so it was very important.
Year before i did the National Parks (mt Rushmore & LBH) trip which was very hectic but most places were western type smaller towns so wasn't a massive issue where the hotel was although i remember one hotel bar closed early but a couple of us found the local Indian drinking hole which turned out good fun once they knew we weren't American, lol.
The tour is very hectic and after the meal appreciate a large number of people need their sleep. Personally I'm not in that group and a few hours good sleep does me, often one of the last to bed but still a front runner at breakfast.
Other than Vegas the only big city was Salt Lake and the hotel location was fine with plenty of places easily walkable.
Route 66 dissapointed as others have said, hotels in big cities like St Louis & Oklahoma need to be a little nearer the City centre (especially on the 2 night stops). The holiday is advertised as staying at these places but i don't consider 25 miles outside to be actually staying there.
Other American tours I've done are Golden West and Parks & Canyons, found hotel locations fine on those trips.
Mick