Built in 1927, the 149-room Talbott is an upscale boutique hotel that retains much of its original grandeur. Far from a dusty relic, the hotel and its large rooms combine antique English decor with modern technology, such as free Wi-Fi and the Apple Mac minis that function as sophisticated controls for the Internet ready 46-inch flat-screen TVs. With its Green-Seal certification, the hotel practices eco-friendly housekeeping and climate control. The ambience and consistently top-notch service fit right in to Chicago's posh Gold Coast neighborhood, with upscale shopping and dinning in every direction. Guests might also want to check out the nearby Whitehall Hotel, which has similar historical, boutique ambience.
Built in 1927, the 149-room Talbott is an upscale boutique hotel that retains much of its original grandeur. Far from a dusty relic, the hotel and its large rooms combine antique English decor with modern technology, such as free Wi-Fi and the Apple Mac minis that function as sophisticated controls for the Internet ready 46-inch flat-screen TVs. With its Green-Seal certification, the hotel practices eco-friendly housekeeping and climate control. The ambience and consistently top-notch service fit right in to Chicago's posh Gold Coast neighborhood, with upscale shopping and dinning in every direction. Guests might also want to check out the nearby Whitehall Hotel, which has similar historical, boutique ambience.
This 216-room hotel is an urban retreat with zen decor, a spa, a stylish restaurant, and popular lounge, located three blocks from the Magnificent Mile. The hotel's serene vibe continues into the luxurious rooms, which feature hardwood floors, large, spa-inspired showers, plush beds, and floor-to-ceiling windows or balconies. It's one of Chicago's most luxurious boutiques.
This 216-room hotel is an urban retreat with zen decor, a spa, a stylish restaurant, and popular lounge, located three blocks from the Magnificent Mile. The hotel's serene vibe continues into the luxurious rooms, which feature hardwood floors, large, spa-inspired showers, plush beds, and floor-to-ceiling windows or balconies. It's one of Chicago's most luxurious boutiques.
The Best Western River North is a mid-range hotel for the budget-conscious business traveler in the center of Chicago's trendy River North neighborhood. It's on a touristy block surrounded by high-rise loft condos and theme restaurants. The rooms are clean, but 2011 renovations are already wearing thin, and the hotel needs an overall update. The hotel provides amenities to business travelers, with ergonomic work chairs (and free Wi-Fi), but lacks the on-site breakfast comparable hotels offer. Low rates and free parking, a rarity in Chicago, make this a good choice for travelers who want to stay near the Magnificent Mile, but the worn carpets and overpowering scent of cleaning products in the hallways might turn away others. The nearby Hampton Inn & Suites trades free parking for a less appealing free breakfast but significantly more updated decor.
The Best Western River North is a mid-range hotel for the budget-conscious business traveler in the center of Chicago's trendy River North neighborhood. It's on a touristy block surrounded by high-rise loft condos and theme restaurants. The rooms are clean, but 2011 renovations are already wearing thin, and the hotel needs an overall update. The hotel provides amenities to business travelers, with ergonomic work chairs (and free Wi-Fi), but lacks the on-site breakfast comparable hotels offer. Low rates and free parking, a rarity in Chicago, make this a good choice for travelers who want to stay near the Magnificent Mile, but the worn carpets and overpowering scent of cleaning products in the hallways might turn away others. The nearby Hampton Inn & Suites trades free parking for a less appealing free breakfast but significantly more updated decor.
The quirky, 328-room Blackstone hotel across from Grant Park, in South Loop, mixes contemporary style with the building's restored historic grandeur. Some of the bright, modern rooms have great views of Lake Michigan, the meeting spaces are grand, and the on-site tapas restaurant draws locals as well as guests.
The quirky, 328-room Blackstone hotel across from Grant Park, in South Loop, mixes contemporary style with the building's restored historic grandeur. Some of the bright, modern rooms have great views of Lake Michigan, the meeting spaces are grand, and the on-site tapas restaurant draws locals as well as guests.
This midrange hotel, which shares a building with the members-only Club Quarters Central Loop Hotel, is a solid value in the center of The Loop, within walking distance of many tourist attractions. Rooms are small and a little generic, but modern, with flat-screen TVs and comfy beds (some come with kitchenettes). Nice freebies (coffee, newspapers, Wi-Fi) and the lively on-site gastropub are highlights, but don't expect too much in the way of service; with an electronic check-in and concierge services shared by both hotels, the hotel can give off a "do-it-yourself" attitude.
This midrange hotel, which shares a building with the members-only Club Quarters Central Loop Hotel, is a solid value in the center of The Loop, within walking distance of many tourist attractions. Rooms are small and a little generic, but modern, with flat-screen TVs and comfy beds (some come with kitchenettes). Nice freebies (coffee, newspapers, Wi-Fi) and the lively on-site gastropub are highlights, but don't expect too much in the way of service; with an electronic check-in and concierge services shared by both hotels, the hotel can give off a "do-it-yourself" attitude.
This 687-room luxury hotel — renovated in 2010 — is in the Loop neighborhood, near Millennium Park and Lake Michigan. Big rooms have separate soaking tubs and showers (which even pricier hotels like the Ritz-Carlton lack), iPod docks and 42-inch flat-screen TVs. Add a bar, a spa, and stunning design by David Rockwell, and you've got one of Chicago's most luxurious hotels in this price range. But you'll have to pay extra for just about everything, including parking, the fitness center, and Wi-Fi.
This 687-room luxury hotel — renovated in 2010 — is in the Loop neighborhood, near Millennium Park and Lake Michigan. Big rooms have separate soaking tubs and showers (which even pricier hotels like the Ritz-Carlton lack), iPod docks and 42-inch flat-screen TVs. Add a bar, a spa, and stunning design by David Rockwell, and you've got one of Chicago's most luxurious hotels in this price range. But you'll have to pay extra for just about everything, including parking, the fitness center, and Wi-Fi.
This 230-room mid-range hotel is a solid value near the Magnificent Mile. Highlights include the clean, comfortable rooms with flat-screen TVs, the beautiful indoor pool with a skylight, and quality freebies, including free hot breakfasts and free Wi-Fi. But there's a fire station across the street and you can hear the sirens day and night.
This 230-room mid-range hotel is a solid value near the Magnificent Mile. Highlights include the clean, comfortable rooms with flat-screen TVs, the beautiful indoor pool with a skylight, and quality freebies, including free hot breakfasts and free Wi-Fi. But there's a fire station across the street and you can hear the sirens day and night.
The 192-room Kimpton is located inside a former hat factory in the Loop, and its stylish decor is a mix of Art Deco elegance and quirky boutique flair. Solid freebies, including evening wine and beer hour with entertainment plus morning coffee and tea, help to create an intimate experience. All in all, it's one of the city's best boutiques, even with expensive valet parking and unexceptional bathrooms.
The 192-room Kimpton is located inside a former hat factory in the Loop, and its stylish decor is a mix of Art Deco elegance and quirky boutique flair. Solid freebies, including evening wine and beer hour with entertainment plus morning coffee and tea, help to create an intimate experience. All in all, it's one of the city's best boutiques, even with expensive valet parking and unexceptional bathrooms.
The 261-room Hotel Palomar is one of the best Kimpton hotels in the city, and the only one in River North, near the Magnificent Mile. Its lovely indoor pool with a sundeck and its free nightly wine hour are both highlights, and the big, stylish rooms are equipped with iPod docks, 37-inch flat-screen TVs, and Etro bath toiletries. All in all, it's a great pick for the price.
The 261-room Hotel Palomar is one of the best Kimpton hotels in the city, and the only one in River North, near the Magnificent Mile. Its lovely indoor pool with a sundeck and its free nightly wine hour are both highlights, and the big, stylish rooms are equipped with iPod docks, 37-inch flat-screen TVs, and Etro bath toiletries. All in all, it's a great pick for the price.
Opened in late 2010, this upscale hotel is housed in a historic neoclassical-style building with crystal chandeliers and a grand staircase in the lobby. But sophisticated rooms are thoroughly modern, and big, elegant bathrooms have separate showers and soaking tubs. The Loop location is convenient for business travelers, and the pool and 24-four fitness center is top-notch.
Opened in late 2010, this upscale hotel is housed in a historic neoclassical-style building with crystal chandeliers and a grand staircase in the lobby. But sophisticated rooms are thoroughly modern, and big, elegant bathrooms have separate showers and soaking tubs. The Loop location is convenient for business travelers, and the pool and 24-four fitness center is top-notch.