Ambassador Chicago

This hotel operated as the Ian Schrager-designed PUBLIC Chicago from 2011 through 2017. The Ambassador is a dignified, pre-war hotel with an upscale trendy interior that tends to attract young professionals. Its lobby has high ceilings and chandeliers plus a mirror-fronted reception desk and lots of coffee table books. The fire-lit library, with its leather seats and small, round tables serves La Colombe coffee, French pastries, and sandwiches in the daytime and transforms into a low-lit cocktail lounge in the evening.There are retro brass mail slots in the hotel hallways and a photo grid with black-and-white pictures of famous guests who stayed here.

The Ambassador Chicago is within walking distance of downtown. Many major sights, such as Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Oak Street Beach are a 10-minute walk away. Others are just a bit farther on foot, like the John Hancock Tower (a 13-minute walk) and the Chicago Water Tower (a 15-minute walk). But other major sights require transportation. The Art Institute of Chicago is an 11-minute drive or 16-minute train ride, while Adler Planetarium is a 16-minute drive or 32-minute train ride. And Shedd Aquarium is a 15-minute drive or 31-minute train ride. Guests looking to shop at Navy Pier can reach it in a 10-minute drive or half-hour train ride; and getting to Millennium Park takes around the same amount of time. The O'Hare International Airport is a 40-minute drive, depending on traffic, or a 56-minute train ride.

After the drama and grandeur of the lobby and other common spaces of this hotel, rooms at this property look decidedly pared-down. They are all white from the bed linens to the black-out drapes and sheers. Furnishings are minimalist and include cupboards, large shelving units, and beds on rudimentary raised platforms. Bigger rooms have clusters of white-linen sofas and nailhead chairs around black or neutral coffee tables. All rooms have air-conditioning, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, and minibars. Rooms on the first two floors can be noisy, while those on upper floors have great skyline views.

Bathrooms share the white palette found in the rooms, but they are tiny and lack any stylish flourishes. Bathrooms have big white tiles, fluorescent tube lights, and squared-off sinks. The shower/tub combos are a tight fit -- in some cases the sink and the toilet almost touch. Fans of the hotel's storied past may appreciate booking room 1109, which was once lodging for Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles. 

Features at the Ambassador suit its upscale, trendy presentation. Along with a coffee lounge that transforms into a lounge bar at night, the hotel features a bar and restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch. (Breakfast is not included in standard rates.) Room service is available 24 hours a day. 

One outstanding feature of the hotel is its event space, with views of the Chicago skyline. There are also conference and meeting rooms -- including one with a fireplace -- with contemporary furniture and audiovisual equipment. Other business-friendly features include a long, communal table that serves as a business corner, with a few Apple computers to borrow and plenty of outlets. Wi-Fi is also free throughout the hotel. There is a screening room with movies and various spoken-word events, such as lectures and poetry. 

There's also a 24-hour fitness center with great views of the skyline and a variety of equipment, including cardio machines. For those who prefer outdoor exercise, bikes can be borrowed free of charge. The hotel offers extensive concierge service, free luggage storage, and a 24-hour front desk. There's a parking lot with valet service, for a fee. Dogs and cats are welcome for a steep fee, but it's a good idea to check in advance as there are weight restrictions.