Four Seasons Hotel Chicago

The Four Seasons' across-the-board standard for excellence is immediately apparent upon arrival. The seventh-floor lobby's grand staircase, large crystal chandeliers, ample seating areas, and crown moldings aplenty make for a comfortable setting -- one that's based on traditional upscale interior design, but peppered with modern art, like contemporary sculptures, glass objects, and oil paintings that look like they could be on loan from nearby Art Institute of Chicago. A spiral sculpture by American artist Robert Sanabria called "Viento" serves as the centerpiece. The result is refined, but not fussy. Free coffee and espresso are available in the lobby every morning. The hotel sits right off downtown's Magnificent Mile, and is connected to the 900 Michigan Shops. This area has a high concentration of hotels, many of them ultra-luxurious (The Peninsula, Waldorf Astoria, and Ritz-Carlton are all within a few blocks), but the Four Seasons's stands out due to its excellent service and beautiful guest rooms, designed by renowned interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon and renovated between 2008 and 2012. 

The Four Seasons Chicago entrance is right off of the Magnificent Mile, an iconic stretch of North Michigan Avenue that's famous for its upscale shopping. And some of the street's best shopping is housed in the same skyscraper as the Four Seasons: Kate Spade, lululemon, MaxMara, Gucci, and more are just downstairs. Also within walking distance: the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Old Chicago Water Tower District, Water Tower Place, and the Hancock Observatory, as well as family favorites American Girl Place and Lego Store.- 15-minute drive to the John Shedd Aquarium

• 30-minute drive to O’Hare International Airport
• One-minute walk to Hancock Observatory
• One-minute walk to the Magnificent Mile
• One-minute walk to American Girl Place
• One-minute walk to the Old Chicago Water Tower District
• Five-minute walk to Museum of Contemporary Art
• Five-minute drive to Lincoln Park Zoo
• Five-minute drive to Navy Pier
• 10-minute drive to Adler Planetarium
• 10-minute drive to Millennium Park
• 10-minute drive to Sears Tower

Because of their location between the 32nd and 46th floors, all 347 guest rooms and suites offer phenomenal views of Chicago or Lake Michigan. Like the lobby, room decor is rooted in classic design, but flecked with modern art pieces. The rooms are outfitted with a slew of high-tech amenities, like free standard Wi-Fi (high-speed costs extra), iHome docks, and LCD flat-screen TVs with satellite and international channels, HDMI inputs, and DVD players; Suites have separate controls for heat and air-conditioning. Marble bathrooms feature Malin + Goetz bath products, shower/tub combos, full-length mirrors, and glass weight scales. Room service is available 24 hours a day and is consistently reported to be excellent.

Executive Chef Sean Murray helms Allium, the Four Seasons' farm-to-table restaurant and bar that highlights Chicago classics and hearty Midwestern agriculture, as well as seasonal pan-American cuisine (Maine lobster, Alaskan halibut, Cedar River prime beef). Some menu selections use ingredients from the Four Season's rooftop garden and local farms. With its paneled dark wood walls, white-veined black marble floors, grand marble fireplace, and brass chandeliers, the dining room has a heavy, romantic feel that's lightened up with Andy Warhol poppy prints, Henri Matisse portraits, Julian Opie pop art, and David Kent photography.Considering the brand, the on-site spa is appropriately posh (and pricey), though some guests have found its space on the smallish side. Non-guests who book treatments that are 50 minutes and longer have access to the access to the spa's skylit swimming pool, hot tub, steam room, and sauna, which can contribute to any crowdedness. The pool is open until late, and the gym is open round-the-clock.The Four Seasons welcomes children with such amenities as a free toy at check-in, kid-friendly snacks, and stuffed animals, pint-sized robes and slippers in the rooms (the hotel also offers special products for kids, like detangler). The kids' club is stocked with toys and games (and air hockey and video games for older children). Life-jackets and swim noodles are available at the pool.Though it's about a 17-minute drive from the McCormick Place Convention Center, many business travelers are satisfied with the hotel's 24-hour business center and the nearly 24,000 square feet of modular meeting areas and ballrooms. PSAV Presentation Services has an office on site at the Four Seasons Chicago, offering technical support, consultation, projection capabilities, audiovisual equipment, and more.