The four-pearl Thompson Chicago is a contemporary high-rise hotel in a central Gold Coast location. Following a remodeled in 2014, its interiors sport a glossy, design-conscious look that marries mid-century touches with an au courant gray palette. The 247 spacious rooms are equally elegant, with beautiful bathrooms and lots of high-end amenities. The on-site restaurant and bar are highly regarded and wildly popular, but that makes them difficult to get into sometimes and adds crowds to the lobby. Rates are competitive for a luxury hotel in Chicago, but travelers may want to compare rates at similar alternatives, such as The Silversmith Hotel.
The four-pearl Thompson Chicago is a contemporary high-rise hotel in a central Gold Coast location. Following a remodeled in 2014, its interiors sport a glossy, design-conscious look that marries mid-century touches with an au courant gray palette. The 247 spacious rooms are equally elegant, with beautiful bathrooms and lots of high-end amenities. The on-site restaurant and bar are highly regarded and wildly popular, but that makes them difficult to get into sometimes and adds crowds to the lobby. Rates are competitive for a luxury hotel in Chicago, but travelers may want to compare rates at similar alternatives, such as The Silversmith Hotel.
The historic 306-room Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel is a good value, considering its location steps from the Magnificent Mile. The classic property has a few features that showcase its 1927 roots: the in-lobby Martini Bar, the stunning Crystal Ballroom with intricate gold molding, and free guided history tours. Rooms are on the small side, but they're warmly decorated and equipped with coffeemakers, minibars, and modern bathrooms. For a stay with even more historic elegance, the Drake Hotel has several wonderful dining options, including the Palm Court, plus an upscale shopping arcade. However, rooms rates there are often steeper.
The historic 306-room Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel is a good value, considering its location steps from the Magnificent Mile. The classic property has a few features that showcase its 1927 roots: the in-lobby Martini Bar, the stunning Crystal Ballroom with intricate gold molding, and free guided history tours. Rooms are on the small side, but they're warmly decorated and equipped with coffeemakers, minibars, and modern bathrooms. For a stay with even more historic elegance, the Drake Hotel has several wonderful dining options, including the Palm Court, plus an upscale shopping arcade. However, rooms rates there are often steeper.
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.
The Waldorf-Astoria offers top-of-the-line luxury in Chicago. With an intimate, boutique feel -- but all the amenities of a large hotel -- the 215-room Waldorf caters to leisure and business travelers. Sleek rooms feature neutral tones, contemporary furnishings, and gorgeous marble bathrooms that offer separate showers and soaking tubs, as well as TVs inset in the mirrors. Highlights include a top-notch spa, and health club with extensive services and an indoor lap pool. Plus, the hotel's location in the swanky Gold Coast neighborhood puts it within walking distance of upscale shops, restaurants, and attractions.
The Waldorf-Astoria offers top-of-the-line luxury in Chicago. With an intimate, boutique feel -- but all the amenities of a large hotel -- the 215-room Waldorf caters to leisure and business travelers. Sleek rooms feature neutral tones, contemporary furnishings, and gorgeous marble bathrooms that offer separate showers and soaking tubs, as well as TVs inset in the mirrors. Highlights include a top-notch spa, and health club with extensive services and an indoor lap pool. Plus, the hotel's location in the swanky Gold Coast neighborhood puts it within walking distance of upscale shops, restaurants, and attractions.
The Ambassador Chicago is a 285-room, four-pearl property on the city’s Gold Coast, in walking distance to many downtown attractions. The circa-1926 hotel retains an old-school glamour from its chandeliers to its black-and-white photos of former guests like Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. Many of the minimalist rooms in the 17-floor property have stunning views of Chicago. For another design-conscious property in the same neighborhood, travelers could consider the upscale Hotel Palomar.
The Ambassador Chicago is a 285-room, four-pearl property on the city’s Gold Coast, in walking distance to many downtown attractions. The circa-1926 hotel retains an old-school glamour from its chandeliers to its black-and-white photos of former guests like Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. Many of the minimalist rooms in the 17-floor property have stunning views of Chicago. For another design-conscious property in the same neighborhood, travelers could consider the upscale Hotel Palomar.
The lower-middle-range DeWitt Place Hotel & Suites offers an appealing combination of spacious, apartment-style suites, budget rates, and a great location. The former residential complex built in 1924 on Chicago’s Gold Coast is on a quiet street, only a five-minute walk from the Magnificent Mile. Amenities are sparse, but they include a guest laundry room and fitness center with a sauna and steam room. The 82 units are spacious and have fully equipped kitchens, but their decor looks tired, and the bathrooms are cramped and need updating. Given its central location, rates are hard to beat. For a more modern alternative nearby with more amenities, consider the mid-range Hotel Indigo Chicago Downtown Gold Coast, but expect to pay more.
The lower-middle-range DeWitt Place Hotel & Suites offers an appealing combination of spacious, apartment-style suites, budget rates, and a great location. The former residential complex built in 1924 on Chicago’s Gold Coast is on a quiet street, only a five-minute walk from the Magnificent Mile. Amenities are sparse, but they include a guest laundry room and fitness center with a sauna and steam room. The 82 units are spacious and have fully equipped kitchens, but their decor looks tired, and the bathrooms are cramped and need updating. Given its central location, rates are hard to beat. For a more modern alternative nearby with more amenities, consider the mid-range Hotel Indigo Chicago Downtown Gold Coast, but expect to pay more.
HOTEL IS CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS. IT WILL REOPENT IN AUGUST 2013 AS A THOMPSON HOTEL. This 246-room boutique two blocks from the Magnificent Mile has upscale services like free morning newspapers, 24-hour room service, morning car service, and twice-daily maid service. But the contemporary rooms -- although clean and big -- could use an upgrade (most still have tube TVs). The location is great, but you can often do better for the price.
HOTEL IS CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS. IT WILL REOPENT IN AUGUST 2013 AS A THOMPSON HOTEL. This 246-room boutique two blocks from the Magnificent Mile has upscale services like free morning newspapers, 24-hour room service, morning car service, and twice-daily maid service. But the contemporary rooms -- although clean and big -- could use an upgrade (most still have tube TVs). The location is great, but you can often do better for the price.