Where to Stay - Chicago 2005 - page 91

tapestries (for a peek, go in the southern entrance, on the corner of Illinois St.).
A recent renovation removed some of the building's quirky originality, but it has
definitely brought the guest rooms up several notches.
Rooms are located in the original club building (the South Tower) and in a
1960s addition (the North Tower). Although all the rooms have new furnishings
and fabrics, the North Tower rooms have a more generic, sterile feel; I'd recom-
mend the South Tower for a more distinctive experience—but be prepared for
smaller bathrooms. South Tower rooms don't cost more, but they do vary widely
in size; the concierge here suggests making your reservation through the toll-free
phone line, then calling the front desk to request the biggest room available dur-
ing your stay.
The hotel's restaurant, Zest, is the only street-level restaurant on Michigan
Avenue (try to grab a table by the front windows to enjoy the never-ending street
scene), and the Salon is a cozy spot for afternoon tea. The Inter-Continental's
main claim to fame is the junior Olympic-size pool on the top floor, a beautiful
1920s gem surrounded by elegant mosaics.
505 N. Michigan Ave. (at Grand Ave.), Chicago, IL 60611. & 800/327-0200 or 312/944-4100. Fax 312/944-
1320. http://chicago.intercontinental.com. 807 units. $249-$350 double; $500-$3,000 suite; weekend and
promotional rates from $145. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $27-$34 with in/out privileges. Subway/El:
Red Line to Grand/State. Amenities: Restaurant (American); 2 lounges; indoor pool; fitness center w/sauna;
concierge; business center; 24-hr. room service; massage; babysitting; laundry service; same-day dry cleaning;
executive rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, dataport, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
Le Méridien Tucked into the Westfield North Bridge mall, Le Méridien
is a fairly recent addition to the competitive high-end Chicago hotel market, and
it seems that the general public has yet to discover it. Le Méridien touts its
design philosophy as “European with a French accent,” which, in this case,
means marble floors, vaguely 18th-century-inspired furniture, and some whim-
sical artwork (a large painting of a Napoleonic figure with the head of a dog
hangs in the lobby). A terrace offers outdoor seating, and a casual bistro is hid-
den away in the back of the lobby (depending on your perspective, it's either
pleasantly secluded or isolated). Rooms are a bit small (especially the least expen-
sive ones on the north side), but the amenities are top of the line: The safes come
with chargers for cellphones and laptop computers, and the in-room phones are
cordless. High rollers will want to book one of the suites overlooking Michigan
Avenue; a few even come with private terraces, something few hotels in this city
offer. Le Méridien can't compete with the Park Hyatt or the Peninsula in the
glamour department, but its cozy style should appeal to travelers looking for
some place a little more personal. It also makes a good base for anyone visiting
during frigid winter weather; with a whole mall just a few steps away, you can
get out without even putting on your coat.
521 N. Rush St. (at Grand St.), Chicago, IL 60611. & 800/543-4300 or 312/645-1500. Fax [phone].
http://chicago.lemeridien.com. 311 units. $129-$425 double; $375-$3,500 suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet
parking $33 with in/out privileges. Subway/El: Red Line to Chicago/State. Pets accepted. Amenities: Restau-
rant (European bistro); bar; health club with spa, Jacuzzi, and steam room; concierge; business center; 24-hr.
room service; in-room massage; babysitting; laundry service; same-day dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV w/pay
movies and video games, CD player, dataport, minibar, fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.
Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Another historic hotel that has under-
gone a major face-lift, the Knickerbocker looks spiffy from the lobby but still
retains a shabby-chic feel on the guest floors. The epitome of Jazz Age indul-
gence when built in 1927, the hotel was rumored to have shady underworld
connections during the Capone era. In the 1970s, Hugh Hefner turned it into