Where to Stay - Chicago 2005 - page 92

the gaudy Playboy Towers and invited the leisure-suit set to a perpetual disco
inferno on the hotel's famed illuminated ballroom floor. By the time the 1980s
rolled around, the Knickerbocker had been through the ringer.
But thanks to a $20-million renovation, the Knickerbocker once more exudes
vintage charm. It has a superb location, a block from Oak Street Beach and
across the street from The Drake. While the rooms aren't especially spacious,
they are warm and comfortable (with new, comfy beds). Bathrooms are small
but nicely done. One caveat: Views are often rather dismal, but you can catch
a glimpse of the lake in all rooms ending in 18, and corner rooms (ending in 17,
28, or 35) look onto Michigan Avenue. Club-level guests are served compli-
mentary breakfast, coffee, and munchies in a second-floor lounge.
163 E. Walton Place ( 1 ⁄ 2 block east of Michigan Ave.), Chicago, IL 60611. & 800/621-8140 or 312/751-8100.
Fax [phone]. www.millenniumhotels.com. 305 units. $129-$299 double; $285-$1,000 suite. AE, DC,
DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $35 with in/out privileges; self-parking $24 with in/out privileges. Subway/El: Red
Line to Chicago/State. Amenities: Restaurant (fusion); bar; exercise room; concierge; business center; 24-hr.
room service; babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning; club-level rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, fax,
dataport, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
Sofitel Chicago Water Tower The latest addition to Chicago's already-
crowded luxury hotel scene, the Sofitel aims to impress by drawing on the city's
tradition of great architecture. French architect Jean-Paul Viguier created a build-
ing that's impossible to pass without taking a second look: a soaring, triangular
white tower that sparkles in the sun. But the place doesn't take itself too seriously,
as you'll see when you walk in the airy lobby and check out the luminescent floor
tiles that change color in a never-ending light show. The overall feel of the hotel is
European modern; you'll hear French accents from the front-desk staff, and for-
eign-language magazines are scattered on tables throughout the lobby. The bright,
stylish Café des Architects has become a favorite business lunch spot for locals.
The guest rooms feature contemporary decor with natural beechwood walls
and chrome hardware. All the rooms enjoy good views of the city (but the pri-
vacy-conscious will want to stay on the upper floors, where they won't be on dis-
play to surrounding apartment buildings). The standard doubles are fairly
compact—but thanks to large picture windows, the spaces don't feel cramped.
The luxurious marble bathrooms (with separate tub and shower stall) are quite
spacious. The amenities are top-notch. Recognizing that business travelers are
the bread and butter of Chicago hotel profits, ample support services exist for
working visitors. But this doesn't mean that Sofitel doesn't welcome families; in
fact, up to two children can stay in a room for no extra charge (they'll even roll
in a portable bed for the kids).
20 E. Chestnut St. (at Wabash St.), Chicago, IL 60611. & 800/SOFITEL or 312/324-4000. Fax [phone].
www.sofitel.com. 415 units. $199-$459 double; $499-$599 suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $35.
Subway/El: Red Line to Chicago/State. Small pets accepted. Amenities: Restaurant (French cafe); bar; fitness
center; concierge; business center; 24-hr. room service; babysitting; laundry service; same-day dry cleaning. In
room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, high-speed Internet access, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
Talbott Hotel The Talbott is not for anyone who needs extensive
hotel facilities, but the cozy atmosphere and personal level of service appeal to
visitors looking for the feeling of a bed-and-breakfast rather than a sprawling,
corporate hotel. Constructed in the 1920s as an apartment building, the Talbott
was converted to a hotel in 1989. Proprietors Basil and Laurie Ann Kromelow
take a keen personal interest in the hotel's decor: Most of the gorgeous antiques
strewn throughout are purchases from Basil's European shopping trips. The
wood-paneled lobby, decorated with leather sofas and velvety armchairs, two

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