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usual higher-end amenities. Executive suites have separate sitting areas; celebrity
suites (named for the stars who've crashed in them) come with a separate bed-
room, two bathrooms, a small kitchen, and a dining room. Most extravagant is
the Presidential Suite, which boasts a canopied terrace and marble fireplace.
The Ambassador East has an excellent kids' program (including in-room Nin-
tendo) and makes an extra effort for guests with disabilities, offering equipment
such as TDD telephones and strobe fire alarms for deaf guests.
1301 N. State Pkwy. (1 block north of Division St.), Chicago, IL 60610.
&
800/843-6664
or 312/787-7200.
Fax 312/787-4760. www.omnihotels.com. 285 units. $160-$200 double; $259-$799 suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC,
V. Valet parking $34 with in/out privileges. Subway/El: Red Line to Clark/Division.
Amenities:
Restaurant
(contemporary American); small fitness room (and access to nearby health club); concierge; business center;
24-hr. room service; babysitting; 24-hr. laundry service; dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, dataport,
minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
MODERATE
Flemish House of Chicago
Want to pretend you live in a grand
historic mansion? Book a room at this B&B, tucked away on one of the Gold
Coast's most picturesque (and expensive) streets. The entire building—includ-
ing the Flemish Revival facade that inspired its name—was renovated in the late
1990s by innkeepers Tom Warnke (an architect) and Mike Maczka (a real-estate
appraiser). Their architecture experience is evident in the rooms' tasteful decor:
a mix of Victorian and Arts and Crafts furniture and decorative details that
respect the home's late-19th-century design—along with all the necessary mod-
ern amenities. The rooms are a mix of spacious studios and one-bedroom suites;
all have full kitchen facilities, including stoves, fridges, and microwaves. This
isn't the kind of B&B that promotes socializing; there are no common rooms,
and breakfast is strictly self-serve (all the fixings are stocked in the fridge). But
for independent travelers looking for a quiet, personal getaway, the location and
setting are truly unique.
68 E. Cedar St. (at Lake Shore Dr.), Chicago, IL 60611.
&
312/664-9981.
Fax 312/664-0387. www.innchicago.
com. 7 units. $125-$175 double. AE, MC, V. Valet parking in nearby lot $22/day. Subway/El: Red Line to Clark/
Division. In room: A/C, TV w/VCR, Wi-Fi Internet access, full kitchen.
Finds
6 Lincoln Park & the North Side
For accommodations listed in this section, see map “Where to Stay in Chicago” p. 84.
If you prefer the feel of living amid real Chicagoans in a residential neighbor-
hood, several options await you in Lincoln Park and farther north. Although
these hotels aren't necessarily more affordable than those downtown, they do
provide a different vantage point from which to view Chicago. If you stay at the
Majestic Hotel or the City Suites Hotel, for example, you can join the locals on
a pedestrian pilgrimage to Wrigley Field for a Cubs game. The area is flush with
restaurants, and public transportation via the El or buses is a snap.
EXPENSIVE
Windy City Urban Inn
This grand 1886 home is located on a tran-
quil side street just blocks from busy Clark Street and Lincoln Avenue—both
chock-full of shops, restaurants, and bars. While the inn is charming enough, the
true selling point is hosts Andy and Mary Shaw. He's a well-known local televi-
sion reporter, while she has 20 years of experience in the Chicago bed-and-break-
fast business. Together, they are excellent resources for anyone who wants to get
beyond the usual tourist sites. Plus, their subtle touches give guests a distinctive,
Finds
