Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Impressions
We were on one of the most glamorous corners of Chicago. I dwelt on
the setting. The lakeshore view was stupendous. I couldn't see it but I
knew it well and felt its effect—the shining road beside the shining gold
vacancy of Lake Michigan. Man had overcome the emptiness of this
land. But the emptiness had given him a few good licks in return.
—Saul Bellow, Humboldt's Gift, 1975
Hotel Burnham, 1 W. Washing-
ton St. ( &
the European-styled Le Méridien,
521 N. Rush St. ( & 800/543-
4300 ), which is centrally located
but tucked away from the crowds.
See p. 95.
Best Trendy Hotel: The W
Chicago Lakeshore, 644 N. Lake
Shore Dr. ( & 877/W-HOTELS ),
brings the hip W sensibility to a
can't-miss location overlooking
Lake Michigan (p. 97). For a the-
atrical hotel experience, the
House of Blues Hotel, 333 N.
Dearborn St. ( & 877/569-3742 ),
can't be beat, with its riotous mix
of colors and playful attitude. See
p. 100.
Best Views: This isn't an easy call.
Consider several hotels for their
mix of lake and city views: the
Swissôtel; the Four Seasons; The
Drake; the Ritz-Carlton; the
Park Hyatt Chicago; and the
Holiday Inn-Chicago City Cen-
tre (p. 88, 91, 94, 93, 92, and 98,
respectively). Peering over the
elevated tracks, the Crowne Plaza
Chicago—The Silversmith, 10
S. Wabash Ave. ( & 800/
2CROWNE ), in the Loop, offers
a distinctly urban vista (p. 83).
Best for Families: With every
room a suite, the Embassy Suites,
600 N. State St. ( & 800/362-
2779 ), is ideal for families looking
for a little more space than the typ-
ical hotel room provides. The in-
room Nintendo, indoor pool, and
location near two popular kid-
friendly venues—ESPN Zone and
877/294-9712 ). See
p. 86.
Best for Business Travelers: Vir-
tually every hotel in Chicago qual-
ifies. The Swissôtel Chicago, 323
E. Wacker Dr. ( & 888/737-
9477 ), combines extensive busi-
ness services with stunning city
views from all rooms—when you
need a mental break from endless
paperwork. See p. 88.
Best Hotel Dining Experience:
Almost every luxury hotel in town
has a first-class restaurant—usually
with eye-popping prices. Atwood
Café at the Hotel Burnham, 1
W. Washington St. ( & 877/294-
9712 ), offers more affordable
meals in a dining room with real
character. See p. 112.
Best Service: The attention to
detail, regal pampering, and well-
connected concierges at both the
ultraluxe Ritz-Carlton, 160 E.
Pearson St. ( & 800/621-6906 ),
and the Four Seasons, 120 E.
Delaware Place ( & 800/332-
3442 ), make them the hotels of
choice for travelers who want to
feel like royalty while in town. See
p. 93 and 91, respectively.
Best for a Romantic Getaway:
For a splurge, The Peninsula, 108
E. Superior St. ( & 866/288-
8889 ), or the Park Hyatt, 800
N. Michigan Ave. ( & 800/233-
1234 ), will pamper you with lux-
urious rooms and top-notch
amenities (p. 92 and 92, respec-
tively). For a cozier getaway, try
Search WWH ::




Custom Search