Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
limited room service; laundry service; dry cleaning; club-level rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, dataport,
minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.
Hard Rock Hotel Chicago
The good news: This hotel is not located on
top of the super-touristy Hard Rock Cafe (which is about a mile or so away in
River North). In fact, it is a relatively restrained rehab of one of the city's his-
toric skyscrapers, the 40-story Carbide and Carbon Building. The overall theme
here is music: Pop tunes echo throughout the lobby, TV monitors show videos,
and glass cases display pop-star memorabilia. But the mix of old and new can be
somewhat jarring—the black-and-gray lobby feels like a nightclub, while the
marble-and-gold-trimmed elevator bank still feels like an office building. Don't
expect too much rock-star attitude; like most Chicago hotels, the Hard Rock
attracts plenty of business travelers and families. The guest rooms are neutral,
with modern furniture; the building's larger-than-average windows let in plenty
of natural light. The so-called Hard Rock Rooms on the corners of each floor
are larger than the standard double rooms and feature chaise longues for stretch-
ing out. The suites, located in the tower at the top of the building, come in var-
ious one- and two-bedroom configurations and allow an added layer of privacy
(with only one or two suites per floor, you're separated from the masses).
The lobby comes into its own after dark. The hotel's restaurant, China Bar &
Grill, serves up Asian fusion cuisine in a high-energy setting. The street-level bar,
open until 4am, features live music and DJs most nights. And since the hotel is
actively courting rock bands who come through town on tour, you never know
who you'll see stopping in for a drink.
230 N. Michigan Ave. (at Lake St.), Chicago, IL 60601.
&
877/ROCK-HOTEL
or 312/345-1000. Fax 312/
345-1012. www.hardrockhotelchicago.com. 381 units. $169-$239 double; from $1,500 suite. AE, DC, DISC,
MC, V. Valet parking $35 with in/out privileges. Subway/El: Red Line or Blue Line to Lake.
Amenities:
Restau-
rant (Asian fusion); bar; exercise room; concierge; business services; 24-hr. room service; same-day laundry
service; dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV w/DVD player and videogames, CD player, high-speed Internet access,
minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.
Hotel Burnham
If you're looking for a spot with a sense of history, this
is it. A brilliant $30-million restoration in 1999 of the historic Reliance Build-
ing—one of the first skyscrapers ever built and a highly significant architectural
treasure—resulted in this intimate boutique hotel named for Daniel Burnham,
whose firm designed the building in 1895. The prime State Street location is
across from Marshall Field's and 1 block south of the hopping North Loop the-
ater district. The Burnham is a must for architecture buffs: Wherever possible,
the restoration retained period elements—most obviously in the hallways, which
recall the original office corridors with terrazzo tile floors, white marble wain-
scoting, mahogany door and window frames, and room numbers painted on the
translucent glass doors. Rooms are clubby but glamorous, with plush beds,
mahogany writing desks, and chaise longues. The hotel's 19 suites feature a sep-
arate living-room area and CD stereo systems. Don't come to the Burnham if
you're looking for extensive amenities—the lobby is tiny, as is the exercise room.
But the Burnham is one of Chicago's most distinctive hotels, and it's highly rec-
ommended for visitors who want a historic location jazzed up with a dash of col-
orful modern style. Ask for a room on a high floor in the northeast corner—the
views north and east are dazzling. The on-site Atwood Café (p. 112) serves cre-
ative comfort food against a Gilded Age backdrop.
A bonus for animal lovers: Pets are positively welcomed here. The hotel pro-
vides beds, treats, and dog-walking services, among other amenities (they'll even
clean out your in-room kitty-litter box!).
