Where to Stay - Chicago 2005 - page 85

attractive to business travelers in search of tranquillity. Panoramic vistas from
every room—of Lake Michigan, Grant Park, and the Chicago River—are the
hotel's best features. The spacious rooms have separate sitting areas and warm
contemporary furnishings. Business travelers will appreciate the oversize desks
(convertible to dining tables), ergonomic chairs, and—in upgraded executive-
level rooms—CD players. Executive suites, with wonderful, 180-degree views,
have separate sleeping areas. All executive-level guests also receive complimentary
breakfast and hors d'oeuvres and have access to a lounge with Internet connec-
tions, a library, and a personal concierge.
Active travelers will want to break a sweat in the lofty environs of the Pent-
house Health Spa, perched on the 42nd floor. And those who just want to
indulge themselves can enjoy the ultimate steak-and-lobster expense-account
restaurant: the on-site outpost of New York's The Palm.
323 E. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60601. & 888/737-9477 or 312/565-0565. Fax [phone]. www.swissotel.
com. 632 units. $159-$409 double; $395-$2,500 suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $35 with in/out privi-
leges. Subway/El: Red, Brown, Orange, or Green line to Randolph. Amenities: 3 restaurants (steakhouse, Ameri-
can); lounge; penthouse fitness center with indoor pool, spa, Jacuzzi, and sauna; concierge; business center with
extensive meeting services; 24-hr. room service; massage; babysitting; laundry service; 24-hr. dry cleaning; execu-
tive-level rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, dataport, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
W Chicago City Center One of two Chicago properties in the hip W hotel
chain (the other is the W Chicago Lakeshore, later in this chapter), this is an oasis
of cool in the button-down Loop. Unfortunately, the rooms tend toward the
small and dark (most look out into a central courtyard). The W color scheme—
dark purple and gray—doesn't do much to brighten the spaces; don't stay here if
you crave lots of natural light. All W properties pride themselves on their “what-
ever, whenever” service: whatever you want, whenever you want it (the modern
version of a 24-hr. on-call concierge). The bar, designed by nightlife wunderkind
Rande Gerber (Mr. Cindy Crawford), gives hotel guests a stylish spot to sit and
pose amid dance music and cocktail waitresses who look like models. Given its
location, this W is foremost a business hotel—although one that's definitely
geared toward younger workers rather than crusty old executives.
172 W. Adams St. (at LaSalle St.), Chicago, IL 60603. & 877/W-HOTELS or 312/332-1200. Fax [phone].
www.whotels.com. 390 units. $199-$329 double; from $369 suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $30 with
in/out privileges. Subway/El: Brown Line to Quincy. Pets allowed. Amenities: Restaurant (European); bar; exer-
cise room; concierge; business services; 24-hr. room service; in-room massage; babysitting; same-day laundry
service; dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV w/VCR and pay movies, CD player, fax, high-speed Internet access, mini-
bar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.
MODERATE
Hotel Allegro Chicago Owned by the same company as the Hotel
Monaco and the Hotel Burnham (both listed above), the Allegro is the best
choice in the Loop for families in search of a fun vibe. Although its published
rates are about the same as those of its sister properties, the Allegro is far larger
than the Monaco or the Burnham, and consequently is more likely to offer spe-
cial rates to fill space (especially on weekends and in the winter). Guests enter a
lobby with plush, eclectic, and boldly colorful furnishings: This whimsical first
impression segues into the rooms, which vary wildly in size and configuration,
so be sure to request the biggest available room when making your reservation.
Suites have robes, VCRs, and two-person Jacuzzi tubs.
Befitting a place where the concierge wears a stylish leather jacket and the
doorman hums along to the tunes playing on speakers out front, the Allegro
appeals to younger travelers. There's plenty of opportunity for socializing at

Value