Where to Stay - Chicago - page 36

1 W. Washington St. (at State St.), Chicago, IL 60602. & 866/690-1986 or 312/782-
1111. Fax [phone]. www.burnhamhotel.com. 122 units. $299 double;
$229-$399 suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $40 with in-out privileges. Sub-
way/El: Red or Blue line to Washington. Pets allowed. Amenities: Restaurant (con-
temporary American); access to nearby health club; concierge; business services;
meeting space; 24-hr. room service; laundry service; dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV,
free high-speed Internet access, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.
Hotel Monaco This 14-story boutique hotel deftly manages
to straddle the line between fun and conservative. The stylish decor is
a fresh alternative to Chicago's many cookie-cutter business hotels:
The rooms feature dramatic deep-red headboards and green-striped
walls, while the lobby—with its gold decorative accents and zebra-
striped chairs—looks like a 1930s-era salon. Despite the funky feel,
the Monaco is rather subdued; it's a place to relax, not pose. The eclec-
tic furniture includes mahogany writing desks and ergonomic chairs;
suites come with a two-person whirlpool spa and pull-out queen-size
sofa bed. (If you're taller than average, you can request a Tall Room,
with longer beds.) All rooms include “meditation stations”—comfy
seats tucked into the larger-than-average windows, which are perfect
for taking in the cityscape outside (ask for a river view).
225 N. Wabash Ave. (at Wacker Dr.), Chicago, IL 60601. & 800/397-7661 or 312/
960-8500. Fax [phone]. www.monaco-chicago.com. 192 units. $169-$329
double; $279-$429 suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $38 with in-out privi-
leges. Subway/El: Brown, Green, or Orange line to Randolph, or Red Line to Wash-
ington. Small pets allowed. Amenities: Restaurant (American); small fitness room
(and access to nearby health club for $10/day); concierge; business center; 24-hr.
room service; in-room massage; babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning. In room:
A/C, TV w/pay movies, fax, high-speed Internet access, minibar, coffeemaker, hair
dryer, iron, safe.
Palmer House Hilton The longest continually operating hotel in
North America (since 1871), the Palmer House was named for leg-
endary State Street merchant prince Potter Palmer. The building's
grand Italianate lobby retains a Gilded Age aura (it's worth a look
even if you're not staying here), but don't come here expecting to be
swept back in time. The massive complex depends heavily on large
business groups, so the hotel often feels like an extension of the
McCormick Place Convention Center. The good news: Rooms that
were previously decorated in drab, motel-worthy colors have been
upgraded in the past few years with new, cheerier bedding and car-
pets. Standard double rooms are quite spacious, with plenty of room
to spread out. The bad news: Rooms also feel somewhat spartan,
with only two fairly uncomfortable chairs to sit in. Bathrooms are
small but serviceable (some rooms come with two bathrooms, a plus