Where to Stay - Chicago - page 37

for families). Executive Level rooms on the top two floors come with
DVD players, thick robes, and complimentary breakfast and after-
noon hors d'oeuvres; guests on those floors have use of a lounge and
their own concierge.
17 E. Monroe St. (at State St.), Chicago, IL 60603. & 800/HILTONS or 312/726-
7500. Fax [phone]. www.hiltonchicagosales.com. 1,639 units. $129-$350
double; $450-$1,500 suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $35 with in-out priv-
ileges; self-parking across the street $25. Subway/El: Red Line to Monroe. Ameni-
ties: 3 restaurants (the legendary but dated Trader Vic's and 2 American bar and
grills); 2 lounges; health club w/indoor pool, Jacuzzi, and sauna for $10/day or
$20/entire stay; children's programs; concierge; business center; shopping arcade;
room service until 2am; babysitting referrals; laundry service; overnight dry cleaning;
executive rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, high-speed Internet access, mini-
bar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
Swissôtel Chicago This sleek, modern hotel is all business
and may therefore feel a bit icy to some visitors, but its no-nonsense
aura makes it especially attractive to business travelers in search of
tranquillity. The hotel's triangular design gives every room a
panoramic vista of Lake Michigan, Grant Park, and/or the Chicago
River. The spacious rooms have separate sitting areas and warm con-
temporary furnishings. Business travelers will appreciate the oversize
desks (convertible to dining tables), ergonomic chairs, and—in
upgraded Business Advantage rooms—CD players and high-speed
and Wi-Fi Internet access.
Active travelers will want to break a sweat in the lofty environs of
the Penthouse Health Club and Spa, perched on the 42nd floor.
323 E. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60601. & 888/737-9477 or 312/565-0565. Fax 312/
565-0540. www.swissotelchicago.com. 632 units. $159-$409 double; $395-$2,500
suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $45 with in-out privileges. Subway/El: Red,
Brown, Orange, or Green line to Randolph. Amenities: 2 restaurants (steakhouse,
American); lounge; penthouse fitness center w/indoor pool, spa, Jacuzzi, and sauna;
concierge; business center w/extensive meeting services; 24-hr. room service;
massage; babysitting; laundry service; 24-hr. dry cleaning; executive-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; p. 44), 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 court-
yard), and 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 natu-
ral light. All W properties pride themselves on their “whatever, when-
ever” service: Whatever you want, whenever you want it (the modern
version of a 24-hr. on-call concierge). If you're the loll-around-in-bed