Where to Stay - Chicago - page 38

type, this is a great place to do it; the super-comfy beds feature cush-
iony pillow-top mattresses, soft duvets, and mounds of pillows.
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. 368 units. $219-$569 double; $399-
$1,500 suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $42 with in-out privileges. Subway/El:
Brown Line to Quincy. Pets allowed. Amenities: Restaurant (European); bar; exercise
room; concierge; business services; 24-hr. room service; in-room massage; babysit-
ting; same-day laundry service; dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV/VCR/DVD w/pay
movies, fax, high-speed Internet access, minibar, hair dryer, iron, safe, CD player.
MODERATE
Hotel Allegro Chicago Owned by the same company as
the Hotel Monaco and the Hotel Burnham (both listed above), the
Allegro is my top pick in the Loop for families in search of a fun
vibe. Guests enter a lobby with plush, boldly colored furnishings
(“Art Deco with punch” is the way one hotel employee described it
to me). That whimsical first impression segues into the cheery, pink-
walled guest rooms. Most rooms are small (without much space
beyond the bed, an armoire, and one chair) but manage to feel cozy
rather than cramped; the compact bathrooms, annoyingly, have only
pedestal sinks—meaning minimal storage for beauty-product
junkies. Suites have separate bedrooms and foldout couches and
come with robes, VCRs, and two-person Jacuzzi tubs.
A note to theater fans: The Allegro has access to exclusive seats
for many high-profile downtown shows and often promotes special
theater packages.
171 W. Randolph St. (at LaSalle St.), Chicago, IL 60601. & 800/643-1500 or 312/
236-0123. Fax [phone]. www.allegrochicago.com. 483 units. $149-$299 dou-
ble; $225-$399 suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $30 with in-out privileges.
Subway/El: All lines to Washington. Pets allowed. Amenities: Restaurant (northern
Italian); lounge; exercise room (and access to nearby health club w/indoor pool for
$10/day); concierge; business center; salon; limited room service; same-day laundry
service; dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, free high-speed Internet
access, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.

Value

2 South Loop
EXPENSIVE
Hilton Chicago When it opened in 1927, this massive brick-
and-stone edifice billed itself as the largest hotel in the world. Today
the Hilton still runs like a small city, with numerous restaurants and
shops and a steady stream of conventioneers. The classical-rococo