Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
92
$30/night; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $42 with in/out privileges. Subway/El: Red Line to
Grand/State.
Amenities:
Restaurant (steakhouse); adjoining bar/lounge; fitness center w/sauna and spa;
concierge; 24-hr. room service; laundry; dry cleaning.
In room:
A/C, TV w/pay movies, stereo w/iPod/mp3-
player dock, fax, Wi-Fi, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.
Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel
Another historic hotel that 's undergone a
face-lift, the Knickerbocker looks spiffy from the lobby but retains a shabby-chic feel on
the guest floors. The epitome of J azz Age indulgence when built in 1927 as the D avis,
the Knickerbocker has since undergone mor e transformations than M adonna. During
the Capone era it was r umored to hav e shady under world connections. I n the 1970s
Hugh Hefner turned it into the gaudy Playboy Towers and invited the leisure-suit set to
a perpetual disco inferno on the hotel 's famed illuminated ballr oom floor. By the time
the 1980s rolled around, the Knickerbocker had been thr ough the wringer. A multimil-
lion-dollar renovation in 2000 brought the hotel back to life, even if its past glamour has
long since faded.
Weekends are popular with families, thanks to the hote's superb location a block from
Oak Street Beach and acr oss the str eet from The Drake. You'll be in the hear t of M ag-
nificent Mile shopping, and walking distance fr om the American Girl Place.
The rooms aren't especially spacious, but they ar e warm and comfortable. Bathrooms
are small but nicely done.
One caveat:
Views are often rather dismal, but you can catch
a glimpse of the lake in all r ooms ending in 14, and corner r ooms (ending in 28) look
onto Michigan Avenue. Families might consider staying on the executive level, which has
rooms that include separate sitting areas with sofa beds, larger bathrooms, and upgraded
bath amenities, including robes and slippers. If you tell the staff that you're traveling with
kids, they will provide some family-friendly amenities such as milk and cookies at turn-
down. Pay-per-view movies always feature a children's program.
163 E. Walton Place (
1
/
2
block east of M ichigan Ave.), Chicago, IL 60611.
&
800/621-8140
or 312/751-
8100. Fax 312/751-9663. w ww.milleniumhotels.com. 305 units . $169-$299 double; $285-$1,000 suit e.
Kids 16 and under sta y free in parent's room. Rollaways $20/night; cribs fr ee. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet
parking $40 with in/out privileges. Subway/El: Red Line to Chicago/State.
Amenities:
Restaurant (Amer-
ican); bar; exercise room; concierge; business center; 24-hr. room service; babysitting; laundry service; dry
cleaning.
In room:
A/C, TV w/pay movies, high-speed I nternet access, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dr yer,
iron, safe, turndown service.
4
Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers
Here's a beautifully situated hotel, perched
on the riverfront with a vie w of the lake. You're only a shor t walk away fr om Navy Pier
and steps from Michigan Avenue, with all its shopping and enter tainment, and buses to
whisk you to the Museum Campus. You're also close to walking paths along the river and
lakefront, the Michigan Avenue Bridge, and a few blocks from Millennium Park.
You can request a room with views of the Chicago Riv er, Lake Michigan, or the city
skyline, and suites are available. The indoor pool and sun deck on the sev enth floor has
wraparound views; the pool has r ecently been renovated. There's a charge for using the
fully equipped health club, with treadmills, Lifecycles, elliptical cross-trainers, life steps,
and weight training, plus a sauna and massage therapy. If parents want to spend time on
their own, babysitting services are available through the concierge.
The hotel has five restaurants and lounges, including Shula's Steakhouse. For families
wanting a quick bite, there's also a snack bar and cafe.
301 E. North Water St., Chicago, IL 60611.
&
877/242-2558
or 312/464-1000. Fax 312/464-9140. www.
sheratonchicago.com. 1,209 units. $299 double; from $450 suite. Kids 17 and under stay free in parent's
room. Rollaways $25/night; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $40 with in/out privileges . Bus:
