Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
94
MODERATE
Courtyard b y Marriott Chicago Do wntown Marriott's budget chain offers
families good v alue in the hear t of Riv er N orth. You're a shor t walk fr om M ichigan
Avenue, the Loop, and the many theme restaurants of River North, including the ESPN
Zone. The trolley to Navy Pier stops a block from the hotel (on State St.). Plus, you'll get
access to an indoor pool, a fitness center (kids 12 and under must be super vised by an
adult), a whirlpool, a sauna, and a sun deck. G uest rooms feature granite vanities, high-
speed I nternet access, and sofas, some with pullout beds. R ooms especially good for
families include connecting rooms (both double-bedded and king-size) and suites which
offer a bedroom plus a sitting room with a sofa bed. The 30 East Café and Lounge has a
breakfast buffet (with a special price of $7 for kids), lunch, dinner , and r oom ser vice.
There's no kids' menu, but most kids will be able to find something they like among the
kid-friendly, sandwich-and-soup options on the r egular menu.
30 E. Hubbard St. (at State St.), Chicago, IL 60611. & 800/321-2211 or 312/329-2500. Fax 312/329-0293.
www.marriott.com. 337 units. $119-$209 double; $159-$400 suit e. Kids 18 and under sta y free in par-
ent's room. Rollaways and cribs fr ee. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $33 with in/out privileges; self-
parking $21. Subway/El: Red Line t o Grand/State. Amenities: Restaurant; lounge; indoor pool; ex ercise
room; concierge; room service; laundry service and self-service laundry. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies,
dataport, high-speed Internet access, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Do wntown/Magnificent Mile A half-block
east of the Magnificent Mile, this hotel is not the place to indulge in luxuries. H owever,
it's a great choice for families, with a killer location plus that rar est of rarities in do wn-
town hotels: a pool, on the 10th floor. There's even a large fitness room with great views.
Rooms here are generally larger than those at the Courtyard's sister hotel in River North.
Double rooms with two beds featur e two queen-size beds (not two double beds, which
is standard in the industry)—a nice option for families of four. King suites have a kitchen
with a refrigerator and microwave, plus a pullout couch in the living ar ea. Rooms offer
city views, some of Michigan Avenue. Another family-friendly feature in the room design
is the shower and bathtub area, which is separate from the vanity and dressing area, a plus
when multiple people ar e tr ying to get r eady in the morning. The lobby decor is Ar t
Deco, and the r oom decor is pr etty standar d; but ev erything is clean and ne w. An
American cafe, Viand Bar & Kitchen, is kid-friendly and also provides room service. And
when mom and dad need a pick-me-up, they can get a cup of coffee fr om the Starbucks
in the lobby.
165 E. Ontario St. ( just east of M ichigan Ave.), Chicago, IL 60611. & 312/573-0800. Fax 312/573-0573.
www.marriott.com. 306 units. $249 double; $309 king suite. Kids 18 and under stay free in parent's room.
Rollaways and cribs fr ee. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $35 with in/out privileges; self-park ing $25
with no in/out privileges . Subway/El: Red Line t o Grand/State. Amenities: Restaurant; lounge; indoor
pool; exercise room; concierge; room service; laundry service and self-ser vice laundry. In room: A/C, TV
w/pay movies, dataport, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
Doubletree Chicago —Magnificent M ile Value The soaring modern
atrium lobby is impr essive, as is the location east of the M agnificent Mile and close to
the Ohio Street Beach and N avy Pier. Although the public spaces hav e the impersonal
feel of a conference center, the rooms are cheerily decorated, and the large windows allow
sweeping city views from the upper floors. (I recommend the rooms on the north side of
the building, which look toward the Hancock Building.) But it's the amenities that help
this hotel stand out, making it one of the best v alues in the city.
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