Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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NEAR NORTH & THE MAGNIFICENT MILE
Along the Magnificent Mile—a stretch of Michigan Avenue running north of the Chi-
cago River to O ak Street—you'll find most of the city 's premium hotels. The location
can't be beat.
VERY EXPENSIVE
Conrad Chicago
Tucked into the back of Westfield N orth B ridge mall, the
Conrad Chicago maintains a low profile. I'd recommend it for families seeking a luxuri-
ous option in the winter time, thanks to the conv enience of having a whole mall just a
few steps away . You can get out without ev en bundling the kids up—an attractiv e
proposition when it's icy outside. A quick elev ator ride connects you with stores such as
Nordstrom or the Lego Store or Chicago's Magnificent Meal food court, where you can
grab anything from a Fluky's hot dog to Italian fare at Tuscany Cafe.
This property—part of the H ilton hotel gr oup's ne w upscale “boutique ” brand—is
determined to compete with the city 's more established luxur y pr operties (with r oom
rates to match). The overall vibe her e is old-money classiness rather than ne w-money
flashiness, from the lobby filled with dark wood furniture to the deep brown curtains in
the tranquil guest rooms. Rooms here are a bit small (especially the least expensiv e ones
on the north side), but the amenities are top-of-the-line: flatscreen TVs and Bose sound
systems. High rollers will want to book one of the suites o verlooking Michigan Avenue;
a few even come with priv ate terraces, something fe w hotels in this city can offer . The
Conrad can't quite compete with the Park Hyatt or the Peninsula in the glamour depart-
ment, but its cozy style should appeal to trav elers looking for something a little mor e
personal.
521 N. Rush St. (at Grand St.), Chicago , IL 60611.
&
800/HILTONS
[445-8667] or 312/645-1500. F ax
312/645-1550. http://conradhotels1.hilton.com. 311 units . $325-$530 double; fr om $500 suit e. Kids 11
and under stay free in parent's room. Rollaways and cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $41 with
in/out privileges. Subway/El: Red Line to Chicago/State. Pets accepted.
Amenities:
Restaurant (European
bistro); bar; health club; c oncierge; business center; 24-hr. room service; in-room massage; babysitting;
laundry service; same-day dry cleaning.
In room:
A/C, flatscreen TV w/pay movies and video games, CD
player w/Bose sound sy stem, high-speed I nternet access, minibar, fridge, coffeemaker, hair dr yer, iron,
safe, turndown service.
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago
A fabulous pool and indulgences for kids
make this hotel a thumbs up for families in sear ch of luxur y. Consistently voted one of
the top hotels in the world b y frequent travelers, the F our Seasons occupies a rar efied
aerie between the 30th and 46th floors above the Mag Mile's most upscale vertical mall.
The hotel has every conceivable luxury amenity, and in 2007 it underwent a $30-million
renovation that changed its look from that of an English country manor to that of a sleek
and modern getaway . The elegant r ooms featur e contemporar y furnishings, subdued
colors, and modern ar tworks, and each has windo ws that open to let in the fr esh air.
Bathrooms boast a lighted makeup mirr
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or, o versize to wels and r obes, scales, and
L'Occitane toiletries.
Kid-friendly services include child-size robes, tub amenities, boar d and video games,
and a special r oom-service menu. The hotel has offer ed family packages, especially on
weekends, which might include small gifts and discounts fr om kids' retailers. With the
package, in the past, childr en 11 and under hav e been able to eat fr ee from the kids '
room-service menu—and receive a complimentary gift from the ice-cream man. Yes, it's
