Family-Friendly Accommodations - Chicago with Kids - page 92

165 E. Ontario St. (just east of Michigan Ave.), Chicago, IL 60611. & 312/573-0800. Fax [phone].
www.marriott.com. 306 units. $249 double; $309 king suite. Kids 18 and under stay free in parent's room.
Rollaway beds and cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $35 with in/out privileges; self-parking $25,
no in/out privileges. Subway/El: Red Line to Grand/State. Amenities: Restaurant; lounge; exercise room;
indoor pool; concierge; room service; laundry service and self-service laundry. In room:A/C, TV w/pay movies,
dataport, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
Hilton Garden Inn Although it might seem out of place in these urban
climes, this Hilton Garden Inn, located on prime real estate between North
Michigan Avenue and the River North neighborhood, is every inch a big-city
player. The hotel caters to business types, but families certainly won't feel out of
place here: The building is adjacent to ESPN Zone, a Virgin Megastore, and the
new Shops at North Bridge mall. The hotel features weekend packages for fam-
ilies, so ask for current deals when you call. The hotel doesn't have much per-
sonality—the lobby is strictly business and feels cold. What the place does have
going for it—besides location—is a high-rise sensibility that should appeal to
families looking for an urban experience. The ample rooms are located between
the 13th and the 23rd floors. Views higher up, especially on the east side and
from corner suites facing north and south, afford dramatic vistas of the cityscape
and skyline. The hotel's six suites include a parlor area, wet bar, and dining table,
with possible connections to adjacent rooms.
10 E. Grand Ave. (at State St.), Chicago, IL 60611. & 800/HILTONS or 312/595-0000. Fax [phone].
www.hilton.com. 357 units. $169-$309 double; $400-$700 suite. Kids 18 and under stay free in parent's room.
Rollaways $20/night; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $34 with in/out privileges; self-parking $20
with no in/out privileges. Subway/El: Red Line to Grand/State. Amenities: Restaurant; lounge; indoor pool; fit-
ness center w/Jacuzzi and sauna; concierge; business center; limited room service; babysitting; laundry service;
same-day dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, dataport, fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
Holiday Inn Chicago—City Centre Enter the soaring modern
atrium, with its vases of blooming fresh flowers, and you won't believe that this
place is kin to Holiday Inn's assembly-line roadside staples. Its location is a nice
surprise as well: east of the Magnificent Mile and close to the Ohio Street Beach
and Navy Pier. Although the rooms are pretty basic, the amenities make this one
of the best values in the city.
The Holiday Inn is a good bet for the budget-conscious family: Not only do
kids under 18 stay free in their parent's room, but those 12 and under also eat
free in the hotel's restaurants when accompanied by a parent. There's a large out-
door pool, and you're located very near to Ohio Street and Oak Street beaches.
Leave the pay-per-view movies one night and head to the new AMC theaters
nearby, where all 21 screens offer stadium seating.
Fitness devotees will rejoice because the Holiday Inn is located next door to
the Lake Shore Athletic Club, where guests may enjoy the extensive facilities free
of charge. Have the concierge check on family hours at the pool, which are gen-
erally a couple hours in the morning, a few hours in the afternoon, and all day
on Sunday. The gym is only available to adults over 18. The hotel also has its
own spacious outdoor pool and sun deck. The views are excellent, especially
looking north toward the Hancock Building and Monroe Harbor. Even the
standard room should fit a family of three or four comfortably. You might want
to splurge on one of the “master suites,” which boast large living-room areas
with wet bars, along with a Jacuzzi-style tub and sauna in the bathroom.
300 E. Ohio St. (at Fairbanks Court), Chicago, IL 60611. & 800/HOLIDAY or 312/787-6100. Fax 312/787-
6259. www.chicc.com. 500 units. $128-$270 double. Weekend and promotional rates $99-$119. Kids under
18 stay free in parent's room. Rollaways $25/night; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Self parking $22. Sub-
way/El: Red Line to Grand/State. Amenities: 2 restaurants; bar; outdoor and indoor pools; access to nearby

Value