Family-Friendly Accommodations - Chicago with Kids - page 95

service; babysitting; laundry machines; dry cleaning; VIP rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies and video
games, dataport, kitchenette, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
House of Blues Hotel The funky vibe makes this a great hotel for
teenagers and anyone who wants a hotel to be an experience—not just a place to
sleep. Blending Gothic, Moroccan, East Indian, and New Orleans influences, the
House of Blues lobby is a riot of crimsons and deep blues. In fact, if you're in the
Marina Towers vicinity, stop by to check it out, even if you're not staying here.
You can catch your breath in the lighter, whimsical rooms, which feature some
of the most exciting Southern folk art you'll ever come across. The casually dressed,
friendly staff invents creative nightly turndowns for guests—such as fragrant mood
crystals or a written thought for the day left on your pillow. One of the hotel's
biggest selling points is its location in the entertainment-packed Marina Towers
complex. Within steps of the hotel, you've got a bowling alley, a marina with boat
rentals, the riverside Smith & Wollensky steakhouse (an outpost of the New York
restaurant), the innovative Bin 36 wine bar and restaurant, and, of course, the
House of Blues Music Hall and Restaurant. (Don't miss the Sun brunch at which
gospel choirs perform—kids can order off the menu at a reduced rate.)
333 N. Dearborn St. (at the river), Chicago, IL 60610. & 800/235-6397 or 312/245-0333. Fax [phone].
www.loewshotels.com. 365 units. $139-$349 double; $500-$1,250 suite. Weekend and promotional rates
available. Kids 18 and under stay free in parent's room. Rollaways and cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet
parking $28 with in/out privileges. Subway/El: Brown Line to Clark/Lake, or Red Line to Grand/State. Pets
accepted. Amenities: Lounge; access to Crunch Health & Fitness Club; concierge; business center; 24-hr.
room service; babysitting; laundry service; same-day dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV/VCR w/pay movies and
video games, fax, dataport, minibar, coffeemaker (upon request), hair dryer, iron, CD player.
Westin Chicago River North Located on the northern bank of the
Chicago River, the Westin River North has the personality of a business hotel
but has made an effort to be family-friendly. Especially notable are the many
baby and toddler accessories available to guests, from bottle warmers and cribs
to night lights, jogging strollers, and electrical-outlet covers. Like the Westin
Michigan Avenue (reviewed in the previous section), this hotel offers the Westin
Kids Club for kids 12 and under. Kids are greeted with Westin Kids Club sports
bottles or sippy cups, which are filled with complimentary beverages at meals.
Other perks include coloring books, bathtub toys, and a story line on the hotel
phone that plays age-appropriate bedtime stories when you dial a four-digit
number. Kids' meals are available at the hotel restaurant with advance notice,
and special menus are available through room service.
Rooms are handsome, with furniture and artwork that give them a residential
feel. For the best view, request a room facing south, overlooking the Chicago
River. For those who feel like splurging, a suite on the 19th floor more than sat-
isfies, with three enormous rooms, including a huge bathroom and a large win-
dow offering a side view of the river.
320 N. Dearborn St. (on the river), Chicago, IL 60610. & 800/WESTIN1 or 312/744-1900. Fax [phone].
www.westinchicago.com. 424 units. $199-$498 double; $419-$2,800 suite; weekend rates $199-$249. Kids
18 and under stay free in parent's room. Rollaways $25/night; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking
$34 with in/out privileges; self-parking $16. Subway/El: Brown, Orange, or Green Line to State/Lake. Ameni-
ties: Restaurant; lounge; fitness center; concierge; business center; 24-hr. room service; babysitting; laundry
service, same-day dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies and video games, fax, dataport, minibar, cof-
feemaker, hair dryer, iron.
MODERATE
Best Western River North Hotel This former motor lodge and cold-
storage structure conceals a very attractive, sharply designed interior that

Value