Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Rollaways $25/night; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $30 with in/out privileges. Subway/El: Red,
Green, Orange, Brown, or Blue Line to State/Lake. Small pets accepted.
Amenities:
Restaurant; lounge;
access to Lakeshore Athletic Club, one of the top health clubs in the city (w/full-court basketball, climbing
wall, pool, and spa); concierge; business center; salon; 24-hr. room service; babysitting; laundry service; 24-
hr. dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, fax, minibar, hair dryer, iron, CD player, high-speed Internet
access.
EXPENSIVE
Crowne Plaza Chicago—The Silversmith
You might call the Sil-
versmith a hidden gem. The landmark building, designed by the celebrated firm
of D. H. Burnham and Company, was built in 1897 to serve the jewelry and sil-
ver trade on Wabash Avenue, still known as Jeweler's Row. While the hotel isn't
a traditional “family” hotel, it does provide cribs, babysitting service, and toys
and games. Word about The Silversmith has been slow getting out (even many
Loop office workers who pass by it every day don't know it's there), so it doesn't
book up as quickly as other hotter spots. That's good news for families on vaca-
tion because it means that the hotel is more willing to make a deal on room
rates. (The suites—perfect for families—often get discounted, I hear.) There is
also more likely to be room at this inn during the busy convention season.
Rooms come in varying configurations, with 12-foot-high ceilings, 10-foot
picture windows, handsome Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired wrought-iron fix-
tures, armoires, and homey bedding; bathrooms are generously sized. Because
buildings surround this very urban hotel, most rooms along the hotel's main
corridor tend to be dark (with windows looking into neighboring office build-
ings). For a better—and quintessentially Chicago—view, get a room at the front
on the fifth floor or higher, overlooking Wabash Avenue and the El tracks. In
the evening stop by the lobby for a wine-and-cheese reception and complimen-
tary desserts (including Eli's cheesecake, one of the city's signature sweet treats).
10 S. Wabash Ave. (at Madison St.), Chicago, IL 60603.
&
800/2CROWNE
or 312/372-7696. Fax 312/372-
7320. www.silversmith.crowneplaza.com. 143 units. $149-$279 double; from $289 suite; weekend rates
available. Rollaways $20/night; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $28 with in/out privileges. Sub-
way/El: Brown, Green, or Orange Line to Madison/Wabash, or Red Line to Washington/State.
Amenities:
Restaurant; lounge; tiny fitness room (w/access to nearby health club for a fee); concierge; business center
and secretarial services; limited room service; babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning; club-level rooms. In
room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, dataport, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.
Hard Rock Hotel Chicago
The good news: This hotel is not located on
top of the supertouristy Hard Rock Cafe, which is located about a mile away in
River North. In fact, the hotel is a relatively restrained rehab of one of the city's
historic skyscrapers, the 40-story Carbide and Carbon Building. As you might
expect, the theme here is music: Pop tunes echo through the lobby, TV moni-
tors show videos, and glass cases display pop-star memorabilia. If your kids are
in the age range that considers wearing a Hard Rock T-shirt from exotic locales
a badge of honor, they may well get a kick from a stay here. But for the grown-
ups in your crowd, the mix of old and new can be somewhat jarring. The black-
and-gray lobby feels like a nightclub, but the marble-and-gold-trimmed elevator
bank still says “high-rise office building.” Don't expect too much rock-star atti-
tude; to date, the Hard Rock appears to be populated by youngish business trav-
elers and families. The guest rooms are neutral in decor with modern
furnishings. The building's larger-than-average windows let in plenty of natural
light. The Hard Rock Rooms on the corners of each floor are larger than the
standard double rooms and feature chaise longues for stretching out. Families
should inquire about the suites, located in the tower at the top of the building,
which come in various one- and two-bedroom configurations.
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