Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Did You Know?
Merriel Abbott, the dance choreographer who booked all the acts at the
Palmer House's famed Empire Room—one of the nation's leading supper
clubs from the 1930s to the 1950s—gave Liberace and Bob Fosse their first
breaks. Liberace, a cocktail pianist at the club, was “discovered” in Mil-
waukee by Abbott, who is credited with dressing up the flamboyant
entertainer's piano with a candelabra to lend his act some pizzazz. Fosse,
a native Chicagoan, made his debut at age 18 as part of a dance team. He
and his partner made $500 a month in 1947; Liberace was paid a miserly
$1,100 for 5 weeks in 1946.
Fun Fact
Palmer House Hilton
Chicago's oldest hotel, the namesake of leg-
endary State Street merchant prince Potter Palmer, is decidedly from another era
(although this building is actually the third Palmer House). The massive complex
feels somewhat lost in time, as the elegance of the lobby isn't translated into the
rooms, which are decorated in an anonymous midlevel hotel style. Clientele
tends heavily toward conventioneers. Some rooms are more recently upgraded
and redecorated than others, so be sure to ask for a refurbished room when mak-
ing reservations. Bathrooms are on the smallish size, though some rooms come
with two bathrooms, a plus for families. Kids might appreciate the sheer palatial
size of the place, with plenty of room to wander, and the location is good for
access to the Museum Campus. Ask about Vacation Station, a kids' welcome
packet that includes information on kids' activities around the city, plus games
and snacks. Despite the hotel's excellent location, you shouldn't expect grand
views of surrounding skyscrapers (most rooms look out into offices across the
street). The Palmer House's days as one of Chicago's top hotels are definitely past.
17 E. Monroe St. (at State St.), Chicago, IL 60603.
&
800/HILTONS
or 312/726-7500. Fax 312/917-1797.
www.hilton.com. 1,640 units. $129-$350 double; $450-$1,500 suite. Kids 18 and under stay free in parent's
room. Rollaways $25/stay; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $31 with in/out privileges; self-park-
ing across the street $21. Subway/El: Red Line to Monroe/State.
Amenities:
4 restaurants (including the leg-
endary but dated Trader Vic's, a Polynesian restaurant); 2 lounges; indoor pool; health club; Jacuzzi; sauna;
children's programs; concierge; business center; shopping arcade; room service until 2am; babysitting refer-
rals; laundry service; overnight dry cleaning; executive rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/video games, minibar, cof-
feemaker, hair dryer, iron.
Renaissance Chicago Hotel
The Renaissance is the most understated
upscale hotel in the city, located at the top of State Street, just across the bridge
from the Magnificent Mile and steps from the Loop's attractions. Although busi-
ness travelers are the Renaissance's bread and butter, I was happy to discover that
the hotel has bent over backwards to accommodate families traveling with chil-
dren. One huge plus: A pool on the fourth floor is open from 6:30am to 10pm,
with no restrictions on children's use. The hotel's restaurants offer kids' menus
for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, offering everything from French toast to ravi-
oli. Kids will appreciate the PlayStation games on the television.
The hotel embraces its location with bay windows offering stunning views of
the river and the towers of North Michigan Avenue. The rooms are tasteful and
rather understated. Standard double rooms include a small sitting area with a
couch and smallish bathrooms; deluxe doubles have much bigger bathrooms
(some with separate showers and bathtubs) and two couches. Club-level rooms,
located on the top four floors, are half a room larger and have their own
Overrated
