11 June 2009
Aaron Peasley
Whether you're ensconced like a movie star in a luxurious high-rise fortress or keeping it real in one of the city's boutique hostelries, Chicago has accommodation options for everyone.
James Chicago
55 East Ontario.
The preferred crash pad for visiting rock royalty, this 297-room hotel merges boutique touches (Kiehl's toiletries) with serious luxury (state-of-the-art fitness centre). If you can drag yourself away from the comfort of your room - clean, tech-savvy Scandinavian affairs, many with widescreen projectors - spend some time in the hotel's J bar, which boasts expertly made cocktails and work from emerging local artists. And don't expect the attitude that comes with the usual designer bolt hole territory, the James prides itself on its friendly staff and flawless manners.
The Drake
140 East Walton Place.
For those of us who like their hotels pedigreed, the Drake, opened in 1920, is the windy city's undisputed address: over the years, everyone from Katharine Hepburn to Princess Diana has graced its finely decorated halls. While the grand public spaces appear unchanged from the hotel's roaring heyday, many of the guest rooms, like any self-respecting Grande Dame, have received a discreet facelift. For a classic Chicago experience, reserve a table at the hotel's 75-year-old Cape Cod Room, a candle-lit restaurant designed to evoke an olde New England lobster shack, complete with checkered table cloths, salvaged nautical ephemera and an original timber bar - the very one on which Marilyn Monroe's initials were famously etched by Joe DiMaggio.
The Burnham
1 West Washington.
No property in Chicago emanates a sense of history like the historic 1894 Reliance Building, considered the predecessor to the modern skyscraper. Converted into a swank hotel in 1999 and named after revolutionary architect Daniel Burnham (whose firm designed the iconic building) the 122-room hotel retains original details like terrazzo floors, marble ceilings and decorative wrought iron staircases. Guest rooms, once the building's offices, can be on the small side, but whimsical touches like canopies, velvet headboards and outsized ottomans, inject a welcome dose of modern luxe. With extras like free wi-fi and complimentary wine served each evening, the affordable hotel is not just a sophisticated choice, but a fiscally responsible one as well.
Talbott Hotel
20 East Delaware Place.
In a city of enormous, convention-sized hotels, the Talbott offers a reassuring human touch reminiscent of small upscale European hotels. Located in Chicago's tony Gold Coast, steps away from designer stores and outstanding restaurants, the hotel's handsome rooms are generously sized and designed for comfort; think of the place as your very own pied-à-terre as you explore Chi-town. Combine free wi-fi, a cozy lobby, in-the-know concierge and access to a nearby health club and the Talbott is a secret address worth knowing.
The Peninsula Chicago
108 East Superior Street.
Tasteful, discreet and exuding class, everything about this prestigious property whispers A-list. High tech luxuries abound, most notably, the televisions tucked into the extravagant marble bathrooms which allow one to simultaneously channel surf, admire the city skyline and soak in the enormous tubs. While the hotel is perfectly poised for exploring the city, reserve some time for the newly renovated spa, which includes an outdoor terrace and enormous rooftop lap pool enclosed by floor to ceiling windows. Wait, is that Jennifer Anniston doing laps?