Chicago Hotel Tips by shrimp56

A modern hotel in a glass walled building with great views of the lake and the city. The rooms are very comfortable, but the decor is a bit blah. The service is precise, but not always flexible when there is a problem.

Unique Qualities: There is an exercise center/spa/pool on the top floor with spectacular views. Sometimes you can get a weekend special that includes this amenity.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: (312) 565-0565
Address: 323 East Wacker Drive
Website: http://www.swissotel.com/ms-basics.asp?id=3

This is an all-suite hotel. Oprah used to put her show's guests up here [she may still, I don't know]
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To enter the hotel you take an elevator to the 5th floor. The suites are dark colors, clubby looking and comfortable.
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We did have a problem with a sliding door that never got fixed after 3 calls. This is a great family setup, but we haven't stayed there again.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: Phone: (312) 944-6664
Address: 676 North Michigan Avenue
Website: http://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/default.asp?h_id=

Well "The Conrad" was essentially the old Le Meridien, minus the two large paintings of aristocrats with dogs' heads that once graced the lobby. The service in the bar and restaurant was somewhat better, but still needs to smooth out a bit. The front desk and the staff were very attentive and helpful.
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What had been added to the room, other than different towels and amenities was TECHNOLOGY. There was a 45" plasma screen TV and this object into which you could dock your ipod to play through the speakers. The TV also had Bose surround sound and a CD/DVD player. We had brought CDs, if we stay there again we'll remember to bring a DVD.
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As it was a slow weekend and my DH is Hilton Honors, we were upgraded to a spacious king on the 17th or top floor. No real view, but the room itself was very comfortable indeed! The bathroom was large with the requisite amount of marble and chrome and Molton/Brown toiletries. The hair dryer was in a drawer, which seems classier to me.
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On a second stay we got an even nicer upgrade to an Executive Room. I was very nice at check-in and my husband's Hilton card and the fact we had stayed there fairly recently must have helped. We even had a scrap of a view of Lake Michigan at the top of Michigan Ave.
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MEREDIEN: We got a great rate here when they were first open -- they asked me to fill out a questionnaire and that must have placed me on a "nice" list as we were upgraded to a deluxe room the next time. [I was very detailed -- the concierge appreciated my comments concerning how to get closer to 5 star status:)] Which was good as the regular rooms are very cramped and I found the air conditioning was blowing on me all night.

Unique Qualities: The Conrad is an elegant hotel perched on top of the North Bridge shopping mall which includes NORDSTROMS. So if you can't get a good deal [as we have been able to] and have the $$$, this is a nice choice. [It is also close to one of our favorite semi-casual restaurants - Ben Pao -- see my restaurant listings.]
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Breakfast is in The Restaurant, except on our latest stay over Easter when it was in the bar.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: 1-312-645-1500
Address: 521 North Rush Street, at Michigan Ave
Directions: Parking is right across the street in the Nordstrom garage.
Website: http://conradhotels1.hilton.com/en/ch/hotels/index.do?ctyhocn=CHICICI&WT.srch=1

This is named after the building's architect -- it was the old Reliance Office Building. The halls maintain that office feel -- the elevators are period also [although automated:)]

Unique Qualities: The Burnham is a lovely boutique hotel -- sometimes you can get good deals, but it still is rather pricey. It is in "The Loop" rather than near the Michigan Ave shopping -- we like the location for the nearby Art Institute and the even nearer State St. shopping at the Marshall Fields and Carson Pirie Scott flagship stores.
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The Atwood Cafe is in the lobby -- see my restaurant page.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Phone: (312) 782-1111
Address: 1 West Washington
Directions: corner of Washington & State Sts.
Website: http://www.burnhamhotel.com/

The renovated facade of the Hotel Burnham -- the white-glazed terra-cotta tiles are found on a number of historic Chicago architectural landmarks.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: corber of State & Washington

We decided after dinner downtown one evening that we didn't feel like driving home -- so this was in the right place at the right time:)

Unique Qualities: It's a Hampton Inn, which is to say it is clean and standardized. The best part in a big city is that breakfast [continental] is included in the room rate. This is the view from the breakfast room ;)

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: 1-800-359-4827
Address: 33 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60610
Directions: Corner of W. Illinois and Dearborn across the street from Ben Pao Restaurant.

Hotel Allegro is a renovation of a building that also includes the Cadillac Palace Theatre and the 312 Chicago Restaurant.
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We didn't think the renovation was as successful as one of the other Kimpton hotels in Chicago -- The Hotel Burnham. And we didn't find the staff as organized or as helpful as one would expect from an upmarket hotel.
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It IS however well located for Chicago opera and theatre venues.

Unique Qualities: It's very high-style with a 1930s theatrical edge.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: 171 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601

The public areas are at the top of a curved staircase on the second floor. The mural on the left of the photo is one of two that flank the staircase landing. The picture on the right is of one of the seating areas.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: 171 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
Website: http://www.allegrochicago.com/

This is the classic historic Chicago hotel after the Palmer House. Its location overlooking the lake gives it immediate appeal. The Palm Court is a traditional location for afternoon tea.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Phone: +1 312 787 2200
Address: 140 E WALTON PLACE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60611
Website: http://www.thedrakehotel.com/

Unique Qualities: The current Park Hyatt Hotel rose on the ashes of an earlier smaller version. This one combined a hotel with condominiums and contains the excellent retaurant NoMi [the window that sticks out.] The view from the rooms in the front is of the historic Water Tower Place.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Phone: +1 312 335 1234
Address: 800 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Website: http://www.hyatt.com/corporate/hyatt/other_world/park_hyatt.jhtml