When the weekend comes, Chicago hotels offer great deals.
That`s because most business travelers are gone. Conventioneers are gone. Rooms are empty. And hotels are willing to deal.
Which means that if you`d like to stay in a downtown hotel one night, or one weekend, you`ll be able to do so for less than you might have imagined.
The system is a little different in suburbia. Some of the best-known suburban hotels are practically resorts, offering golf, tennis, swimming and a variety of other recreational activities.
The hotel you select should have something to do with your plans. North Michigan Avenue hotels offer access to shopping. Loop hotels bring you close to cultural landmarks and downtown theaters. South Michigan Avenue hotels provide easy access to-and often spectacular views of-Grant Park and Lake Michigan. Other hotels offer lake and/or river views, proximity to fine dining and other attractions.
Many downtown hotels are loaded with special features. Some have lavish health clubs and swimming pools; others have agreements with downtown clubs that allow guests to use the facilities. And some hotels are restaurant destinations in their own right.
Lacking the space for an exhaustive list of hotel packages, we`ve selected a few hotels, grouping them in subjective categories. This technique is meant as a guideline, not as a specific recommendation; simply because we list a hotel as intimate, say, isn`t meant to imply that the hotel doesn`t offer museum proximity. Indeed, many hotels properly belong in several categories, but we deliberately eliminated multiple mentions in favor of including more hotels.
Hotel packages and discounts are elusive things; prices and inclusions and restrictions can change without notice. Verify all package information before making reservations. Ask, too, about other packages; new deals crop up all the time.
Unless indicated otherwise, prices are per room, single or double occupancy, applicable only on Friday and Saturday stays and subject to availability. Unless indicated otherwise, prices don`t include parking (except for suburban hotels, all of which offer free parking), taxes and gratuities. Reservations are required.
Don`t pack light; you won`t be lifting those bags, anyway.
Top drawer
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, 120 E. Delaware Pl.; 312-280-8800. Despite the address, this lavish property is in the 900 N. Michigan Ave. building, an elevator-ride away from Bloomingdale`s and dozens of boutiques (guests receive discounts at some stores). Rooms are beautifully appointed, there`s a health club with pool and Seasons, the hotel`s American dining room, is superb, especially for Sunday brunch. Weekend rates begin at $155; suite
accommodations are $199. More elaborate packages include a dozen roses and champagne on arrival, and other goodies, ranging from $199 to $353.
The Park Hyatt, 800 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-280-2222. Home to La Tour, perhaps Chicago`s most romantic restaurant, and sited next to Chicago`s Water Tower, the Park Hyatt offers luxury and convenience-and a wealth of packages. Weekend stays start at $155 per night; more elaborate packages, including upgraded room, champagne, horse-drawn carriage ride, valet parking and breakfast in La Tour, run around $225. The hotel offers custom packages, too, the options limited only by your imagination, stamina and wallet.
The Ritz-Carlton, Water Tower Place; 312-266-1000. This magnificently appointed luxury hotel, attached to Water Tower Place, is completing an ambitious renovation project. The Dining Room is one of the city`s finest restaurants. Weekend rates begin at $155.
Bargain rates
The Allerton Hotel, 701 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-440-1500. Right on Boul Mich, and at $69 per night. A suite is $79.
Best Western Inn of Chicago, 162 E. Ohio St.; 312-787-3100. An often-overlooked gem just east of Michigan Avenue. Weekend rate is $69, available Friday-Sunday.
Entertainment packages
Bismarck Hotel, 171 W. Randolph St.; 312-236-0123. This Loop mainstay`s Shear Madness package, $170, includes room, dinner in the Chalet, tickets and transportation to the comedy ”Shear Madness.” $50 deposit required. Other packages are keyed to Chicago`s outdoor summer festivals.
Blackstone Hotel, 636 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-427-4300. The Jazz Showcase club resides here. So does the Mayfair Theater, home to the eternally running comedy, ”Shear Madness;” naturally, the hotel offers a package tied to the show. It`s $125 ($145 for lake-view room, $195 for suite) and includes tickets, two complimentary cocktails and continental breakfast.
Great views
Days Inn, 644 N. Lake Shore Dr.; 312-943-9200. Exceptional lake views. Weekend rate is $75; $95 for lake-view rooms, with up to four people per room. The Mayfair Regent Chicago, 181 E. Lake Shore Dr.; 312-787-8500. If you can`t secure a room overlooking Lake Michigan, plan on dining at Le Ciel Bleu, this hotel`s 19th-floor restaurant, and enjoy the view. Even without a prime room, this tasteful, service-oriented hotel is a delight. Weekend rates
(parking included) begin at $125; lake-view rooms are $160 and junior suites, with lake views, are $195. Family bonus: If you`re traveling with children under 16, an adjoining room, if available, is free.
Swissotel Chicago, 323 E. Wacker Dr.; 312-565-0565. This triangular building sits about as far east on Wacker Drive as it`s possible to be, giving it unsurpassed lake, river and Grant Park views. Corner rooms, the most popular by far, offer two views for the price of one. There`s a spectacular 42nd-floor health club with pool and the food at Land of Plenty, the hotel`s American regional restaurant, is excellent. Weekend rates are $99 and $119, depending on the view.
Suites
The Barclay Chicago, 166 E. Superior St.; 312-787-6000. This all-suite hotel offers several configurations; some include sofa sleepers and kitchenettes, others include wet bar and refrigerator. Rooftop pool. Weekend rates start at $99; a two-night package, $238, includes deluxe accommodations, welcoming gift and Sunday brunch.
Guest Quarters Suite Hotel Chicago, 198 E. Delaware Pl.; 312-664-1100. An all-suite hotel with health club and indoor pool. Weekend rates range from $99 to $139.
Hyatt Regency Suites Hotel, 676 N. Michigan Ave., 312-337-1234. This suite hotel has a health club and pool and one of the area`s best new dining rooms in Jaxx, an American restaurant with English overtones. Weekend rate ranges from $109 to $155; package with suite, valet parking and breakfast is $174.50, tax and tip included; package with suite accommodations, includes valet parking and dinner in Jaxx is $235, tax and tip included.
Intimate places
The Knickerbocker Chicago, Walton Place at Michigan Avenue; 312-751-8100. Quiet and stylish-and affordable on weekends. Weekend rates begin at $99; a two-night package, $218, includes champagne reception each evening, and continental breakfast each morning.
The Raphael Hotel, 201 E. Delaware Pl.; 312-943-5000. Small, well-appointed hotel that draws a regular weekend clientele. One-night stay is $95 ($105 for suite) and includes welcoming bottle of wine and continental breakfast. Packages must be prepaid.
The Tremont, 100 E. Chestnut St., 312-751-1900; and The Whitehall, 105 E. Delaware Pl., 312-944-6300. Sister properties that feature gracious, European- style service. Weekend rate begins at $99; package including suite, champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries and breakfast is $319.
Gold Coast spots
The Claridge Hotel, 1244 N. Dearborn Pkwy.; 312-787-4980. This elegant hotel, which recently renovated many of its guest rooms, intends to become the quintessential Chicago hotel. To that end, it stocks Chicago products in the minibars, maintains a lending library of books about Chicago or by Chicagoans, offers videotapes of movies filmed in Chicago and more. Weekend rate begins at $78; July 1 through Aug. 8, room rate is $73 ($88 for upgraded room) any night.
Le Meridien, 21 E. Bellevue Pl.; 312-266-2100. An ultramodern hotel just steps from Oak Street shopping and Division Street nightlife; the people-watching from the hotel`s sidewalk cafe can be fascinating. Weekend rates range from $109 to $169; add $30 to any rate for valet parking, one free movie rental and continental breakfast.
Omni Ambassador East, 1301 N. State Pkwy.; 312-787-7200. Home to the famous Pump Room restaurant, this hotel offers Gold Coast opulence; weekend rates begin at $69. The Celebration package, $185, includes champagne and chocolates, breakfast or brunch; the Getaway, $185, includes executive suite accommodations and breakfast.
Near Grant Park
Chicago Hilton and Towers, 720 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-922-4400. One of the city`s best, most complete facilities. Gorgeous lobby, in-building parking, several restaurants (including a delightful Irish pub), a splendiferous Sunday brunch and a sprawling, everything-you-could- ask-for health club. Weekend rates begin at $85; there are many upgrades and more elaborate packages available.
Fairmont Hotel, 200 N. Columbus Dr.; 312-565-8000. A gracious, attractive hotel with two excellent restaurants-the elegant Entre Nous and the more casual Italian restaurant (famed for its singing waiters), Primavera. Weekend rates begin at $99.
Hyatt Regency Hotel, 151 E. Wacker Dr.; 312-565-1234. One of the most consistently good hotels over the years. The large lobby is dazzling, and steps away is Big, the aptly named watering hole. Sunday brunch is also impressive, sprawling across the entire lobby. Weekend room rates begin at $109 and include discounted parking.
Loop area
The Midland Hotel, 172 W. Adams St.; 312-332-1200. A classic, beautifully restored hotel steps away from the Loop`s financial district. Weekend rates begin at $79 and include breakfast buffet, complimentary cocktail hour and free parking.
The Palmer House, 17 E. Monroe St.; 312-726-7500. Even if you don`t stay here, stop by and gaze at the magnificent lobby, or try the extraordinarily civilized Sunday brunch in the Empire Room. Rooms have been remodeled. Weekend rates begin at $85 and include continental breakfast.
Suburban resorts
Indian Lakes Resort, 250 W. Schick Rd., Bloomingdale; 708-529-0200. This property specializes in themed-weekend packages that include two nights, meals and entertainment. Those are mostly in the fall, however. Summer room rates range from $79 to $145; two-night packages, at $317.27, include dinner each night, Saturday breakfast buffet, Sunday champagne brunch and use of the resort`s many recreational facilities. Nordic Hills Resort in Itasca, a sister property, offers similar packages.
Marriott`s Lincolnshire Resort, Half Day Road and Milwaukee Avenue, Lincolnshire; 708-634-0100. This property, which offers golf, tennis, racketball, swimming and more, also is home to Marriott`s Lincolnshire Theatre. Weekend room rates begin at $119; theater packages, which include two theater tickets (”Sweet Charity” begins mid-June) are $145 for one night, $199 for two.
Oak Brook Hills, 3500 Midwest Rd., Oak Brook; 708-850-5555. A wealth of recreational opportunities amidst luxury. A quick limo ride from Oakbrook Center shopping. Weekend room rates range from $79 to $109; weekend packages include a two-night package for $289 (dinner each night and breakfast each morning included) and a two-night package, $375, that includes a round of golf.
BEST ROOMS AT THE INNS
A few highlights of Chicago`s hotel scene:
Best views: You can`t beat the sights from Swissotel Chicago; the triangular building is sited perfectly.
Best brunch: The Four Seasons Hotel has the priciest one in town, but we think it`s worth it.
Best piano bar: Buddy Charles was an institution at Acorn on Oak. When it closed, the Drake Hotel snapped him up. Smart move.
Best restrooms: The Drake, again.
Best power breakfast: A lot of business gets done during breakfast at La Tour, in the Park Hyatt.
Best lobby: The Palmer House has a lobby so breathtaking that tourists seeing the Loop sights stroll in for a spell.
Best hotel for kids: A tie. The Four Seasons offers some great kid-friendly options, among them a special room-service menu; as a chain, the Hyatt hotels (there are several in the Chicago area) also cater heavily to the family audience.
