From five-star luxury and rooms with a view to bustling scenes and good values, a handful of new hotels have settled into the Loop and Mag Mile corridor in time to cater to out-of-town holiday visitors and locals seeking a convenient headquarters for in-town holiday shopping, window-viewing and theater.
Below is a sampling of newer hotels and specials they offer. Call for more information, or visit them on the Web.
THE PENINSULA CHICAGO
The Peninsula Chicago, 108 E. Superior St., 312-337-2888 and www.peninsula.com. The 20-story The Peninsula Chicago, which opened in June, spans the block from Superior Street to Chicago Avenue and Michigan Avenue to Rush Street, just across from the historic Water Tower. The hotel’s ambiance and room accoutrements are welcome at the end of shop-till-you-drop forays and museum walks. Special introductory rates start at $295 for a deluxe room, daily through Dec. 30, subject to availability.
PACKAGES include “Value the Experience,” which offers a deluxe guest room, American breakfast in the Lobby or as room service, complimentary pressing of one item through the valet department. Cost: $305 per night, based on single/double occupancy, plus applicable room taxes. Offered daily, subject to availability. Advance reservations are required.
LE MERIDIEN
Le Meridien Chicago, 520 N. Michigan Ave., 312-645-1500 and www.lemeridienchicago.com. The 17-story, 311-room hotel opened in June above the Shops at North Bridge. Rooms feature more than 400 square feet of space. Rates include complimentary passes to Lake Shore Athletic Club nearby until the hotel’s fitness center and spa are completed in December. Diners can take breakfast, lunch or dinner in Cerise, a French-style bistro that has garnered rave reviews.
PACKAGES include “Family Comes First,” which offers two guest rooms, the second of which is 50 percent off when occupied by children 12 and under only; free in-room children’s movie; cookies and milk at turndown; and a free ice cream sundae with the purchase of lunch or dinner with parents at Cerise. Cost: $179 for the first room, $89.50 for the second, per night. Available through March 31. Good for Friday, Saturday or Sunday nights.
EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL
Embassy Suites Hotel Chicago Downtown-Lakefront, 511 N. Columbus Drive, 312-836-5900 and www.embassysuites.com. Embassy Suites Hotel Chicago Downtown-Lakefront opened in August in River East Center, a complex that is scheduled to house a 21-screen movie theater, shops, restaurants and condominiums by summer 2002. In the 17-floor hotel, each of the 455 rooms is a suite with triple sink space and two televisions. Rates include complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast daily, a reception each evening and use of the fitness center and pool.
PACKAGES include “Holiday Lights,” which offers a two-room suite, valet parking (a $31 value), breakfast and a reception. Cost: $159 through December.
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES
The Fairfield Inn & Suites Chicago Downtown, 216 E. Ontario St., 312-787-3777. People looking for value without the trimmings of a large lobby and restaurant will find it at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Chicago Downtown on Ontario a block east of Michigan Avenue. A narrow, 15-story, 185-room red and black brick structure with bay windows, the Fairfield feels like a small European hotel. Rates include continental breakfast and use of the exercise facility. Suites have 32-inch televisions, microwaves and refrigerators.
PACKAGES include “Come Out and Play,” which offers overnight accommodations. Cost: $99, Thursday-Sunday through January.
W CHICAGO
W Chicago-Lakeshore, 644 N. Lake Shore Drive, 312-943-9200, 877-W-HOTELS and www.whotels.com. W Chicago-City Center, 172 W. Adams St., 312-332-1200. W Chicago hotels give visitors a choice of Michigan Avenue shops with Lake Shore Drive views and a peaceful ambiance or State Street stores with theater district convenience and a bustling art deco setting. The view from W Chicago-Lakeshore catches the eye even before entering the hotel. Dining at W-Lakeshore is in Wave, a bar and restaurant developed by restaurateur David Zadikoff. Nightlife is on the 32nd rooftop floor, where Whiskey Sky guests have a lakeside view. Half of the hotel’s 556 rooms face Lake Michigan. All the rooms feature pillow-top mattresses and goose-down comforters. Rates include complimentary use of a nearby fitness center until the hotel’s free-to-guests pool and gym are completed about Dec.1.
PACKAGES at Lakefront and City Center include “The Romance Package,” which offers a one-night stay with an American breakfast for two and a bottle of champagne. Cost: $149 through Dec. 31.
What’s in store for holiday visitors
SHOPPING
SHOPS OF ONE MAGNIFICENT MILE 940 N. Michigan Ave., 312-664-7777. Chanel, Revillon, Polo/Ralph Lauren.
900 NORTH MICHIGAN SHOPS 900 N. Michigan Ave., 312-915-3916. Bloomingdale’s, Henri Bendel.
WATER TOWER PLACE 835 N. Michigan Ave., 312-440-3166. Marshall Fields, Lord & Taylor.
CHICAGO PLACE 700 N. Michigan Ave., 312-642-4811. Saks Fifth Avenue, Ann Taylor, Talbots, Room and Board.
THE SHOPS AT NORTH BRIDGE 520 N. Michigan Ave., 312-327-2300. Nordstrom, Kenneth Cole, ESPN Zone.
STATE STREET, from Wacker Drive to Congress Parkway, Marshall Field’s, Sears, Toys `R’ Us. 312-782-9160.
MICHIGAN AVENUE, from Lake Michigan to Wacker Drive Neiman Marcus, Sony, Disney Store, Crate & Barrell.
MUSEUMS
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART 220 E. Chicago Ave., 312-280-2660.
ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO 111 S. Michigan Ave., 312-443-3600.
MUSEUM CAMPUS 1200-1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, comprising Shedd Aquarium, 312-939-2438; Adler Planetarium, 312-922-7827; and Field Museum, 312-922-9410.
THEATER
“A CHRISTMAS CAROL,” Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St., 312-443-3800. Nov. 17-Dec. 22.
“THE NUTCRACKER,” the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago performs; Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway, 312-922-2110. Nov. 23-Dec. 23.
“BEAUTY AND THE BEAST,” Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., 312-977-1700. Nov. 28-Jan. 6.
