*Ever wonder who came up with the star-rating system for hotels? That would be the Lincolnwood-based Mobil Travel Guide. And last week three Chicago hotels made the guide’s list of top hotel and resort spas in North America. The Peninsula Spa (now the Peninsula Spa by ESPA) and the Spa at the Four Seasons Chicago each received four stars. The Ritz-Carlton Chicago’s Spa at the Carlton Club picked up three stars.
*Looking to escape the cries (and crunching) of the cicadas? The Hotel Sax Chicago (333 N. Dearborn St.; 888-407-4856), formerly known as the House of Blues Hotel, offers a “Beat the Buzz” package that includes vouchers to Navy Pier and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, complimentary in-room treat and white-noise headphones, which are yours to keep. The package starts at $359 a night. Price and terms are subject to availability.
*Demonstrating that no place is safe from the Battle of the Sexes, The Omni Chicago (676 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-944-6664) now offers separate getaway packages for guys and girls. Girls can book the “Get Your Glam On” package that includes deluxe accommodations and a kit filled with wine, chocolate strawberries and tarot cards. The “Get Your Game On” package for guys comes with beer, chips and salsa and a shaving travel kit. For an additional charge, services like in-room makeup application (girls) and a private bar with bartender (guys) are available. The packages range from $205 to $385 a night and only are available on select weekends.
