A roundup of hotel deals and news.
It’s a big honor to be named the best hotel in the world. And the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower will take it, even from Expedia. The popular travel site bestowed the hotel (20 E. Chestnut St.; 312-324-4000) with the hyperbolic recognition earlier this month, basing it on online reviews from guests. General manager Patrick Filatre says he’s proud of the award, especially since real guests voted for the hotel rather than some arbitrary committee. “It’s not a one-person experience or a one-time rating,” Filatre says. “Guest service has to been constantly good, and a rating from Expedia gives us a good feeling that we are achieving the expectations of our guests. You’re on a mission everyday to achieve that.”
Conde Nast Traveler’s annual “Hot List,” an industry standard when it comes to the coolest new properties in the world, put two Chicago hotels on that list. Not surprisingly, the Trump International Hotel & Tower (401 N. Wabash Ave.; 312-588-8000) was named to the 2008 list. But the other one was the Hotel Sax (333 N. Dearborn St.; 312-245-0333), a.k.a. the former House of Blues Hotel. The honor is a bit of vindication for the Sax, which underwent a $25 million overhaul to go with the change in name and direction, marketing director Adam Kaplan says. “There’s a lot going on here that people are really captivated by and we’re very gratified to be selected.” Conde Nast Traveler also named Violet Hour to its list of hot nightclubs.
Fans of downtown terraces rejoice. The Terrace at the Conrad Chicago (521 N. Rush St.; 312-645-1500) — one of the hotel scene’s best-kept secrets — reopened last week, offering guests and locals some great views of the city. Oh, and the food’s good too. The fifth-floor veranda hosts a new “bubble bar” (think of those tasty fruit shakes with the tapioca balls) as well as some changes to its StaxX menu, including foods served in bamboo steamers. On Sundays and Mondays through September, the terrace will offer free outdoor movies (weather permitting) ranging from the classic (“Jaws,” “Grease”) to the crass (“Superbad”). The first movie, “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” kicked off May 25.
Finally, Chicago’s W hotels — City Center and Lakeshore — have teamed up with Acura to offer a new livery service for guests tired of shelling out $4 a gallon at the pump. With the “Acura Experience,” guests (or locals grabbing a meal or a spa treatment at the hotel) can schedule a car and driver who will take them wherever they want to go within city limits. The ongoing, complimentary service is available 12:30-9 p.m. at the City Center (172 W. Adams St.; 312-332-1200) and 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. at the Lakeshore (644 N. Lake Shore Drive; 312-943-9200).
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gjeffers@tribune.com
