Photo by travelbug via Trover.com
This post was written for the Hipmunk Best of List Project for which I was paid. All opinions are my own.
If chain hotels are not your first choice as a place to stay, then a small boutique hotel in an urban area that expresses personality might be your preferred option. Chicago is home to many hotels that fly beneath common radar because of their size. Generally, these properties offer an intimacy that cannot be accessed in the larger hotels. Begin here with a business traveler’s budget friendly guide to Chicago. This will give you an overview of a more personal experience in the city, while quite possibly conserving funds.
Kinzie Hotel
Start on the North Side with Kinzie Hotel. As recently as February 2014, the former Amalfi Hotel Chicago was rebranded to become Kinzie Hotel. Although 210 guest rooms, five suites, and over 1500 square feet of meeting space may seem large, it is small by comparison to the chain hotels and is within walking distance to the Magnificent Mile with every amenity.
The Godfrey Hotel
The Godfrey Hotel is in the River North area. It has standard air conditioning that you would expect in a city that can get very hot in the summer months; is handicap accessible, has Art Deco sofas, and is aesthetically inspired by Cubism with a somewhat industrial design. The true draw, however, is the rooftop lounge with a fire pit which is also open year round.
The James Hotel
The James Hotel is a 297-room luxury boutique hotel with a restaurant named the #1 Steakhouse in Chicago by Chicago Magazine. You can enjoy a wind down at the hotel’s craft cocktail lounge, Primehouse Bar. Fitness is a priority for many of the guests that reserve here specifically because the hotel is home to The Gym, with Jim Karas’ personal training. Spa lovers are not disappointed by the vast selection of treatments offered at The Spa by ASHA. You will find complimentary in- room water, a small but rare and highly appreciated amenity.
Hotel Felix
While the food is not the big draw at Hotel Felix, its location certainly is. This is an upscale, very modern hotel constructed of refurbished materials less than 2 miles from Lincoln Zoo. Amenities include a spa with sustainable beauty products (fee) and a fitness center. Additional perks consist of acquired artwork made from reclaimed objects, a business center, and valet parking (surcharge). On the dining front, there’s a casual French-inspired restaurant and a coffee shop in the lobby.
Hotel Lincoln, a Joie de Vivre Hotel
Hotel Lincoln, a Joie de Vivre Hotel is on the Gold Coast in a historic section of North Chicago. The area was once the second most affluent neighborhood in the United States. According to historians, the hotel continues this legacy of luxury with a modern touch. On the hotel’s first floor is the Perennial Virant that serves top shelf farm-to-table meals.
This is a start to a list that could easily go to 30. There are many things to do in Chicago if you feel like leaving your hotel.
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