Chicago Hotels - United States, US

Congress Plaza
 

The Congress Plaza hotel, a historic downtown Chicago property on Michigan Avenue, was originally designed and built to accommodate visitors to the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893. Over the years, this 14-story property has catered to American Presidents, foreign dignitaries, opera performers, stage and movie celebrities, business travellers and a multitude of conventions. On-site amenities include 23 function rooms with capacities of 20 to 2,000, wireless Internet access, a gift shop, game room, 24-hour fitness facility and same day valet dry cleaning. For dining and entertainment, the hotel features The Gazebo Restaurant, serving American favourites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual environment, Rafael's, offering the same cuisine in a more intimate atmosphere, and Tavern Tap Lounge, a great place watch your favourite team on the big screen. Whether visiting Chicago for the fabulous shopping, legendary restaurants and nightlife, or world-renowned cultural venues, the Congress Plaza Hotel is the ideal vantage point to start your tour of the Windy City.

Congress Plaza Hotel
 

The Congress Plaza Hotel is located on South Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, Ill., commands a spectacular view of Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain and is within walking distance of Millennium Park. Less than four miles from The Art Institute of Chicago, Soldier Field, the Sears Tower and the city's vibrant business, shopping and entertainment districts, the hotel offers visitors entrance to the best Chicago has to offer. The hotel is less than 20 miles from both Chicago Midway and O'Hare International airports. The convenient location is further enhanced by the "L" train, which stops within four blocks of the hotel and offers transportation to other areas of downtown and both airports. Built in 1893 and boasting a dome ceiling with ornate chandeliers and murals, the lobby of the Congress Plaza Hotel exudes an Old World charm. The business-friendly hotel offers wireless Internet access throughout the property and 48,000 square-feet of functional meeting space, including a ballroom that can accommodate up to 2,000 guests. The 850 guestrooms feature dark wood furnishings with well- lit desks, cable television with premium channels and coffeemakers. Travel Advisory: Guests may encounter picketers when entering the hotel as one of four unions has been conducting a strike since June 2003. No vendors or suppliers are participating. All services and systems are fully operational.

Hotel Allegro Chicago
 

Surrounded by the hustle and bustle of downtown Chicago's busy theatre and business districts, the Hotel Allegro Chicago, welcomes local and out-of-town guests alike. A unique experience awaits every individual who stays with us as we fuse our gracious services with our lively interior design and outstanding amenities.

Hotel Allegro Chicago - A Kimpton
 

Location. Located inside the Loop, the stylish Hotel Allegro Chicago (Ill.) is adjacent to the Palace Theatre, originally a vaudevillian showcase theater opening in 1926 that features Broadway shows and Tony-winning plays today. The Magnificent Mile and the Institute of Chicago are one mile from the hotel. Both O'Hare International and Midway airports are within 20 miles of the property. Hotel Features. The 19-story Hotel Allegro Chicago is a boutique hotel with a living- room styled lobby accented by brushed-velvet seating and a two- sided fireplace. Hotel décor pays tribute to its theatrical neighbors and offers a complimentary wine reception nightly in the lobby. Adjacent to the hotel, the 312 Chicago restaurant features pasta selections and American dishes with an Italian twist. The Encore Lunch Club and the Liquid Lounge serve deluxe carver sandwiches and cocktails. Nights at the Liquid Lounge feature a club atmosphere complete with private, draped-off booths and romantic lighting. Complimentary hotel services include a 24-hour fitness center, concierge services and a business center. Guestrooms. The original Art Deco design blends 483 guestrooms with oversized beds and premium bedding off-set by flat screen televisions and a sound system. Complimentary high-speed Internet access, Italian coffee, designer bath amenities and room service are guestroom features. Private therapeutic massage, facial, hand or foot treatments are also available in guestrooms. Expert Tip. This pet-friendly Hotel Allegro Chicago offers a "pet pawlicy" that pampers furry friends traveling with guests. This policy includes delivery of pet goodies and a dog bed or cat cage to guestrooms.

Palmer House Hilton
 

Location. The 25-story Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Ill., is a Beaux Arts-style hotel located within walking distance of the fashionable shops and boutiques of Millennium Park and the Magnificent Mile, and within one mile of Lake Michigan. This high-rise hotel, refurbished in 2003, is in the center of the theater district and surrounded by the fine dining and high- energy entertainment venues of downtown Chicago. Hotel Features. The two-story gilded lobby of the Palmer House Hilton has been refurbished to take guests back in time to an age of unrivaled luxury and opulence. Beneath a ceiling mural depicting classic scenes from Greek mythology is a spacious lobby with formal staircase, marble-topped tables and rich velvet seating. The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago features a 10,000- square-foot health club offering an indoor lap pool, fitness equipment, personal trainers, spa tub, steam room and sauna. Flexible meeting space includes several ballrooms, catering and event-planning assistance. An on-site modern business center provides wireless Internet access and limited business services. Guests dine on New Orleans-style fare at French Quarter restaurant serving three meals daily, or visit the rail station- themed Big Downtown restaurant for lunch and dinner. Guestrooms. The Palmer House Hilton has 1,639 elegant guestrooms decorated in dark woods and antique-style furnishings with pillowtop mattresses and European-style linens. Accommodations feature marble bathrooms with designer toiletries, cable television, video game consoles, desks and wireless Internet access. Executive Rooms include complimentary breakfasts, evening receptions and a private concierge. Expert Tip. The original Palmer Hotel opened in 1871, only to burn down 13 days later in the Chicago fire. Post- fire, it was billed as "the World's only Fire Proof Hotel," as it was constructed mainly of iron and brick. Also, the floor of its barber shop was reputedly tiled with silver dollars.

Hotel Burnham - A Kimpton Hotel
 

Location. Located six blocks from the Loop business and theater districts and one mile from the boutiques of the Magnificent Mile, the Hotel Burnham is an architectural treasure in downtown Chicago, Ill. The hotel is 13 miles from Chicago Midway Airport and 20 miles from O'Hare International Airport. Fine dining, inspiring art galleries and high-energy nightspots synonymous with the "Windy City," are nearby. Hotel Features. Situated in an 1895 building, the Hotel Burnham's the two story lobby is festooned with majestic mahogany columns, an inviting fireplace and dark leather and mohair chairs. A hand-painted two- story mural depicts the romance and promise of the 1893 Colombian Exposition. Complimentary coffee is offered each morning and a reception wine is held every evening. Chefs at the hotel's popular Atwood Café are renowned for their lavish breakfasts and pre-theater menus. This elegant, but casual restaurant serves a menu of traditional American favorites that is changed every two months. The pet-friendly Hotel Burnham welcomes four- legged family members with snacks, food dishes, toys and special bedding. The hotel offers dog-walking services as well as grooming resources upon request. Guestrooms. The 122 stylish guestrooms of the Hotel Burnham feature dark wood furnishings with chaise lounges. Each offers cable television with video game consoles and CD players. Bathrooms include a telephone, designer toiletries and plush bathrobes, while spacious desks feature fax machines and complimentary high-speed Internet access. Expert Tip. Chicago's Buckingham fountain at Grant Park is modeled after Latona Fountain in Versailles. As one of the largest fountains the world, its 133 jets spray 14,000 gallons of water per minute as high as 135 feet into the air. See the fountain's dazzling colored light show nightly.