Chicago, Illinois Luxury Hotels and Destination
Rising majestically over the glassy water of Lake Michigan, the skyline of Chicago is as stunning as the culture, fine dining, shopping and theaters that make it a luxury destination that has to be experienced. Chicago is the hub of the Midwest and from the comfort of a small luxury hotel you can explore the many iconic sights and fascinating neighborhoods that characterize this bustling city.
Chicago Luxury Hotels
Luxury hotels are noted for being small, intimate, personally attentive and elegantly sophisticated. This is certainly true of the luxury hotels of Chicago. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, the encounter will be unique and nothing short of spectacular. Guestrooms and suites are beautifully appointed with first-rate amenities, luxurious linens and state-of-the-art technologies, providing only the best for the small luxury hotel visitor. The superior locations place you close to your favorite attractions and easily accessible to transportation. The luxury hotel concierge is available to assist with reservations, tickets, or transportation needs. For a truly memorable experience next time you travel to Chicago you will want to choose one of the fine boutique luxury hotels the city has to offer.
Chicago History
After numerous wars with the local Native Americans, Chicago incorporated as a town in 1833 on the portage between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River watershed. Its illustrious history includes a great fire in 1871 that a cow was wrongly accused of starting, an architectural expansion that created the first skyscraper, the gangsters during Prohibition (1920-1934) which resulted in the infamous St. Valentine’s Day massacre, and being home to the first African-American President of the United States. Politics in Chicago are fascinating to say the least, but it has created a beautiful city that is ambitiously planning to host the 2016 Olympics. The visitor simply needs to step outside the doors of a small luxury hotel and look up at the breathtaking architecture that makes Chicago a gem, as it serves as the hub of the Midwest.
Chicago Attractions
Chicago is a city with much to see and do, so it will require some careful planning to make the most of your luxury hotel visit. Although Chicago is the third largest city in the United States and is one of the world’s great cities, it hasn’t lost its Midwestern friendliness, which often distinguishes it from other big cities. You’ll be warmly greeted and attentively served the moment you arrive to check-in at your luxury hotel accommodations. During your luxury hotel visit, the concierge is ready to assist you in creating a fulfilling itinerary.
Chicago’s downtown area, which is identified as The Loop, Near North, Near South and Near West is home to the city’s most famous attractions. Many of Chicago’s financial institutions are located within “The Loop” an eight block by five block square of streets around, which elevated rail lines travel. Millennium Park, which opened in 2004, is the city’s most important project to date. This award-winning park features art, culture, and architecture. This beautiful park is also home to the world’s largest rooftop garden. The sight of this spectacular area is reason enough to book reservations at any of the wonderful Chicago luxury hotels.
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Museum Campus is a 10-acre lakefront park surrounding three museums: the Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum of Natural History and the Shedd Aquarium. Grant Park, which joins Museum Campus on its south side, is where the luxury hotel visitor will find the world famous Art Institute of Chicago. The museum is noted for its collections of Impressionist, Post Impressionist and American paintings yet these are just a few of the attractions. Be sure to notice the building itself, as the interior and exterior design are quite remarkable. The Buckingham Fountain will certainly prove entertaining both during the day and when lit at night. Other museums and galleries to consider visiting while in Chicago are the Oriental Institute, Chicago History Museum, DuSable Museum of African –American History, Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Science and Industry, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and the Museum of Broadcast and Communications. With museums willed with some of the most amazing pieces you could ever imagine, the abundant amount of artistry Chicago holds is only the beginning for any small luxury hotel traveler.
Chicago Entertainment and Performing Arts
During your Chicago luxury hotel stay, find time to enjoy some live theater at one of the many venues Chicago offers. Broadway-style productions are available at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Bank of America Theater, Cadillac Palace Theater, Auditorium Building of Roosevelt University, and Drury Lane Theater. If you find yourself looking for a hearty, side-splitting laugh, the Second City and I.O. (formerly known as the ImprovOlympic) troupes are famous for their comedy. There are also three dramatic theater companies the Goodman Theater, Victory Gardens Theater and Steppenwolf Theater Company.
In Chicago there is great music to suit any and all different tastes and styles. Symphony Center is where classical music lovers can here the world-famous Chicago Symphony Orchestra as well as the Chicago Sinfonietta. Classical offerings are also performed outdoors in summer at Grant and Millennium Parks. The Lyric Opera of Chicago performs at the Civic Opera House.
Other musical genres that are an important part of Chicago’s cultural heritage are Chicago blues, soul, jazz and gospel. Chicago is the birthplace of house music and also has an influential hip-hop scene. Consult with the luxury hotel concierge about whether your Chicago getaway will coincide with the Lollapalooza, the Intonation Music Festival or the Pitchfork Music Festival.
Dance also has a Chicago presence including the Joffrey Ballet and the Chicago Festival Ballet as well as the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. The Harris Theater in Millennium Park is a popular venue for both musical and dance performances.
Chicago Sports
Chicago has twice been named the Best Sports City in the United States. Any time of year is great times to plan a Chicago luxury hotel escape if for no other reason than to catch your favorite sports team rivaling a Chicago team. The city is home to many professional teams including two major league baseball teams, the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox, the Chicago Bears football team, Chicago Bulls and Chicago Sky basketball teams, Chicago Blackhawks hockey team, and the Chicago Fire and Chicago Red Stars soccer clubs.
Every October runners take to the streets for the Chicago Marathon and each July the Chicago Yacht Club hosts the Race to Mackinac, a 330-mile offshore sailboat race.
Chicago Shopping
Chicago really is a shopper’s paradise and it certainly is the center of style in the Midwest. There are as many ways to shop as there are places to shop. The Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago has chic designer boutiques and major department stores that would fit the budget of any luxury hotel traveler. Chicago Premium Outlets located just outside the city offers a collection of designer and name brand stores at discounted prices. Oprah’s Closet features wardrobe items once worn or treasured by Oprah Winfrey and all proceeds go to the Oprah’s Angel Network charity. Something to consider is booking a Chicago shopping tour that will let experts guide you to the best shopping destinations for your individual style. The insider expertise will make your Chicago shopping experience truly rewarding.
Chicago Cuisine
Chicago is home to a long list of upscale restaurants with renowned chefs and a wide array of cuisines. It also has many regional specialties such as the famous deep-dish pizza, the Puerto Rican jibarito (a sandwich using fried plantains in place of bread), the Chicago-style hot dog (heaped with a variety of fixings but no ketchup) and Greek saganaki (fried cheese), reflecting the city’s working class roots and diverse ethnic heritage. Chicago celebrates its cuisine in Grant Park at the Taste of Chicago, which takes place annually in June and features celebrity chefs such as Rick Bayless, Charlie Trotter, Rick Tramonto and Jean Joho. For a change from the dining pleasure at your small luxury hotel, let the concierge suggest a restaurant or assist with reservations if necessary.
Your first luxury hotel experience in Chicago will convince you that a return visit is definitely in order. The memories of the pampering you’ll receive plus the exotic variety of experiences the city offers will keep you coming back. From it’s fine museums to it’s utopian-like shopping areas, Chicago has something for everyone. Take advantage of all the wonderful activities and sights waiting for you in Chicago by locating your choice small luxury hotel. The only thing that is missing in this exciting city is you.
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