HotelChatter

For the nuptially inclined, there's Propose! For a jaw-dropping $60,000, this high-concept engagement smorgasbord includes two nights in The James Penthouse Loft, a Van Cleef & Arpels engagement ring, a private dinner for two, prepared by a personal chef from the hotel's restaurant, Primehouse, in a private dining room off the hotel ballroom, with (suddenly, dinner's not so private anymore) the Chicago Symphony Orchestra string quartet serenading the couple during their romantic meal.

Engagement-package partakers also get an unspecified spa experience for two and an unspecified one-year anniversary gift from The James. A little hotel bird tells us the one-year gift is a free night at the hotel. The same little hotel bird tells us that the Propose! package has been available for several months. The hotel's received calls, but so far, no takers. Maybe this summer's wedding season will inspire another suitor to take the plunge. In this case, that would be up on the roof. This is a penthouse package, after all.

As for the pricing, the James penthouse loft goes for $2,500 per night, so that's $5,000. The next largest item is probably the Van Cleef & Arpels ring. Interested parties would work with the hotel's marketing manager on ring selection and sizing. Next is most likely the string quartet. See how easy it is to run up a big hotel bill!

The James will be posting its lifestyle packages, nine in all, including one dubbed Wake! (one would hope so), on its website in the near future.