HotelChatter

Check-in:
The lobby is reminiscent of an airy chapel—we wonder if it once was a chapel years upon years ago— and the space is as quiet and relaxing as one anyways. Checking in was no problem, even though we had made the reservation only earlier that day. Since we made no special requests, we ended up on only the third floor, with some of the few arched windows present in the building, which looked directly up at the towering 95+ story John Hancock Center just next door.

Room Reaction:
Upon entering room 304, our attention was drawn not to the large bed or the wet bar, but to the shoe shine machine just inside the room—no joke. What hotels include shoe shine machines with rooms anymore? Before we had even set down our luggage, we were polishing our black boots on them and delighting in being truly surprised by something in a hotel room, when we've stayed in too many to count.

A king bed, long dresser and desk, and the now-standard HDTV rounded out the room, and we headed into the bathroom. Here is where we met with another truly welcome touch: the makeup area—or boudoir table, if you will. It was plain, but with a magnifying makeup mirror, hairdryer, large regular mirror and little tufted stool, it was more than perfect for our pre-dinner primping. The wet bar directly behind made up for the smaller-than-usual bathroom, and folks staying for a longer period will be happy to know that it includes a microwave.

Internet Connect:
The signal here is particularly good and strong, but to access it you must pay. $9.95 for 24 hours, and a code can be had from the front desk. Make sure to ask for it when you check in.

Amenities and Public Spaces:
In keeping with its boutique hotel size, the Raffaello does not have a sprawling restaurant; instead you'll find a cute bar and breakfast room just off of the lobby. There is also a small meeting room on the first floor. In the summer—and it was far too cold already for us to access it—there is a rooftop garden with wood benches and no doubt the perfect place from which to photograph the Hancock center.

What We Liked:
Location, location, location. It is nothing short of amazing to score a room so cheaply, have it be this nice, and yet sit where it does—on top of everything in River North and Streeterville. We also especially loved the shoe buffer machine (yea, we're dorks), the wet bar and makeup area, and our view of the Hancock through arched windows.

What We Didn't Like:
Although the hotel just completed a huge renovation, they didn't update the textured walls. Your room's furniture and everything else may look modern and welcoming, but the textured cream walls dates it and affects first impressions. Also, this seems like the sort of boutique property that should have breakfast included with the room rate, but we think they do not because their small bar room wouldn't be able to handle the crowd.

Bottom Line:
The Raffaello is the perfect Mag Mile hotel for a slightly older customer, perhaps those who enjoy shining their shoes and making highballs pre- and post-dinner (sounds Mad Men). It's also for those who abhor giant hotels, or hotel chains in general, and yet want the premium location that these chains usually command. And without a doubt, it's for travelers looking for a bargain without sacrificing comfort.