60611-2124 Travel Guide
Tags: Hotel Packages / Hotel Renovations / Chicago Hotels / → All Tags
'Restyle' Your Look with the Ritz-Carlton Chicago
The Chicago Ritz-Carlton has been, well, putting on the ritz lately, with a recently unveiled updated look. But the Ritz isn’t the only one who’s gotten a little nip and tuck in the Windy City: Last month the iconic Art Institute of Chicago opened a brand-new Modern Wing.
To celebrate the dual makeovers, the Ritz has rolled out an arty “Restyle Package,” which includes contemporary-luxe accommodations, admission for two to the new Modern Wing, two-for-one admission to the Museum of Contemporary Art, free breakfast and overnight valet parking, a gift back from The 900 Shops, and 50 percent savings on a second room ($200!).
Plus, you can update your own look with a free Christian Dior or Lancôme Paris makeup restyle, farewell beauty gift, and Visitor Savings Pass as well as a personal shopping experience from Macy’s Water Tower Place.
Package is available through Sept. 8, with rates starting at $395 per night.
Tags: Hotel Renovations / Ritz-Carlton Hotels / Chicago Hotels / → All Tags
Ritz-Carlton Chicago Revamps, Gets Ritzier
We, for one, love it when ritzy hotels update their looks. Because, really, so much Nancy Reagan opulence can only go so far until it looks, well, like it’s from the ’80s. So needless to say, we’re pretty stoked about the multi-million dollar revamp of the Ritz-Carlton Chicago (a Four Seasons Hotel), set to be unveiled May 1.
The restyling is one of the largest in the hotel’s history, courtesy of the team of Brayton Hughes Design Studios (à la the handiwork of Four Seasons Hotels in spots like Egypt, Jackson Hole, and Whistler).
Tags: Thanksgiving Hotels / Ritz-Carlton hotels / Holiday Hotels / Hotel Restaurants / → All Tags
In This Economy, Even Thanksgiving Dinner Has Shrunk to Bite-Size
We’re well aware that it’s a time-honored tradition for many to stir together all the Thanksgiving fixings into one plate of mashed madness. But still, chef Mark Payne of the Ritz-Carlton Chicago’s Café has taken the tactic to a whole new, well, weird level.
His “Thanksgiving Dinner in One Bite” is served this week (through Wednesday) and, just like it sounds, is basically a bite-size amuse that combines turkey rillette, roasted sweet potatoe puree, wild mushroom crumble, huckleberry chutney, crispy Brussels sprouts, and gravy. In other words, it melds all the traditional parts of a Thanksgiving dinner into one loaded forkful. Complimentary for all guests, it’s a nice festive nod if not a little bizarre.
And come Turkey Day, the hotel’s fancy Greenhouse restaurant will offer full-size servings of each at their Thanksgiving Day Brunch. Let’s hope the normal servings look more appetizing than this photo they sent us of the amuse.
[Image: Ritz-Carlton Chicago]
Tags: Ritz-Carlton Hotels / Four Seasons Hotels / Chicago Hotels / Hotel Services / → All Tags
Store Your Luggage at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago
We know how hard it is to pack for a trip, especially with the new bag fees. Decisions about which shoes to bring and which to leave behind, make packing perhaps the hardest part of taking a vacation, not to mention costly now that American Airlines United has raised their second bag fee to $50.
The Ritz-Carlton Chicago totally has our back--or rather, our pack. Their new "Stay As Long As You Like" service will store your luggage for you while you're away from this home away from home.
Don’t want to pay the airline luggage fees? Leave your bags behind and Ritz-Carlton Chicago special services manager Jennifer McVicker will store them for your return. She’s secured complete executive wardrobes, golf clubs, children’s toys and a Christmas tree for a woman who celebrates the holiday at the hotel each year.
In addition to free storage, the hotel will also wash all your clothes and unpack them in your room prior to your arrival. Oh, and if you suddenly realize you left your favorite shirt in the Ritz's basement they'll ship it to you. They don't call it the Ritz for nothing.
We're not sure how much this service is gonna cost you, but we assume if you're already staying on a regular basis, then you can probably afford it.
Tags: Hotel Hell / → All Tags
Should They Take The 'C' Out Of Hotel Cass?
Recent Hotel Cass guest Dave Gorman is one brave blogger.
During a recent trip to Chicago, to watch his beloved U2 perform, he decided to stay at Hotel Cass despite the fact that recent guests had experienced:
- Getting stuck in the elevator after the elevator fell 5 floors.
- Dirty, dirty rooms with dirty, dirty towels.
- Rushing down sixteen flights of stairs to evacuate the hotel during a basement fire.
Now that is one brave blogger. He stayed at Cass and lived to tell about it, and according to Dave the hotel, "wasn't bad at all."
Sorry Dave, but with this hotels track record we are going to have to agree with another recent guest:
They should take the 'C' out of Hotel Cass for a more appropriate name.
Guess it all depends what your budget and hotel pain threshold is like. We know some Hotel Mavens may like to stay at Cass just for the possible war stories, but if you you can, pay a couple extra bucks for a room elsewhere--sounds like it may be worth your while.
Related Stories:
· Bunch Of Nothing [gorblog]
· Hotel Cass Reviews [TripAdvisor]
Tags: Hotel Deals / → All Tags
$109/Night At Chicago Landmark
Fortune Magazine named the Whitehall one of the "eight great small hotels of the U.S." We have no idea what year the hotel was named one of the "eight great", however we do know that when you visit the Whitehall you should prepare yourself for an older hotel. Thin walls, worn accouterments, you know the drill.
So why would you want to stay here? Well, Whitehall possesses a great location, just off Michigan Avenue, has a lot of charm, and sizable rooms. It is one of those hit or miss places that may be worth a try--especially if there is a deal.
Deal Details Post Jump...
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