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The Hotel Sax in Chicago Gets Orphaned Again

Where: 333 North Dearborn Street [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60654

We thought it was a done deal but a hospitality expert on the ground in Chi-town tells us that Kimpton Hotels will not take over The Hotel Sax.

We're unsure of what happened that caused Kimpton to back away but we're feeling all sorts of sad for the Sax now. As a commenter pointed out the other week, this hotel has gone through several incarnations in the past decade--a Loews, an independent hotel brand and a Thompson.

The changeover was expected to happen on April 27th but perhaps Thompson will just stick it out after all. Otherwise, maybe it's time the Sax strike out on its own again.

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Hotel Sax in Chicago Will Get De-Thompsonized By Kimpton Hotels

Where: 333 North Dearborn Street [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60654

We just got word that the Hotel Sax in Chicago, which has been a Thompson Hotel for just over two years, will actually turn into a Kimpton Hotel on April 27th.

A Thompson source says the Sax was just "not up to brand standards" hence the reason why they took over Sutton Place, which will turn into Thompson Chicago after some renovations.

This switch now means Thompson's standing in the Windy City drops from two back down to one while Kimpton bumps up to five hotels in Chi-town.

Fingers crossed, Kimpton finds a way to make the Penthouse Suite's Media Lounge, which features a 65" HDTV, three 23" HDTVs, a DVD Player, Xbox 360 and surround-sound system, available to the public again.

Rates for the Sax next week are currently holding steady (on the Thompson website) at $159 a night for a queen superior.

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Guess the Hotel, Revealed: The Hotel Felix Chicago

Where: 111 West Huron [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60654

Wow. You guys are good. Indeed the answer to yesterday's Guess the Hotel challenge—where we admitted to paying only $69 for a room—is Chicago's Hotel Felix. For such a price, what'd we get? Let's break it down.

First off, we booked the room for such an affordable, last-minute rate using the HotelTonight app on our iPhone, while in the back of a cab from O'Hare Airport heading downtown. It was the most severe definition of a last-minute booking, on Halloween weekend, and when we arrived it hadn't even hit the hotel's system yet. So we sat in the lobby and waited for all of two minutes before the receptionist saw our booking in his computer. Not bad at all!

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'Sleep with the Artist' at the Hotel Palomar Chicago's New Mini Art Gallery

Where: 505 N. State St. [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60654

Situated in the artsy River North 'hood, Hotel Palomar Chicago sits amid more than 100 galleries. In fact, River North has the highest concentration of galleries in the United States outside of New York. The Chicago hotel is taking a cue from its neighbors by having its own gallery.

Hotel Palomar its cheekily named "Sleeping with the Artist" series, which features work from Chicago artists. The hotel turned hallways throughout two floors into an exhibit, featuring 15 paintings from two Chicago artists, Justus Roe and Darrell Roberts.

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What's In Hotel Palomar Chicago's 'Adult Art Box'?

Where: 505 N State St. [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60654

Art in the lobby. Sadly not the pop-up art.

Fresh off the announcement of Kimpton's new wine program, the Hotel Palomar Chicago is offering even more stuff to do in the lobby. Through July, the hotel has invited two local artists to take up (artistic) residence at the hotel, hanging paintings by Justus Roe and Darrell Roberts in the halls. The pair will also host occasional salons—with that wine, of course—to discuss their work and the broader city's art scene.

Riffing on the theme, the Palomar will also provide guests an adult art box, which we naturally read as being a box full of adult art. Turns out, it's a box full of art supplies intended for adults. Decidedly less racy—but still interesting!

With coloring books, sketch pads, journals and something called a "make your own masterpiece kit" involved, we're predicting lots of vino-inspired pieces that will look less remarkable in the harsh, bright lights of the following morning. Art: it's a process!

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Play Day Spa at the Dana Hotel's Tranquil Suite Bathrooms

Where: 660 N. State St. [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60654

Chicago's popular Air and Water Show goes down this weekend, and while it's fun time, it gets noisy. If you need a respite from the fighter jet racket and the throngs of people, Dana Hotel and Spa will offer a respite with its Tranquil Suites.

The king-sized suites use glass dividers to maximize space and make the room airy. They also have balconies with views of the city. As far as tech amenities, the suites have flat-screen televisions and Zeppelins, iPod-docking stations from Bowers & Wilkins.

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Hotel Palomar Chicago Has Its Own 'Running Woman'

Where: 505 N. State St. [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60654

If you want to get off the treadmill and take your workout outside in the warm summer air, Hotel Palomar Chicago's new running concierge can help. That's not assistant general manager Amanda Parsons' official title, but it's basically what she does.

Parsons, a part-time marathon runner, acts as a fitness instructor and tour guide to guests at the hotel. As part of the Running with the AGM program, she leads guests on an easy-paced but vigorous three- to four-mile jog along beautiful Lake Michigan. While you sweat, you can check out the waterfront and the skyline.

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Print from Your iPhone or Laptop for Free at The Sax Chicago

Where: 333 N. Dearborn St. [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60654

We heart hotels that throw in tech freebies. So we have to give some love to the The Sax Chicago for allowing guests to use their smartphones or laptops to print out their boarding passes or whatever else they might need. Even better, they can print eight pages for free.

The Sax's using PrintSpots, which permits people to use their iPhones, laptops, etc. to print to a designated spot in the hotel without having to plug in a foreign device into your computer.

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Peeking Into the Pool and More at Chicago's Hotel Palomar

Where: 505 North State Street [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60654

There are secrets about the Hotel Palomar Chicago that you cannot see from the street. And if you're sleeping here, or thinking of sleeping here, you should definitely check out our review of our night at the hotel, but also know that a pretty sweet pool and sun deck are hanging out on the 17th floor.

These extra features of the hotel include more than just the pool and sun deck, but also a large fitness room, a sumptuous lobby perfect for their nightly wine receptions, and a very popular restaurant named Sable Kitchen & Bar, which specializes in using mixology using bitters. We ordered probably half the menu at a dinner with out Chicago friends, and can say that you've got to try the pretzels appetizer and the pork belly sliders.

Check out the pictures, after the jump

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Inside the Hotel Palomar Chicago

Where: 505 North State Street [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60654

It has not even been open for a month yet, and already the lobby and restaurant of Chicago's new Hotel Palomar was bustling with guests eager to check in and get drinking. Yes, we slept at the newest Kimpton Hotels property a couple days ago, and because we scored the lowest rate of $139 per night on their website, we didn't overspend our wallet doing so.

So what surprises did we find in our room? Find out, after the jump!

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Bright and Flowery Hotel Carpeting: Fugly or Non-Fugly?

Where: 505 North State Street [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60654

We won't keep you guessing over the owner of this bright and blossomy hotel carpet: it's Chicago's new Hotel Palomar, the newest jewel in the Kimpton Hotels crown.

For a hotel that stresses their love for wine—there's a hosted lobby wine reception in the evening, a great bottle of red in the minibar and even sommelier classes at other Palomars—the carpeting is a perfect choice for hiding red wine stains. But how does it go over with male guests? The Palomar is a consummately feminine hotel, and when we stayed we saw no evidence of single male guests. Rather, those trotting through the lobby or joining in the wine reception were female executives, female tourists and the occasional couple.

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It's Official: Hotel Palomar Chicago Will Open on March 24

We thought we'd have to wait till April to check out Kimpton's Hotel Palomar Chicago, but the hotel moved up its official opening to March 24.

That gives you about two weeks till you can rest your head at the art-themed hotel. But you can book your stay there now on the Hotel Palomar's website. And don't fret; we checked it out and found that rooms are available for opening night. Rates start at $119 for the night.

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