In a world where convenience and technology are reshaping our expectations about travel and hospitality, many of us are left to wonder at what cost? While virtual concierges and electronic check-ins have their place in our fast-paced world, what happened to the times when a hotel was not simply a place to stay but rather an important part of the travel experience? Thankfully, there are still hotels like Elysian Chicago that uphold the belief that hotels are meant to be a cornerstone of a truly memorable trip.

Room 2303's Living Room

Located in downtown Chicago, Elysian is committed to providing guests with quality service that isn’t easily duplicated, even at lavish hotels. Its 188 guestrooms average 890 square feet, and with only 10 rooms per floor, guests won’t feel like their personal comfort is being sacrificed so the hotel can fit in as many rooms as possible. As many hotel patrons are aware, amenities are the secret ingredient to a perfect hotel recipe, and this notion isn’t lost on Elysian. Vi-Spring luxury beds are draped in 460-thread count Italian linens, and spacious closets ensure you won’t be living out of your suitcase. White marble bathrooms complete with soaking tubs provide the type of tranquil environment that’s essential to any luxury hotel. And with rooms decorated in champagne and platinum hues—the perfect backdrop to enjoy the fireplace or furnished terraces—you’ll feel as if you’ve found a room fit for a king or queen.

The hotel is located in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, which makes it the perfect location for those looking to explore all of the exciting activities that have put the Windy City on the map. Elysian is two blocks away from Michigan Avenue; a block away from Oak Street, which is known to be the Rodeo Drive of Chicago; two blocks away from the lake and the John Hancock Center; and quick cab ride to the Art Institute of Chicago.

While plenty of fine-dining options are within walking distance of Elysian, some of the city’s best dining can be found within the walls of the hotel. Executive Chef Jason McLeod presides over the hotel’s two restaurants, Balsan and Ria. Centered around fresh, local ingredients, Balsan is a European-style bistro that serves up traditional dishes and modern takes on American cuisine, while Ria will tantalize your taste buds with innovative seafood dishes.

Elysian reminds us that even in the wake of increasing efficiency, quick fixes to long checkout lines and in-room iPads with built-in city guides are no substitution for excellent customer service and first-rate accommodations. So dust off your crown and get ready to be treated like the royalty you are at Elysian.

Hotel Palomar Lobby Area

The Hotel Palomar is one of Chicago’s newest hotels, located in the desirable “River North” area of Downtown.  This newly built boutique property, is part of Kimpton Hotels & Resorts, offering a wide variety of custom tailored services and amenities.  This Palomar property offers 261 guest rooms and suites, each offering a contemporary city feel with elements to remind you of Chicago’s history.  Hotel Palomar also prides itself as being one of Chicago’s few truly Green Hotels.

Hotel Palomar Chicago was built as a multi-use condo/hotel development, and the building itself is brand new as of 2010.  While neighboring buildings are still undergoing construction, the Palomar has opened in a neighborhood that is close to the Chicago River, and just a few blocks from the city’s famous “Magnificent Mile”, Michigan Avenue.  While the immediate block or two might feel still “in the works” the hotel resides in a very convenient part of town.

Palomar’s lobby area resembles a sophisticated high rise condo entrance, complete with a small reception area, and cozy yet trendy sitting area.  The lobby is home to the hotel’s evening complimentary wine hour, a standard at every Kimpton property.  The wine hour is a great opportunity for guests to unwind, meet with fellow guests as well as the hotel management.

Trip Kick Tip:  When staying at Palomar, grab a glass of wine (they offer both red & white) and head up to the hotel’s private rooftop terrace!

Sable Kitchen & Bar

Sable Kitchen & Bar is located on the lobby level of Hotel Palomar Chicago.  Sable offers New American Cuisine with innovate cocktail offerings in a truly upbeat and hip setting.

The Guest Room Experience:

Let’s talk about the guest rooms, perhaps the most important component to any hotel experience!  We’ve been generally impressed by Kimpton’s guest room experience at our stays throughout the country, but we think it’s fair to say that Hotel Palomar Chicago has certainly hit the nail on the head this time better than ever before.  Having the luxury of designing a property from scratch probably was a tremendous help (properties such as The Hotel Palomar D.C. didn’t have this privilege).  Hotel Palomar has paid a great deal of attention to the details, and have made the guest rooms feel contemporary yet classic, a sometime tricky balance when designing a hotel.

While the hotel itself won’t be known for its jaw dropping views, the rooms have been designed to make you feel at home, while also reminding you that you’re on vacation.  Room categories range from standard “Deluxe Rooms” to “King Spa Premier Rooms” up to larger suite offerings.

Trip Kick Tip:  Book the “King Spa Premier Room” category for the best value.  King Spa Premier rooms offer upgraded bathrooms with jacuzzi tubs (for 2) and we actually liked them better than the suites!  King Spa Rooms ending in “04″ were our personal favorite: these are corner rooms that really do feel more like a suite.

King Spa Premier Room (Room Number 704)

Jacuzzi Tub & Separate Walk-In Shower, Room Number 704

The Palomar Chicago has a few Suite Category rooms including the “Luxury Suite” which offers a three room layout, including separate living room area, bedroom area and bathroom area.  These room types are particularly suitable for guests traveling with families, or business travelers wanting to conduct business in-room without having guests in the bedroom area.  While they do offer more space, we still preferred the “King Spa Premier Rooms” which offer a more open floor plan.

Luxury Suite, 1 King Bed, Living Room Area  (Room Number 1527)

All guest rooms and suites offer large flat panel television entertainment areas, as well as fully stocked mini-bars.  As you can see, furnishings are both sleek and classic in design.

Rooftop Area (A wonderful place to enjoy a glass of wine & take in the city views)

Other on property amenities offered at the Palomar Chicago include a rooftop indoor heated pool (a very rare feature in Chicago hotels) as well as a state of the art fitness center, with pleasant city views.

The Rooftop Pool

What we really liked about Palomar Chicago:

• Convenient, Downtown Address
• New Build Hotel with Sleek, Contemporary Lines & Residential Feel
• Complimentary Daily Evening Wine Hour for Hotel Guests  (5-6pm in the Lobby Area)
• Complimentary Guest Room WiFi
• Rooftop Deck & Views  (No Bar, but this makes it quiet & less of a fuss!)
• Rooftop Indoor Heated Pool
• Luxurious Bathrooms in King Spa Premier & Suite Category Rooms

There’s nothing quite like a brand new hotel, and while the Palomar Chicago won’t be new forever, they’ve designed this hotel to last.  Elegant, contemporary lines along with a true “boutique” feel make this Downtown Chicago property a worthwhile luxury hotel contender worth considering.  Guest rooms are elegant, yet fun, and offer exceptionally comfortable beds, indulgent bathrooms (particularly in the higher end categories) and convenient features (such as complimentary WiFi!)

For more guest room information on Palomar Chicago click here!

Tranquil Suite, 1 King Bed, 2 Terraces, Oversized Shower (Could Fit 4!) (Room 2101)

We had an opportunity to stay at The Dana Hotel & Spa over New Year’s Eve, and despite some chilly weather, the hotel satisfied our every Boutique Hotel need.  The Dana is not your conventional hotel, nor is it even your conventional Boutique Hotel.  The Dana is independently managed and owned, and proudly features a variety of products and services that are rarely seen in other hotels across North America.

Located on State Street just one block from the heart of Michigan Avenue’s best shopping, the Dana offers convenience, but also a location that isn’t smack dab in the center of chaos.  We found the Dana to be a relaxing sanctuary, with sophisticated yet hip style.  Upon entering the Dana guests are met by walls of modern glass and concrete.  The Dana has a very urban condo-like feel, boasting residential style coupled with high energy.  And for even higher energy, Dana’s Rooftop Lounge “Vertigo” offers great views of the city along with a Rooftop Outdoor Terrace.

We particularly enjoyed the guest room experience at The Dana… contemporary, comfortable and genuinely unique.  Most standard guest rooms are similar in size and design, and only vary based on view and location.  There are however some exceptions, including Corner Rooms (dubbed “Delightful Kings”) and Cozy Kings (these rooms offer balconies but are slightly smaller than most standard rooms.)  Corner “Delightful Kings” are especially popular with guests, as they feature 2 walls of expansive windows. It’s a real rarity to find a Chicago hotel with balconies, but The Dana has 2 Room Types that offer outdoor space.  These rooms along with all other Standard Rooms feature a unique bathroom setup with a Window which views the Bedroom Area.  The Dana features a wonderful array of bathroom spa products from Pasadena, Ca based Lather, certainly a nice touch.  Also unique to The Dana is Hardwood Flooring in all guest rooms, which makes for a nice added feature that  is not so typical in most hotels.

Tranquil Suite, 1 King Bed, 2 Terraces, Oversized Shower (Could Fit 4!) (Room 2101)

Delightful King Category Room (Corner Location w/ 2 Walls of Windows) 1 King Bed

Serene King (Most Typical Room Type) Unique Dana Bathroom Configuration (Room 2408)

The Dana “Residential-Feel” continues throughout the guest room experience into even such services as The MiniBar.  We found Full Size Wine Bottles at reasonable prices, allowing guests to feel relaxed with “at-home” prices instead of the usual price gouging that is often seen at other hotels of this caliber.

The Dana MiniBar

True to the name “The Dana Hotel & Spa”, the Dana of course offers an intimate Spa experience that attracts not only guests but outside clientèle as well.  Modern in design, the Dana Spa offers a wide variety of treatment options, as well as a Fitness Center that offers state of the art TechnoGym equipment

The Dana Fitness Center w/ Technogym Equipment

The verdict on The Dana Hotel & Spa: we loved it.  Chicago is a city filled with numerous hotel options, yet The Dana offered something special.  For those travelers seeking relaxation, practicality, and true residential sophistication, The Dana is among the best.