Where to Stay in Chicago

Ted Sherman
Chicago is one of my favorite cities and often neglected as a vacation destination. The city offers a range of activities no matter what season, and its central geographic location make it only a few hours away from most American cities. Here are my three hotel choices for Chicago, Illinois for budget, casual and luxury categories:

Luxury: Trump International Hotel & Tower

We like "The Donald's" Chicago's digs because of its great location, as well as the hotel's business and family friendly facilities. A magnificent sight, the Trump is a soaring 92 stories of shiny steel and glass. The hotel overlooks the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, and is close to shopping, restaurants, theaters and everything else in the downtown Loop area. There's 24-hour room service, huge indoor pool, whirlpool, fitness center, sauna and steam room. Dining at the hotel's upscale restaurant, called 16, is always a pleasure. Rates start at $400 per night at this pet-friendly property, with lake-front suites going for $1250 per night (excluding taxes and fees).

Trump International Hotel & Tower
401 N. Wabash Av., Chicago IL 60611
trumpchicagohotel.com

Casual: Ambassador East Hotel
We enjoy staying at the Public Chicago, formerly known as the venerable Ambassador East, known for its quiet 1920s elegance, famous bar and elegant restaurant, the Pump Room. Our kids loved it when we visited in summer, because it's just a city block from Chicago's Miracle Mile on Lakeshore Drive and Grant Park's Lake Erie sandy beaches.

Beautifully preserved, the property is a National Historic Landmark. Rooms are reasonable for the type of luxury and top-of-the-line services the hotel provides. The hotel is located among stately homes in a beautiful, quiet and upscale Northside neighborhood, away from the traffic and noises of downtown.
Rates start at $135 per night.

Public Chicago
1301 N. State Parkway, Chicago IL
publichotels.com


Budget: Dana Hotel & Spa
Where can you spend a fun night in Chicago near the Chicago River and Grant Park's Lake Erie beaches for less than $100? Try the Dana Hotel & Spa, a boutique hotel close to the famed Water Tower and many nearby hip clubs and cafes around the Loop.

Enjoy the Vertigo Sky lounge on the 26th Floor, and through the floor-to-ceiling windows, you can view all of Chicago downtown and lakefront spread out below. For the best in Asian and Continental cuisine, eat at the hotel's Aja restaurant. Rooms start at $95.

Dana Hotel & Spa
660 N. State St.
Chicago, IL 60654
danahotelandspa.com

You can follow travel writer Ted Sherman on twitter, @travel4seniors and check out his blog, travel4seniors.com

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Published by Ted Sherman - Featured Contributor in Travel

Navy service WWII and Korea, BFA, MA. Retired, experience: exec. speechwriter, advertising, sales promotion, PR, graphic art, photography, travel and humor writing. Follow me: @travel4seniors, Editor of tra...  View profile

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