Comfortable Chicago Hotels

Very "Bed and Breakfast" atmosphere in this Best Western located on the north side of the city, 2 miles from the very large Lincoln Park, known for its many sandy beaches and its animal park. Wrigley Field, home of the Cubs, is a quarter-hour walk away, as is the Red Line subway station to downtown. A 20-minute bus ride will take you to the chic boutiques and restaurants of Chicago's Magnificent Mile.

The rooms are decorated with warmth, a little "like home". We like the quiet setting and the pleasant tree-lined courtyard in front of the handsome red-brick building.

Good deals: Breakfast, in the form of a continental buffet, is included. Bottle of water provided.

• 3434 North Broadway Avenue, Chicago
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Don't be intimidated by the lobby of the Congress Plaza Hotel, with its imposing chandeliers hanging from the high ceilings, its refined furniture, and its flashy baroque decor. This venerable institution, a bit stiff on the outside, was built in 1893. It overlooks Lake Michigan on the edge of Grant Park, the largest park in downtown Chicago and home to the Art Institute of Chicago, one of the world's great museums (located just 2 blocks from the hotel) and the Museum Campus. A golf course is less than 2 miles away.

Congress Plaza's 900 or so rooms are the highlight of the show. They open onto striking panoramas, sometimes of the city, sometimes of the immensity of the lake (the "lake view" rooms). Panoramic views of the magnificent early twentieth-century Buckingham Fountain, one of the most impressive fountains in the world.

Inside the hotel: a bar and two restaurants, including the Rafael Steakhouse.

All rooms are non-smoking. Allergy-free rooms are available upon request.

• 520 S Michigan Avenue, Chicago
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Elegant, this small, luxurious hotel on the South Side offers its 162 rooms in dark and refined tones; chocolate, beige, burgundy. On a human scale, the establishment maintains an intimate and exclusive atmosphere.

The Blake Hotel is located in the old Printers Row District, a few hundred yards from Grant Park on the shores of Lake Michigan. Don't miss the Buckingham Fountain and the prestigious Art Institute of Chicago, which houses an impressive collection of Impressionist art with paintings by the greatest masters.

The hotel's restaurant, the Custom House, serves inventive cuisine paired with a selection of wines from some of the West Coast's finest vineyards.

• 500 S. Dearborn St., Chicago
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Majestic and resolutely modern, the Holiday Inn tower stands on the riverfront in the North Side neighborhood, a reasonable distance from Navy Pier, the Port of Chicago and Millennium park.

The lobby is nestled in the heart of a huge atrium, along which the many rooms of the establishment are distributed. Each of them benefits from large bay windows.

We like its indoor pool, whose ceiling, entirely made of glass, gives the sensation of swimming in the open air, in the hollow of the skyscrapers.

• 350 W Wolf Point Plaza, Chicago
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This elegant hotel is ideally located in downtown Chicago, 1 mile from the restaurants, shops, carousels, cruises and spectacular views of Navy Pier Park - the city's most visited tourist attraction - and equidistant from Grant Park, home to some of the city's most prestigious museums, including the Art Institute of Chicago and its illustrious collection of Impressionist art.

The Willis Tower (Sears Tower), the city's most iconic and tallest skyscraper, is 3 miles from the property. Subway station nearby (Grand Subway Station).

Family rooms and babysitting services available upon request.

• 15 East Ohio Street, Chicago
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We love the intimate atmosphere of this small historic hotel from the 1920s, a luxurious interlude away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The Majestic has about fifty rooms, warmly decorated in an elegant "English" style, with dark wood furniture framed in light tones.

Coffee and tea are graciously provided throughout the day, as well as biscuits in the afternoon, which can be enjoyed in the comfort of the fireplace. Breakfast, a continental buffet, is included.

The hotel is located near Wrigley Field, home of the famous Cubs baseball team. The very large Lincoln Park and its many sandy beaches, as well as its famous animal park, are within a reasonable distance. There are several restaurants and shops in the area.

All rooms and common areas of the hotel are non-smoking.

• 528 West Brompton, Chicago
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Modern and resolutely design atmosphere sheltered by the Hampton Inn Downtown, a 3-star establishment strategically located at the corner of the Magnificent Mile and Huron Street, a short distance from the banks of Lake Michigan and its legendary parks, including the very artistic Millennium Park.

A little extra appreciated in the humidity of summer, its outdoor swimming pool, extremely rare in Chicago. The "Rooftop Lounge" bar on the roof of the building allows you to appreciate some spectacular panoramas while sipping a cocktail.

Families will appreciate the babysitting service coordinated by the hotel, as well as the rooms specially designed for children, in bright colors and very fun.

All common areas and rooms are non-smoking. Pets are welcome.

• 160 East Huron Street, Chicago
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The very large Hilton Chicago overlooks Grant Park on the shores of Lake Michigan, which is bordered by fine sandy beaches. This park, the largest in downtown Chicago, contains several prestigious museums, including one of the most important in the country, the Art Institute of Chicago, as well as the Buckingham Fountain, probably the most impressive fountain in the world. The nearest subway station is a 6-minute walk (Harrison Subway Station). Chicago's legendary subway spans tall metal structures and forms a loop around downtown, nicknamed "The Loop," before serving the residential suburbs.

Built in 1927, the Hilton Chicago offers a wide range of recreational facilities, including an indoor swimming pool and whirlpool, sauna, barber, beauty and massage salons, boutiques, a large, well-equipped fitness center, a business center and WiFi Internet access throughout the property.

The nearly 1600 rooms are spacious and elegantly decorated in cream tones. All have a flat screen TV, movies and video games on demand, MP3 alarm clock, coffee maker, microwave, minibar, safe...

Inside the hotel there are several restaurants and bars; "The Irish Pub Kitty O'Sheas", "Lakeside Green Lounge" and "The Pavilion" all offer different specialties throughout the day.

The entire property is non-smoking. Pets are welcome.

• 720 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago
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Built in 1928, the luxurious Whitehall Hotel (4 stars) offers more than 220 spacious and modern rooms decorated in a refined European style. All rooms have marble bathrooms.

The hotel is located half a mile from Water Tower Place, the largest shopping mall in Chicago, on the Magnificent Mile, Chicago's most chic and commercial thoroughfare with many restaurants. The Museum of Contemporary Art is within walking distance, while Navy Pier and the Lincoln Park Zoo are 2 miles away. The Chicago-Red subway station is within walking distance, 3 blocks from the hotel.

The hotel's restaurant, Fornetto Mei, serves Italian and Asian specialties. We love its pretty, green terrace overlooking the impressive Chicago skyline.

• 105 E. Delaware Place, Chicago
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