Hotels

Location. The Allerton Hotel on Magnificent Mile overlooks Lake Michigan, one-quarter mile from the John Hancock Center and North Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, Ill. Millennium Park, Navy Pier and the Art Institute of Chicago are located one mile from the hotel. The Shedd Aquarium stands less than one-and-one-quarter mile from the hotel. The Sears Tower is one-and-one-half miles away.

Hotel Features. Built in 1924, this hotel reflects the style of the Italian Renaissance Revival period. The on-site M Avenue Restaurant and Lounge serves contemporary American cuisine and a selection of wines, beers and appetizers. The hotel's coffee shop serves Intelligencia-brand coffee. A business center offers print, photocopy, fax and scan services for a fee. Wireless Internet access is complimentary in the lobby. Function rooms accommodate from 10 to 200 people. Recreational amenities include a complimentary 24-hour fitness room equipped with television-mounted cardiovascular machines, weight-training machines and yoga supplies.

Guestrooms. This 24-story hotel offers 443 modern guestrooms furnished in blue, white and mocha tones. Select furnishings reflect Art Deco style. Beds are draped with 300-thread count sheets, down/feather comforters and ocean-blue bed shawls. Rooms include high-speed Internet access for a fee, and flat-screen televisions. Bathrooms are stocked with L'Occitane toiletries. Select bathrooms contain pedestal sinks or sinks surrounded by marble vanities.

Expert Tip. Although the "hip" Tip Top Tap is now gone, the hotel still displays the neon sign that advertised the location of this great lounge.