PRICE:
Frommer's Highly Recommended

Tucked into the Westfield North Bridge mall, the Conrad Chicago maintains a low profile. But this property -- part of the Hilton hotel group's upscale \"boutique\" brand -- is determined to compete with the city's more established luxury properties (with room rates to match). The overall vibe here is old-money classiness rather than new-money flashiness, from the lobby, filled with dark wood furniture, to the deep brown curtains in the tranquil guest rooms. Rooms are a bit small (especially the least expensive ones on the north side), but the amenities are top-of-the-line: flatscreen TVs and Bose sound systems. High rollers will want to book one of the suites overlooking Michigan Avenue; a few even come with private terraces, something very few hotels in the city offer. The Conrad can't compete with the Park Hyatt or The Peninsula in the glamour department, but its cozy style should appeal to travelers looking for someplace a little more personal. It also makes a good base for anyone visiting during frigid winter weather; with a mall just a few steps away, you can get out without even putting on your coat.

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's Chicago 2008, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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