STAFF HOTEL REVIEWS

The Taste of Chicago is an amazing festival of food that takes place every year in Chicago’s Grant Park. If you’ve never been, and you enjoy food, then this is an event you must put on your “things to do” calendar. I have been at least 4 times and I’m headed back again this year.

If you’re headed to the Taste of Chicago, you may be wondering what hotels are nearby.  Since we have the handy interactive hotel maps feature at Hotel Magician, I thought it might be useful to provide a list of nearby hotels. I’ll be at the W City Center, about 6 blocks from the park, but there are several good options within a healthy walking distance. To view yourself, use the address field in the interactive hotel maps and enter “337 E. Randolph St., Chicago” and set the distance to “1 Mile”.  You’ll find 68 hotels in that area. 

But I’m not going to list all 68 here… just the best and closest. Here we go:

Hilton Chicago Michigan Ave - (prime location right on Grant Park)

The Blackstone A Renaissance Hotel - (prime location right on Grant Park)

Chicago’s Essex Inn - (budget hotel right on Grant Park)

Travelodge Chicago – (budget minded travelers only – on Grant Park)

Fairmont Chicago

Hard Rock Hotel Chicago

Hotel Burnham

W Chicago – City Center

The Palmer House Hilton

W Lakeshore

 (All hotels are within a 10 minute walk – unless noted above, they do not directly abutt the park)

See you at the Taste!

-DG

aLoft Launch Party

By: Dave Grossman, Hotel Magician

I was quite fortunate to be invited to the red carpet (literally) launch party for the new aLoft brand (from parent company Starwood Hotels). Michelle Williams performed, we toured two sample guest rooms, the bar, and common areas (in a warehouse converted to look like a hotel).

It was a class act all the way and aLoft looks like it will be a great new brand of hotels. It’s like a W in style but it’s not full service – meaning there aren’t restaurants on site and you’ll, in general, have less staff about to dote on you. But that also means lower prices than the W and that’s good news all around. Expect a price point along the lines of Four Points.

I really liked the room concepts. Stylish yet simple and I’m definitely a fan. I would only suggest a way to swivel the wall mounted flat panel TVs, though. They will have Bliss bath products in the rooms similar to those at W Hotels and I think, in general, if you are a fan of the W you will be a fan of aLoft. Bottled water and Wifi is also free at aLoft.

I was able to get a bunch of pictures in, but, somehow never got any of the rooms! Shame on me! Meanwhile, here are some assorted pictures to get you started.

WXYZ Bar

You can buy products like Bliss Amenity Kits here

Part of the Pantry snack area at aLoft

Michelle Williams performs at aLoft launch

Pool table

I really don’t know how I managed to not get a picture of the room prototypes. Too busy talking to people! If you have a photo of the rooms, please post in the comments… See more pictures taken by Starwood and get more information at aLoft

The following aLoft hotels are now bookable at HotelMagician.com:

aLoft Montreal Airport (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)

aLoft Beijing (China)