Chicago is one of the greatest places to be during the winter holidays.  Yes, it’s cold.  But the snow and the tiny white lights that cover the entire city are beautiful.  Chicago winters perfectly capture the spirit of the most wonderful time of year.

Chicago Christmas Tree

The Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers is offering guests incredible travel specials for the holidays – as long as you book early.

Here’s the Chicago holiday travel deal:

• Receive a $100 Macy’s gift card for each night of your stay.
• Receive a Macy’s VIP coupon book.
• Get a complimentary photo with the Macy’s Santa on State St. Available for stays Nov. 24 – Dec. 24.
• Reduced rates starting at $175 per night from Nov. 6, 2009 to February 21,  2010.

According to my math, the Macy’s gift card brings your actual room rate to about $75 per night.  You have to shop now anyway, right?

The Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers will also be offering complimentary shuttle service to Macy’s and Water Tower Place – Chicago’s consumer utopias – during the weekends leading up to December 20.

How to get this Chicago Christmas  deal

• Book by November 6th.
• Offer valid for stays from November 6 to February 21.
• Book online, or call 866-716-8103
• Ask for promo code MAP

Happy Holidays from the Windy City (and Sheraton Chicago)!

All kinds of interesting things happen in hotels, and often celebrities are involved.

Kiefer Sutherland

The holidays can bring out the stress monster within, especially when you’re far from home. Back in 2006, Kiefer Sutherland dealt with seasonal anxiety by having a few drinks with some friends at the Strand Palace Hotel in London. Then he attacked the Christmas tree in the lobby.

I’m sure at the time, to Kiefer, it seemed like an eminently reasonable thing to do. He even made arrangements to pay for the damages before he took the tree down with a flying tackle, which was caught on video for him “enjoy” watching for the rest of his life.

The staff at the Strand, who clearly have outstanding customer service training, are reported to have handled it calmly and professionally, prompting Sutherland to say, “This f—ing hotel rocks!”

Merry Christmas!

photo: ballookey on flickr