Chicago is being attacked by yet another superhero action film crew. This time, it is for the shooting of the new Superman movie “Man of Steel” starring Henry Cavill.

Comicbook superhero fans seeking a glimpse of the shooting or the stars will find them in Downtown Chicago until Sept 17. Parking on South Wells Street is on hold until Sunday because of the filming, and the film crew’s trailers are in the 311 South Wacker building parking lot nearby.

Hotel 71, Chicago

Among downtown Chicago hotels in the Loop, the usual suspects that cater to these film crews include Hotel 71 on East Wacker Drive and the Trump Tower across the river.

When “The Dark Knight” was being filmed, Hotel 71 was one of the stars in the hit Batman movie when the ballroom on the hotel’s 39th floor was used as Bruce Wayne’s penthouse.

The hotel started offering a Bruce Wayne package with a stay in a penthouse similar to the one shown in the movie.

Man of Steel star Henry Cavill was in the hotel earlier this year in July, and did a photo shoot on the same 39th floor.

Hotel 71 also offered a ‘Transformers’ package when some scenes from the third installment of the Transformers series were shot outside the hotel on Wacker Drive last year.

Hotel 71, located perfectly for leisure on the Magnificent Mile, has just completed a $15 million renovation, and offers nightly rates from $159. They have guest rooms and suites with views of Downtown or the Chicago River.

Trump Tower has benefited just as much from its role in both movies. In fact, the Transformers stars actually were staying in the hotel too, so it’s a good choice for getting up close to the Man of Steel shooting and the stars.

Just remember the not-so-secret codeword “Autumn Frost” under which the movie is being filmed.

Photo – Hotel 71

More info: 71 East Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60601; (312) 346-7100

Related posts:
3 Sci-Fi Inspired Hotels to Rest Your Travel-Weary Body At
Superman Festival, Metropolis, Illinois
Think Tall, Think Trump
A Chicago Rom Com Walking Tour

Recently, I came across this article regarding a new virtual concierge program at the JW Marriott in Chicago, Illinois. I haven’t been to the Marriott, I personally love the idea of a virtual concierge. Why wait in line to ask a simple question when you can have all of the information you’re looking for at your fingertips? Plus, you don’t have to worry about taking up too much time at the front desk when all you want to do is go relax in your room or go out and see the sights. I still don’t understand why I see long lines at check-in and check-out at hotels; can’t this mundane necessity be taken care of completely at kiosks? The virtual check-in and check-out experiences I’ve had so far have been great – quick and easy.

Read More »

The Affinia Chicago has a $10k ‘outdoor suite’ for a night under the stars that would make even the most profligate glamper look like a cheapskate.

C-View at Affinia Chicago

In addition to indoor digs, the Inside Out Suite on the hotel’s 29th floor provides a King-size bed set outside in the C-View lounge. Guests who book this suite get the entire lounge all to themselves for the night.

That’s not all, either, because $10,000 buys you a whole lot of personalized care and attention.

You get your own butler, and a private dinner from the C-House restaurant on the street level, planned according to your wishes by executive chef Nicole Pederson. You also get your own private outdoor movie screening.

And a bottle of champagne, late night snacks and breakfast the next morning in whichever bed you chose for sleeping in (or out).

It makes for a great way to beat the midwest heat wave, and if you end up regretting splurging $10k on a hotel stay, you can always blame it on the heat.

The Inside Out suite is for Friday and Saturday night stays only, for upto five people and subject to availability and favorable weather.

The 215-room Affinia Chicago is a Magnificent Mile hotel which offers everything from wireless high speed internet to mini-bars in guest rooms. You get an in-room safe and a 6-choice pillow menu. The hotel has 24-hour fitness and business centers, and additional meeting rooms for private events.

Apart from celebrity chef Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s award winning C-House restaurant and the outdoor C-View rooftop lounge and terrace, the hotel also offers a complimentary Coffee Bar in the lobby, Mon-Fri from 6:30 to 10 am.

Photo – C-House

Related posts:
Will & Kate’s $10800 Hotel Suite in Los Angeles
Rooftop Revelry at Chicago’s Citizen Bar

Chicago is all set to get a new luxury 5-star Riverfront hotel that will be opening in the landmark IBM building at 330 North Wabash, across the street from the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago.

IBM Building at 330 North Wabash, Chicago

The new 330-room hotel, the Langham Chicago Hotel, will be the third Langham in the United States, after The Langham Hotel Boston and The Langham Huntington, Pasadena.

The hotel will occupy floors 2 through 13 and a portion of the first floor and riverfront plaza in the 52-story landmark building on the north bank of the Chicago River, designed by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in March 2010.

The 330 guest rooms and suites will range from 525 square feet to well over 2,000 square feet, all with 9.5 foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows providing views of the Chicago River, Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. The standard guest rooms will be 525 sq ft, while 20% of the rooms will be suites, ranging in size from 775 to 2,350 square feet.

The 20,000 sq ft of hotel meeting space includes a 5,000 square foot ballroom with 20 foot ceilings and river views. Also included in the plan is a 9,000 square foot restaurant, a wine room, fitness center, indoor pool and Langham’s signature Palm Court and Chuan Spa.

The property for the hotel was purchased by Oxford Capital Group, LLC from the building’s owners Prime Group Realty Trust for $46 million. Oxford and Langham are jointly developing the hotel, with an opening date set for 2012.

In a statement, Jeff Patterson, president and CEO of Prime Group Realty Trust said that “As Chicago’s newest five star hotel, The Langham Chicago Hotel will undoubtedly be a great asset for 330 North Wabash’s tenants, visitors and guests, and we’re proud to have such a well-regarded luxury brand now a part of this high profile Chicago asset.”

Photo – J. Crocker; More info: http://www.330northwabashavenue.com/

Related Posts:-
Wrigleyville – Chicago’s New Baseball Hotel
Chicago’s Architecture By Boat