Just off Michigan Avenue, the Four Seasons Chicago offers the luxury you want

Hotel Site

Dr. House, anyone?

Celebs Spotted: Demi Moore, Madonna, John Cusack, Nicole Kidman, Gary Busey, Diana Ross, Elton John, Hugh Laurie, Victoria Beckham, Drew Barrymore

Chicago is in the news lately, a hopeful for the 2012 Olympics. (This just in: they didn’t make the bid.) Even President Obama has been there. And he’s not the only celebrity spotted in the Windy City. Lots of stars spend time in Chi-Town, and the Four Seasons is one of their favorite places to stay.

Come on up, the opulence is fine

Located right off Michigan Avenue (shopping, anyone?), the Four Seasons Chicago has over 300 rooms with amazing views of Lake Michigan and that spectacular Chicago skyline. You’ll find French decor all over the place. Oh, style, thy name is Four Seasons!

The Conservatory for a nice cup of tea

Demi Moore stays at the Four Seasons, as does Nicole Kidman (who reportedly sends 800-thread-count sheets ahead so they’re there when she arrives, ooh la la!) and Elton John. In fact, there are a couple of ex-Four Seasons concierges who wrote a book about the famous people at the Four Seasons, complete with tantrums and outrageous demands. The book was pulled by the publisher before it went on sale, but still. Juicy stuff.

Check out that view

Chicago skyline looks lovely

Every room has LCD flat screen TVs, wifi, DVD players, and in-room safes. Mix that up with refrigerated private bars, luxurious terrycloth bathrobes, twice-daily housekeeping service, and even a Bedtime Stories Butler for the kiddos. No kidding, the Four Seasons has a special butler that comes to your room to read bedtime stories to the kids! I kind of want one of those myself.

The Spa offers everything from manicures to massages and wraps

There’s also a fantastic spa – you can have a massage in your own room if you prefer – and a fitness room, including locker rooms, sauna, and an indoor 50-foot pool.

Glass dome ceiling, 50-foot pool

A bit sunny for my taste, but you just know that bed is comfy

A Moderate Room starts at $395 a night. The Four Seasons Executive Suite is $560/night. But if you think that’s where Hugh Laurie and Drew Barrymore stay in the Moderate Room, you’re insane.

It’s all about the Presidential Suite, baby. Oh yeah! 2,315 square feet of glamor and opulence, the Presidential Suite sits at the corner of the 46th floor of the Four Seasons. Enough room to seat nine guests in the living room, a dining room that’ll handle eight people.

Have 9 or 10 friends over for dinner

Two private bars, surround-sound stereo, four-poster bed in the master bedroom. Two – yes, TWO - marble bathrooms. Deep pink marble soaking tub, shower enclosed in glass, and a flat-screen TV…in the BATHROOM. If they deliver room service in the tub, I might never have to leave the water.

Presidential Suite

And that, my friends, will set you back $4,300 a night. But hey, if you want to pretend you’re Madonna or Victoria Beckham, that stuff costs.

Drew Barrymore

Fine dining, too, of course. The Seasons Restaurant is beautiful and offers a hybrid French-North American cuisine. A grand marble fountain and a wonderful comfy lounge on the 7th floor ensures that you’ll not only enjoy the food, but the ambiance, too. You may have to provide your own company, though.

And every Thursday through the end of this month, you can enjoy Dine Without Whine. For grownups and kiddies both, there are seasonal food items that will delight your tastebuds. For the children, there’s a special buffet near the adults, where they’ll love the movies, activities, and video games…all with a licensed babysitter. Did I mention the babysitter is free for parents? Yeah. Just in the restaurant, mind you…there are babysitters available in your room, too, but that’ll cost you.

Or spend time at the Chef’s Table for an incredible culinary experience. You and up to five others sit in the kitchen with the Executive Chef and watch your courses fixed right in front of you. A four-course meal starts at $85 a person, $125 with wine.

Chicago is magnificent, particularly this time of year. Loads of restaurants nearby, the Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Zoo. Enjoy it all while bathing yourself in luxurious comfort at the Four Seasons Chicago. And bring me along, eh? I’m tons of fun and will be a gracious accepter of your hospitality. Seriously, I will. I’m the graciousest.

What? That’s totally a word.

I’m always interested in hotels that might fit into the Celebrity Hotel of the Week feature. If you know of any, please email me. southernyank01 at gmail dot com. Thanks.

Photo Credits

Hotel Photos: Four Seasons web site

Hugh Laurie: Celebutopia.net

Drew Barrymore: Zimbio.com

Almost from the moment it opened its doors in 1920, the Drake Hotel won most favored status with Royalty. Future British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was a guest during the 1920s, as was exiled Grand Duke Alexander of Russia and Queen Marie of Romania. During the 1960s, by now an established Chicago icon, the Drake hosted Emperor Hirohito of Japan, Prince Charles, and Pope John Paul II. Even Princess Diana stayed at the Drake Hotel during her only visit to Chicago in 1996.

The Drake Hotel is a commanding presence along Chicago's Magnificent Mile

The preponderance of visiting kings, queens, diplomats, and entertainers molded the character of the Drake, which quickly became known for its commitment to the highest levels of guest service. However, this same reputation was the source of some interesting anachronisms. Although the Drake was the first hotel in Chicago to air condition and include color televisions in all guest rooms, it stubbornly refused to install ice machines until 1967, when the quality of machine ice was finally deemed comparable to “hand make cubes,” and human elevator operators were retained well into the 1970′s.

Main lobby

After Hilton International was brought in to manage the Drake in 1981, $40 million was allocated to return the hotel to its original splendor. Rooms were equipped with high-speed Internet, dual line speaker phones with caller ID, in-room safes, luxurious bathrobes, remote control TVs, iron and ironing boards, and alarm clock radios. A 3000 sq. ft. fitness facility was added and made available to all guests on a complimentary basis.

Drake king room

View to Lake Michigan from a Drake hotel room

High Tea in the Palm Court

Though British royalty may not visit with the regularity of bygone eras, America’s royalty – Hollywood – has discovered the Drake in recent years. Scenes from the movies Mission: Impossible, Risky Business, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Hero, What Women Want, and Wicker Park, among others, were filmed at the hotel. Even so, the Drake still maintains one majestic tradition. Every afternoon, in-the-know tourists and Chicago elite gather at the hotel’s Palm Court for live harp music and High Tea, a tradition at the Drake for more than 25 years.

Despite numerous new luxury hotels springing up along North Michigan Avenue’s Magnificent Mile, the Drake, with 535 guest rooms on ten floors, five restaurants/lounges, and four major public banquet and meeting areas, is stiill considered to be one of Chicago’s most distinguished hotel premier luxury hotels.

Photo credits: The Drake Hotel

Article by barbara Weibel at Hole In The Donut Travels