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

Chateau Marmont, by Alan Light

HOTEL SITE

Jesse Spencer of House

CELEBS SPOTTED: Clare Danes, Christopher Lloyd, Lindsay Lohan, Lily Allen, Demi Moore, Anthony Kiedis, David Cook, Robert Deniro, Dita Von Teese, Jesse Spencer, Josh Hartnett, Eliza Dushku, Zac Effron, Rosario Dawson, Leonardo, DiCaprio, Katy Perry

Originally built as apartments in the late ’20s, Chateau Marmont in Hollywood became a hotel in 1931 and it’s been a celebrity hot-spot ever since. Infamous because it’s where the late, great John Belushi died in 1982, it’s never stopped the stars from hanging out.

Everyone from Elizabeth Taylor to Jim Morrison to James Dean to Lindsay Lohan has spent time at the Chateau Marmont. The Red Hot Chili Peppers have even recorded songs there.

Private terraces and balconies abound at the Chateau Marmont

The founder of Columbia Pictures, Harry Cohn, once said, “If you must get in trouble, do it at the Chateau Marmont.” I don’t want trouble, really, just to live it up in the manner to which I’d like to become accustomed.

Where the stars sleep

There are 63 rooms, cottages, and bungalows at the Chateau, many of which have full kitchens. Yeah, there’s something to be said for apartment buildings that have been converted into hotels. Since the hotel was built to be earthquake-proof (and has survived quite a few of them), the walls are all rather thick – even soundproof – so if you’re looking to host a party, this might be the perfect place.

Living it up Chateau style

Junior Suites with a queen-sized bed, kitchen, and dining area start at $480 a night. A Two-Bedroom Suite with queen bed, twin beds, dining room, kitchen, and private balcony (overlooking the pool) begins at $835 a night. Bungalows range from $520-$1,800 a night.

The Suite Life at Chateau Marmont

And the Penthouse? You can get a one-bedroom with king-sized bed, living room with hardwood floors, formal dining room, kitchen, and two private patio terraces for a mere $2,200 per night. The two-bedroom penthouse includes working fireplace and goes for only $3,700 a night. The views from the penthouse? Spectacular. Sigh, yeah, when I’m rich and famous, I suppose.

The hotel features amenities such as a heated pool, free wifi, cashmere throws, maid service (twice a day, because clearly you’re that filthy), and even a 24-hour shoe shine. I don’t know about you, but that’s a long time to spend shining my shoes. I have things to do!

The Bar Marmont is famous for its ambiance and cuisine, as well as being one of the favorite places for celebs to be seen. Highly recommended you make reservations, of course, because otherwise you’re likely to be shut out and forced to hit an In-and-Out Burger, not that that’s a bad thing. But when you’re expecting high-class and cool, a burger joint may be a bit of a let-down.

Bar Marmont

Katy Perry hanging at the Chateau Marmont

Of course, there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance of the Chateau Marmont. There’s the Curry Palace and Sunset Thai, amongst many others. It’s Hollywood, after all.

If it’s good enough for the old-school stars like Clark Gable, as well as the newbies such as Katy Perry, the Chateau Marmont is good enough for you. And if it’s not, I don’t know if we can be friends when I’m all big and famous.

Photo Credits

Top photo by Alan Light

I stayed in the W Hotel Lakeshore in Chicago, IL in 2007 for BlogHer, and it was the weirdest travel experience of my life.  My friend Sarah and I were thrown off completely by the shutter-like door and window (!) in the bathroom.  As modest women, we didn’t expect that every little noise would be heard by each other.  As it was, anytime either one of us needed the facilities, we were either full of giggles or embarrassed, or both.  What I did like about that bathroom was a well lit, pull-out magnified mirror to fix my makeup and pluck eyebrows.  Great idea.

The beds were super comfortable, and the wifi was spotty at best. What I didn’t appreciate was the $8 bottle of water taunting me late at night.  Eight bucks for a bottle of water is so out of line in my eyes I could barely stand it.  Couple that small expense with the $31/day for parking a car I never used the whole weekend and my wallet was screaming to go home by the time I left.

Rooms aside, the hotel lobby is BUSY 24/7.  Blaring music, a bar, and a party atmosphere means tipsy, obnoxious people at all hours.  Using the public restroom off the lobby meant, as a woman, subjecting oneself to scrutiny by the men’s bathroom, via one way mirror.  Sure, the warnings are there to tell you you’re being watched, but my goodness, is that really necessary?

Having said that, the service was impeccable.  Whatever/Whenever service, they claim:

Impeccable service? We’re all about it 24/7. Just push a button on your phone to reach our Whatever/Whenever desk. Ask and you shall receive. Need a reservation anywhere in the city? Perhaps a bathtub filled with chocolate milk? Whatever you want. Whenever you want it. It’s all just a phone call away.

You wanted something, you got it.  It may have cost you an arm and a leg, but The W is very good at slipping your money away from you while showing you a great time.  Now I wonder what that W really stands for?

I’m heading to L.A. soon and will be put up at The W Westwood.  Yes, of course I took out a second mortgage so I can afford a few drinks!

Photo Credit: Kvetch Blog

Cheeca Lodge and Spa

HOTEL SITE

Jim Carrey

CELEBS SPOTTED: President George Herbert Walker Bush, Chrissie Evert, Gisele Bundchen, Adriana Lima, Salma Hayek, Kevin Costner, Jack Nicklaus, Forest Whitaker, Jim Carrey, Brooke Burke, Denise Austin, Pink, Billy Idol, Jennifer Lopez, Bruce Campbell, Jane Seymour, Katie Couric, Jason Alexander

Called the “Queen of the Florida Keys,” the Cheeca Lodge & Spa is located in the beautiful Islamorada in the Keys, and you’re likely to spot a number of famous people while staying there. It’s kind of a hideaway for the stars. Everyone from Salma Hayek to Katie Couric to even President George H.W. Bush has stayed at the Cheeca, and with good reason. It’s on a glorious 27-acre estate, full of luxurious views. NOTE: the Cheeca is due to reopen in December, 2009.

Cheeca Lodge Dining Outdoors

With rates starting as low as $250 per night, you’ll find the classic Keys style, mixed with West Indies decor…something the Cheeca calls “barefoot elegance.” There are 212 rooms, suites, and bungalows – you won’t be disappointed.

Beautiful rooms and amazing views at the Cheeca

The new Oceanfront and Island View Suites give you over 840 square feet, gorgeous ocean views, hot tubs, rain showers for two…all very romantic. And the Spa is nothing to sneeze at, either. Lots of different packages for you to choose from.

The Spa at the Cheeca

Casual Keys meets West Indies at the Cheeca Lodge

Amenities include oceanfront pool, a wooden fishing pier, tennis courts, golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus himself, private beach, fitness center, Camp Cheeca (for the kids), biking, Starbucks and Tazo Teas in your room, wifi, and several restaurants to choose from.

Dock at Cheeca Lodge & Spa

Islamorada has amazing restaurants, and the Cheeca Lodge & Spa has some of the best. In fact, Florida Trend magazine calls the Cheeca’s eating spots one of “Florida’s 500 Best Places to Dine.” There’s Atlantic’s Edge, with delicious seafood and steaks, as well as a magnificent hot breakfast buffet. The Lobby Bar serves cocktails, and the Tiki Bar is a beachfront spot with a view of the ocean, as well as drinks and Bahama stone crab claws. Nikai is the newest restaurant, offering fresh sushi and Asian cuisine.

Hot Tub at the Cheeca

Salma Hayek

It’s no wonder the likes of Gisele Bundchen and Jennifer Lopez love the Cheeca. They get treated like the stars they are, and so can you. Think I’ll make it a point to head down to the Keys. I mean, I live in Florida…how have I never been there? Papa Hemingway awaits.

Photo Sources: Hotel Photos taken from Cheeca Lodge web site, Celebrity photos

If you know of a place that makes a good fit for Celebrity Hotel of the Week, please let me know. I can be reached at southernyank01@gmail.com