Hotel Blake 500 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL, 60605; 312-986-1234 http://www.hotelblake.com Fusing boutique-hotel modern with the historic architecture of the Printers Row neighborhood, the Blake's 19th-century Morton Salt building façade leads to an of-the-moment lobby. Its understated interior—think forties-meets-Zen— is decked out with gauzy curtains and low black tables, and the glass-walled business center is perfect for impressing clients. Muted taupe walls in the 162 guest rooms artfully set off the red and maroon bedding and sleek glass desks; many of the quarters are also framed by exceptionally tall windows. Rain showers are de rigueur in the bathrooms, as are porcelain vessel sinks, all part of the hotel's fulfillment of the urban lifestyle fantasy. Hotel Burnham 1 West Washington Street, Chicago, IL, 60602; http://www.burnhamhotel.com/ Perhaps no other hotel showcases Chicago's impressive architectural history like the Burnham. The historic 1894 Reliance Building was lavishly restored, and rooms on the upper half of the hotel's 14 floors feature the original heavy wooden doors, iron elevator grillwork, ornate hardware, and worn marble stairs from the landmarked skyscraper's days as an office tower. The décor in the guest rooms, however, is forward-looking, with whimsical blue velvet headboards, harlequin-patterned pillows, and fancifully oversized ottomans; the tasseled curtains and mahogany furniture add a sumptuous note, as do the views from the building's distinctive Chicago Style bay windows. The ground floor has a reconstructed red-and-white mosaic tile floor and a tiny, cozy lobby with a huge stone fireplace and the superb Atwood Café, a stylish spot offering upscale versions of American comfort food classics. Sofitel Chicago Water Tower 20 East Chestnut Street, Chicago, IL, 60611; 312-324-4000 http://www.sofitel.com Paris flirts with the Midwest at Sofitel's North American flagship property. The 32-floor glass prism, Parisian-inspired restaurant (Café des Architectes), and sleek staircase in the lobby all create an understated elegance. With paneled maple walls, king-size feather beds, burgundy carpet, and bamboo textiles, the 415 rooms may sound imposing, but actually provide a comfortable, light-filled respite after a day of shopping. Local and Parisian silk-screen prints fill the hotel walls and elevators, and Le Bar, the cocktail lounge, features striking oil paintings. James Chicago 55 East Ontario Street, Chicago, IL, 60611; http://www.jameshotels.com/chicago/index.php Opened in April 2006, The James marries a residential vibe to a hotel setting. To evoke an apartment style, all of the 297 contemporary rooms have a separate dining area with plasma screen TV's; some include a separate living area with oversize couches, coffee tables, and Eames chairs. Art is also an essential part of the property—the lobby features a rotating gallery from the Museum of Contemporary Art; David Burke's Primehouse restaurant showcases painter Todd White; and the Jbar displays video art on plasma screen TV's. The Peninsula Chicago 108 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611; http://www.peninsula.com As you walk into the Peninsula, the concierge and receptionist greet you by name; classical music plays when you enter one of the 339 rooms; and your bedside table has a control panel to manage the lighting, deactivate the doorbell for privacy, and alert housekeeping when you want service. The luxury extends to the hotel's spa by ESPA: it includes an outdoor sundeck, spa cuisine, eight treatment rooms, a steam room, and a lap pool. And be sure to dine at Shanghai Terrace— Food and Wine voted it one of the top 100 Asian restaurants in the U.S. --

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