Rise and Dine at the 71 Hotel in Chicago

Looking for old world hospitality and charm in a stylishly different hotel? Try the Hotel 71 in Chicago. It is located on the Chicago River at Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue (Magnificent Mile), which means that a middle-of-the-road Hotel 71 has to fight for it's survival. There's luxury chain hotels beating down from one side, and the budget offerings of the Chicago motels and hostels stealing customers from the other side.

So what does the 71 offer that makes it stand out from the pack? Well, for starters, Chicago is very much more conservative in it's hospitality offerings than say, New york or Los Angeles. So the fact that the 71 is a boutique hotel makes it different, as in not so conservative.

Secondly, they're priced well below what the big brand hotels charge. A 2 day getaway weekend package starts at $169. A Rise & Dine package, which includes an in-room daily full American breakfast,costs only $152. A Shop Til You Drop package, which facilitates Magnificent Mile shopping, clocks in at $159.

Amenities offered include concierge, complimentary 24-hour fitness center, 24-hour business center with high-speed internet access, valet parking, same day laundry and dry cleaning, and 10,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and event spaces.

In-room amenities in the 307 guest rooms with river and city views include work desk and leather ergo chair, sesigner bath products, luxurious bed linens, oversized bath sheets, bathroom phone, complimentary in room coffee, individually controlled cooling and heating, complimentary morning newspaper, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, and Non-allergenic pillows (on request).

Combine the rates with the amenities and facilities the 71 offers, and it's as good a bet as any that you'll be hard pressed to find a better deal in Chicago. The hundreds of dollars saved, which otherwise would have ended up in the bank accounts of deep pocketed Hilton or Marriott employees and shareholders, can now be used for your personal spending, in order to enrich and make your Chicago vacations an expereince worth remembering.
Info: 71 East Wacker Drive Chicago IL 60601; (312) 346-7100; www.hotel71.com/