The Donald’s Smooth Move

By transcending traditional concierge duties, Trump Attaches at Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago provide customized service beyond compare – be it providing private access to an exclusive salon or shopping after store hours. Recently, a guest sent a last-minute request for authentic Kobe Beef. Given the distance to Japan, an Attaché staffer simply attended a local auction for the necessary purchase. Then there was the male guest whose underwear arrived within minutes of his initial 7 a.m. request. Talk about going the extra inch.
401 N. Wabash Ave.
312-588-8000
www.trumpchicagohotel.com

High-Tech High

Mind-altering state-of-the-art technology is on tap at The James, a spiffy hotel with tricked-out rooms. Look into The Loft (with separate media room featuring a cushy king-sized bed/couch perfect for comfy film viewing via movie projector playing on one entire wall), The Apartment Suite (a self-contained flat with impressive wet bar stocked with full-sized libations, not those teeny sample sizes), and The Studio (highly high-tech featuring platform bed, dining niche and mood lighting). Also on hand: David Burke’s celebrated Primehouse, for hand picked meat dry-aged in the chef’s own Himalayan salt room, and JBar, for great spins from Chicago’s most popular DJs.
55 E. Ontario St.
312-337-1000
www.jameshotels.com

Arty Haven

Hotel Sax brings both hot hotel style and a dash of drama to Marina City with its trove of in-house extras. Consider the unexpected sweet sounds of a saxophone wailing or the mesmerizing moves of an ethereal dancer lighting up a makeshift stage. The permanent digs evoke imagination, too, like the Microsoft Experience, a nifty fourth-floor entertainment lounge decked with electric guitars, current movies, and X-Box. Exclusive Chairman Suites provide plenty of perks too, most impressively a total of seven – count ‘em – flat screens in the spacious digs. Another bonus: Room service is provided by popular restaurant and wine bar, Bin 36. All in all, amazing!
333 N. Dearborn St.
312-245-0333
www.hotelsaxchicago.com

Luxury with a Conscious

A gem hidden within The Windy City’s Gold Coast, The Talbott Hotel remains fancy without forgoing sustainability. Proof? This family-owned retreat, built in 1927, was deemed one of Illinois’ first Green Seal Certificate hotels. After a painstaking nine months of work to meet the stringent environmental lodging standard required for such honors, The Talbott greatly reduced its carbon footprint to include such recycling practices as donating unused soap and other bathroom amenities to charity. And, for guests who need help deciding what is the right (translation: green) temperature for their newly renovated rooms, there’s a special eco-mode on each and every thermostat. Now, how cool is that?

20 East Delaware Place
312-944-4970
www.talbotthotel.com

Animal House

Downtown’s Hotel Monaco encourages guests to bring their favorite pets — both canine and feline — and then greets them with kitty litter boxes, grooming care, and special spa services. Your dog or cat will even be photographed for the hotel’s permanent register. What? Rover or Morris won’t travel? Then sign up for a pet to foster. The Monaco provides your very own goldfish to cherish during your stay. Bonus: While you’re out, hotel staff happily feeds and tends to your new finny friend. No more returning to a lonely room. The adopt-a-fish idea has made quite a splash.

225 N. Wabash Ave.
312-960-8500
www.monaco-chicago.com