The Thompson, Chicago

Location

Found between historic mansions on the tree-lined streets of the city’s Gold Coast, come the evening, you’ll be well situated for superb nightlife and excellent dining. The luxury shops of the Magnificent Mile and Oak Street’s boutiques are a short wander away along with the Museum of Contemporary Art and the stunning Millennium Park, home to an impressive range of modern sculpture installations. Perhaps take an architectural walking tour to appreciate the city’s sleek lines.

Accommodation

The brainchild of British interior design icon Tara Bernerd, the lobby’s industrial struts are warmed by American woods and mid-century lines. The same sensibilities are transposed onto luxury studio rooms with plush furnishings, Art Deco fixtures and boutique prints. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out either across downtown Chicago’s skyline or the city’s Great Lake waterscape. En suite bathrooms feature rain showers and oversize Frette terrycloth robes. For skyline views, the hotel’s penthouses are split over two levels with loft bedrooms and a separate sitting area.

Dining

The hotel has two excellent dining options with chef Wu-Bower’s focus on simple, high quality ingredients a hit among Gold Coast denizens. The flagship Nico Osteria restaurant serves Italian seafood to guests and locals alike with the house-made pasta a chef speciality. Menus change daily to reflect only the best produce available to the region’s farmers and fishermen. For a more relaxed evening, head to Salone Nico, whose lively atmosphere is a superb backdrop to rustic Italian fare.

Facilities

Enjoy the approachable Mediterranean wine lists of the hotel’s bars as you settle into life on the fashionable Gold Coast, perhaps with a cocktail in one hand. There are also Michelin starred goodies to discover nearby. Back at the hotel, guests benefit from a Lexus car service, ferrying them to some of the city’s artsy sights. There’s also complimentary WiFi along with fitness facilities including a range of cardio machines and sets of free weights.