Sometimes you can tell a book by its cover, especially when the cover looks like that of the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower. This wedge-shaped wonder in the heart of Chicago’s exclusive Gold Coast neighborhood is sleek and sophisticated, inside and out. Guest rooms at the Sofitel offer modernity and comfort in equal measures. Carpets of deep red or cobalt blue offer dramatic accents for the soothing cream colors of the bedroom walls and duvets. Modern art and Barcelona chairs contribute to the sophisticated feel. Feather beds provide an original touch, but don’t settle in too early – the hotel’s posh Le Bar is a mandatory stop for serious jet-setters. A pet-friendly hotel, the Sofitel welcomes its four-legged guests with treats and chrome-plated bowls. Leave Fido behind when you head out for the night, starting with the hotel’s Cafe des Architectes. Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art, Bloomingdale’s and the historic Water House.