Location. Central to Chicago’s (Ill.) Gold Coast neighborhood, The Whitehall Hotel radiates European splendor less than two blocks from shopping on Rush Street and North Michigan Avenue’s Magnificent Mile. Within five blocks of the hotel are the John Hancock Center, Oak Street shopping and the shoreline of Lake Michigan. The Museum of Contemporary Art is nine blocks from the hotel and Navy Pier is one mile away. A complimentary Chicago museum trolley stops two blocks from the hotel.
Hotel Features. Originally built in 1927 as an affluent apartment building, this hotel maintains its Victorian ambiance with intimate meeting quarters showcasing antique mahogany furnishings, oil paintings and wood paneling with glass enclosed memorabilia. Morning coffee and teatimes are held in a quaint tea room just off the lobby area. The Fornetto Mei Restaurant serves Neo Milanese, Oriental and Italian cuisine with specialty pizzas prepared over a wood burning oven. A cigar bar and Little Wine Shoppe, adjacent to the restaurant, offer wines for purchase by the bottle.

Wireless Internet access is available for a fee in public areas, meeting spaces and a business center with fax, print, photocopy and shredding services. Cardiovascular and strength training equipment is accessible via the on site 24 hour fitness center, which offers complimentary water and towels after workouts.

Guestrooms. The Whitehall Hotel’s 221 guestrooms feature antique cherry wood décor with elaborate carvings and floral designs offset by striped prints. Premium bedding includes feather comforters, down pillows and pillowtop mattresses. Bathrooms feature marble countertops and floors, terry cloth bathrobes and Gilchrist & Soames bath products. High speed wired and wireless Internet access is available in all accommodations for a fee.

Hotel Expert’s Tip. I toasted sherry among 200 specialty martinis, fine liqueur and 40 wine varieties at the Whitehall Place Lounge in the Whitehall Hotel, the first alehouse to serve alcohol after the prohibition was repealed.
Renovation Notice:
The hotel is scheduled to begin renovating its hallways in early 2007. The estimated completion date is February 28, 2007. This date is subject to change.