The Allegro is a perfectly situated, quite modern hotel. Randolph Street is in the middle of the theater district and almost the middle of downtown Chicago. Parking is a bit expensive, but they offer packages that include parking in the price.

The hotel’s décor is very modern – bright colors, big shapes, and abstract paintings. The rooms were not decorated in typical hotel fashion. There is not a single paisley comforter to be seen in the whole place! The grand staircase in the foyer gives you the impression of an old-fashioned hotel, but the rest of the hotel dispels that idea.

The Allegro is open and very friendly. The staff is helpful, and let us bring our bicycles upstairs and into our room. They are a pet-friendly hotel, and some of the aforementioned package include pet treats as well. There is no continental breakfast, but you can get a paper every morning, and there is a complimentary wine hour every evening.

The rooms themselves are also quite nice. They are slightly large than an average hotel room. The beds are quite comfortable, and as I mentioned before, no paisley comforters! The bathroom was quite luxurious, and the towels we were given were larger than the standard hotel towel.

For such an upscale hotel, the Allegro is very reasonably-priced. In the middle of downtown Chicago, just before Labor Day, we paid about $130 for a king-sized bed room. I was surprised at both the quality and the price! They are owned by the Kimpton hotel chain, which owns a number of unique hotel throughout the country.

This is one of the cutest places I have ever stayed! It is right in the heart of the theater district and a short walk from the "L". The inside of the hotel is designed in a retro-chic sort of fashion with red and blue velvet chairs for relaxing. The room we had was similarly dressed, and the bathrooms, while not large, were quaint and gave the feel of the building's history. The staff was knowledgeable and always willing to help with whatever we needed. The price was equivalent to a budget hotel. We will be return guests here!

This brashly colorful hotel is a member of the Kimpton chain of boutique hotels. Formerly the Bismarck Hotel (built 1927), the reincarnation as the Allegro a few years ago is definitely a step up. Noted interior designer Cheryl Rowley redesigned the original Art Deco interiors in 1998. She invented a hip and wildly lively design that liberally utilizes bold colors, fabrics, and patterns. The refurbished Palace Theater (formerly the Bismarck Theater) is next door, so staying at the Allegro is convenient if you are seeing a performance there or at one of several nearby theaters. It is also close to many government and financial institutions and is one of the closer hotels to the Merchandise Mart. You are not far from prime shopping or tourist attractions, but you are not right in the heart of the action.

The Allegro is rather large for a boutique hotel, with 19 floors supporting 483 rooms and suites. The standard rooms are a bit on the small side, but the colorfully bold design of the room distracts you from this fact. Elements like gold duvets with "lipstick red" trim, "grapefruit" wallpaper, cutesy folded drapes, and boldly striped headboards and "seafoam green" pillows are all in the vocabulary. The rooms contain amenities like minibar, iron and ironing board, hairdryer, cable TV, CD and radio boom box, and the all-important complimentary coffee. The bathrooms are also smallish but functional. Some of the larger suites have Jacuzzis, which surprisingly is not a common element in Chicago hotels.

The hotel is connected to the "312 Chicago" Italian restaurant (note that "312" is the area code for downtown Chicago) and the newer Encore bar-restaurant. A complimentary wine hour is held every evening in the lively lobby bar area, filled with plush seating. The hotel has a small fitness room that is free to guests. The hotel has a variety of meeting rooms for business, and there is a gift shop. The hotel also has a pet-friendly policy for guests.

The rooms are very cozy, and most people enjoy the fact that the look of the hotel is so far removed from the ordinary. The hotel seems to be a popular choice with airline crews and artsy folks. Still, I like to say that I would not recommend the Allegro for conservative businessmen or easily shocked grandmother types. Another potential distraction is its proximity to the rumbling CTA "L" trains which run very close to the west side of the hotel. It is not as bad as that scene from the Blues Brothers movie, but light sleepers might want to bring some earplugs.

The Hotel Allegro is located right in the midst of Chicago's theatre district - smack next door to the Cadillac Palace Theatre -offering convenience and easy access to downtown culture and the performing arts. Within a short walking distance are the Oriental, Chicago, Schubert, and Goodman Theatres. The "Magnificent Mile" and the Navy Pier are a short taxi-ride away. O'Hare and Midway Airports are only 25 minutes away by train (Chicago Transit Authority), with the station located one block from the hotel.

Theatrical quirkiness defines the Hotel Allegro with lines, whimsical designs, and motifs that are colorful, bold and yet comfortable. Upon check-in you will be invited to a 5 p.m. complimentary wine reception in the lobby. A modern fitness room in the same building makes it easy to "stay fit" during your stay.

My daughter and I stayed in a King Bedroom that sported ample closet space with hanging spa robes for lounging. Amenities included Aveeda bath products (my favorite!) along with in-room Italian-roasted coffee. Good bedside lighting and log "bolster" pillows provided me with homey comfort for my nightly reading ritual, while my daughter enjoyed her favorite Nickelodian shows.

A walkway on the third floor leads to the 312 Chicago Restaurant, serving an innovative menu of Italian-inspired American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. (See separate write-up for culinary details).

The Hotel Allegro offers both value and convenience with a wonderfully central city location. However, expect service to be professionally "aloof."