by billmoy

July 18, 2003

From journal Bill at home in CHICAGO - Accommodations

The best points of the Hampton Inn and Suites are its relatively young age (opening in 1998), its good location in the River North area, and its better than average rooms and amenities.

The exterior of the hotel is rather nondescript, a 12-story cream-colored block with a covered driveway if you are arriving by car or taxi. The interiors are definitely a bit better. The lobby area is quite spacious and has an attractive Prairie-style design (think early Frank Lloyd Wright) that is appropriate for a cozy hotel in the Midwest with 230 guest rooms. A basket of apples is a welcoming touch and a healthy snack for all visitors.

This particular Hampton Inn and Suites is better than the average so-so Hampton Inn that may be found in many suburban locations. The rooms come in various sizes. The standard rooms are nice enough, but the suites are larger in size and have greater amenities such as full kitchens. The suite is not like a posh palace, but it is basically a more spacious standard room. Of course, you will usually pay more for a suite than a standard room. All rooms will feature irons and ironing boards, hair dryers, coffee maker and free local calls.

All guests get to enjoy the "breakfast bar", which is the complimentary continental breakfast buffet served on the second floor. It is a decent spread with sweet rolls, fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt, coffee and juices, but no meat. All guests can enjoy the smallish indoor pool, sauna and jacuzzi.

The Hampton Inn is now part of the Hilton HHonors program if you are a participant. The restaurant connected to the hotel has changed many times over a brief number of years. The current incarnation is called Al Chula''s American Grill, which gets lost amongst the great variety of restaurant choices in the surrounding area.

One of my memories at the Hampton happened when I attended a function here during its grand opening. On our way out, a couple of my colleagues decided to hop in the elevator even though they were going down only one floor. Needless to say, they were stuck in the elevator for nearly an hour! The moral of this story is that if you are headed out after finishing your breakfast buffet, take the stairs down! The exercise is good for you!

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