The Whitehall Hotel

Top Tours of Chicago

The Whitehall Hotel — Mon, 3 Jun 2013 17:49:57 +0200

From incredible cuisine to its iconic art and architecture, Chicago is an exciting destination with unforgettable tour experiences. One of the most captivating cities on the planet, Chicago offers a variety of tours and cruises that help you discover its historic landmarks, distinctive architecture, legendary museums, eclectic neighborhoods and famous attractions, including Navy Pier, Wrigley Field, Willis Tower, Magnificent Mile and the Museum Campus.

Celebrate the spirit of Chicago by joining one of the city’s fascinating tours, where you will discover the food, art, history and beauty of the Windy City. Here are a few tour ideas to get you started:

Chicago Architecture River Tour – One of the most exciting tours in Chicago is the Architecture Foundation River Cruise. Hop aboard Chicago’s First Lady for a cruise the Chicago River, and learn about Chicago’s iconic skyline with historic buildings, landmarks and beautiful architecture, including John Hancock Center, Willis Tower, and Civic Opera Building.

Chicago Food Tours – Famous for its deep-dish pizza, steakhouses and tasty hot dogs, Chicago is a food paradise with tours that let you truly taste the Windy City. Savor delicious Chicago-style cuisine on the Bikes, Blues & BBQ Combo Tour, Pizza Tour and the Chinatown Food Tasting & Cultural Walking Tour. Yum!

Chicago Boat Tours – Hop on the Spirit of Chicago at Navy Pier and enjoy an entertaining cruise on Lake Michigan. This boat tour offers fun days and nights of dining, entertainment and spectacular views of the Chicago cityscape. The moonlight tour is spectacular.

Chicago Bike Tours - Bike & Roll Chicago offers guided bike tours and Segway tours from Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Riverwalk, and 53rd Street. Ride along Chicago’s beautiful lakefront trail, with 18 miles of car free fun, or explore hundreds of miles of paved lanes through scenic parks and neighborhoods.

Chicago Trolley Tours – Hop on and off the trolley tour to experience the sights and sounds of Chicago. This 1.3 hour tour offers stops at many famous attractions, including Willis Tower, Art Institute, Museum Campus, Navy Pier, Water Tower, and the Wrigley Building.

For recommendations on popular Chicago tours ask the concierge at The Whitehall Hotel, or visit http://www.choosechicago.com/things-to-do/tours-and-attractions/find-tours-and-attractions/ or http://www.architecture.org/tours.

The Whitehall Hotel’s Day of Art Package

The Whitehall Hotel — Tue, 28 May 2013 20:47:29 +0200

Originally built in 1928, The Whitehall Hotel is an architectural landmark in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood – where art and hospitality create a unique boutique hotel experience. After its magnificent renovation, The Whitehall Hotel exudes its original splendor. The hotel’s new décor, a blend of modern and neoclassical, bridges Chicago’s creative past with its chic urban now. Come experience what Fortune Magazine calls “one of the eight great small hotels of the U.S.” where European grace and Midwest cool are in stunning harmony.

If you love fine art, from ancient to modern, The Whitehall Hotel is about a mile from the legendary Art Institute of Chicago. When you walk through this incredible museum you feel the dramatic presence of beauty and greatness. The Art Institute of Chicago boasts over 54,000 works of art and impressive collections of American, European and world art that will blow you away.

Marvel at one of the world’s finest and largest collections of European paintings, including works by Picasso, Dali, Kandinsky and Miro, and be amazed by the mind-altering collection of French Impressionist art with masterpieces by Monet, Van Gogh, and Renoir. The Art Institute’s contemporary collection features extraordinary works by Andy Warhol, William de Kooning and Jackson Pollock and the modern gallery wows with Juan Gris, Georgia O’keefe and Man Ray.

A perfect way to experience the art and architecture of Chicago is with The Whitehall Hotel’s Day of Art Package, which includes:

Superior or Pinnacle Room
Overnight Valet Parking
American Breakfast for Two
Two VIP tickets to the Art Institute
Free Gift at the Art Institute Museum Shop (With Purchase)
Coupon to Terzo Piano, a 2010 Best of Chicago Restaurant

For details on exhibits and tours of the Art Institute of Chicago, go tohttp://www.artic.edu/.

Sting Ray Touch Exhibit at Shedd Aquarium

The Whitehall Hotel — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:20:40 +0200

May 17, 2013

Dive into family adventure at Shedd Aquarium in downtown Chicago, home to 32,600 amazing sea creatures - from whales to snails - from the world's fresh and salt water habitats. One of the coolest new experiences at Shedd Aquarium is the Stingray Touch exhibit, where you can feel these mysterious and graceful fish glide through the water and under your fingertips. Explore this incredible open-air tank and learn about the gentle, graceful stingrays, and how everyday actions can help protect them in the wild.

After you explore the Stingray Touch, go wander through Shedd Aquarium’s exhilarating galleries and exhibits where you can marvel at animals from around the world – from the Amazon to the Great Lakes. Discover Waters of the World, Caribbean Reef, Amazon Rising, Wild Reef, Polar Play Zone and the Abbott Oceanarium, where you will encounter sharks, giant octopus, green sea turtles, colorful jellies, polar bears, and piranhas. Children will have a blast at Shedd's Aquatic Show where belugas dance and dolphins soar.

The Stingray Touch experience opens at Shedd Aquarium on May 17^th and will delight kids and adults alike through Fall 2013. You can see this hands-on exhibit for free with the purchase of a Total Experience Pass or for $5 with a Shedd Pass.

For more details, visit http://www.sheddaquarium.org/stingray_touch.html.

Top 5 Must Do’s at Wrigley Field

The Whitehall Hotel — Wed, 8 May 2013 20:20:20 +0200

Wrigley Field in Chicago is not only the legendary home of the Chicago Cubs, it is one of the city's iconic landmarks. Built in 1914, Wrigley Field has hosted the Cubs for almost 100 years this season. So come out celebrate a century of exciting baseball at this world-famous ball yard in the heart of the Windy City. Wrigley Field has had its share of incredible moments as well! Wrigley Field is the home of Babe Ruth's &Quot;called shot&Quot; homer to the bleachers during the 1932 World Series, Gabby Hartnett's famous &Quot;Homer in the Gloamin&Quot; in 1938, Pete Rose's 4,191st career hit, which tied him with Ty Cobb for the most hits in baseball, and Sammy Sosa's 60th home runs in 1998, 1999, and 2001.

If you're visiting Chicago during baseball season, put Wrigley Field on your &Quot;see list&Quot; and experience the aura of this classic ballpark.

Our Top Five &Quot;Must Do's&Quot; at Wrigley Field Include:

1.) See a Chicago Cubs baseball game- The Chicago Cubs play home games from March through September, unless they make the postseason!

2.) Tour Wrigley Field- Get a behind-the scenes look at 100 years of history at this famous Chicago attraction. Guided tours are offered on game and non-game days starting in March

3.) See Batting Practice- Get to Wrigley Field two hours before the game and see the Cubs batting practice from the batting tunnel under the Budweiser Bleachers in right field. Gates open two hours prior to game time.

4.) Eat a famous Chicago Hot Dog- No trip to Chicago and Wrigley Field is complete without a tasty Chicago-style hot dog at the ballpark with all the fixings. An ice cold beer is a nice touch!

5.) Wall of Fame- See legendary Cubs players from throughout the years honored on the Cubs Hall of Fame on the main concourse!

Celebrating the 18th Annual Whitehall Day

The Whitehall Hotel — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:53:23 +0200

Sunday, March 24th marks the 18th annual celebration of Whitehall Day. In 1995, Governor Jim Edgar signed a proclamation creating an official &Quot;Whitehall Hotel Day&Quot; in the state of Illinois.This document, which has itself become a piece of history, extols the legacy of excellence and corporate values that continue to the present day at The Whitehall Hotel.

Historical Legacy -

Originally constructed as luxury apartment building in 1928, The Whitehall Hotel maintains the beautifully crafted architecture and interior detailing of its earlier history, while modernizing to accommodate the demands of contemporary luxury travel.

Culinary Excellence -

The Whitehall Club, an elite private dining club and the hotel’s original restaurant, was one of the first restaurants in America to merit a mention in the Michelin Guide. Our restaurant, Fornetto Mei, contines that 60-year-old tradition of haute cuisine, and has created a sumptuous prix-fixe menu for Whitehall Day as an homage to the glorious repasts of the past.

Glamour -

The Whitehall Hotel has hosted a glittering assortment of international VIPs over the years, from Katherine Hepburn to Henry Kissinger, from the Beatles to the Duke and Duchess of Argyle. Our world-class service has made the hotel a hub for eminent visitors to Chicago up to the present day. We are offering special $95 room rates for travel through April 30th so you can see for yourself.

Trees -

Governor Edgar made the interesting choice to draw attention to the honey locust trees growing in front of the hotel, as inspiring the “mature honey locust trees now lining Michigan Avenue.” While the governor’s particular interest in these trees is lost to history, the honey locust trees on The Magnificent Mile are still standing, and so are ours.

Please join us in celebrating our history, our guests, and our city: Whitehall Day, March 24^th, 2013.

Romantic Getaway in Chicago Package

The Whitehall Hotel — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 04:00:46 +0200

The Romance Package at the Whitehall Hotel -

Planning a surprise weekend getaway, honeymoon retreat or a relaxing escape away from it all? The Whitehall Hotel’s Romance Package makes it easy to create an unforgettable weekend for two. You’ll enjoy a night in one of our well-appointed Superior or Pinnacle King rooms, and be welcomed by a dozen long-stemmed roses, a bottle of champagne and delicious fresh strawberries. You’ll also receive a complimentary $100 food and drink voucher, which makes it possible to enjoy an unforgettable dining experience at Fornetto Mei or Mei’s Corner. Sleepy? Enjoy a night of uninterrupted rest and relaxation and a convenient 2 p.m. checkout.

Rates start at $199 per night.

Book Now

Romantic Getaway at the Whitehall Hotel -

At the Whitehall Hotel, you and your loved one will enjoy intimate boutique-style comforts surrounded by luxury 1920s splendor. Our upscale downtown Chicago hotel offers a European-inspired elegance including upscale rooms with marble bathrooms, luxurious bedding with white down duvets, and access to our fitness and business center. Downtown Chicago's world-class shopping and dining along the Magnificent Mile is just steps from your door.

Millennium Park Ice Skating

The Whitehall Hotel — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 03:52:41 +0200

Thrilling Ice Skating in Millennium Park -

Whether you’re lacing up a pair of ice skates for the first time, or looking to perfect those spirals, axel jumps and twizzles, McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park is the perfect place for all your Chicago ice skating adventures. The Millennium Park ice rink has been a city staple for the past 11 years, transforming the area into a winter playground surrounded by snow flurries and spectacular downtown city lights. If you’re thinking about going for an evening skate with that special someone or on a family ice skating excursion, you’ll enjoy free public admission and skate rentals for only $10. Lockers are available for only $1.

Park Cafe at the Millennium Park Ice Rink -

Hungry? Take a break from skating and head to the Park Cafe. Fill your tummy with savory snacks and delicious hot cocoa that is sure to warm you right up.

Ice Skating Rink Hours -

The park is open weather permitting until March 10, 2013, Monday through Thursday, 12 noon to 8 p.m.; Fridays, noon to 10 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The ice rink is located on Michigan Avenue in between Washington and Madison Streets.

The Whitehall - boutique hotel in Chicago

The Whitehall Hotel — Wed, 3 Oct 2012 06:50:10 +0200

Located in downtown Chicago, The Whitehall Hotel is a charming boutique hotel that has been totally restored to mirror its original glory from the 1920s. We invite family vacationers and business travelers alike to experience an unparalleled lodging experience. Well-appointed guestrooms and spacious suites beckon with comfortable king and queen beds with high thread count premium cotton sheets, quality silk duvet covers over a down comforter, celebrated Hypnos cashmere mattresses, restored antique mahogany furniture, marble bathrooms, stylish parlors, extra guest bathrooms, cable television, and high-speed Internet access. Visitors who choose to stay with us will have access to an appealing array of hotel amenities, including fitness center, concierge, two onsite restaurants, business center, and meeting and event facilities.

A truly convenient location is one of the hallmarks of our historic downtown Chicago hotel. We’re within close proximity of everything you’ll need to complement your stay. Enjoy upscale shopping, fine dining, and terrific theatre along the Magnificent Mile, which is also home to many major corporations. Attractions are incredibly close as well like Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Willis Tower, Art Institute of Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum of Natural History, and Adler Planetarium. We’re also just a short distance from Chicago’s lakefront and Oak Street Beach. Get more out of your Chicago adventure and save money at the same time by booking one of our value hotel packages. There are several special deals that were designed with everyone from fans of museums to couples embarking on a romantic getaway in mind.

Fornetto Mei - Chicago Dining

The Whitehall Hotel — Wed, 3 Oct 2012 06:47:43 +0200

Savor unique meals at Fornetto Mei, an excellent pan-Italian restaurant located onsite at The Whitehall Hotel in downtown Chicago. Both breakfast and dinner are served on a daily basis, making mealtime easy, convenient, and delicious. Start your day off with one of many signature items, such as a fruit and yogurt plate, fresh fruit crepes, French toast, homemade buttermilk pancakes, a lox platter, Irish oatmeal, and Swiss muesli. Fornetto Mei also features a wide range of egg dishes, including omelets, two eggs any style, “hole-in-one” eggs, Eggs Benedict, and steak and eggs. What’s more, you can order the quiche of the day and the hotel’s famous corned-beef hash.

When it comes to dinner, nobody does it quite like Fornetto Mei. Choose from the intimate dining room or the jazzy atrium pizza bar. For dinner, there are some exceptional menu choices. Starters feature superb soups and sumptuous salads. Entrees are plentiful and include Berkshire Pork Bolognese, Herb Linguine with Chicken, Pappardelle with Mushrooms, Oxtail Gnocchi, Seafood Risotto with Scallops & Shrimp, Fresh Grilled Wild Salmon, and Pan-Roasted, Dry-Aged 8-Ounce Steer Tenderloin. As for the pizzas, well, you’re going to want to give them a shot, especially since they’re all made in a gourmet wood oven. Delight in everything from The Whitehall Hotel’s signature pizza with sausage, grapes, and goat cheese to Pizza D’Asti with lots of meat to the Basil Chicken Pizza. Don’t forget to order a glass of wine or one of Fornetto Mei’s classic martinis.

Top 10 Things to Do in Chicago

The Whitehall Hotel — Wed, 3 Oct 2012 06:41:21 +0200

One of the top 10 things to do in Chicago is shopping. And there’s no better place for retail therapy than Michigan Avenue, known as the Magnificent Mile, where you’ll find everything you need to satisfy every single need. Discover over 460 top-rated stores, such as Nordstrom, Niketown, Victoria Secret, Crate & Barrel, and Saks 5th Avenue. In addition to stores, you’ll come into contact with a spectacular range of excellent restaurants, unique shops, must-see museums, popular theaters, awesome art galleries, inspiring outdoor festivals, and breathtaking skyline views. Several shopping centers comprise the Magnificent Mile, including 900 North Michigan. This fashionable shopping center boasts six levels of upscale retailers and department stores like Bloomingdale's. In addition, you’ll discover many fine dining establishments, a full-service salon and spa, and state-of-the-art fitness facility.

Another desirable shopping center is Water Tower Place. Considered by many to be the premier shopping and dining destination in downtown Chicago, Water Tower Place beckons one and all with an eight-level atrium. Within this atrium are a wild combination of one-of-a-kind specialty stores, boutiques, department stores, such as Macy’s, quality sit-down restaurants, and a fabulous food court. One of the highlights of this marvelous mall’s 100 shops is American Girl Place. Besides providing stunning views of Lake Michigan, American Girl Place brings young girls a ton of pleasure. They’re able to shop for their very own American Girl doll or browse the bookstore. There’s also the American Girl Café where lunch and dinner are served daily.