Hyatt Regency McCormick Place

Renovated in 2013, the Hyatt Regency's two towers act as high-rise bedrooms for the vast McCormick Place Convention Center. A wide entryway leads to a front desk, which is back-lit by large glowing panels and built to accommodate large crowds. Attractive, wood-paneled walls temper the brightly lit ceilings and the highly polished floors. Plush lounge chairs and sectionals are arranged in conversational clusters in the lobby. Wide corridors and common spaces are filled with natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows.

Located near Chicago's South Side, the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place is connected by a sky bridge to the McCormick Place Convention Center. It's also near Soldier Field, which is about a 15-minute walk north and reached via a pedestrian bridge over the railway tracks. Little else is within walking distance, though taxis are always lined up in front of the hotel, and the No. 3 bus stops just outside, providing relatively easy access to downtown. The Magnificent Mile, an iconic stretch of North Michigan Avenue known for its upscale shopping and famous landmarks, is about a 15-minute drive. Midway International Airport is about a 20-minute drive, but allow at least 50-minutes (if not more than an hour during peak traffic times) to reach O'Hare International.

1,258 rooms, updated in 2013, are spread between two different towers. Each room is large with neutral decor, and natural wood accents that warm up gray carpets and curtains. All have the brand hallmark Hyatt Grand Bed (king, queen, or double), and some have sitting areas with small couches. Great desks have extra work space, built-in data/connectivity ports, and comfortable roller chairs. Renovated bathrooms include shower/tub combos and a slick separate sink and vanity. iPod docks, coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and garbage disposal with integrated recycling bins are nice touches. Many rooms have views of downtown Chicago and/or Lake Michigan. Free Wi-Fi is standard.

McCormick Place convention-goers couldn't ask for a more convenient lodging, especially with the connecting sky bridge, but the Hyatt also has its own event facility. It's dwarfed by North America's largest convention space to which it's connected, but multiple meeting rooms and an enormous ballroom totaling 50,000 square feet of flexible space make the hotel its own event destination. There's also a FedEx shipping and printing office inside the hotel's 24-hour business center (though FedEx is staffed only during the day). Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.

The lack of dining in the area makes the pricey on-site food and drink options even more of a consideration. Four places to find sustenance are Forno, which serves paninis and pizza, Shor Chicago Grill for steaks and contemporary American grub, and the Daily Grind market for snacks, coffee, and other to-go options. The market also serves breakfast, offering such fast food standards as egg sandwiches and fruit cups. The bar serves appetizers and small plates to go with its cocktails, and has an outdoor patio with covered seating.

The heated indoor pool is on the small side, but the attached sundeck is a nice addition and makes the space feel larger. The spacious fitness center is open 24 hours a day and houses rows of treadmills, cardio bikes, and cross trainers. It has a locker room with nice showers and a small sauna.