Thompson Chicago

Popular with tourists and business travelers alike, the Thompson Chicago was remodeled in 2014 with beautiful, sophisticated details that hit on a mid-century aesthetic and update it with a modern gray color scheme. The lobby has a few comfortable sitting areas with white-leather sofas, Danish lounge chairs, and rectangular, flat marble coffee tables. A mid-lobby, floor-to-ceiling mod bookshelf separates sitting areas and large circular chandeliers with small suspended lights hanging from the ceilings. Dark, wood-plank floors lead past an impressive modern art display to a spectacular lounge highlighted by a huge ‘"living wall" of illuminated plants. There's also a long bar with soft yellow light and opulent gold velour sofas.

The Thompson is located on Chicago’s Gold Coast in the Near North Side, one of the city’s most affluent and popular neighborhoods. It's surrounded by upscale hotels, luxury high-rise residential complexes plus specialty boutique shops and fine-dining restaurants. Rush Street -- known for its nightlife -- is less than a block away, and the shopping on the Magnificent Mile is a 10-minute walk. The Museum of Contemporary Art and the shops at Water Tower Place also take around 10 minutes to reach on foot, while it's a five-minute walk to Loyola University and about 13 minutes to Northwestern University’s campus. There are two CTA stations on State Street (about two minutes away on foot), and the nearest train station is about a 10-minute walk. Union Station is just under half an hour away by public transit. McCormick Place takes about 35 minutes by train, while Midway Airport takes 50 minutes, and O’Hare International takes about an hour. 

The decor and furnishings in the guest rooms mirror the hotel’s stylish public spaces, from glass-topped work desks, Saarinen chairs, and indigo sofas to whimsical contemporary art, two-tone leather headboards, and herringbone-patterned carpeting. Even the indigo-lacquer cabinet that holds the well-stocked minibar is a showpiece. All rooms have flat-screen TVs and electronic safes. 

Corner King Rooms are among the larger room types, and guests wanting a lot of space should opt for a Junior Suite, each of which has a sitting area separated from the bedroom by custom woodwork. Bi-level Penthouses have an undeniable wow factor, with spacious living rooms with hardwood floors, sectional sofas, and faux animal-skin rugs and upper-level loft bedrooms. Rooms offer either city or lake views, and guests report that rooms on the higher floors have less street noise, but excessive noise isn’t a problem in rooms on any floor.

The bathrooms are particularly striking, with white-tile walls, dark penny-tile floors, and white marble vanities topped with vessel sinks. Features include large walk-in rainfall showers framed by clear glass, magnifying mirrors, bathrobes, and slippers. All Suites and many of the rooms have separate soaking tubs.  

The Thompson doesn't have self-parking facilities, but valet parking with unlimited in and out privileges is available for a hefty fee. A less expensive public option is located about a block away. The hotel also has a chauffeur-driven house car that can shuttle guests to local destinations.

The Nico Osteria Italian and seafood fine-dining restaurant is open for all three meals and has an open kitchen. Breakfast is not included in room rates, but free coffee is available in the lobby. Both the restaurant and the hotel’s Salone Nico bar are popular with locals and can get crowded, especially on weekends. Reservations are suggested at the restaurant for dinner. 

The 24-hour fitness center is fairly small but has a few cardio and weight training machines plus free weights. The hotel also features a large amount of meeting space and a business center with one computer station and a printer. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Dry cleaning, laundry services, concierge assistance, and babysitting are available on request.