| One of my favorite parts of any hotel I stay at is the | | | | Hotel Sax - 333 N. Dearborn St. |
| lobby. Naturally, I'm not talking about the counter, vinyl | | | | In the words of Chicago writer, Richard Babcock, this |
| couch and cigarette machine in your typical interstate | | | | lobby looks like a cross between "Louis XIV and a |
| exit motel. Nor the slick, sterile, ultra-modern look that | | | | Gothic Brothel." With a description like that, how could |
| so many new places are going for today. | | | | you NOT want to visit? |
| I'm talking the hotel lobbies of the boutique and 100 | | | | Sure enough, there are huge throne-like chairs, crystal |
| year old, 5 star hotels you find in the center of the city. | | | | art-objects, period paintings - alongside crimson walls, |
| Even if you typically stay at the cheaper hotels - or | | | | dimly lit corners and, well, just a butch of goofiness that |
| even the hostel - you can and should check out these | | | | is hard to comprehend, much less explain. |
| 3 hotel lobbies on your next trip to Chicago. That's the | | | | You just have to see it to believe it. |
| great thing about hotel lobbies - you can wander in, sit | | | | Palmer House - 17 E. Monroe St. |
| a spell and enjoy the luxury, even if you have no | | | | This Hilton property is the absolute height of luxury. Try |
| intention of ever spending a night. | | | | not to stare up at the vaulted ceilings painted with |
| The Elysian - 605 N. Michigan Ave. | | | | Grecian scenes by French master muralist, Louis |
| This is a glamorous throwback to the art-deco 1920's. | | | | Pierre Rigal and the Tiffany crystal chandeliers. Or, go |
| The stark black and white design of the entryway will | | | | ahead - it's alright. |
| take your breath away. Be sure to see the two | | | | Take a see at he bar (open all day) or sip high tea at |
| enormous busts just inside the door - an allusion to the | | | | one of the tables. |
| actual Elysian Fields, final resting place of heroes in | | | | Just relax and take it in. The world will wait. |
| Greek mythology. | | | | |