Thompson Hotel, Chicago

Traveling frequently to Chicago for business, I seem to be forever in search of a hotel that pampers the business traveler and offers unique amenities on site so if free time arises I can kick back and enjoy my surroundings. I recently discovered that The Thompson Hotel fits the bill on both counts.

What can be more annoying than a hotel not being able to find that important Fed Ex box you rushed out the door before your flight? How about waiting an hour for room service? And let’s face it. Isn’t it a special treat when the hotel bar can make a great craft cocktail? I am living proof that The Thompson’s bar sure knows how to jumpstart an evening.

Conveniently situated on the city’s Gold Coast steps away from North Michigan Avenue’s chic shops, the 247-room hotel, offers a cosmopolitan setting with a touch of retro in the furnishings (because we all know what’s old is really new right now) and its decorated with some lively contemporary art to boot.

The lobby serves as both library and reception with a giant shelving unit filled with books and curios, comfy club chairs and slick low sofas for sinking into before heading out on the town or for an afternoon of, well, playing hooky maybe. With a sobering brown color scheme enlivened by punches of yellow and taupe, it feels a bit like a private men’s club. Walls are appointed with modern works that are in contrast to the surroundings, making the space feel alive and energetic. The interior architecture and the many rich accents are by acclaimed British designer, Tar Bernerd.

The hotel’s limited edition artwork represents a strong mix of emerging talent within the contemporary scene with works from Wes Lang, Friends With You and Cynthia Daignault.  Wes Lang’s piece, “Flying Death,” might look familiar – the Brooklyn resident recently collaborated with Kanye West for his Yeezus tour. The art-team FriendsWithYou’s smiling “Moon” piece taps into the carefree elements of childhood we can all relate to. Additionally, Cynthia Daignault’s “Someone was saying the music was over and no one had noticed,” a modern depiction of an old-fashioned stereo, offers a nostalgic nod to the living rooms of yesterday. The engaging artwork featured in each room was hand-picked by ExhibitionA.com’s Bill Powers, New York gallery owner and judge of Bravo’s Work of Art: The Next Great Artist.

All accommodations feature spectacular views of Lake Michigan or the city skyline, upgraded linens, individual temperature control units and in-room safes. The bathrooms are equipped with rain shower heads and are stocked with oversized terrycloth robes by Frette as well as bath and spa products by REN.  Robust technology is found throughout each guest room, including nightstands with built-in USB chargers and an in-room entertainment system by Tangerine that offers more free-to-guest options and high definition channels with DVR capabilities. Each room has its own ISP address and functions as its own hotspot, providing best-in-class coverage for the convenience of the tech-savvy guest.

Behind the lobby’s central staircase is the bar with high ceilings and a floor to ceiling wall of ivy that is refreshing in the urban environment.  With an exceptional cocktail program, it’s a great place to unwind and decompress from Chicago’s frenetic madness.

Situated off the lobby is Nico Osteria, an authentic Italian restaurant offering a rustic yet elegant setting with a focus on fresh, handmade pastas. The restaurant seats 108 guests indoors, with additional seating on the sidewalk terrace. A large, open kitchen with gallery seating serves as the restaurant’s centerpiece, offering a glimpse into the bustling heart of the restaurant.

The Thompson Chicago delivers the goods.  Now if I could just try to get some work done.