Property
Lives up to the Kimpton reputation for family friendly hotels in the heart of the city. The rooms are cheerful and sophisticated with striped wallpaper and very comfy sheets, and the rooms and bathrooms are spacious for downtown.

Location
The Monaco is right on the river, across from the new Trump Tower. Not far from Milennium Park, the Art Institute and the Miracle Mile, and there is an El station nearby for jaunts to more distant parts of the city.

Highlights
My favorite touch was the windowseats, which the Monaco has in every room. With the curtains drawn, the cushioned window nook became a hideaway for my husband and I to take in the view, sip wine from the complimentary wine hour, and use the free wireless while the kids fell asleep.  Our kids’ highlight was the temporary pet goldfish.

Good to know
There is a refrigerator/minibar behind a locked area of the TV cabinet; the key you get with your room card should unlock it.  The hotel’s Web site says it offers special amenities for children, such as little robes, gifts and babyproofing kits, but you may have to ask for these specifically. I called ahead to let them know we had kids with us, but we didn’t get any of those things.  One of these days I hope to try the in-room spa services offered by this and other Kimpton locations. A massage seems like a divine way to pass the time if you are stuck in your room while the baby naps.

Contact
http://www.monaco-chicago.com/

Hotel Monaco Chicago from TravelSavvyMom on Vimeo.

April 16th, 2009 | by Carrie Kirby