Life & Style: Chicago
In this most American of cities, one discovers an intersection of time, cultures, ideas and entertainment that inspires visitor and local alike into becoming a modern adventurer, seeking out new experiences at every opportunity. Brawny steel drawbridges reach over the Chicago River; summertime music pours out of Millennium Park; the luxury shopping of Michigan Avenue lures fashionable spenders; legendary skyscrapers tickle the clouds; and each neighborhood contributes its own undeniable character. Ingenious architecture, sublime food, championship sports, international commerce and soulful music…Chicago is all these and more.

Where to Stay: Hotel Blake
The comfy sofas, pleasant greetings and wood paneling of the inviting lobby personify the entire hotel - a spacious alcove of trendy calm that remains essentially Chicago. The year-old hotel surrounds guests with opportunities to relax, revive and rejuvenate, including expert concierge service, 24-hour fitness center, a 24-hour business center, complimentary high-speed Internet access, laundry and dry cleaning, valet parking and on-site limousine service. Rooms are compellingly designed with the utmost in comfort and style in mind - iPod docking stations, plush bedding and cozy chairs summon guests to a pervasive sense of blissful repose. In one of the inspiring brick buildings of Printers' Row (an area previously known for thriving printing companies), Hotel Blake is conveniently near government offices, the Board of Trade and the 'L' train. The adjacent Custom House restaurant serves delicious contemporary American cuisine in a delicate atmosphere.

Getting There and Around:
Two international airports (O’Hare and Midway) connect to downtown and other locations via the Blue and Orange ‘L’ train lines. Cabs constantly search for fares in the busier areas of the city. The trains and busses travel in all directions, and walking is a great way to absorb the distinct flavors of the various neighborhoods. Metra trains out to the suburbs arrive and depart downtown at Ogilvie Station and Union Station, and Amtrak intercity trains service Union Station.