One of the more impressive historic hotels here, this place is a tourist attraction all its own, with sightseers occasionally rubbernecking through the public areas on self-guided audio tours. This is also one of the busiest commercial hotels. Thanks to its excellent service standards and variety of accommodations, this ranks alongside the stellar Swissotel in the ranks, though the location here on the Magnificent Mile is superior.
The 45-story limestone building, topped by a shiny onion dome and joined to a newer 25-story structure of concrete and sloping glass, began as a Shriners' men's club in 1929. Few restored buildings match the exquisite detailing and beautiful ornamentation of the original tower.
Asian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Spanish motifs intermingle. This superbly located hotel currently ranks above the Palmer House Hilton, offering more cohesive facilities for both commercial and leisure travelers. The Palmer House was undergoing a major, inconveniencing renovation at inspection.
Its closest competitor is the contemporary Fairmont, which
offers the same high service standards and noteworthy accommodations, though guests here can choose between more traditional quarters in the original tower and plush contemporary ones in the newer building. Five elevators rise to specific floors, keeping waits to a minimum. Those traveling together should be sure their rooms are in the same tower since crossovers between towers can be confusing.
Zest, guided by celebrity chef Micheal Buard, has been moved upstairs. It serves notable contemporary cuisine accompanied by a famed wine list. Oddly, Starbucks has moved into Zest's former space, filling it up with leather armchairs and coffee bric-a-brac. The lobby lounge serves up tea in the afternoon and soft jazz at night, while a business-like lounge offers secluded precincts with Biedermeier furnishings.
The historic Medinah Athletic Club, once the training ground for Olympian and Tarzan alumnus, Johnny Weissmuller, is a magnificent facility that outclasses even the newer, more modern health clubs in Chicago, thanks to exquisite period detail and architecture. Floral mosaic tiles embellish the large Junior-Olympic indoor lap pool, which, with its terraced gallery, 
also serves as function space. State-of-the-art exercise machines, a sauna and a steam room round out the fitness facilities. Nominal fees are levied for use of the equipment.
Meeting capacity is 1,000, with a variety of rooms as elaborate as any in the country. On the fifth floor of the Main Tower, the function space pleases the eye with murals, columns, fountains and awe-inspiring detail. The fabulous ballroom has a balcony, 37 hand-painted classical landscapes and a six-ton chandelier. The Renaissance Room is paneled in rare Carpathian elm burl and displays hand-painted beams with Renaissance motifs and five Baccarat chandeliers. With other rooms just as special, this hotel has no rival in Chicago for the elegance of its function space.
As for guest rooms, those in the Historic Tower display traditional European style. They also tend to be larger and have bigger baths than those in the newer Main Tower. Many in the Historic Tower have stall showers and baths set beside windows with panoramic views of the city. Common here are Biedermeier-style furnishings, Axminster carpeting, fancy 19th-century window treatments, three phones with dual-lines and voice mail, wireless high-speed Internet 
access (for a fee), minibars, coffeemakers and carved headboards. Irons and ironing boards, robes and doorbells are also standard. All of the rooms in the Historic Tower are now equipped with flat-screen TVs, with rooms in the Main Tower soon to follow.
Note that rooms in the Main Tower have posh new contemporary style along the lines of the Allegro and slightly better soundproofing. They are, however, subtler, with earth-tone and gold-hue fabrics, sleek custom furnishings and fine beds with fluffy new comforters and throw pillows. All the rooms provide superlative work space, upholstered swivel chairs at big desks, convenient data ports and fax-copier combos. Room service is around-the-clock, and housekeeping is twice daily. Some pets are allowed.
Service has improved considerably over the years, but still lacks in some areas. This is a solid choice for those looking for a historic hotel with character and style. It is more consistent than the Palmer House, though the Peninsula, Four Seasons, Park Hyatt and Ritz-Carlton are certainly its superiors.