Highlights: Park Hyatt Chicago

•The Park Hyatt Chicago boasts a Michigan Avenue address, plus stunning views of Lake Michigan and the city

•Staff is welcoming, efficient, and as delightful as old friends

•An impressive art and photography collection including Dale Chihuly’s hand-blown glass sculpture, Lumière d’ Ambre, and Gerhard Richter’s 1968 masterpiece, Piazza del Duomo

•Cozy library on lobby level for impromptu meetings, impressive meeting and event space

•NoMI restaurant, lounge, wine cellar, garden space, and private dining offer distinctive settings for food and libations

•Seventh-floor fitness center, posh salon, and Asian-themed spa pamper guests with inspiring views

Amenities: Park Hyatt Chicago

• 198 rooms. Wireless Internet access. Restaurant, bar. Fitness center. Spa. Pool. Business center. Pets accepted.

General Impressions: Park Hyatt Chicago

The elegant limestone Park Tower houses the Park Hyatt Chicago on the first 18 floors of 67 (the rest are filled with exclusive condominiums). Though this property has a Michigan Avenue address, it is located on Chicago Avenue between Michigan Avenue and Rush Street. Outside, Water Tower Square sandwiches a bit of green park space between busy city streets. With a large Borders bookstore and Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop nearby, it’s the perfect place to grab an ice cream treat and a good book and claim a park bench on a warm day.

Walk into the Park Hyatt Chicago and it’s tempting to step off to the left to linger in the library and peruse the collection of books on Chicago-influenced artists, architects, and designers while sipping complimentary tea or coffee. This stylish sitting area provides a welcome respite from the hub of activity that occasionally forms around the front desk during busy check-in times.

Though I had a bit of trouble making advance reservations, once I left my car with the valet and stepped inside, it was relatively smooth sailing. Warm greetings plus a detailed guest room orientation made me feel right at home.

The Park Hyatt Chicago isn’t suitable for families, especially those with small children, but business travelers and those looking for a city getaway will find themselves right at home at this much desired north Michigan Avenue location. Dual sinks, deep-soaking tubs for two, and dramatic guest rooms are perfect for couples as well.

Beckoning just steps from the hotel are such landmarks or tony destinations as Water Tower Place, the John Hancock Center, Bloomingdale’s, and chic Oak Street. Nearby is the Gold Coast neighborhood. Downtown office buildings are a cab or a bus ride away.

Antique lovers will be sadly out of place amid the Park Hyatt Chicago’s posh, modern furnishings and décor, influenced by architectural icons such as Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe, and Frank Lloyd Wright. Clean lines and sleek furnishings set off lush material and fabric -- all of which exude understated elegance.

Soundproof guest rooms bedecked in soothing tones offer luxurious perks such as oversized soaking tubs, black leather Eames chairs, and four dual-line phones. DVD/CD players, flat-screen TVs, in-room safes, and laptop chargers wow business and leisure travelers alike.

It’s tough to find a bad view from this hotel, and guests are assured of visual city feasts from the seventh floor, where the restaurant and lounge, spa, and fitness facilities are located.

(+) Unmatched location, welcoming service, and modern, classy style
(-) No facilities for children

Guest Services: Park Hyatt Chicago

Though there is no mistaking that this is a busy, urban hotel, staff was welcoming throughout my stay. I felt especially cared for during the check-in process, when staff made certain my needs were anticipated and met. A few glitches were unexpected, such as a problem with Internet service (eventually handled by the engineer), no follow-up on my request to get my pants pressed, and a lack of insight on area shopping on the part of the concierge. On the flip side, the bellman and dining staff provided exceptional service.

When making a hotel reservation in advance, be sure to ask about restaurant reservations, complimentary car service, and confirmation—all things that were neglected when I called for a room.

(+) Bellman and dining staff were welcoming and attentive
(-) Other guest service areas fell short on providing anticipatory service

Guest Rooms: Park Hyatt Chicago

The Park Hyatt Chicago’s 198 guest rooms include 13 suites. The largest, a 1,560-square-foot Water Tower Suite, features a living room with a freestanding fireplace, bamboo floors, a dining room table seating eight, and stunning views. Though the space isn’t anything close to this in regular guest rooms, they’re full of amenities for discerning travelers. Despite a small closet and a few minor issues with housekeeping, the contemporary, chic room offered comfort and luxury, with the bathroom a star attraction.

Amenities such as a loofah sponge and exfoliating brush made soaking in the oversized tub a pleasure, with sliding cherry wood doors affording dramatic views of the city from beyond the bedroom. A walk-in shower featured two showerheads, while the LCD bathroom TV brought a nice touch of convenience. Other pluses included a black leather Eames chair and a BRNO desk chair designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.

(+) Technological conveniences and stylish furnishings
(-) Closets too small for an extended stay

Facilities & Activities: Park Hyatt Chicago

The Park Hyatt Chicago’s 7,000-square-foot fitness center and spa have an Asian-inspired theme. The pool, with its copper mosaic tiled walls and a skyline view is spectacular, while the fitness room, offering cardio and weight equipment coupled by TVs, cold towel service, and bottled water, is a great place to fit in a workout. Though the spa is on the smaller side, services and amenities are what one would expect in an upscale, city hotel.

In addition to exclusive shops such as Giorgio Armani, Marlowe, and Bottega Veneta at street level, a shoppers’ paradise spreads out steps from the Park Hyatt. A short walk brings guests to higher end Michigan Avenue where exclusive designer boutiques and more mainstream shops compete for business with the Water Tower Place and Shops at 900 North Michigan indoor malls. Just off Michigan Avenue, exclusive Oak Street offers Barneys New York, in addition to other upscale shops, a movie theater, spas, and salons. From there it’s just a few blocks to the colorful Gold Coast neighborhood.

In warm weather, guests can walk to the very north end of Michigan Avenue and cross over to Oak Street Beach where it’s possible to bike or jog along the lakefront path, or laze about on the sand for some choice people-watching.

City tours by bus and horse-drawn carriage are available at Michigan and Pearson. The Museum of Contemporary Art is east of Michigan Avenue and just a few blocks south of the hotel. For dining off property, the Gold Coast neighborhood is your best bet other than dining at other exclusive hotels or in the nearby malls. Don’t miss a drink in the John Hancock Center’s Signature Room if it’s your first visit to the city.

(+) On-site fitness center and Asian-themed spa are soothing
(+) Prime downtown location just steps away from tony shops and boutiques

Dining & Lounge: Park Hyatt Chicago

Guests have two options for dining at the Park Hyatt Chicago: NoMI restaurant on the seventh floor, or in-room dining. NoMI serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner from a dramatic setting with equally dramatic city views. Request a table by the window and beneath the stunning Lumière d’ Ambre glass chandelier. An attentive wait staff served creative entrées without intruding on our dining experience, though the bar staff seemed a bit distracted. During peak hours after work and pre-dinner, it tends to get crowded as trendy local clientele mingle with hotel patrons.

Guests may dine in the restaurant or, during warm months, outside in the garden. Be sure to stop by the wine cellar and art gallery before or after your meal.

On another occasion, I opted for room service. The food was savory and well presented, and the service proved to be acceptable and efficient but didn’t exceed my expectations.

(+) Unobtrusive wait staff, creative and delicious cuisine, extensive wine list
(-) Lounge service isn’t always as polished as other venues

Business Services: Park Hyatt Chicago

Business travelers will be right at home at the Park Hyatt Chicago, whether in the 24-hour accessible business center that is fully staffed weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm, one of two guest offices on the lobby level, or in guest rooms where in-room fax machines, printers, and scanners are outfitted upon request. Complimentary WiFi is available in the business center, guest rooms, lobby/library, and in the NoMI lounge. Translation services and a technology concierge are available 24 hours a day. The property offers also wardrobe storage for frequent guests.

(+) Ample amenities and services for business travelers