Chicago Hotels

Within the many hotels in the downtown Chicago area, travelers have their choice when picking the right property for them. What some people may not know, though, is that Chicago hotels are home to many fine dining restaurants. Many of these Chicago restaurants are considered the hottest spots to see and be seen and should not be missed!

The hotel properties listed below house some of the best restaurants in Chicago. These properties are great for welcome receptions, cocktail hours following a long day in meeting rooms or just for elegant private dinners. Although most planners overlook the restaurants in hotel properties, for shorter trips to Chicago, these can be great Chicago banquet facilities to entertain clients or co-workers.

The Palmer House Hilton - Lockwood Restaurant
Located in the Palmer House Hilton, this Chicago private dining facility was rated in the top 10 best restaurants by Chicago Tribune in 2008. Lockwood's chef has created a wide variety of upscale menus for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, pre-fixed, tastings, dinner and more! Menu includes items include Hawaiian bass and lobster and lamb loin in a fig mint marinade.

Park Hyatt Chicago - NoMi
NoMi is French cuisine with a "global flair." Its menu includes small bites or a full course meal, with options to please any guest. NoMi's wine cellar is a popular Chicago party venue to host small receptions or networking events for larger meetings.

The Fairmont Chicago - Aria
Aria's culinary team creates a very ethnic menu. The team is from Thailand, Korea, China and Japan, as well as a few Chicago locals and a member from the South. This cultivation of cooking styles creates a flavorful menu with items like BBQ duck chow mein.

The Swissotel - The Palm
The Palm is a well-known, traditional steakhouse in Chicago. It's unique in a sense that they offer a "Business Lunch" menu that includes tenderloin medallions and fresh fish. These menu options make it simple to coordinate business lunches following daily meetings.

To learn more about hotel properties in Chicago, or their in-house restaurants, please visit the Cvent Supplier Network.

Suppliers and vendors all around the city of Chicago have been releasing promotions for event planners as an incentive to book their services for this year's holiday gatherings. Take a look at some of the best meeting promotions in the Chicago area for the holiday season:

Fulton Lounge

Fulton lounge is located in the West Loop. This relaxed but intimate Chicago party venue is a perfect place to host a holiday event. With space for up to 300 guests, the lounge serves as an ideal Chicago banquet hall and offers several packaged options to make the event planning process proceed with ease. This year, Fulton Lounge has a new menu crafted by OTOM Restaurant. If you book your event by November 30, you will receive 20 percent off the beverage minimum for parties of 25 or more guests!

theWit

theWit Hotel is located in the Downtown Loop. This relatively new Chicago boutique hotel has many event spaces available for private events. From their three amazing restaurants to their high definition theater, theWit is sure to please any guest. If you book a holiday party in one of this Chicago hotel's unique spaces, you will receive a $150 gift certificate to one of its three in-house Chicago restaurants.

Ditka's Steaks, Seafood & Chops

Located in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago, this traditional steakhouse is one of Chicago's prime restaurants. Named after Mike Ditka, former coach of the NFL Chicago Bears, this Chicago banquet facility is filled with Chicago sports memorabilia to give it a local touch. When booking with Ditka's, you will receive 10 percent off your food or beverage package of your choice, an autographed Mike Ditka football, as well as entry into their holiday raffle, which includes a chance to win prizes ranging a winery trip for two to a dinner for six prepared by the restaurant's executive chef in your home!

Spiaggia

Spiaggia is located at the end of the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago. This highly-rated Italian restaurant offers space overlooking Lake Michigan. The fact that it will be celebrating its 25th anniversary over this holiday season makes it an even more special option for your Chicago events. If you book an event in one of their private dining rooms, Spiaggia will over 25 percent off selected menus.

Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago is a somewhat new addition to the Magnificent Mile. This 92-story, polished stainless steel and tinted glass structure is located along the Chicago River next to the famous Wrigley building. 

Trump Chicago is home to 339 hotel guest rooms, all styled with a contemporary flair and floor to ceiling windows. This four-star property offers many luxury amenities for guests to enjoy, such as valet indoor parking, a fully equipped spa and health club, even an in-room chef.

The hotel also boasts an on-site restaurant, Sixteen. Located on the sixteenth floor, this culinary experience includes a menu of seasonal ingredients created by the Australian chef Frank Brunacci. This spot is comparable to other Chicago venues with a view, offering spectacular windows framing Lake Michigan, The Chicago River and the Wrigley Clock Tower.

Trump Chicago has about 20,000 square feet of function space, which includes the Grand Ballroom, Skyline Room, Grand Salon, four additional salons, The Trump Boardroom and Director's Boardroom. This space is unique in the fact that there are no air-walls to adjust sizes of meeting rooms; this is meant to convey complete privacy at your meetings or events. Each Chicago meeting space is also equipped with state-of-the-art telecommunications systems.

The Trump Chicago has a professional staff that leaves no details overlooked. The events team works closely with clients to help them to create flawless events with help of their culinary team. Every need is sure to be met at this property!

View more information about Trump Chicago on the Cvent Supplier Network

Meeting and event planners all over the country are modifying their programs to fit the needs of their eco-friendly clients. By demonstrating a green initiative to their customers and employees, corporations can send a great message to their event attendees about the importance of being good to the environment.

In order to execute a green goal at an event, planners must demonstrate and incorporate the green initiative to their best ability. Here are 6 ideas for hosting a green event in Chicago:

1. Hold the program for your guests in the ballroom of the Chicago hotel that is hosting your group rather than at an off-site location. This will eliminate the carbon output from transportation to and from an off-site venue.

2. Ask the hotel if it is possible to bring in food that is locally and/or organically grown, a much more sustainable option. Also, donate leftover food from the event to a local shelter in the city.

3. Rather than flowers, use plants for event decor. Flowers are usually thrown away at the completion of an event, while plants can be used numerous times. Plants can even be re-potted or gifted for attendees.

4. Request that your centerpieces be made from recycled materials. For example, try the popular arrangement of green dendrobium orchids, pine and green fuji mums.

5. Add some sort of educational piece into your event agenda that highlights the importance of being eco-friendly. A nice decor idea would be to include a water wall in the center of the ballroom, symbolizing water as the center of the earth's ecosystem. This water wall could have images or facts pertaining to the theme projected into it in order to grasp guests' attention while educating them at the same time. 

Use your local resources to get an idea of what each city does to work toward sustainability. Contacting a local representative from an eco-friendly organization to bring in some educational materials or even give a short speech at an event can help stress the importance of helping the environment.

6. While in the planning stages of such an event, research the hotel brands you are considering. Many well-known hotels in Chicago have taken on new efforts to support the green movement.

Chicago is known as the city to accommodate most large meetings and events for associations and corporations. In fact, the meetings industry brings thousands of guests to Chicago for annual events and product launches every year. With McCormick Place listed as the nation's top facility for meetings and conventions, Chicago has built the resources to accommodate these groups with some of the best brands of hotels in the world.

These large hotels are now not only housing guests who attend these meetings, but also hosting them in their own top-notch Chicago meeting facilities. Check out some of the premier hotels in Chicago that have meeting space to welcome thousands of convention guests:

Hyatt Regency Chicago

In addition to being the on-site hotel brand stationed at Chicago's convention center, Hyatt Regency is no stranger to large meetings of its own. With 228,000 square feet of contemporary and flexible function space, Hyatt is equipped much like any other large convention center. The Hyatt is home to four ballrooms, 63 meeting rooms and 70,000 square feet of exhibition space.

This Chicago hotel's impeccable service is monitored by a Meeting Concierge. This friendly aide is by your side from start to finish, ensuring that everything runs flawlessly.

Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers

The Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers has over 120,000 square feet of meeting space. This property can host up to 4,600 people for an event or conference. With four above-ground levels of meeting space, 34 breakout meeting rooms, and a 40,000-square-foot ballroom—standing as the largest hotel ballroom in the Midwest—the Sheraton Chicago has all of the amenities to host large groups.

Situated  the heart of downtown Chicago, the Sheraton is near the city's most popular attractions, making it easy for guests to venture out and explore the city. From their 35,000 square feet of exhibition space to their convention registration area, the Sheraton Chicago is sure to cater to your every need!

To find out more about Chicago convention hotels, please visit the Cvent Supplier Network.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts are getting in the holiday spirit by offering great rates, free nights and special packages to its guests at hotels across the United States, Canada and Latin America. For example, find New York hotel deals at The Westin New York at Times Square and the W New York-Union Square, both of which are offering a buy three nights, get the fourth night free offer.

Or, consider the exciting Chicago promotion at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. Here, for stays between November 6, 2009, and February 21, 2010, guests can enjoy a $100 gift cards for each night you stay; a Macy's VIP coupon book; a complimentary photo with the Macy's Santa on State Street (November 24-December 24); and reduced rates starting at $175 per night for reservations booked before November 6. The Chicago luxury hotel is also offering a complimentary shuttle to and from the Macy's on State Street and Water Tower Place for stays Friday through Sunday from November 27 to December 20. Guests can book online or call 866-716-8103 and ask for hotel promo code MAP to enjoy this Chicago hotel deal.

Visit Starwood Promos to learn more about offers at properties across the globe and learn more about specific terms and conditions.

Hotel Palomar Chicago, a Kimpton Hotel, is set to open in 2010 in the stylish River North neighborhood of Chicago. This luxury Chicago hotel correlates well with this effervescent neighborhood by celebrating the arts with chic complexity. Complete with 261 rooms and suites, an indoor heated pool, a sundeck and 5,800 square feet of meeting space, the Hotel Palomar is sure to open its doors to many interested guests.

The chic Chicago accommodations were styled with a contemporary urban design and art infused surroundings. Each room has floor-to-ceiling windows, an iHome docking station, L'Occitane bath amenities, a variety of pillow styles and plush terry cloth spa robes. Kimpton Hotels strives to meet a high level of customer satisfaction delivered with true luxury hospitality services and style. At the Hotel Palomar, the brand's attention to personalized room services and amenities combine to enhance a guests experience unlike any other brand.

Meetings and events at the Palomar can range from intimate Chicago meetings of 160 people to larger affairs of 300 guests. The hotel's distinctive catering services are provided by the adjacent restaurant, which features a wide variety of contemporary American cuisine.

Groups are invited to take advantage of Hotel Palomar's Grand Opening Special. This Chicago meeting promotion includes group room block rates of $99, weekends and weekdays through 2010, amenities from their "pick your perks" menu, and 10 percent off a master account.

View more information about Hotel Palomar Chicago on the Cvent Supplier Network

Centrally located in the heart of Chicago's loop, the Palmer House Hilton offers modern conveniences combined with over one hundred years of elegance. An all-in-one destination, the Chicago hotel has two on-site restaurants, an enclosed shopping arcade, and a fitness center complete with a steam room, sauna and indoor pool. Plus, a central location in Chicago's business and entertainment district places it just a few steps away from an abundance of shopping activities along world-famous State Street and North Michigan Avenue.

In 2005, The Palmer House was bought by Joe Sitt. Over the next few years he began a renovation project of about $170 million to restore the hotel, while keeping it open the entire time. Although the renovation was much needed, Sitt had to be careful to preserve the hotel as an attraction. As one of the most frequently visited places in the city, The Palmer House is home to a beautiful mural painted by French muralist Louis Pierre Rigal in the 1920s. This scene was derived from Greek mythology and brought the entire lobby to life for both guests in the hotel and guests passing through to enjoy.

The Chicago luxury hotel's long list of special amenities is well-suited for meetings and events. The self-contained conference floor includes 38 function rooms and its own business center, which can satisfy virtually every business need. With 27,081 square feet of Chicago exhibit space, this 1,639-guest room property can accommodate large overnight groups while allowing the convenience for them to have meetings on-site. With fine service and Chicago's most popular attractions outside the door, The Palmer House Hilton is ready to charm you and your business guests.

View more information about The Palmer House Hilton on the Cvent Supplier Network

Starwood Hotels is announcing yet another hotel opening in downtown Chicago: Aloft Chicago Millennium Park is set to open on September 6, 2012. The new Chicago development will include 13 floors of hotel space, five floors of offices, and 5,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Located on the corner of Balbo and Wabash in Chicago's south loop, Aloft Millennium Park is just three blocks from Chicago's central business district and one block from Chicago attractions Grant Park, Millennium Park and Museum Campus.

The bold-loft inspired design is one of the few newly stylized Chicago hotels. The Aloft rooms feature the brand's signature style bed, an over-sized spa shower, amenities by Bliss Spa and some electronic enhancements to mix work and play on the 42-inch LCD televisions.  This brand of hotel is modeled after sister brand W Hotels. Aloft combines the ambiance of the W, at a more affordable price point for business or short weekend travelers.

Aloft Chicago's meeting space is outfitted with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment including 50-inch flat-screen televisions. This 165-guest room facility will house one Chicago meeting space of 700 square feet.

Starwood seems to be taking a step in the right direction. They are slowing turning over their branded hotels and giving them their own identity and style. Aloft Millennium Park will be a great fit in the downtown Chicago accommodations scene!

To view more Starwood hotel properties in Chicago, make sure to visit Cvent's Chicago venue directory.

Located on Michigan Avenue in the historic landmark Carbide & Carbon building, the four diamond Hard Rock Hotel Chicago is part of the distinguished Preferred Hotels & Resorts portfolio. Located steps away from the Chicago theater district, museum campus, Millennium Park and the endless array of Chicago restaurants and entertainment hot spots, the Hard Rock Hotel offers unique and upscale accommodations sure to please any guest.

At 40 floors high, the building is a product of Daniel and Hubert Burnham, the sons of famed Chicago architect and city planner Daniel H. Burnham. Popular legend connects the design of the building to a champagne bottle, with its terra cotta exterior corresponding to the green glass bottle and the gold tower alluding to the shiny foil top. It's no surprise that this Chicago hotel is frequently visited by musicians, celebrities and fans wanting to stay in the stylish, contemporary surroundings.

Service at the Hard Rock is top notch. The team of hospitality professionals at this Chicago boutique hotel bled four-star quality and practicality to show guests they appreciate their business. This hotel is great for groups who are interested in architecture as well as music. In fact, the hotel happily offers private hotel tours that highlight the unique architecture of the building. Staff event allows the renting of Gibson guitars to keep their guests inspired.

This month, meeting planners looking for a Chicago hotel promotion can enjoy the Hard Rock Hotel Chicago's Pinktober Package. For the entire month of October, the hotel will be donating 25 percent of room revenue from the package to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

This Chicago hotel deal includes a tower guest room with pink sheets, a collectible 2009 Hard Rock Breast Cancer Awareness pin, two splits of pink POP champagne, pink ribbon temporary tattoo, and a package of pink M&M's.  This Pinktober Package Chicago promotion saves the guest about $35 and goes to a great cause!

View more information about the Hard Rock Hotel Chicago on the Cvent Supplier Network

The Sutton Place Hotel in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood offers eight distinctive event spaces for groups of 10 to 200 people. This traditionally-styled hotel provides an impressive backdrop for meetings and social occasions in rooms that boast walls of windows and beautiful natural light.

This Chicago hotel's international culinary team is made up of true catering professionals. They provide great attention to detail while customizing a memorable menu for all guests to sample.

The hotel is complete with 246 guest rooms and suites for overnight accommodations. Fitting right in with the luxurious style of Chicago's Gold Coast, Sutton Place's rooms include plush bath robes and slippers, over-sized pillow top mattresses, and an early bird coffee and tea bar. Easily accessible, the hotel is surrounded by Chicago's top attractions and both of its airports.

The Sutton Place Hotel also offers many packages that highlight its impeccable quality in customer service for all types of guests traveling with different interests. The Gold Coast shopping package includes exclusive discounts for hotel guests, a $50 gift certificate to local shopping as well as samples from the Mario Tricoci Spa and Salon. The Family Affair package includes fresh baked cookies and milk, a plush Sutton Place teddy bear, movies and popcorn, and an elegant breakfast to start your family's day off right. The Sutton Place hotel services has not gone unnoticed, as they were recently awarded the AAA Four Diamond Award.

View more information about The Sutton Place Hotel on the Cvent Supplier Network

Much to the excitement of Chicago meeting planners and visitors, the brand new Elysian Chicago hotel is approaching opening day! This new luxury hotel is the first in a new series of properties under the management of Elysian Hotels & Resorts. Set in the glamorous Chicago Gold Coast, the Elysian will be located near the posh Chicago restaurant Spiaggia as well as many high-end stores and boutiques such as Barney's, Gucci and Prada.

This 60-story, 188 guest suite hotel (part of a mixed-use development) has combined a sophisticated and timeless setting for its guests to experience. The suites average 890 square feet with only 10 suites per floor. Each guest room is equipped with elegant modern furnishings, both indoors and on the private terraces; white marble soaking tubs; dual vanities; fireplaces; and exclusive Italian linens. As if those amenities weren't enough, the hotel has two on-site restaurants as well as 24-hour room service run by the famous Charlie Trotter.

Additional perks include luxury automobiles for local transportation around the city and airport transfers. Guests are also treated to access to the Elysian Spa & Health Club, home to a mosaic-tiled pool, saunas, steam rooms and, of course, whirlpools.

The Elysian has over 4,500 square feet of function space for Chicago meetings and private events. Its world-class cuisine and intricate decor provides a versatile setting for any type of event, from a business meeting in the Fitzgerald Boardroom, which seats 12 people, to a black-tie affair in the Sinclair Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 270 people. Each event is sure to run smoothly thanks to the Elysian's special attention to top-of-the-line service.

The Elysian Chicago makes it a mission to mimic the "Golden Age of travel" in the early 20th century when a hotel stay was synonymous with luxury. It seems to be right on track!

View more information about the Elysian Chicago on the Cvent Supplier Network

To show their support of the 2016 Olympics, Chicago hospitality professionals came together to express the industry interests in the global event. An organization made up of industry professionals including tour operators, doormen, destination management professionals, hoteliers, and more were in attendance to show their interest in the Olympic bid on Thursday, September 3.

Over 500 attendees gathered in the Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom Downtown Chicago hotel to express Chicago's Hospitality Industry's need to host the 2016 Olympics. A committee made up of various city sponsors came together to plan this rally in order to show the IOC committee their dedication to the Olympics' future in the Windy City. The significant media coverage at the Chicago event shed some positive light on the topic, after several publications around Chicago slammed the city's plan to budget for the event.

Tim O'Malley, President of co-sponsor Concierge Preferred, spoke to the room of tourism specialists to relay everyone's excitement and commitment in securing the bid. Unlike most speakers up to this point, O'Malley touched on the plans by the competing cities (Tokyo, Madrid and Rio De Janiero) from the tourism industries point of view and how they compared. All seemed to fall short in the geographic subject after Tim pointed out that several of their plans include athletes, volunteers, and officials having to drive hours to a venue that can support such a large crowd of citizens and media. Chicago is built to facilitate major events, with evidence of some of the largest conventions in the world hosted right here& at McCormick Place, Chicago's convention center.

Chicago event professionals have the experience, dedication, and camaraderie for the Olympics, according to its hospitality professionals. The countdown to the bid decision is in only 17 days, and industry professionals are on the edge of their seats!

As the first W Hotel in Chicago, opened in 2001, the W Chicago-City Center hotel became an iconic addition for the brand. The recent renovation of the Chicago hotel, which were part of W's global expansion efforts, set new standards for W Hotels around the globe. Brand ambassadors dug deep into this renovation, designing a hotel that can capture the architecture of the surrounding landmark buildings while at the same time supplying a fresh and contemporary design for which their brand is well-known.

Chicago event planners can now take advantage of 235 remodeled guest rooms and 14,000 square feet of updated event space at the W. With flat-screen televisions mounted on adjustable arms, oversized furniture and glowing lights from underneath the bed, newly designed guest rooms are meant to serve as an escape for guests to relax in a place you wish you could call home.

Perfect for accommodating large-scale Chicago events, the W Chicago's "ultra-modern" meeting spaces include a 4,000-square-foot Great Room, which is meant to reflect as a new-age ballroom. This large and highly functional Chicago banquet space is supported by a team of event professionals who are sure to assist you with all of your guests needs.

View more information about W Hotel Chicago City Center on the Cvent Supplier Network

The James is one of the newer additions to the downtown Chicago hotel scene. Located just a few steps off of Michigan Avenue, or as shop-a-holics know it, the Magnificent Mile, this stylish, luxury boutique hotel offers some of the best weekend packages around. The James has taken it one step further and decided to not only highlight its beautifully modern property with its promotions, but to also highlight its destination city, Chicago.

The Chicago hotel's weekend exclusive packages target guests who come to the city to experience what it is famous for: sightseeing, shopping, and a unique culinary experience. The Magnificent Weekend package shows guests how to shop Chicago-style with complimentary car service to and from your shopping destination, a gift bag of shop items and special offers, as well as a $50 gift card to the famous 900 Shops.

The James Hotel's Weekend Adventurer package includes Chicago city pass tickets to visit major Chicago attractions the John Hancock Observatory, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Museum of Science and Industry. Also included is a hearty in-room breakfast to start off your day.

Other weekend packages available include dining at the exclusive David Burke's Prime Steakhouse. Guests will receive a private tour of the Chicago restaurant's Himalayan salt-tiled dry aging room or access to the Art Institute of Chicago's "A Case for Wine" Exhibit, with a carefully selected bottle of wine, of course.

Although The James Chicago is part of a new line of hotels set to hit the niche between the luxury brand hotel with the personalized comfort of a boutique hotel, it certainly seems to have a way of bringing in every type of guest with these reasonably priced new promotions. For your Chicago incentives or intimate events, a stay at the The James Hotel may be just what your attendees need.

Read more about The James Chicago and check out the Cvent Supplier Network for other Chicago hotel promotions.

theWit, a Doubletree Hotel, opened in the downtown Chicago Loop in May, and since then no one can stop buzzing about it! This new Chicago boutique hotel is located on State Street in the heart of the business and theater districts. A new modern style of hotel, the property features 238 rooms as well as 60 guest suites. It is the first of its kind when compared to other traditional downtown hotels and has set the tone to mirror this effervescent and exciting city.

Not only is the style of this Chicago hotel making headlines, but the unique in-house attractions are bringing in a crowd as well. theWit has three restaurants ranging from dressy to casual. One of the eateries, ROOF, is located on the 27th floor. This 7,000-square-foot Chicago restaurant is a striking indoor/outdoor lounge with large fire pits, live music, telescopes to capture the panoramic views of the city, and, of course, great food!

Other attractions at the hotel include the SCREEN, a high-definition, luxurious multimedia theater. This Chicago special event facility is geared toward corporate groups looking to host product launches and film screenings and Chicago event planners who are planning major broadcasts of athletic events and film premieres. theWit is a new breed of modern hotels in Chicago that has set the standard high!

View more information on theWit on the Cvent Supplier Network

Sarah recently wrote a post about the trend for big hotel chains going green, and properties like the Intercontinental Chicago O’Hare are following suit. Hotels in Chicago and nationwide are focusing more and more on the environmental impact of their facilities and increasingly offering Green meetings options.

Open for business since last September, the Intercontinental Chicago O’Hare is approaching its one-year anniversary as an eco-savvy, luxury hotel in Chicago. The property utilizes 100% renewable energy credits from wind, features a green roof, recycles all materials used throughout its hotel and convention area, and helps businesses and organizations support sustainability with its “Green Meetings” program.

As part of the “Green Meetings” program, meeting planners have the ability to choose from a selection of organic and sustainable local meals, recycled paper and pencils, LCD projectors and screens, biodegradable water bottles, biodegradable centerpieces, and other amenities. In a previous post on the Cvent blog, we outlined the benefits of using Green Meetings programs like the one at this Chicago event venue.  For one, these programs help reduce overall costs of your meetings; they give you increased reputational effects for being environmentally conscious; and, finally, they are more likely to boost attendance and employee retention at your company.  You can learn more tips on “greening” your meeting space, as well, on the Cvent Meetings & Events blog.
 
If environmental-friendliness is a hot-button issue for your next event, consider the Intercontinental Chicago O’Hare.  This Chicago Airport Hotel is less than 5 minutes from the O'Hare International Airport, making it easy for guests to get to and from your event; and, with over 53,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, the hotel has a meeting room for any occasion.

View more information about the Intercontinental Chicago O’Hare on the Cvent Supplier Network

After a 2008 renovation, the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile is now an even more ideal choice for hosting conferences and conventions. Centrally located in the heart of downtown, this Chicago hotel is perfect for corporate meetings and events. The $36 million renovation last year transformed the 46-level Marriott into a lavish, contemporary hotel. Its meeting rooms are now equipped with state-of-the-art, 21st century technology. New features at the property include an updated lobby with permanent kiosks for easy check-in and check-out, as well as a full-service Starbucks off the lobby. Renovations also included the addition of a 4,000 square foot ballroom, as well as upgrades to the existing meeting rooms and ballrooms, bringing the total meeting space to over 65,000 square feet. The largest ballroom, the Grand Ballroom, can comfortably seat up to 1800 guests.

Not only does the Chicago Marriott have ample space for your next convention, it also has permanent registration booths in the larger meeting facilities to ease the registration process. Dedicated event managers and AV professionals are also offered at this Chicago meeting venue to take care of all the details of your event.

View more information about the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile on the Cvent Supplier Network

Located in the heart of Chicago, within walking distance from the Art Institute of Chicago, Grant Park, and the Magnificent Mile, the Palmer House Hilton provides superior Chicago meeting space with pizzazz. The Palmer House Hilton, a luxury Chicago hotel, has over 80 meeting rooms, ranging from a grand ballroom that seats 1,500 people, to small, intimate meeting rooms that seat 20.  

The famous Empire Room inside the Palmer House dates back to 1933 as a venue for cabaret acts. Now, this historic room provides visitors with a completely unique experience. The room features gold leaf molding and a grand chandelier, which creates an elegant atmosphere perfect for a variety of events.

The Palmer House Hilton also features Lockwood, a “Luxe-dining” restaurant, as well as Potter’s Lounge, which is a perfect location to grab a cocktail. Another fabulous amenity is Spa Chakra, an exclusive spa and fitness location that creates a stress-free, relaxing environment.

View more information about the Palmer House Hilton on the Cvent Supplier Network.

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino is calling for increased lodging and meal taxes in the city. The mayor's spokesperson Dot Joyce said the tax package is needed as an alternative source of venue during a tough financial time, beyond relying on property owners and state funding, according to The Boston Globe.

Menino's local-option tax package would raise the Boston hotel tax from 12.45 percent to 14.45 percent. The meal tax would be increased from 6.25 percent to 7 percent. This tax increase would come on top of the recent sales tax rate increase in the state of Massachusetts of 5 percent to 6.25 percent, which went into effect August 1.

"None of us like new taxes—we have kept property taxes steady—but as I see it, these local-option tax increases would primarily impact visitors to our City, and travel, tourism and convention business remains strong," Mayor Menino said in a statement. "Even with the proposed increase, Boston’s meals and hotel tax rates would remain lower than many other comparable cities like New York, Washington, DC, San Francisco, and Chicago."

President of Boston's City Council Michael Ross thinks the tax will be worthwhile.

"I think this is good public policy because it will align Boston’s vitality with that of its businesses," he told the Globe. "It’s the amenities that keep people attracted to the city...You’re not going to keep that if you’re losing $100 million to the state, as we did this year."

Those working in the Boston restaurant and hotel industries aren't as convinced.

"I don’t think it will shut any restaurants down, but I think it comes at a time when restaurants, like so many retail businesses, are having as difficult a time as I’ve seen in my 20-plus years here," commented Peter Christie, head of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association.

What do you think? Would you take your Boston events elsewhere because of the tax increases? Or is event planning in Boston worthwhile when you considering alternative cities, such as Chicago hotels with 15.4 percent hotel taxes or Washington, DC restaurants with 10 percent meal taxes?