Chicago's Essex Inn

The 254 rooms at this South Loop hotel, located in the shadow of the hulking Hilton, aren't dazzling, but they are clean, comfortable and decorated in good taste. The hotel shuttles guests free of charge to the Magnificent Mile. The key attractions are the retractable glass roof atop the indoor pool, and the terrace, both offering million-dollar views. Brasserie by LM is the French-inspired restaurant in the hotel lobby.