The Elysian Hotel's courtyard.

Chicago's Hot New Hotels

Chicago summers are the stuff of magic and grace. And that’s no accident, as the city benefits from Lake Michigan breezes, concerts in city parks and two baseball teams that garner fierce adoration from the disciples of long evenings of chilly brew. Visitors also have two new hotels to choose from, both of which make great bases for exploring the town.

At theWit Hotel (201 North State St.; 312/467-0200; rates from $229), located in a bustling area near the theater district, Millennium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago, a sense of whimsy accents the hotel’s modern feel. There are angel-wing chandeliers in the lobby; a joke plays hourly in the hotel’s common spaces. Second City actors make wake-up calls impersonating Chicago celebs like Harry Caray and Barack Obama.

But theWit isn’t all tongue-in-cheek. The rooftop bar and lounge serve up wood-fired pizza and classic cocktails, as well as great views of the city. If you’re in Chicago to relax, sip specialty teas in the spa’s golden Whisper Lounge before indulging in a hot-stone massage or a yoga class. Cheryl Rowley designed the 298 rooms, which include brightly colored furniture, 24-hour room service and high-tech amenities such as touch-screen phones.

TheWit also houses one of the most buzzed-about restaurants in Chicago. At Cibo Matto, a 30-foot ceiling fresco by Todd Murphy soars overhead as you sample chef Todd Stein’s modern Italian dishes, including skate wing piccata and squid ink spaghetti with crab.

A wine tower holds 4,000 bottles—and looks like a work of art—and you can peek into a case of cured meats while sitting at the chef’s table. For a more casual dining option, visit State & Lake for club sandwiches and burgers or homey dishes such as chicken and sweet potatoes.

In Greek mythology, the Elysian Fields were the final resting place for heroes. In Chicago, the Elysian (11 East Walton St.; 312/646-1300; elysianhotels.com; rates from $395) features 188 guest rooms and 52 private residences, along with a spa that channels a Roman bathhouse and restaurants that encourage feasting.

Enter the Elysian through a European-style courtyard (snow-free during the winter, as there’s a heating system below the cobblestones) to the lobby doors. Inside you’ll find a comfortable lounge with a fireplace, black couches and chairs, and silver accents. Fixtures were inspired by jewelry from Chanel and Dior.

The hotel is the Elysian’s flagship property and sets a high bar for the group’s projects to come. Eighty percent of the rooms are suites, though the standard room is still large at 890 square feet. Designed by Chicago’s Simeone Deary Design Group, the rooms are simultaneously soothing and sleek. They’re done up in classic colors (think champagne or silver) and residentially styled, with fireplaces and televisions placed inside bathroom mirrors. Most rooms also include furnished outdoor terraces.

Located in Chicago’s Gold Coast, an architecturally beautiful area with lots of shopping and restaurants, the Elysian offers two restaurants to unwind in. Ria is a fine-dining spot where executive chef Jason McLeod (schooled by British chef Marco Pierre White) puts artistic spins on classic seafood dishes. Decorated in muted grays and white, Ria isn’t as visually appealing as casual option Balsan, which is a long room decorated with silver accents that seem to glitter. The bistro is open all day and turns out wood-fired pizzas, house-cured charcuterie and small plates designed for sharing.

The spa is 14,000 square feet and pre-sents something calming at every turn, including lava-shell massages, Pilates classes and a mosaic-tiled lap pool. With offerings like these, you might just want to skip sightseeing and get right to relaxing.

Getting There

Daily nonstop flight to Chicago on American and United Airlines from Reagan National Airport and on Southwest and United Airlines from Dulles International Airport.