Chicago’s Great Hotel Extravaganza

Chicago celebrates the Midwestern hospitality that makes it everyone’s kind of town as more than 25 of the city’s great hotels transform into virtual cultural centers, offering unique culturally themed travel packages complete with entertainment, VIP access to events, backstage tours and conversations with arts experts. The stage is set with these experiences offering itineraries that take the work out of traveling and make lasting memories with themes ranging from chocolate, architecture and Chicago sports to jazz, opera and Irish heritage.

With one-of-a-kind experiences and attractive package prices, this might just be the most original holiday gift idea this season, and certainly a tempting post-holiday excursion. Beginning November 1, the packages can be booked online at www.877Chicago.com or by calling toll free, 1.877CHICAGO (1.877.244.2246). Now is the time to plan that weekend visit to one of Chicago’s extraordinary and luxurious hotels to take in the sights. Families can go under the “big top,” become the ultimate NASCAR fan, enjoy an Irish cabaret, listen to the best of jazz or spend the evening ballroom dancing! These intimate weekends showcase many facets of Chicago culture and cultural offerings, which have helped the city to become one of the “Top 10 U.S. Cities,” according to Condé Nast Traveler, and one of “America’s Favorite Cities,” by AOL Travel/Travel+Leisure.

Chicagoans and visitors alike discover a new way to enjoy Chicago’s vibrant winter season during Chicago’s Great Hotel Extravaganza. Among the more than two-dozen experiences available are:

The Chicago City Centre – A Holiday Inn Hotel hosts Family Circus weekend, where families check into the “big top” for a weekend of circus fun! Whether escorted to the room by a clown-nosed staff member or waking up to jugglers in the lobby, families are immersed in the circus arts such as balloon animals, just steps away. The experience continues with amazing shows by the Kapoot clowns and the Bumblini Brothers, and lessons in stilt walking, ball walking and the flying trapeze. During this weekend, guests can have their faces painted at the Sunday Circus Brunch, and be entertained by professional clowns all at the Chicago City Centre – A Holiday Inn Hotel, which is nearby the popular family destination Navy Pier and the Magnificent Mile.

Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, The Best Western River North Hotel sets the pace for fast fun this winter, as the official hotel for NASCAR hosts the Family Auto Show weekend. This package is for the real car lovers! Included are tickets to the 98th Edition of the Chicago Auto Show, one of the premier automotive events in the world. An exclusive look at the #99 NASCAR Busch Series show car and a special NASCAR collectible gift are just the beginnings of the VIP treatment guests receive during their stay in the Best Western River North hotel, minutes from Michigan Avenue shopping, the architectural wonder of Sears Tower and the Auto Show site, McCormick Place.

Visitors to the Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel can experience the thrill of Ireland right here in Chicago with Fitzpatrick’s Irish Cabaret weekend. Imported Irish coffee and chocolate stir the senses during this intimate weekend getaway. Following a delightful Irish dinner, visitors enjoy an authentic Irish Cabaret. Guests start the next day with a complete Irish breakfast for two. What a “suite” way to spend the winter at the only Irish hotel in Chicago!

For all the jazz lovers, it is all things jazz at The Peninsula Chicago’s Winter Jazz Delight at The Pen weekend. Guests enjoy a jazz-themed experience that takes them to Symphony Center for an evening performance of The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. After the exclusive meet and greet with a band member backstage, visitors return to The Lobby for a decadent chocolate dessert from the chocolate buffet. Following their sweet treat, guests groove to live music featuring jazz trio, Jazz at The Pen, followed by a stay at the award-winning Peninsula Chicago, where contemporary flavor meets classical style.

The Drake Hotel presents Dancing At The Drake with the Stars of Chicago featuring an evening of dance to a live orchestra! Guests enjoy a night filled with ballroom dancing lessons and a magnificent dinner buffet. Special guest Nancy Hays and The Robert Benson Orchestra provide the entertainment during this great romantic evening. Guests retire for the evening at the historic and legendary Drake and enjoy the hotel’s sparkling view of Lake Shore Drive and Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.

Chicago’s Great Hotel Extravaganza features special cultural experiences at more than 25 of Chicago’s great hotel properties from January 2 through February 28, starting at $295. Special hotel rates starting at $69 and many exciting seasonal events are also available for those who want to plan their own Chicago getaway; special rates may include additional amenities at select locations. Beginning November 1, travelers can book Chicago’s Great Hotel Extravaganza packages (gift certificates are available for holiday gifting), hotel rooms at special rates and receive detailed information about more great wintertime events by calling toll free, 1.877.CHICAGO (1.877.244.2246) or visiting www.877chicago.com For those calling from outside the United States, Mexico and Canada, please call 1.312.201.8847. The TTY toll–free number for the hearing impaired is 1.866.710.0294. Chicago tourism information is also available on the Internet at www.cityofchicago.org/ExploringChicago

Visitors and Chicagoans planning to entertain out-of-town guests can receive additional information, including brochures and maps on Chicago’s exciting events and attractions by stopping at one of the Visitor Information Centers. The centers are located at Chicago Water Works, 163 East Pearson Street at Michigan Avenue and the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 East Randolph Street.

Chicago’s Great Hotel Extravaganza, Chicago Winter Delights 2006 is presented in collaboration with the Chicago Office of Tourism, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau and the Mayor’s Office of Special Events.

Note to press: Beginning November 1, the packages will be online for purchase at www.877chicago.com or by phone at the toll-free number, 1.877CHICAGO. Editorial images are available on the Chicago Office of Tourism Image Gallery located within the B2B, Media Relations section of the Web site at www.cityofchicago/Tourism

October 17, 2005   Posted in: United States Central