I will be taking a friend to chicago for his 50th birthday. Have tickets to a cubs game already. Wanted suggestions for a great hotel (Four Seasons? Ritz Carleton? Intercontinental), I don't mind splurging. Also, what about a romantic place to eat. I know he likes steak but I'm open to other options as well. Thanks in advance for your help.

The Intercontinental is great. When we were in Chicago two years ago, we had dinner at the Everest. When the weather is nice you have a fantastic view of the city. (It was raining when we were there.)

Eat at the Signature Room. It is on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Building...great view! Very Romantic

Th e Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton in Chicago both rate among the finest hotels in the world when those organizations that rate such places put out their lists. The Intercontinental is a great hotel also. The Signature Room has a great view, but mediocre food. Certainly Everest is among the finest restaurants in the city, and it has a great view--it is haute French cuisine. Spiaggia is the finest Italian restaurant in town, and very near both the Four Seasons and Ritz. There are smaller, more casual and less-expensive french bistros that serve traditional steak frites--not the same as a big Chicago steak house, like Gibsons, or the Butcher Shop, but more interesting and romantic. Try Le Sardine, it's in a cool part of the city, and charming, or Kiki's Bistro, which is more romantic.

Rose,

If I were you I'd skip the Four Seasons and head to the Intercontinental or Ritz. I have friends who stayed at Four Seasons at the start of their honeymoon and they said the room was beautiful but they endured some of the worst service of their lives. They complained and were offered the chance to come back, on the house. Same thing the next time they went.

As far as restaurants, consider Charlie Trotter's. It is not just a meal, it is truly an experience you'll never forget. Top notch food, wine, service from beginning to end. Coolest thing is Charlie's mom will give you a tour of the kitchen then introduce you to Charlie. It was my birthday and instead of doing a tacky "happy birthday" thing at the table, he put together a bag of goodies for me that included a signed cookbook, t-shirt and a box of chocolates.

I've stayed at Chicago's best many times, Ritz/4S/Fairmont/etc and would break them down this way: overall the 4S is a half notch above the Ritz (which is also owned and run by 4S). The rooms are basically similar to most 4S rooms in their U.S. properties. Views from the south and east are clearly superior. Best option is a SE corner suite on a higher level floor. The lobbies of both the 4S and Ritz are not on street level and are somewhat inconvenient if you're doing a lot of coming and going. In the current labor market, virtually all luxury properties are having trouble holding onto good staff. I've had more bad experiences in the past year than in the 90's in toto.

The Ritz rooms have a bit more charm. The bathrooms are the typical Ritz gray marble. Smallish. Don't really like Ritz showers. 4S bathrooms are clearly better.

Fairmont is a clear cut below the other two. Suites are very large. Furnishings cheaper. Bathrooms better than Ritz, not as good as 4S. Location is not nearly as good if you'll be walking about Michigan Avenue. If cabbing, no difference. Easier to get in and out. It's considerably cheaper than the other two.

Intercontinental is in same league as Fairmont in my book. The rest are another cut below IMO.