“From the decor to the service, this is one of the greatest hotels I’ve stayed in.” This “oasis of luxury” (opened at the end of 2009 as The Elysian) is in the Gold Coast neighborhood, steps from the lakefront. Designed to emulate the grand hotels of Paris in the 1920s, it is set in a 60-story tower that has colonnades, spires, and a motor court. The “fantastic, spacious rooms,” ten per floor, have fireplaces, furnished terraces, Italian linens, and white Carrara marble bathrooms with soaking tubs. “Staff make you feel welcome, like they’re really excited that you chose their hotel.” “Epicurean paradises” include the European-style bistro Balsan, which focuses on sustainable local ingredients. “I’d like to move in—now.” (source: http://www.cntraveler.com/hotels/north-america/united-states/elysian-chicago-chicago-illinois)