The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago Hotel in the upscale shopping area of North Michigan Avenue stands only a mile from the Loop business district and River North gallery district. Shopaholics should stop at the concierge desk, which offers discounts for department stores within one mile, including Marshall Field's, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom.

Recreational enthusiasts will find plenty of jogging, walking, biking and skating opportunities along Lake Michigan's 20 mile lakeshore path four blocks from the hotel. Guests can rent canoes, kayaks and rowing equipment at the Lincoln Park Boathouse.

Back at the hotel, meanwhile, locals mingle with travelers during happy hour in the lounge at the L shaped mahogany bar, enjoying views of the Magnificent Mile and listening to nightly piano music. The hotel's Grill on the Alley, a clubby, mahogany paneled steakhouse, is popular for power lunches and expense account dinners of classic American cuisine, such as Cobb salad, pot pie, prime rib and meatloaf.

Guests can keep up their workout routines in the Westin's fitness center and pamper themselves with nail care, European facials, body treatments and hair treatments in the hotel's salon. Corporate travelers will find all the trimmings in the hotel's business center.

For families, the Westin Kids Club offers sports bottles, sippy cups, coloring books, bath toys, and baby shampoo and soap.

Marble foyers create dramatic entrances to the 751 guestrooms, which feature comfy pillowtop mattresses and duvets, designer toiletries and bathrobes.

This upscale address on tony Michigan Avenue attracts upscale guests. In the gleaming marble and wood paneled lobby, well dressed couples and executives talk on cell phones. Ample meeting space and opulent ballrooms make the hotel popular for both business and social functions.