Hotel Monaco Improves On Great

What do you call a great hotel that undergoes a renovation to make it even better? You call it Hotel Monaco. San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotel & Restaurants 191-room Chicago area boutique Hotel Monaco (225 North Wabash Ave) was recently named one of US News and World Report’s 2013 Best Hotels and a Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice 2012 winner. Despite the accolades, the hotel still wanted to get better and has recently completed a renovation that makes it one of the newest hotels in the city, which included redesigning the lobby, event spaces and adjacent South Water Kitchen restaurant.

“The renovation first began with a guest room refresh in 2011 and we’re thrilled that the full makeover is now complete,” said Marco Scherer, general manager, Hotel Monaco Chicago. “The new look creates a fresh ambiance that combines comfort and style, and allows us to introduce great new features like communal lobby seating and fun culinary options for meeting breakouts.”

They have given the lobby pops of bold colors, playful patterns, iconic black and white Chicago photographs and specially commissioned artwork. For people who are used to being bored sitting and waiting in the lobby Hotel Monaco has the remedy. They have place a large LCD flatscreen TV in the lobby that will be airing Chicago-centric movies and the area now features an eight-seat bar table with built-in power outlets. The last thing anyone wants is a phone on low battery, so I think I speak for everyone when I say the outlets are much appreciated. And if you forget your charger don’t worry, they have “Power Packs” for loan at the front desk, complete with an iPhone charger, they also have noise-cancelling headphones and a tablet preloaded with music and books. And just for good measure the hotel wants to take care of your hunger by making a Tavern menu from South Water Kitchen.

Located on the third floor, the new meeting and event space is comprised of 4,100 square feet, including a 2,700 square foot ballroom. The pre-function area now features a graceful focal table as well as new mahogany and ebony consoles, geometric mirrors and artful silver lamps. Within the rooms, lush carpeting softens into curvaceous medallions complemented by amber hued walls. Luxurious new window treatments in tones of silver, black and fawn call attention to the large windows with views of the Chicago River. Meetings are enhanced by the convenience of Monaco Chicago’s “Concierge on Demand.” Upon request, the concierge station can be moved to the third floor, strategically placed to be on hand to make reservations, arrange transportation or answer any other questions during meeting breaks or post-meeting.

Recent renovations also included South Water Kitchen, adjacent to Monaco Chicago. The new look of the Tavern section of the restaurant is inspired by the “working man’s” tavern of the 1920s. The design team of VOA Associates Inc. used modest materials typical of this era to bring a feeling of honest simplicity to Chicago’s dining scene. A new tin ceiling, crisp white subway wall tile, a polished brass bar rail, and stone topped bar are all newly installed pieces reflective of the 1920s. Light and airy linen chandeliers, copper mirrors and antique metals bring an updated yet relaxed atmosphere to match Chef Waysok’s authentic Midwest cuisine. For more information or reservations you can either call 312-960-8500 or visit www.monaco-chicago.com.

Source: Hotel Monaco