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Affinia
(166 E Superior St, 312-787-6000, affinia.com)

The Affinia experience begins before your trip, when you receive a personal e-mail from the hotel manager, inviting you to customize your room with add-ons such as cupcake delivery, a rubber ducky in your bathroom, and—most important—pillow selection from a menu of six options ranging from buckwheat to down. It might sound kitschy, but the exercise makes you feel like more than just a number before you even check in. Once you’re inside the Mag Mile digs, the gleaming white walls might remind you of the Apple store just a couple of blocks away, but the übermod aesthetic in guest rooms is comfortable without feeling stark or cold. Junior suites come with couches and living rooms—perfect for a crew of guests looking to catch up together.

Dining: On the lobby level, C-House (See Eat Out, page 28, for our review) attracts a stylish crowd and churns out seafood, steaks and other chophouse fare while C-Bar offers raw-bar bites.

Bar scene: The just-opened C-View rooftop bar is a mini escape in itself—an ideal spot for a summer cocktail.

Fitness/spa: Visitors have access to an exercise room, but if you request a free in-room fitness kit, there’s no need to leave your suite: It comes with workout DVDs, a yoga mat and blocks, stretch bands and a jump rope. And while there isn’t a formal spa area, the front desk will arrange for a therapist to visit your room from 9am to 9pm for a facial or massage.

Room service: C-House handles the room service: a full menu from 6am–11pm.

Best for: A girls’ weekend of drinking on the roof, spa-ing in the room and shopping till you drop.

Room rates: Start at $229. —Liz Plosser

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