It was the carpet in our room that I first fell in love with at this hip, modern and absolutely cool new hotel in Chicago. It was turquoise. Bright, beautiful turquoise and the perfect complement to the ultra-modern vibe throughout the room and, indeed, throughout the entire hotel.

We were only there for one night but that was enough to make us yearn to come back another time. A time when we have endless hours to spend in the incredible fitness center, indoor/outdoor pool, quite fabulous restaurant and the Executive Business Lounge where we were offered beer, wine or Cokes bottled in unique, silver aluminum bottles like nothing I have ever seen before, as well as very nice Continental breakfast before we left in the morning.

We pulled up to the front of this unique and gorgeous skyscraper, unloaded our car, then turned it over to the valet. Parking is not cheap anywhere in Chicago and the Radisson is no different but the convenience of handing your car over the valet can’t be overemphasized in a big city. Self parking is available and will save you a little money but I recommend the valet parking.

Until the hotel opened in Chicago, the Radisson Blu hotels were found only in international destinations like Rome and Sydney. But they couldn’t have picked a better location than Chicago and the Lakeshore neighborhood. With a nearby, six acre park filled with plants and flowers, walking and running trails, plenty of restaurants and shops, the location is also an easy walk to scenic Lake Michigan, Millennium Park and the ritzy stores of the Magnificent Mile. It’s also not far from Navy Pier and the Museum Campus where you can park and see the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, and the Adler Planetarium.

Radisson Blu Aqua – incredible! Photo courtesy of the hotel.

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