Ambassador East Hotel

Located 4 blocks from the Lakefront Trail, this chic, luxe hotel is a 6-minute walk from the El train, and 2 miles from Millennium Park and Lincoln Zoo.

The sophisticated rooms are decorated with contemporary photography, and feature Italian linens, iPod docks, 42-inch flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Suites have separate living areas; some add an outdoor terrace.

Amenities include free loaner bikes and iMacs. There's also a stylish coffee lounge and bar, which features a fireplace and rustic wood walls, plus a screening room, a lively bar and fine dining restaurant created by celeb chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

4-star hotel.