Three cheers for the Hard Rock, which gave new life to the old Carbide and Carbon Building, whose unusual dark-green and gold facade adds credence to the story that this 1929 Art Deco treasure was designed to resemble a champagne bottle. Now, it's a 381-room hotel best appreciated by anyone who's ever had a rock 'n' roll fantasy. More than a few guests may be tempted to choose their floor based on the artifacts displayed near the elevators; on the nineteenth, for instance, is a Gibson guitar that Jimi Hendrix used to record "All Along the Watchtower." The rooms are hip, if a tad bleakblacks, grays, glass, and mirrorsand staff, once reportedly long on attitude, have discovered the benefits of service with a smile.
When to go: Summer and fallthe most conducive to strolling the nearby, spectacular Millennium Park.
Which room to book: Views, down North Michigan Avenue or toward the Chicago River, are best from the "Hard Rock" rooms and those in The Tower