North America, Travel
Alinea, Barneys, Chicago, Cubs, Magnificent Mile, Michigan Avenue, Park Hyatt Chicago, Pizza, Salsa, Steak, Wrigley Field
Why Go Now? Springtime in Chicago. A perfect 4 day getaway. Travel & Leisure rates Chicago among the top five cities in America for cocktail lounges, dining, theater, music, culture, museums and have rated it # 1 for best sports bars (now men have somewhere to go while we shop.) Fun & unexpected public outdoor art,”The Gold Coast” for shopping, the 2nd largest U.S. museum (The Art Institute) a functioning public Transport System and thousands of restaurants from food trucks, pizza, to the famous 5 star molecular wonder Alinea. Let’s not forget the music scene. Grab your partner or girlfriend. Chicago is a blast.
Does being married or single influence Where2Stay? Location, cost, size & child friendly all play a part. Do you want your hotel, hip & modern with sexy dark lounges, a DJ spinning “singles” on the roof? Or do you prefer a quiet, elegant & romantic hotel? Sometimes you might want to “marry” the two which is the hardest to find. You will see an M (married), S (Single), or an MS (married/single) next to each hotel.
Where2Stay
Dana Hotel & Spa – This luxury boutique’s motto is “come as you are!” Expect cement walls, bamboo floors, balconies or floor to ceiling windows in the room, Vertico indoor/outdoor rooftop lounge year round. Outdoor firepit in winter. Chicago’s only outdoor ice bar. Value find! (S)
Waldorf Astoria Chicago – Stunning, sophisticated, distinctive, gracious, all describe this property… Romantic, w/plush rooms, the smallest room over 615 sq.ft. (M)
Park Hyatt Chicago – One of the 20 World’s Best Hotels located in the Gold Coast on Magnificent Mile, the PH is a perfect stay for both the business & pleasure traveler. Understated and quietly elegant as in all Park Hyatt Hotels.. With its awesome view rooms, concierges to take care of all your needs (forget a toothbrush it will be brought to you gratis) a top floor restaurant & bar plus outdoor garden to dine in warm weather it’s our favorite choice. (MS)
Where2Dine – Never out of style (Gibson & Chicago Cut for steak, Alinea # 6 in the world, RL totally chic, David Burke Primehouse, Pump Room (transforms into a late night supper club.) Next -purchase tickets to dine & see Girl & the Goat, an Anthony Bourdain fav). Our new W2W picks – Maestro’s – Sweet potatoe fries a must, Tavern on Rush, The Boarding House -brand new – 9000 crystal glasses hanging on the ceiling & Bavette. Best Pizza – totally personal, thin or thick crust? Try Coalfire and Great Lake!
Where2Shop – Imagine 5th Avenue and Rodeo Drive combined. That’s Michigan Avenue aptly called the Magnificent Mile. Check out Tom Ford and YSL both new. Vintage Underground (our find) for jewels, Perchance, LuLu for vintage & Intermix. Don’t forget Oak St.
Where2Dance, Listen & Sip – Drake Hotel for Swing, National 27 for Latin Cuisine – gather your strength for salsa afterwards, Alhambra Palace for salsa, Rumba (tropical heatwave) Checkerboard for Blues & Jazz, Pops for Champagne, lobby at the Peninsula Hotel (live music, perfect venue)
Upcoming events – Chicago Blues Festival June 6-9, Taste of Chicago July 10-14, Summer Dance in Grant Park all summer, Jazz Festival August 29-September 1st. & visit the Field Museum for the Maria Pinto Exhibit thru June 16
We love Chicago!
Why Go?
Old and new – Toronto. Towering skyscrapers & modern architecture nestled with churches, castles & historic English architecture makes for an ideal getaway. Home to 70 nationalities, 100 languages, all w/ diverse neighborhoods. Major museums, 7,000 restaurants, the worlds tallest free standing structure (the CN Tower), major sport teams Maple Leafs, Raptors, Blue Jays & Argo (heaven for women,) theater, outdoor sports for winter & summer, a perfect destination. Best of all? The people – Canadians are the nicest, friendliest people – just ask for directions.) They would actually walk you there!
No matter which corner you turn, street art everywhere!
Does being married or single influence Where2Stay? Location, cost, size & child friendly all play a part. Do you want your hotel, hip & modern with sexy dark lounges, a DJ spinning “singles” on the roof? Or do you prefer a quiet, elegant & romantic hotel? Sometimes you might want to “marry” the two which is the hardest to find. You will see an M (married), S (Single), or an MS (married/single) next to each hotel.
Where2Stay –
Park Hyatt– Could this hotel be in a better location? In the middle of the fashionable Yorkville Area , surrounded by designer shops, chic restaurants, clubs and let’s not forget within walking distance of the Babaluu Salsa Club. Understated, sophisticated & elegant like all Park Hyatts. Renowned for its Stillwater Spa, Annona Restaurant and the best feature – their sultry rooftop lounge w/outdoor seating overlooking the city. ( (MS)
Ritz Carlton Toronto – Conde Nast Gold List – not only one of the best places to stay in Canada but voted top business hotel as well. Floor to ceiling windows, a Clarins Spa (second in the world), huge ballroom for weddings and fabulous Ritz Service. Not to mention plush, lush rooms. (M)
Four Seasons – Want to say you slept with “The Stones?” This newly remodeled Four Seasons is the place to play and stay. Located in the ritzy Yorkville District – a gorgeous hotel. From the rooms, flower arrangements to the expansive bar with great art, best people watching around. Martinis aren’t too bad either. (MS)
Thompson Toronto – The first foray into Canada for this hip NY based boutique company. Located downtown near clubs & great bars this chic hotel has a yoga studio, screening room, 24/7 diner for those late nights, rooftop infinity pool (not for use in winter) & extra large marble baths. Home to hip Scarpetta Restaurant. Definitely for those ready to party (S)
The Drake – Laid back, retro but w/ a modern bent – this is our value find. Located on revitalized West Queen West, the art & design district is the hip place. With room names like Crash Pad, Solo & Den, a sky yard patio, live music and changing art work, this is another version of Toronto (S)
Shangri-La -From the famed Asia based company this is the new one. This sexy chain (note the golden entrance below) gets it right on so many levels. State of the art fireplace in the lobby is the perfect meeting place. Couple that with a live piano player & floor to ceiling windows in the modern calming rooms (largest rooms in Toronto). Attached is David Chang’s Momofuko, with a great entrance. See below (MS)
Where2Dine
From formal to funky Toronto has it all. Our favorites… Bucca for Italian, Brassaii, Westlodge on Queens Street, romantic Canoe & Sotto Sotto, Woodlot Bakery, David Chang’s Noodle Bar, Cafe Boulud, Globe & the controversial glass & aluminum c5 for lunch (designed by Daniel Libeskind) and don’t forget House of Poutine (fries & gravy) Toronto’s signature dish.
Where2Play
Pravda Vodka Bar, Babaluu for Salsa, Fifth St. Social Club, The Boiler House in the Gaslight District and The Cocktail Bar
Where2Shop
Stroll down Bloor Street for major shopping including our favorites – Intermix, Roots, & Holt Renfrew, wander the streets of Yorkville, Stroll Queens St. West and the Eaton’s Mall. Our best find for designers under one roof – TNT in Hazelton Lane
What2Do
Historic St. Lawrence Market (don’t miss Carousel Bakery), historic Distillery District with its art galleries, & pubs, BATA Shoe Museum, Casa Loma, AGO & ROM Museums, stroll the Harbourfront
The Toronto Girls
Everyone longs for a vacation AFTER the holidays! December – present buying, gift wrapping, baking (well, some of us) kids screaming me, me, me! If single you’re exhausted by the very thought of planning what to do, why not a vacation BEFORE the holidays? Las Vegas! A quick trip, an indulgent time & a bit of fantasy. Where time has no meaning, literally! Whether you’re with your husband before the onslaught of the holidays or with girlfriends to share secrets (don’t ask, don’t tell) everything is golden and perfect in Las Vegas. At least until you fly home!
Does being married or single influence Where2Stay? Do you want your hotel hip & modern or do you prefer a quiet and romantic hotel? Sometimes you might want to “marry” the two. You will see an M (married), S (single), or an MS, (married/single) next to each hotel.
Where2Stay – Thousands of rooms to choose from, pick your skyscraper in the sky. Choose from ultra cool Cosmopolitan or Aria at City Center (MS) Want the largest rooms in LV? Choose from the Palazzo, Venetian (MS) or the new Hotel 32 in the Monte Carlo offering private check in, personal assistant for every room & complimentary limo service! (MS) For a quiet refuge stay at The Signature at the MGM, w/ modern kitchens, no gambling & breathtaking views. (MS) Or snuggle into the secluded Mandarin Oriental w/ your favorite spouse (M) For Value – The D Las Vegas revitalizes downtown Freemont St. (S) & the ultimate LV? Artisan Boutique Hotel, just 64 rooms, non gambling, gothic art filled lobby & a partying “Naked Pool,” topless optional!!! (S)
Where2Eat & Drink – Are you a true gourmet? Reserve Joel Robuchon, Guy Savoy & the new very private E by Jose Andres. Reservations a must. Best Thai in US? Lotus of Siam. Meat lover? Carvevino & SW Steak will stick to your ribs. Yearn for steak tartar at 5AM? Head to Central the new “foodie” diner open 24 hours. The buffet of all time – Wicked Spoon at Cosmopolitan. Is a liquid diet more your thing? Visit DOCG an Italian Wine Bar, Minus 5 Ice Bar where everything is made of ice & the Chandelier Bar (don’t we look good surrounded by crystal?) Diet & detox upon return to reality!
Where2Shop You can shop until you drop. Visit the Fashion Show Mall, Wynn Esplanade (the Ferrari/Maserati Showroom would be a great man magnet) Crystals at City Center & don’t forget the fashion Outlets of LV (Primm) where there is a Neiman Marcus Last Call. Think of how much money we save!
We love to dress up!