Frommer's Review
Owned by the same company as the Hotel Monaco and the Hotel Burnham (both listed above), the Allegro is my top pick in the Loop for families in search of a fun vibe. Although its published rates are about the same as those of its sister properties, the Allegro is far larger than the Monaco or the Burnham and consequently is more likely to offer special rates to fill space (especially on weekends and in the winter). Guests enter a lobby with plush, boldly colored furnishings ("Art Deco with punch" is the way one hotel employee described it to me). That whimsical first impression segues into the cheery, pink-walled guest rooms. Most rooms are small (without much space beyond the bed, an armoire, and one chair) but manage to feel cozy rather than cramped; the compact bathrooms, annoyingly, have only pedestal sinks -- meaning minimal storage for beauty-product junkies. Suites have separate bedrooms and foldout couches and come with robes, VCRs, and two-person Jacuzzi tubs.
Befitting a place where the doorman hums along to the tunes playing on speakers out front, the Allegro appeals to younger travelers. There's plenty of opportunity for socializing at Encore, the cafe that hosts DJs at night, or at the complimentary evening wine reception in the lobby. The hotel's restaurant, 312 Chicago, attracts nonguests in search of excellent Italian cuisine. A note to theater fans: The Allegro has access to exclusive seats for many high-profile downtown shows and often promotes special theater packages.
Facilities:
Restaurant (northern Italian); lounge; exercise room (and access to nearby health club w/indoor pool for $10/day); concierge; business center; salon; limited room service; same-day laundry service; dry cleaning
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
