The James Hotel

Frommer's Review

One of the city's newest hotels (opened in 2006), The James blurs the line between upscale luxury and stylish boutique, as ever-earnest doormen move comfortably among quirky art installations (such as the pile of used suitcases that was featured recently in the lobby). Because of its close proximity to North Michigan Avenue shopping, River North nightlife, and the Loop theater district, The James attracts even locals to its sleek, secluded J Bar. Guest rooms get a modern treatment, with private dining niches, reproductions of Mies Van der Rohe chairs and Saaranen tables, plasma TVs, and an iPod/mp3-player docking station. If your view is an interior one, don't fret; what looks like a dismal wall during the day becomes a giant screen for a delightfully frantic black and white animated film when the sun goes down. Bathrooms are well appointed with slate and marble accents and thick robes for lounging. A spa and gym offer a full range of treatments, and there's traditional tea service in the lobby, where large windows offer sidewalk views of the River North hustle.

The hotel's restaurant, David Burke's Primehouse, mixes a classic steakhouse feel with modern touches, including stylish red leather tablecloths. The restaurant even has its own bull that lives and breeds in Kentucky.

Facilities:
Restaurant (steakhouse); fitness room; concierge; business center; 24-hr. room service; laundry; 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.

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