An excellent representation of the Kimpton brand
If you've stayed at a Kimpton hotel before, you know what to expect: a boutique-style hotel with character; cheerful and good service; excellent cuisine; good location. The Hotel Burnham in Chicago does not disappoint: from start to finish, my husband and I had a marvelous stay here!
We were in Chicago for five days to visit family, and we picked this hotel because 1)location and 2) its affiliation with the Kimpton brand. The young staff are excellent; always up-beat, always helpful and informative, and quickly responsive to any reguests. It is obvious that they are "house proud" and have high morale, which is always a boon to guests.
The lobby is small, but with a cozy sitting area off to the side with a fireplace that I'm sure gets lots of use in the fall and winter months. A free glass of wine may be enjoyed here in the late afternoon..a nice Kimpton touch. The very fine Atwood Cafe is adjacent to the lobby, which is open all day, with a delightful "al fresco" section for the summer months. The Cafe is famous locally for its delicious Sunday brunches, so reserve ahead if you wish to partake. The price for a quick lunch there was jaw-dropping for us ($73.00 for two bowls of soup, a selection of artisan cheeses and bread, and two glasses of wine) but perhaps, being from Las Vegas, we are just not used to Chicago prices. I will say however, that, although simple, the quality of that lunch was superb: the soup was delicious and the cheeses were exceptional.
Our room was too small, as sometimes happens with Kimpton, as theirs are always older buildings that have been redone, but the decor was lovely and the accommodations were spotless.
Special kudos to the room service staff. My husband and I always treat ourselves when possible to room service for breakfast when we travel, and the service provided here was exceptional: it was pleasant, accurate and fast.
The location was perfect for us, although some might wish to be closer to the upscale shopping that is offered in the Miracle Mile area.
If you wish to dine off-site for dinner, The Trattoria No. 10 is exceptional! It is less than two blocks away, and offers top-fo-the-line northern Italian cuisine in a charming basement "bistro" atmosphere. The service was outstanding. (more under a separate review)