Chicago is one of the largest and most populated cities in the United States. Located in the American midwest, you’ll find during your stay at the Raffaello Hotel Chicago that this great city has lots of interesting sites that make it a great desination for visitors and tourists.

The historic Water Tower is Chicago’s most beloved landmark and has been for over 100 years. It was first designed and built by an architect by the name of William W. Boyington back 1869. The tower was originally built to hold an enormous 138-foot-tall piece of standpipe which was three feet in diameter. The purpose of the pipe was to maintain and equalize water pressure and control the amount of water that was flowing through all of the main water pipes in Chicago.

The tower was built out of blocks of “Joliet” limestone from a rock quarry in Illinois. It turned out that this stone was one of the few materials that was strong enough to withstand the great fire that broke out in Chicago in 1871 and leveled almost all of the buildings except for this tower.

The day after the fire,

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When you plan a trip to the Windy City, you’ll find there are plenty of Chicago attractions, shopping opportunities, and entertaining cultural explorations all within easy reach of your rooms at the Raffaello Hotel Chicago. Here’s just a few of the many things you can do in this marvelous mid-western city.

Navy Pier

Built to serve the commercial fishing and shipping industry on Lake Michigan in the mid-1910s, Navy Pier is now one of the most popular tourist destinations. Everyday the pier features a wide range of entertainment options and interesting events. Before you even arrive at the pier, you may catch sight of the Ferris wheel, which rises 150 feet into the air. There’s also 18-hole miniature golf course, musical carousel, and other indoor activities for children, while adults can enjoy the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.

Sears Tower

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Chicago and shopping go hand in hand. And no stay at the Raffaello Hotel Chicago would be complete without a little retail therapy! Want to find the latest pair of fashionable Lucky Brand Jeans? Looking for a kitschy Chicago souvenir?  Hoping to find that perfect sexy piece of La Perla lingerie or a pair of authentic Ferragamo shoes?  Or maybe you simply want to enjoy the ambience of big city shopping and are curious about those one-of-a-kind deals that come with perusing the various Chicago boutiques and State Street retailers.

Whatever you’re looking for, when you’re in Chicago you’re definitely in the right place to find it!  The city’s “Magnificent Mile” area boasts of diverse retailers, four multi-level malls anchored by classic department stores such as Bloomingdales and Nordstrom, exceptional dining experiences, and extraordinary hotel accommodations.  Oak Street and Rush Street feature an amazing mixture of couture shops and high-end boutiques with prestigious brand names like Kate and Jack Spade, Jimmy Choo, Prada, and Hermes (just to name a few!).  Not to be outdone

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Chicago is known as the Windy City, and when you stay at the Raffaello Hotel Chicago you’ll quickly realize that this amazing city is truly the heart and soul of America’s Midwest. Chicago is actually America’s third largest city behind New York and Los Angeles, and is home to some of the most recognizable architectural monuments of American tradition and culture, such as historic Wrigley Field and the Sears Tower.

Chicago is situated on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, making it both a strategic economic port city and a lifeline into America’s heartland. A wave of European immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries made the city a true iconic melting pot for the country as a whole. Additionally, Chicago has roughly equal populations of Caucasians and African Americans and the second largest population of Chicanos behind Los Angeles. This multicultural identity adds unparalleled flavor to Chicago cuisine, art community and, of course, political history.

The architectural sophistication of Chicago can largely be attributed to the energy and determination with which Chicagoans bounced back following the devastating Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The world’s first skyscraper was constructed from the ashes, and Chicagoans proceeded to firmly commit themselves to preservation, which is why so many historic buildings line the streets today. It’s well worth spending an afternoon on a Loop Tour Train to see some of these charming historical gems.

Lincoln Park is center for Chicago’s culture and history, and a wonderful place to explore during your stay. Don’t miss the Lincoln Zoo and the Notebaert Nature Museum. And if you have time, make the trip out to Oak Park, a Chicago suburb, which is the birthplace of Earnest Hemmingway and the home of Frank Lloyd Wright.

When it comes to music, there’s no question that Chicago has soul. The life of the city pulses on jazz beats and blues progressions, quickwitted improv and carefully rehearsed theater. The Second City Comedy Troupe is the original home of Saturday Night Live. Along the Chicago River, the Civic Opera Building (1929) is home to the world famous Lyric Opera of Chicago which is the second largest theater in the United States. In a city that invented house music, gave birth to techno and is exploding with jazz clubs, you’ll never have a dull – or quiet! – moment.

And to top it all off in every sense of the word, don’t forget to visit the historic skydeck of the Sears Tower or revel in the 94th floor panoramic views of the Hancock Observatory. You’ll feel on top of the world as you overlook everything that Chicago and the Raffaello Hotel Chicago have to offer.

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Enjoy the “Magnificent Mile” when you stay at the Raffaello Hotel Chicago

The Raffaello Hotel Chicago has a perfect location, right in the heart of Chicago. And that means that you are just steps from some of the finest attractions that Chicago has to offer, like the world-famous “Magnificent Mile”.

This 8 block-section of North Michigan Avenue between the Chicago River and Lake Shore Drive is a grand boulevard with family-friendly museums, a variety of restaurants to suit any taste, and some of the best shopping you’ll find anywhere, in the same class as New York’s 5th Avenue or Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

The oldest building along the Magnificent Mile is the Old Water Tower which was built in 1869. This distinctive castle-like structure survived the Chicago Great Fire in 1871, and remains as a symbol of Chicago’s resilience. The tower has faced demolition in 1906, 1918 and 1948, but fortunately each time preservationists were able to save this unique landmark.

Other historic sites located on the Magnificent Mile include the Drake Hotel at the northern end of the street which dates from 1920, the Allerton Hotel (1924), the Tribune Tower (1925), the Medinah Athletic Club (1929) and 919 N. Michigan Avenue (1929).

More modern sites along the Magnificent Mile include

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Why the Raffaello Hotel Chicago?

With a prime downtown location just minutes from Michigan Avenue, the Water Tower Place and the John Hancock building, the elegant Raffaello Hotel Chicago puts the best of Chicago within easy reach of the discerning traveler.

This full service hotel offers the perfect blend of elegance and modernity, ensuring that you never sacrifice looks for comfort. Each guest room at the Raffaello Hotel Chicago has been beautifully renovated in the European style with subtle earth tones and chic upscale accents, making this one of the most elegant and sophisticated boutique accommodations that Chicago has to offer.

Guests staying at the Raffaello Hotel Chicago have a range of options to suit every traveler, from spacious King rooms and Double guestrooms, as well as spacious suites. The King accommodations at the Raffaello feature one King bed and 175 – 350 sq. ft, while the double bed accommodations offer 325 – 375 sq. ft.

And if you and your family need more space,

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