Location. The Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers sits on the Chicago River's edge, overlooking Lake Michigan and Navy Pier three blocks away. The NBC Tower is one block from the hotel. Within a three block radius of the hotel are Michigan Avenue shopping venues, Tribune Tower and the Wrigley Building. Hotel Features. The gold domed lobby accentuates rich inlaid woods, 1950s leather seating and bold, origami carpets. A separate lobby entrance reserved for event registration offers complimentary wireless Internet access. Designed for conventions and business functions, the hotel houses 120,000 square feet of event space, including the largest ballroom in the Midwest at 40,000-square-feet. The business center provides computer and mobile rentals, wired and wireless Internet access, and photocopy, print and fax services.

Dining venues within the hotel are as varied as the meeting spaces, with an Italian-style seafood and steakhouse, two Chicago-style bistros, and riverfront sports and lobby bars. The on-site Esplanade Express opens seasonally for outdoor dining. The hotel's health club offers Chicago River views throughout its fitness center with signature cardiovascular equipment, indoor lap pool, sauna, massage rooms and parlor area.

Guestrooms. Guestrooms at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers feature river, lake or city views. Accent walls display abstract art and furnishings include armchairs, mission desks and minibars housing safes. Premium bedding includes linen headboards, pillowtop mattresses, triple sheeting and down pillows. All rooms include cable television with premium channels, complimentary weekday newspapers, video game consoles and high-speed Internet access.

Hotel Expert's Tip. My first priority at this hotel was to explore its most recent addition - Chi Bar. Rejuvenating the nightlife in downtown Chicago, Ill., this upscale lounge features colored paneling, supple leather seating, signature cocktail blends and the thumbprint of Bluezoo designer Todd English of Walt Disney World's Swan and Dolphin resorts.

Room Types:

Traditional room:   One king or two double Sweet Sleeper Beds with plush-top mattresses, triple sheeting, and down pillows. May have view city skyline. Located on floors 8-30. Contemporary wood furnishings and large desk. Multi-line phone. Dial-up and high-speed Internet access (surcharge for both). Complimentary premium channels. Video games (surcharge). Complimentary weekday newspapers. Coffeemaker and minibar. Refrigerator available on request (surcharge). Bathroom has massaging showerhead. In-room safe. Nonsmoking.

Tower room:   One king or two double Sweet Sleeper Beds with plush-top mattresses, triple sheeting, and down pillows. View of Chicago River, Lake Michigan, or city skyline. Located on floors 31-34. Large desk. Multi-line phone with complimentary local and toll-free calls up to 60 minutes. Dial-up and high-speed Internet access (surcharge for both). Complimentary premium channels. Video games (surcharge). Complimentary weekday newspapers. Coffeemaker and minibar. Refrigerator available on request (surcharge). Bathroom has massaging showerhead. Bathrobes. Turndown service. In-room safe. Complimentary clothes pressing and bottled water. Nonsmoking. <P> Access to two-story club lounge with concierge, complimentary Continental breakfast, and afternoon hors d’oeuvres.

Deluxe - water view:   One king or two double Sweet Sleeper Beds with plush-top mattresses, triple sheeting, and down pillows. View of Chicago River or Lake Michigan. Located on floors 8-30. Contemporary wood furnishings and large desk. Multi-line phone. Dial-up and high-speed Internet access (surcharge for both). Complimentary premium channels. Video games (surcharge). Complimentary weekday newspapers. Coffeemaker and minibar. Refrigerator available on request (surcharge). Bathroom has massaging showerhead. In-room safe. Nonsmoking.