Conrad Chicago050

For families staying in the city, it doesn't get much better than the Conrad Chicago. Kids are greeted at check-in with spools of cotton candy (with parents' permission, of course), and the experience gets better from there. Upon arrival in the room, families find a list of local family attractions, plus milk and cookies, pastries, and age-appropriate children's games. (On a recent visit, our four-year-old was thrilled by a Leap Frog card game, magnetic drawing board, and an art kit.) All rooms feature complementary high-speed Internet access (both wireless and wired), a 42-inch plasma screen television with Bose surround sound, Xbox 360, a DVD/CD player, and views of either the Chicago skyline or Lake Michigan. The room's minibar includes a selection of snacks and drinks, including juices, nuts, pretzels, candies, and Voss water. Room service is offered virtually all day, and kids' offerings range from silver-dollar pancakes ($7) for breakfast to a petit filet mignon ($15) at dinnertime. Adults will find slippers and bathrobes in the room, as well as a pillow menu, which offers a variety of therapeutic and aromatherapy pillows - including Cold and Flu and "Snore No More" - for no additional charge. A bath menu is also available, though make sure to request a room with a bathtub at check-in, since rooms featuring two double beds only have showers in the spacious bathrooms. The hotel offers a variety of items for babies and children, including cribs, bottle warmers, sterilizers, baby shampoo, baby wipes, complimentary strollers for long walks, disposable diapers, bibs, crayons, board games, baby blankets, lotion, baby powder, safety pins, and mobiles. Families can also check out complimentary DVDs, CDs, and Xbox 360 games from the concierge. The hotel is within walking distance of Rainforest Cafe, ESPN Zone, Hard Rock Cafe, American Girl Place, the LEGO Store, and the 900 North Michigan Avenue shops. Other family-friendly attractions - including Navy Pier, the Chicago Children's Museum, and the Art Institute of Chicago - are a short cab ride away. Check-in is at 3pm, and check-out is at 12n, though earlier or later times may be possible upon request.