Hilton Chicago completes first phase of refurb

Hilton Chicago has completed the first stage of a US$150 million renovation project, including the refurbishment of 454 rooms, and the creation of a new restaurant at the north end of the lobby. Located at 720 South Michigan Avenue, the hotel has a total of 1,544 rooms, all of which will have been refurbished by the end of the project. The redesigned rooms feature décor inspired by the city’s founding motto Urbs in Horto, which translates as “City in a Garden”, and design elements include velvet, silk, lacquer, leather, bronze, rich wood and fine linen. Facilities include 37-inch TVs and an in-room touchscreen concierge service. The renovation works have also added a new restaurant on the lobby level, with 720 South Bar and Grill offering a “contemporary American style menu” and three distinct eating areas, a 14-seat private dining room, outdoor seating on Michigan Avenue, and a “tech lounge” in the bar area where guests can plug in laptops and handheld devices. A grab and go Snax store has also been added, selling snacks including pizzas, sandwiches, salads and desserts, as well as wine, beer and Starbuck’s coffee. For more information visit hilton.com/chicago. Report by Mark Caswell