CHICAGO—Trader Vic invented the Mai Tai, you know. True story. I’ll always remember throwing back Suffering Bastards at the now-gone Trader Vic’s in the basement of the Toronto Hilton, long after the Polynesian culture fad of the 1950s and ’60s had dissipated.

posted on Sunday, April 19th, 2020 by Doug Wallace Posted in FOOD & BOOZE Comments Off on Tiki Bar packed to the tits

There are a surprising number of awesome Chicago hotels cropping up, many of them opening in elegant, refurbished landmark buildings. The Robey took over a 1929 Art Deco office building in Wicker Park, a one-minute walk from the L Blue Line (the one to and from O’Hare). The rooms are modern and sparse, still carrying … Continue reading Chicago: Hotel Roundup →

posted on Friday, April 10th, 2020 by Doug Wallace Posted in HOTELS Comments Off on Chicago: Hotel Roundup

More than just deep-dish pizza and hot dogs with no ketchup, Chicago can really tick all the right getaway boxes. Let me count the ways. There’s nothing like a decadent city escape to take you outside of yourself and “unquiet” the mind. Toronto’s partnership with Chicago began in the early 1990s, in part because we … Continue reading Chicago →

posted on Friday, April 10th, 2020 by Doug Wallace Posted in DESTINATIONS Comments Off on Chicago

Built into a triangular, former Art Deco office tower in Wicker Park, The Robey is perfect for the hipster in all of us. A retro feel sets the scene right at the front desk and carries on up to the rooftop bar and wraparound terrace, complete with a stunning view of downtown and an up-close … Continue reading Chicago: The Robey →

posted on Friday, April 3rd, 2020 by Doug Wallace Posted in HOTELS Comments Off on Chicago: The Robey