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 a torch for the building’s former life. Cocktails in the UP Room on the 13^th floor will net you a 180-degree view of downtown—and a mean Old Fashioned. $ therobey.com

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Hotel Zachary is across the street from Wrigley Field. Rooms are a mix of contemporary and traditional, modern lighting and local art mixed with pinstripes and wingback chairs. The Zachary is a great home base for sports fans, comedy fans (all the top clubs are here) and gay-bar fans—Boystown is a convenient, five-minute walk away. $$ hotelzachary.com

THINGS TO DO: IN THE WINDY CITY

Moxy Chicago Downtown does form and function extremely well in the River North area, a short walk from Magnificent Mile. This is a sink-by-the-bed, pegs-for-your-clothes kind of place, but extremely well designed. The lobby is like a colourful clubhouse, filled with art, games, a 24-hour taco counter, a coffee bar and a bar bar. $ moxychicago.com

The Hotel at Midtown in Bucktown is a fitness oasis, a “sports resort,” part of the Midtown Athletic Club. Rooms are minimal and masculine, all hardwood flooring, toffee leather chairs and dark wood headboards. Guests get in on the tennis, boxing, spinning, aquatics, golf simulators, even yoga on the roof at sunrise. There’s a spa, too. $$$ midtownhotelchicago.com

Found Chicago is also in the River North area, part of a chain whose charm lies in its budget-friendly quirkiness. Both private and dorm-style rooms are simple and sparse, but fun and snug. Public spaces are a blaze of colour, the furnishings and objets culminating in a 1970s rumpus-room look. Be sure to check out the Asian-inspired bar and lounge. $ chicago.foundhotels.com

F&B: TIKI BAR ACTION

St. Jane Chicago opened in what was a Hard Rock Hotel in the Carbide & Carbon Building, another Art Deco landmark. Rooms have a feel for the past, with a pink and taupe colour palette, black leather chairs, gold accents, marble bathrooms, all very 1930s. $$$ stjanehotel.com-en.com

Hotel Julian, located in what was once the Atlantic Bank Building, this spot was named for the patron saint of travellers. You’ll find high ceilings, nice linens, leather headboards, elegant armoires and black-and-white bathrooms. Public areas are playful and cozy. The steak-forward gastropub About Last Knife is worth it just for the name. $$ hoteljulianchicago.com

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