Sax Chicago, a Thompson Hotel

Nestled across the Chicago River from the Loop, the Hotel Sax Chicago is next to the House of Blues and 2 blocks from the shops on Michigan Avenue.

Hotel décor captures the eclectic aura of a 17th-century French salon but with a 21st-century twist. BIN 36 restaurant serves five-course tasting menus, wine pairings and a cheese bar with 50 worldwide selections. The Back Porch specializes in southern favorites such as Tennessee-style Baby Back Ribs, while even the 36-lane bowling alley serves macaroni and cheese with Wisconsin smoked cheddar and wings smothered in plum barbeque. Fine dining at Cubs announcer Harry Caray's self-titled restaurant lends itself to reputable Italian cuisine and the nationally-acclaimed steakhouse, Smith & Wollensky's, is also on site.

The hotel houses flexible function space that accommodating up to 250 guests. Wireless Internet access is complimentary. Discounts apply to the on-site 25,000-square-foot Crunch fitness club that houses cardiovascular equipment, boxing gym and spa. The Studio's lounge atmosphere includes Xbox stations and laptop computers with complimentary high-speed Internet access.

The 353 guestrooms at this smoke-free hotel are decorated with unique folk art and a kaleidoscope of color schemes. Furnishings include crushed velvet chairs, Eastern bed valances and minibars stocked with snacks and harmonicas. Rooms include ergonomic chairs with granite-topped desks, high-speed Internet access and safes. Guests traveling with children under four years of age have access to guestroom child-proofing kits.

Hotel Sax Chicago guestroom keys function as guests' tickets for priority access to jazz, hip-hop and rock concerts hosted at the nationally famed music venue, House of Blues, located adjacent to the hotel.