Cold Chicago

There are many ways to discuss a trip to downtown Chicago. I decided to think of myself as a traveling Yoda-type character. A little of everything wanting mild-mannered explorer. (That was supposed to be my Yoda impression.)

The dilemma was, "Should I opt for a brief but luxurious five-star stay?" Settle into a more extended visit at a more budget-friendly hotel. Revisit a familiar favorite. Or dare for something new and adventurous?

My tarot card reader (yes, I have one) nudged me towards more adventurous travels. "A three-star adventure instead of five?" I joked. "Am I strong enough for such roughing it?" Nah. I decided on one night at a great place.

The dream stay was at the Park Hyatt on North Michigan Avenue, a five-star gem. To my delight, the front desk was accommodating, and my room was immediately available. They even offered a waiver on early check-in fees for joining their hotel club—a policy I hadn't encountered before, but I wasn't about to complain.

Venturing into downtown Chicago after some time was a revelation. Amidst the predictable high prices, I encountered food lines snaking out of doors. My quirky penchant for convenience store hotdogs came to the rescue. Please don't knock it; they roll around in that metal thing all day, making it a crunch outside. Hot dog rollers are perfect for cooking that all-American food.

A miscalculation in my cold-weather preparations left me without a hat or gloves in the 29-degree chill. I dashed to a nearby discount store, perhaps Nordstrom Rack or Marshalls (I can't remember), where I found a cute hat and gloves. However, the checkout lines was dauntingly long. I decided to splurge at a high-end store on Michigan Avenue instead. At Saks Fifth Avenue, I found a luxurious, butter-soft hat with a charming poof ball. I didn't think I was a poop ball sort of lady, but it would make a nice souvenir. But then, holy cow! A steep $95 price tag. For a hat! Nope! My cold ears and I went back to the hotel.

My day then unfolded with essential activities like napping and gazing out the window, interspersed with leisurely walks and taking pictures.

The room at Park Hyatt, though not huge, was exquisitely designed. My favorites included a large window seat and massive sliding doors between the bedroom and bath. The bath featured a grand soaking tub, which felt decadently luxurious. It was worth every cent, and I still got a lot of work done.