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VACATION IN YOUR OWN CITY | Two Chicago hotels make staying in city more enticing with themed rooms and a little something extra

June 4, 2008

BY AMANDA BARRETT Features Editor/abarrett@suntimes.com

Road trips can be really expensive and not so relaxing, so what do you do when you're beleaguered and need to get away? I settled on taking an in-town vacation with an unusual twist: a themed hotel room. Two downtown Chicago hotels have wonderful theme offerings:

Looking for relaxation, I checked into the KN Tranquility Suite at Club Monaco, 225 N. Wabash (along with my little girl). "KN" stands for Karen Neuberger, who is known for her incredibly soft and plush sleepwear. I clicked the TV onto the Yoga Channel (of course I didn't actually practice yoga), while I watched the natural stone water fountain cascade in the living room.

My daughter loved playing on her laptop on one of the four plush window seats, with curtains, on which rest the softest pillows you will ever put your head on. They're great for reading and long enough for sleeping.

The bathroom towels are baby-soft KN Supima cotton towels. After my bath, I slipped on a KN bathrobe I saw hanging in the closet (you can also purchase KN socks and lingerie).

For a louder experience, check out the boutique hotel's Rock 'N' Roll Suite. James Taylor and Britney Spears have stayed there (though hopefully not together), but non-celebs can venture there, too. Among the zebra-striped carpeting and red velvet couch sits the room's highlight: a fully loaded TouchTunes digital jukebox.

Rates vary according to season. Call (312) 960-8500.

The VIK (Very Important Kid) suites at Swissotel, 325 E. Wacker, are decorated to match their attraction, and include tickets. The Shedd Aquarium (filled with aquatic stuffed animals, decorations and books) Field Museum (with special emphasis on Sue) and Adler Planetarium (with space suits for children to try on) are represented. Call (312) 565-0565 for rates.