Fall Getaway to a Chicago Hotel

Cloud Gate at Millennium Park in Chicago

It’s been a hot summer and with access to cheap airfare from Punta Gorda Airport, I’m tempted to jet off to a Chicago hotel for a cool fall getaway. The Windy City is one of my favorite American cities because of the friendliness of the people, how clean it appears to be, and of course, it’s food scene. It’s kind of like a chill Manhattan.

Out of Many Chicago Hotels, Why I’d Choose…
Out of many excellent Chicago hotels, I would choose to stay at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago, because of its perfect location near Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park and Navy Pier. Chicago is a fantastic walking city and being located in the heart of the city, as the Radisson Blu Aqua is, it would be easy to get up and go for the day while getting some exercise by hoofing it.

Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago is Stunning in the Skyline
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago is Stunning in the Skyline

The Windy City is known for its intriguing architecture and this hotel fits right in with its wave-like exterior pattern by Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang Architects. This Chicago hotel is housed in an eight-story building that was completed in 2009 and was the first Radisson Blu in the United States. The building received the Emporis Skyscraper Award as the 2009 skyscraper of the year and the hotel was built to LEED standards which is a rating system created by the U.S. Green Building Council and has earned Platinum level status in the TripAdvisor GreenLeaders Program. The Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel offers 334 rooms offering lovely views of either the Chicago Lakefront or Millennium Park.

Naturally Cool Guest Room at Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago
Naturally Cool Guest Room at Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago

Taking a look at the hip “fashion-forward” rooms at Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago, have won me over, too. They have stylish rooms with modern décor, tasteful pops of color and naturally cool guest rooms with equally cool bathrooms. Suites and business class accommodations are offered, too.

Cloud Gate at Millennium Park in Chicago
Cloud Gate at Millennium Park in Chicago

Things to Do in Chicago
After getting settled into one of the best Chicago hotels, I’d hit the ground running by:

  • Taking a Segway Tour of Chicago (and not fall off, as I’ve done the other two times I’ve been on a Segway);
  • Snap a selfie in the reflection of Cloud Gate, the popular bean-shaped sculpture in Millennium Park;
  • Tour the Field Museum (because after all the times I’ve visited, I have never taken a proper tour!)
  • Every time I visit Chicago I must have a Chicago dog. When properly prepared, it has yellow mustard, sweet green pickle relish, onion, tomato wedges, pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt. To save you from embarrassment, it’s considered rude to add ketchup to your dog.
  • Grab a “double cheeze” with “Pepsi, not Coke” and “chips, not fries” at the Billy Goat Tavern, made popular on Saturday Night Live.
No Ketchup on a Chicago Dog!
No Ketchup on a Chicago Dog!


Let Me Introduce You to Club Carlson
And while I dream of feeling the chill of a fall getaway, I want to introduce you to Club Carlson which is one of the hotel loyalty reward programs I belong and admittedly, don’t fully utilize as I should. I don’t know why, because Club Carlson, which is for the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group (Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson and Country Inns & Suites By Carlson), offer their members sweet deals and value added perks.

Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago

The new Members Only Rate Exclusive (MORE) allows members to save up to 10 percent more off the lowest available rate at participating hotels when booking directly on Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group websites. This includes when booking on their mobile apps and mobile sites.

Who doesn’t love to save money? It means you can enjoy another Chicago dog!

Millennium Park, Chicago
Millennium Park, Chicago

Updated Oct. 11, 2016: This giveaway has ended. Thank you to those who entered. 

A Giveaway!
Now, here’s the portion you’ve been waiting for – a giveaway! I’m partnering with Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group to giveaway one lucky reader 30,000 Club Carlson points! Psst. It takes as little as 9,000 for a free room in the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. Groovy, right?

What you need to do is:

  • If you are not already, head over to the Club Carlson and register to become a member. It’s free!
  • Return to this post and comment (on this post) by 11:59 p.m. ET on Oct. 10, 2016, with where in the world you would like to visit this Fall.
  • That’s it!

Best of luck and travel boldly!

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Jenn

Jennifer A. Huber is an award-winning travel and outdoor blogger and writer in Southwest Florida. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., a hiking trail led her to a career path in the tourism industry for more than 30 years. She spent a decade with a park management company in Yellowstone, Death Valley, and Everglades National Parks. She founded the travel blog, SoloTravelGirl.com with the goal of inspiring others to travel alone, not lonely. The unexpected death of her former husband in 2008 reminded her how short life is. His passing was a catalyst for sharing her experiences with the goal of inspiring and empowering others to travel solo. Jennifer holds a Travel Marketing Professional certification from the Southeast Tourism Society, is a certified food judge, member of the NASA Social community, and alum of the FBI Citizens Academy. When not traveling, she is either in the kitchen, practicing her photography skills, or road tripping with her dog, Radcliff.

30 thoughts on “Fall Getaway to a Chicago Hotel

  1. I’d love to visit NYC where in a addition the the BIG apple, I also have a new tiny niece. Thanks for doing this, Jennifer, and happy travels!

  2. I would love to go for a long weekend up to see the leaves turning north of Florida. The crisp air, the red, orange and yellow of leaves turning. The smell of woodsmoke in the air. Pumpkin patches and fall harvest community celebrations. Corn mazes to venture into. A nice Club Carlson hotel bed to snuggle into for the night. How far would I have to drive to get there, our solo travel girl can tell me. Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina…where is the best nearest viewing of leaves turning???

  3. So many choices! After reading your Chicago plan, that sounds like it would be fabulous! California for Disneyland, anywhere I can see the leaves change for the fall…

    What a fun giveaway, thank you! ??

  4. I would like to visit the Grand canyon, now that the weather is cooling down. Plus the drive there would be very scenic with the changing leaves.

  5. I would love to take a weekend getaway to San Francisco! The weather is cool enough this time of year to break out a scarf and jacket. It would be so fun to drive up the coast of time allows, too.

  6. I’m already a member, my last Club Carlson stay was in Toronto in May. It’s time for another trip! I was inspired by your Chicago trip, that would be a great destination for me!

  7. I would love to take hubby to the Falls and the Radisson Hotel and Suites Fallsview Ontario looks amazing!

  8. I am a member and I would love to have a staycation in myrtle beach south carolina. On my bucket list of beaches to visit in US

  9. I’m already a member and would love to go to Radisson Cartagena Ocean Pavillion Hotel in Cartagena, Columbia!

  10. I would like to travel to Upstate New York for so Fall fun! It was my favorite time of year there when I was growing up and I have such great memories.

  11. I would live to see the north shore of Lake Superior. I’d stay at the Radisson Duluth-Harborview location.

  12. Family is priceless. My favorite Uncle lives in Chicago. He normally becomes my tour guide. He doesn’t have room at his home for me with two adult children still at home. So the Radisson Blu would be an ideal fun place to enjoy the fall minivacation. The smell of fall is calling to me.

Comments are closed.

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