Sofitel Chicago Water Tower
Chicago, Illinois

An elongated triangular edifice sails into Chicago’s architecturally compelling skyline. Towering above the three-storied curl of the Sofitel’s lobby. It leans into the Windy City’s wind, swelling thirty-three feet—one foot each story—on the way to its apex. The side façade, a white and glass rectangle, reflects both Chicago’s skyline and her weather-y weather blowing in from Lake Michigan. If the sun is shining, a few minutes before high noon, it shines on both sides of the hotel.

A leading Paris architect, Jean-Paul Viguier added Sofitel’s two French francs to Chicago’s skyline. Evoking the triangles and curves of modern French architecture à la Pyramid at the Louvre, Viguier’s design cuts a lofty profile when glimpsed from nearby Michigan Avenue.

This French-Chicago fusion of Sofitel’s makes a très chic and très grand hotel. The entryway nestles in the curve of a three-story glass atrium and leads to two stories of glass walls, black granite floors and dark, rich wood from Africa’s babingo trees. These earthy elements are softened by chenille fabric and cushy rugs of deep burgundy, plum and fawn. The fresh floral sculptures are très avant guarde. So are the tiny squares in the granite floor and the opaque glass wall of the triangular stairway—both flash a fiber optic symphony of tiny lights, changing every few seconds from green to blue to purple to white and back.

The architectural theme continues in the striking red, black and white Café de Architectes. Skyscraper photographs in black and white hang above red banquets and a black carpet with a white clock face. The bar, Le Bar, tucked to one side of the lobby has its own architectural library. Menus for both venues—snacks at Le Bar and casual contemporary French cuisine in the Café—are the work of Executive Chef, Frederic Castan. From pain perdu and vichyssoise to grilled Black Angus—Castan, a native of Avignon, transports his Provencal roots to Chicago.

Sleek elevators whisk you from the limelight to the private upper stories. A boldly striped carpet leads through corridors that form triangles and are hung with lively contemporary paintings of regular people in famous buildings. One wall of each guestroom is all windows and the opposite wall is all closets covered with mirrors. The other two walls are beech wood and so are the desk, dresser and beds. The result is open and inviting rooms, all with a view. Modern paintings, chrome lights galore and fine white linens finish the room. French doors—what else?—open onto a marble bathroom with its two sinks and soaking tub that’s separate from the shower.

With your retreat secured, it’s time to check out the neighborhood. Walk over to Michigan Avenue and shop the Chicago original, Crate and Barrel or the local outpost of Nieman Marcus. Hop on the Michigan Avenue bus towards the river and get off at the Wrigley (by gum) Building. Cast off on a Chicago Architecture Foundation Boat Tour and catch the architectural and cultural spirit of "this toddling town." Afterwards walk to the world-class Art Institute of Chicago or head for the beach—Sofitel will aim you to a good one. If the wind chill factor is below your comfort zone, Chicago also has the blues not to mention Oprah Winfrey, the Cubbies and restaurants from Pizzeria Uno to Charlie Trotter’s.

In the wee hours, cozy down in front of the large fireplace back at Sofitel’s Le Bar—très enchanté.

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