Thanks to everyone who entered the
ProCompression and Garmin giveaway,
two of my favorite things…
besides myself.
All the likes, follows and purchases were tallied up, and the winner of the ForeRunner10 picked at random is…
Jill McClelland!
Jill, please email a love letter to sr@skinnyrunner.com and I’ll get your Garmin in the mail.
CHICAGO DIGS
We made it back home late last night after taking a 6:30pm flight on Virgin America, and we randomly saw Pam was on our flight too.
Love the TVs on Virgin. So much Bravo to watch on the four hour flight! I am now completely 100% dumb!
While in Chicago for the weekend, we stayed at the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower that I booked through the race website. The hotel lobby was very pretty, but the room itself was just ehh. I guess I expected a little more modern or a little more somethin’ somethin’.
The location was pretty solid: not very far from the Magnificent Mile with lots of shopping, restaurants, etc. But it was a lot farther from the start/finish than I thought.
Overlooking the lobby:
The hotel website’s pic:
And the very purple hotel restroom:
Our room:
Every single time we stay in a hotel with a king sized bed, we both say how we need to upgrade our queen and get a king. or maybe even two kings duct taped together.
The bathroom was huge which was nice because I could shut the door and get ready for the race early without waking the man up.
Overall the Sofitel was nice, but for the money, I’d probably try somewhere else out next time.
A hotel (anywhere) you love, would recommend, can’t wait to stay at again? Any unknown gems?
I Lisa Frank trapper keeper love the Madonna Inn.
I need to book a hotel for Vegas now… any Vegas hotel love?
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{ 67 comments… read them below or add one }
I hear that the Hilton in Chicago is nice… but pricey!
Congrats on the marathon! I’m super jealous for all of your time in Chicago. I’ve only been once and I want to go back. Now, Vegas – I’ve been there a time or two. I would recommend Aria if you want something new and in the middle of everything. Bellagio is as always a classic, but it’s also a huge tourist trap and it sometimes feels like a subway station in the lobby/casino area. I can’t recommend sleeping at the Cosmopolitan but maybe stop by to take in the hotel itself. It’s pretty to look at and the rooms are spacious but I had a bad night there once and it totally turned me off. The Wynn is great. So is the Encore if you want a slightly less enormous hotel. The Four Seasons is also a little gem. It’s more of a boutique hotel, but since it’s the top several floors of the Mandalay Bay, you’re still connected to the casinos and all that. Have fun in Vegas!
I second the Wynn!!!
I also need to find a place in Vegas for a bachelorette in June – I read the above comments – but please pass on the info if you find a great deal!
I had the opposite experience at the Cosmopolitan. I stayed there for 5 nights and absolutely LOVED it. I also had a great experience at the Paris (free upgrade)! I have also stayed at the Bellagio and although I liked it, everything felt a bit older and there weren’t plugs/chargers easily accessibly for cameras, iPods, iPhones, etc.
The next time you are in Chicago, try the Palmer House Hilton. It’s in the Loop and everything is within walking distance. I got a free upgrade there too. Since I booked it 3 months in advance, I got a room for about one third of the usual price
I agree…the Palmer House Hilton is amazing!
The Oyster Box in Durban, South Africa is amazing! Everything is picture perfect and they treat you like gold. In Vegas, I love Wynn and Encore!
Ahhh…Vegas…so many hotels! Stayed there a time or thirty! I like to try different hotels but if I can find a deal (which usually I can, a couple times they’ve thrown in a bottle of alcohol too!) at Planet Hollywood that’s where I’ll book. It’s centrally located on the strip. The PH Towers are quite comfy. Mandalay Bay is nice but on the tip of the strip. Bellagio would probably be my other choice but still think for the $$ PH is preferable. Now if you want to try the greatest hot dog in the world…Todd’s Pub at Aria has that covered! Great job in Chicago! Getting ready to register for Maui half in Jan…my goal? Oh just to beat the hubs to the finish in Lahaina (he’s starting in Wailea with the other hardcore full fools)…
ive been to todd english’s pub in the aria 2 different times. my husband loves it!
I love that black leather jacket…what brand is it, where is it from?
OMG, is it wrong that I can answer this?! Nordstrom rack! I need to get out more……..
hahhahahha
I have stayed there. It was nice. But the Omni is right on Michigan Ave and is all suites. Loved it there.
Vegas, I am a Paris girl.
The Kidless Kronicles
I have no good ideas for Vegas– my husband stayed at the Oriental though and said it was the balls. Boys and their language. Sigh.
As far as hotel chains are concerned, I love the Kimpton Hotels. The Hotel Monaco seems to be in every city, and we stayed at Hotel Solamar in San Diego, and it was great. err, “the balls”.
I go to Albuquerque, NM for work quite a bit and I love staying in this cute boutique hotel, Hotel Parq Central. They have coffee and tea on every floor in the morning, a decent continental breakfast, and good products.
I just booked a work trip to Vegas and got a room at the Palms or Palms Place for $79 a night. I can forward you the email special if you’re interested in staying there! I think it comes with $50.00 food credit too. I love Aria in Vegas, and MGM because I got married there
Hi Stephanie, I live in Albuquerque and I love that hotel, they did a great job with it. The balloon fiesta is going on now, you should try to come in town for that some time!
Good to know! Thank you, Beth!
Hotels –
love love love these
* W in NYC they have Bliss spa at the bottom and bliss products in your room. (they have Brownie Pedicure’s you get to eat them while they do your toes)
* Vdara in Vegas next to Aria – smoke free and the best room service ever and cabana’s don’t suck. This has never been smoked in, doesn’t have a casino and is great for the Rock n Roll as you stay fresh not smokey run down
* The Allison Hotel & Spa in Newberg Oregon – BEST BEST BEST host hotel I have ever stayed in, the place looks like the photo’s all the time and the spa is amazing… Food at the bar is great too.
* Friday Harbor House, Friday Harbor WA – This is a hotel/bed n breakfast – Guys pay attention this is your get out of jail card. This place is amazing the luxury of a hotel but the breakfast yummies of a B&B (minus the cheesey sheets and decor and cats
)
* Beach House Hermosa, Hermosa Beach CA – The view is amazing the front door is on the strand and there are dinner and bars within walking distance.
The beds at The Venetian are amazing. I wish I could have one at home. Plus it seems to be a little quieter than other hotels in Vegas (NY NY AND MGM Sig come to mind) which I personally like. Plus the brunch at the restaurant is AMAZING!
I don’t think I’ve found the best hotel in Vegas yet. Aria and Mandalay Bay are nice, but there are some drawbacks to both. I loved the room at Aria and the location on the strip. But, it’s set back off the strip, and it’s a walk just to get to the strip. Of course, it was cold and windy when I was there, and I’m a wimp when it comes to cold so it might not have been that far.
Mandalay Bay is just at one end of the strip, so it’s quite a walk to the other end.
I just realized this comment makes it sound like I have an aversion to walking, and I really don’t. Glad I come across that way, though.
hahaha where’s your wheelchair?
I work in the hotel industry so im biased, but….my current favorite place is the US Grant in San Diego. They have EXCEPTIONAL service! Vegas, I stayed at the mirage recently and loved the location and hotel, but the rooms…eh.
we got marrid in san diego and were dropping off welcome bags at all the guest hotels and ran into the grant and were like, what?! why aren’t we staying here, this place is rad!
Loved all your reviews on Chicago. Someday I would like to run that one. I have stayed at a lot of hotels on the strip and by far like Aria the best. The beds are amazing and the fitness center is super nice.
That is a lot of purple! Sort of looks like my mom’s kitchen/dining room.
D’oh I never win anything.
As for Vegas, I hear the Cosmopolitan is the cat’s meow. I’ve never stayed there though. I hear decent things about Aria too.
As for the King, I duct taped 2 extra long twins in college and made myself a luxurious slumber pad! Those were the days.
I stayed at the Palmer Hilton for the race (Chicago). I would highly recommend it. Rooms were huge, nice lobby, Starbucks inside the hotel and it was a block for the start/finish of the race. Only complaint was that they charged an extra $75 to keep the room till 4pm on race day
I don’t get out much but I LOVE the Hotel Sofia in San Diego and would totally go there again. It is just at the top end of the gaslight district, good spot, easy to walk around to most everything down there. I book a mini suite which was perfect, a bit on the small side but still super cute and the most comfortable bed EVER!!! Even though I was up most of the night sick to my stomach after my first marathon there several years back I still loved it. Only negative I have heard is the rooms are small. They always seem to have deals too.
Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper? I die. And I can’t believe that I’m the only one that caught that. Love. Andy Cohen loves to drop Breakin 2 – Electric Boogaloo. Congrats on the race. Ferris Bueller, you’re my hero.
You go.girl! (But as a yoga and Pilates teacher…are you doin some yoga and Pilates,too?) Anyhoo, loved thw Wynn! And really healthy food too!
When I head to a destination race, I try to ask friends/bloggers or the local running group in that area for hotel recommendations coz I’ll freak out if I get lost or spend more time finding the start.
dang, u are way too cute, even in a purple restroom…lol. congrats to jill the garmin winner, but is it okay to hate her just a bit out of jealously??
jk
My favorite place to stay in Vegas, and I’ve been a lot, is The Signature. It’s the condos behind the MGM that are all individually owned. It’s a non smoking property and just far enough from the strip to feel like you’re on a different kind of vacation, but still close enough that you can walk to the strip (all inside through the MGM) in less than 15 minutes. Beautiful and cheap. And they include a mini kitchen so you can cook for yourself if you want. We usually make our own breakfasts and/or lunches (depending on the kind of night we had before).
Hey! so, I’ve been reading you for a long while and FINALLY I’m showing my face out of hiding. ha!
You are FAB, FAST and FIERCE!
Congrats on everything so far!
I have stayed a lot of places in Vegas, my favorite is The Venetian for location, spa, restaurant availability and rooms! For the run last year, we stayed at Luxor, (not my cup of tea at all) however, that night, it was the most awesome location ever. I would recommend staying anyway at that end of the strip for the run, it was cold and the crowd was something else, it was nice to be able to get to my room, showered and back out dancing before some folks even made it back to their hotel!
I got to travel to San Diego for work last year and stayed in the Marriott – Gas Lamp and it was awesome!! The hotel itself was really nice, and my room looked right into the Padres’ stadium! So cool!!! And everything in Gas Lamp was in perfect walking distance right around the corner! I’d love to go back there again but for pleasure.
BEAUTIFUL hotel! Way to go, Jill!
We always say that about the king size beds, too, but then we remember we have a teeny tiny house and it would pretty much take up our entire bedroom to get one. So we live it up in hotels.
The Wynn!!! Love it!!!
The Cosmo is my favorite in terms of the hotel itself AND location. The lobby and rooms definitely have that extra “something” about them, and the feel is a perfect mix of hip, luxurious, and sensual (can a hotel be sensual?). It is also in a great location at the center of the strip. The Wynn is great, but is really far from a lot of great stuff.
Congrats on Chicago!
The Koa Kea Hotel in Kauai is my favorite! (being on the island of Kauai might have something to do with it though)
When we go to Vegas we like to stay at the Bellagio. We always ask for an upgrade to a suite at a reduced rate and sometimes we get it! We’ve always been happy to stay there.
We’ve also stayed at the Venetian and been very happy with it.
Traveling can be so hard sometimes. You just never quite know how it’s going to go.
TheRunnerMom.com
The Aria is my favorite stay in Vegas thus far…I haven’t (but would like to) stay at the Cosmopolitan, which has an awesome casino…more beautiful than anything:-)
Congrats on Chicago! It was my first marathon and will always have a special place to me.
The Sofitel is right across the street from my office – I stay there periodically when I work late. You’re right – its nice, yet under-whelming. My favorite in Chicago will always be the Hilton and Towers on South Michigan. Its older, but a great hotel. The W and Hotel Allegro in the Loop are both nice as well.
Vegas – we always stay at the Hard Rock. As long as you specifically book a room in one of the new towers, you’re golden. They are amaze-balls!
I <3 my king sized bed! For small people we need an awful lot of room.
Ha! we always say the same thing about needing a king sized bed too!
I won a hotel package to Hotel Arista in Naperville Il that we used this past weekend and it was wonderful! That hotel is awesome!
We totally say the same thing about kings too! Hah.
{Actually my husband says it because I tend to spread out all over the bed…..}
Hotel Indigo is a great boutique hotel in Chicago. It’s in the Gold Coast, smack dab in the middle of beautiful brownstones and near Lincoln Park. It’s especially nice in the winter because it has a beach theme
Closer to Grant Park and more races would be The Wit if you’re looking to spend more money. Hotel Burnham and Hotel Allegro are both in the loop and are more unique than say, a Hilton.
My favorite hotel of all time is Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica. It’s a small fortune to stay there (I stayed via company discount) but is so relaxing and incredible, at least to those of us not from Cali
My new favorite “Chicago find” for hotels is the Hotel Allegro. The rooms are a little tiny, but it is very much a “boutique hotel” and you can often find great deals (an added bonus). The rooms are cute, they offer a free daily wine & beer reception and the staff is amazing. Hotel Intercontinental is also nice. Very historic (for Chicago, at least) and upscale. The location is better at Intercontinental — right on Michigan Ave. I have stayed at both for Grant Park race starts though, and they are both an easy enough walk.
Favorite hotel I have stayed at in Vegas is MGM Signature (feels like a retreat from the Vegas crazy while in your hotel), but I have heard the Wynn is even better…
I am super spoiled with my king size bed. We can’t stand sleeping in anything smaller haha the cheecalodge in the FL Keyes is great, so is Loews South Beach. I can’t remember the name of it but I went to Cappadocia Turkey and stayed in a hotel carved into the side of mountain and it was by far the coolest hotel ever
I am super spoiled with my king size bed. We can’t stand sleeping in anything smaller haha the cheecalodge in the FL Keyes is great, so is Loews South Beach. I can’t remember the name of it but I went to Cappadocia Turkey and stayed in a hotel carved into the side of mountain and it was by far the coolest hotel ever.
The hubs and I have a king size bed and we are thinking about upgrading to a California king! ha the further away from each other the better! LOL
My husband and I have a king sized bed and can’t believe we ever owned a queen! I love the Hard Rock hotel in Vegas. The suites are super nice. The only thing is its not on the strip and you have to walk quite a way, we usually just take a taxi.
Hey SR! Amazing marathon time and I LOVE your blog, really inspires me to get my booty out the door when I don’f feel like it. Had a personal Q…don’t know if babies are in your near future but if and when you do “start trying” do you think you will cut down on your miles? What about when you have kids? I was just wondering if you have given it any thought or know any info on the subject matter of running lots+babies?
Thanks!
i think the only running i would be doing is away from the kids.
Love that bathroom! You are right about your bedroom, I would expected a lil more after seeing the lobby and bathroom!
I just stumbled on your blog and already love it. You have such a great way to tell about your race, running….whatever – you make it fun!!! Can’t wait to read about your next race!
I’m still jonesing for some more Aloha via the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel in Maui. I ended up with an ocean view room even though I paid for the cheapest one. And it was in short walking distance to all the weekend’s activities and start line for Maui Marathon. Nothing modern about the place, but it is called Maui’s most Hawaiian hotel for a reason.
I really loved the one-night I spent at the Venetian prior to Vegas RnR last year. Then I had a major downgrade with staying at the Luxor to be close to the race start/finish. I’d definitely stay at Venetian again especially since I get the $129 a night deals in my e-mail all the time.
Vegas Hotels:
If you have a few bucks, the Four Seasons is a great hotel. Peace and Quiet elegance in the Casino Capital of the World. Nice Gym. Nice Spa. Book the Four Seasons Room- 800 sq ft with great views of the strip!
It’s part of the Mandalay Bay properties, so there is access to all of the restaurants and gaming over there. If you are on a budget, the Mandalay Bay has nice rooms; 500 sq ft.
These properties are on the south end of the strip. The Vegas Marathon used to start right near these hotels.
SUPER CUTE hotel! Love the purple bathroom
where is your super cute leather jacket from? ps great time on your run! I am gearing up for the soctiabank toronto waterfront half marathon in canada. Thanks for all your insipiration!!!
its michael kors from nordstrom rack about 2 years ago.
good luck in your half!
I was trying to stalk you and follow you to Chicago because your awesome. I stayed at the Conrad Hilton and it was really nice and luckily work paid. Congrats on the great marathon!
Congrats to Jill on winning the Garmin Forerunner 10. I just ordered one the other night and can’t wait to get it. I’m soooo tired of carrying my phone when I run!
Shannon
We stayed at the Aria in Vegas this past August and LOVED it. The touchscreen remote controls everything – curtains, lights, tv, you name it. And there are controls on either side of the bed to turn off all the lights and close all the curtains at once. Laziness at its finest! Oh, and the gym (with coffee/gelato shop between it and the elevators) isn’t too shabby either!
Ceasar’s Palace!!! The best!
Last year I stayed at the Westin in downtown Atlanta. The rooms were as good as the people watching
This year I stayed at a Courtyard Marriott in downtown Atlanta. I liked it even better than the Westin because they had a dessert bar (all kinds of cheesecake!) and the rooms were super bright and pretty big. The couple we were in had unique shapes (triangle-like); I’m sure they did that to make the hotel fit on a corner, but it was fun.
http://kakes773.blogspot.com/2012/08/litespeed-bmw-crit-and-grant-park-crit.html
If you don’t care to smoke or gamble at your hotel I highly recommend the Platinum hotel in Las Vegas.
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