Take a Staycation This Summer

Chicago is a destination city. Since we live here, however, we may not always feel that way. We take bike rides on the Lake Shore for granted, we forget that Millennium Park even exists and we don’t always hit up the Broadway transplants that dot our very inspiring theatre district. With the economy in the pits, why not shun your summer vacation and insist upon a ‘Staycation’? The Bean, the Art Institute and Wrigley Field will all seem brand new again when bills, conference calls and meetings are exchanged for massages, spa visits and room service. At least for the weekend.

Located on the bustling corner of Rush and Ontario (although once you push past the revolving glass doors, you’d never know it), the James Hotel will satisfy all of your Staycation needs. With a steakhouse boasting the David Burke name, a hoppin’ bar called J, a spa and a gym, you’ll never need to leave the premises. Unless, of course, you’d like to take a break from your Champagne-sipping, personal training session and couples massage to take funny photos at the Bean.

Based on the loft-style rooms (amongst other styles), you may never want to leave. The second your key clicks in the door and you hear rock ‘n’ roll playing upon entrance, you know you’re in for a treat. The movie screening area complete with its own projector and a menu of movies; the kitchenette; the living area; and the extra-large bathrooms (um – Kiehl’s products included) don’t hurt matters. Neither does the king-plus size bed.

The only negative aspect of the room was actually the most positive. Confused? I’ll explain. The view from the loft-style rooms is – how shall we say it? – crappy. The room looked into a courtyard of other windows. However, what the view (or lack there of) afforded was an actual Staycation. By being completely shut off from the busyness that is downtown Chicago, one will not be exposed to cabbies screaming that they don’t accept credit cards, horns blaring or drunken under-agers leaving the 3 am bars. Thanks to the James, you can have peace. And quiet.

David Burke’s Primehouse is open for brunch (on Sundays), lunch and dinner. So check-in whenever (noon’s a good time) and head to this carnivorous heaven. A self-proclaimed mega-fan of DB’s dinners and not-so-much a brunch gal, the unique idea of their Dim Sum brunch was enticing/intriguing. For just $35 ($45 for all-you-can-drink Champagne, mimosas and Bloody Mary’s), indulge in all-you-can-eat (sense a theme here?) omelet strudels, pancakes, oysters, Asian shrimp cocktail, tuna tartar, eggs benedict, Caesar salad, tempura green beans, lobster fries, Southern fried chicken, mac and cheese, cheese ‘Burk’ers, salmon with shrimp and pork dumplings, meatloaf, steak au poivre, make-your-own-donuts and cheesecake lollipops (to name a few – seriously). Gluttonous? Perhaps. Delicious? Absolutely.

To help aid digestion, head to the spa for a massage. It might sound somewhat backward, but post-meal massages actually have an appeal. If you’re too tired and/or full and/or desiring a bit of privacy, have the specialists from Asha SalonSpa set up shop in your room either for a solo or couple-style massage. Opting for a couples massage may lead to a bit of discomfort (like, do you look at each other? do you picture yourself on a sandy beach alone? do you pretend to ignore your partner’s moans of pleasure?), but thanks to the experts from Asha, you may not even know your better (or not) half is even there. Just don’t tell them that. So, suddenly, your hip, swanky, oh-so-boutique-y hotel room becomes an oasis. Not only do you not have to leave the hotel, you need not leave your stylish suite.

Other Staycation perks: A lobby bar where their very competent staff will pair wine and dessert for you in the afternoon (if nothing else, order ‘The King’: an Elvis-inspired ice cream sandwich with banana cake, chocolate cream, peanut butter ice cream, bacon peanut brittle and tempura fried bananas – it’s as decadent as it sounds); a gym featuring professional personal trainers from Jim Karas Personal Training (ya know, to burn off ‘The King’); and, of course, room service. Breakfast in bed, anyone?

No Staycation is complete without a late checkout (but only a few lucky guests a day receive this perk). Postponing reality as long as possible never hurt anyone. So take a soothing bath after your massage, stay up late watching movies on your personal projection screen (Harry Potter or The Dark Knight?), have scrambled eggs and coffee awaiting you at 9 am (11:30 for late-risers) and checkout knowing that you’ve saved money and time. The only thing the James can’t give you that, perhaps, a trip to Jamaica could…is a tan. So, you see, there’s no need to vacate Chicago when you can Stay-cate it.