Homewood Suites Chicago Blog

Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown  made the move to an organic, 100% plant-based water bottle which is not only petroleum and BPA-free, but it’s also carbon neutral.

Have you noticed that with age anticipation for birthdays fade? At what age did you stop getting excited about your birthday? Do you plan your birthdays or hope for a surprise? Take a trip through time with me and visit our past birthdays. Some of you may have to think a little further back than others but its ok I’m on your time.

Think about when you were about 8 years old and how everything was planned for you. All you had to do was be present  and have a great time. If you were lucky, maybe even a surprise party thrown for you. You got more than enough presents; cake, friends and family were all around. It was like your very own Christmas but all about you! At, 15 you were itching for 16. Some of you just started to drive or had your very first car. That’s about the average age dating begins as well. Still in high school or graduating at 17 and 18 was right at your door. At 18 you thought I am by law an adult and you were looking forward to independence. Not realizing that this was  still a journey away. When you turned 21, Woo Hoo you made it! You were ready for the world. Saying “I can do everything on my own at 21”. So you thought…until you tried to rent a car and they told you age requirement is 25. At this tender age of 25 what else is there to look forward to? The great birthday parties you had as a child are over. You have went away to school, bought your first car, lived on your own, partied like a rock star, and maybe even started your career. Where do you go from here?

Now that you have relived your wonder years can you remember the last time you were excited about your birthday? Of course every birthday you should be grateful to experience another year but, I am talking about pure excitement. Waking up smiling because it is your birthday, reminding everyone you talk to that it is your birthday, making outrageous purchases because it is your birthday, and you can do that because it is all about you. This is a feeling unlike the anticipation you felt when you were younger this is excitement!.. Excitement last so much longer because this day will forever be about you no matter if you have big plans or not.  

Get out of that blah feeling and start to look forward to doing something fun again around your birthday. Birthdays can actually be a day of achievement every year. A co-worker says she sets a goal to do something new every year for her birthday. It doesn’t have to be life changing but something as small as taking on a new hobby, going a road trip, or you can go big and adventurous. Just make sure it is something different and fun!

I recently heard someone say “it’s my birthday; no I didn’t go to work it is a holiday”! How can you argue with that? Well hey, it is your birthday and you can really do what you want to. Just because you are ____ (fill in the blank) doesn’t mean you can’t have the same fun as you did when you were younger. Your birthday is special and if anyone should think so it should definitely be you. Don’t lose that joy because no matter what your age it is still your day and you can do what you want to!

Downtown Chicago is a great place to celebrate your birthday! There are enough attractions to excite even the pickiest of travelers and locals on their birthdays.  There are plenty of new, relaxing, and fun things to do on your own or with friends and family. Our team just went on one of Bobby’s Bike Hike Tours and had a ball. If sailing on the water is more your speed there are more than enough boats in downtown Chicago to hop on and have a nice dinner or tour the city’s architecture. Try Chicago Architecture Tours for a boat, walking or bus tour. If you want to see some of the city’s top attractions Homewood Suites by Hilton has a great new package: The Suite City Pass Package where you can get two city pass booklets and a CTA bus pass good for three days which lets you explores some of Chicago’s top attractions. If you are more like me and would like some serious R&R for your birthday Nordstrom and Northbridge Shopping Center are conveniently located right across the street from the hotel. There are some great spas in the area as well. I am aChicago native and I will be experiencing something new in downtownChicago for my upcoming birthday.

Happy Birthday to ME! Oh, Happy Fourth of July to all and be safe.

Melah

Tuesday, June 21, 2011, was the official first day of summer. In the city of Chicago, this date kicks off one of one of the busiest days of the year and the unofficial start to tourist season. This weekend there are several major events that have been advertized throughout Chicago and the surrounding areas. If you have not heard about either of these amazing events please take a look below.  

Chicago’s LGBT Pride Parade isn’t until this Sunday, June 26, 2011, however the excitement begins Thursday, June 23. If you are searching for place to hang, drink, or see a good show just pick up or visit Time Out Chicago. This magazine and website showcases the best way to enjoy Chicago Pride Fest. They have a great article on what to expect at the ChicagoPride Parade and the entire weekend at Chicago Pride Fest. They even break it down based on if you are a newbie or a veteran of the fest and parade. If you don’t have enough ideas from this article don’t fret visit Red Eye Chicago. They have some great suggestions with so LGBT friendly activities, you are sure to find an something for every interest. This is an exciting weekend so you want to make sure you are in your best health: drink plenty of water, wear comfortable shoes, and pick out the perfect outfit for tanning because there is always a very strong beaming sun on pride… along with a shower or two.

The Taste of Chicago is a completely different Chicago adventure that kicks off this Friday, June 24, 2011 and runs until July 3, 2011. The City of Chicago has rerouted traffic to make room for this annual event. You don’t need to plan your outfit for this event just make sure to bring an appetite and an open mind for the many different dishes you will be sure to taste. Oh yeah, I forgot endurance to handle the heat, crowds and the walk. For the planners who want to know exactly what they want to try and the best option on how to get to Grant Park, I suggest visiting Explore Chicago website. Participating restaurants, the musical line up, and family activities that will be showcased through the park are listed. The website even has parking as well as trolley information. This will be the first year the Taste has been taken over by the Chicago Park District and they are making an effort to give the festival back to the community with an emphasis on local bands, entertainers, and of course the food!

These are just two of the amazing events that will be occurring in Chicago this weekend. We hope that you enjoyed some new food, danced in the street, shopped Michigan Avenue, and watched the fireworks off Navy Pier. When your day has come to a close make sure to stop by the Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown.  Our hotel is in a great location for festival goers, families, business travelers, and families alike. With more than enough Chicago restaurants and local venues to keep you busy over the weekend Homewood Suites in the River North area is a prime place to be.  Our hotel offers spacious suites for getting ready in the morning, a hot breakfast to tide you over until you feast at the Taste of Chicago, a pool to soak in after shopping on Michigan Avenue, and complimentary wireless so you can upload your pictures right onto your Facebook page.

Please make sure to get out and enjoy all that Chicago has to offer this weekend! Have fun be safe and make memories. Please share some stories I love to know what you experienced.

The Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown would like to announce the “Suitest Deal in Town” for this summer. We will be offering $1 parking for guest that book our “$1 Suite Parking Deal” package. With this package you will be staying in one of our expansive suites and enjoying $1 valet parking for each night that you are staying at the Homewood Suites Chicago.

With this package you will enjoy all the amenities that our hotel has to offer and the cost savings of $1 valet parking per a night. You can relax over a hot breakfast in our lodge or surf the internet from the comfort of your couch in your spacious suite. Maybe the kids want to play in the pool while you enjoy the amazing view from the 19^th floor! If you are staying during the week you even get dinner included in this suite deal!

With all the extra money that you have from taking advantage of the “Suite $1 Parking Deal” make sure to explore our wonderful city. Any family would love taking in a game within the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. Chicago also has some amazing beaches that will allow you to get your sun and sand in… just make sure to pack the sunscreen! If exploring Chicago’s culture is more your idea of a wonderful afternoon make sure to check out one of our amazing museums.

We hope to see you this summer in the Suitest City: Chicago! Visit our webpage to book the “Suite $1 Parking Deal”

Yesterday, Illinois joined five other states in legalizing civil unions and luckily, I had the opportunity to witness this event at Millennium Park. There were 33 couples participating in the ceremony. Family and friends of the couples were the only people allowed into the blocked off section where the ceremony was held.

The ceremony started off with a string quartet playing and after that the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus performed. They then put the microphone into the hands of Governor Pat Quinn, who signed the bill legalizing civil unions in Illinois. Our new Mayor Rahm Emmanuel had the opportunity to say a few encouraging words. He commented how his day started by officiating the civil union of one of his top advisers, David Spielfogel, his Chief of Policy and Strategic Planning.

After these speeches the ceremonies began with the introduction of the Hon. Timothy C. Evans, Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Evans, along with members of the Alliance of Illinois Judges were the individuals who officiated the civil union ceremonies. The civil ceremonies were performed in waves of four couples at a time. You couldn’t see much and couldn’t hear anything but it was nice to be there, to be a part of history.  You could see the happiness of each couple as they left the ceremony area and posed for pictures with friends, families, and spectators.

 They say weddings inspire love and I found this to be true as I stood on the side watching. Everyone that had participated in the ceremonies and all the spectators were beaming with joy. Some of these couples have been together for over 10 years and yesterday they were legally recognized as a civil union.

Everyone looked proud as they kissed and hugged and walked hand in hand to their mass reception. It was a lovely ceremony to watch and I was thrilled that I was able to attend this event as the wedding expert for the Homewood Suites. It would be a pleasure for me to help any couple that is having their wedding in Chicago.  With our spacious suites, complimentary breakfast, and central location we are a perfect pick for your wedding hotel.

Melah Miller

mmiller@fhginc.com

We would like to announce that the Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown has won a 2011 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence! We are honored to have received this award and would like to thank all of our guests that have written a TripAdvisor review for the hotel. It is because of your efforts that we have been able to achieve an average review of 4.5 out of 5. We have consistently been ranked as one of the top hotels in Chicago by TripAdvisor and are thrilled to be recognized not only by our guests but also by TripAdvisor. Please check out the TripAdvisor website to read reviews or to write your own review about your time at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown.

Hi to all of Homewood’s loyal subscribers and hopefully new fans! I am Melah, the new Sales Coordinator for Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown. I have been working with this team for a little over two months and there is truly something special about this Homewood Suites! I am so happy to have found a team that is so welcoming and hardworking. At the Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown we strive for excellence in our amenities and total guest experiences.  In addition, our hotel gives value through location, amenities and service. We are the perfect package of hometown comforts in the middle of downtown Chicago!

I am excited to be working with all leisure travelers and groups. If you are planning a wedding, reunion, or just want to have a group of friends come to experience Chicago, I am your go to girl. I want to be the helping hand that makes your planning and experience memorable in a good way. Please feel free to contact me at mmiller@fhginc.com if there is anything I can do for you.

Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend!

Melah