I heard the Suisse is cool.

The Sofitel is way swanky!
http://www.sofitel.com/sofitel/fichehotel/gb/sof/2993/fiche_hotel.shtml

There has been a lot of buzz about the James Hotel, also sounds way swanky and modern.
http://www.jameshotels.com/

I stayed at the W Hotel City Center, which is pretty hip and the staff was really really nice.
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/search/hotel_detail.html?propertyID=97509

There is a 2nd W Hotel on Lake Shore Drive, but the rates there tend to be just a tad bit more. But you are closer to the lake.

whoops double post! the security code is acting screwy.

Congratulations Jason! Never stayed at a hotel in chicago, but i've heard these are nice... (plus i like their websites and i always take that as a good sign)

- www.hotel71.com/
- amalfihotelchicago.com/
- parkchicago.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp (don't know that you'd really clasify the Park Hyatt as a modern hotel, but they had an Eames Lounge chair in the room and a kick*ss bathtub in the room, make sure you get a room with a view on Michigan...and if you stay here, check out their bar...order the sake cocktail. YUM!)
- www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/index.html

and check out chicagoreader.com and/or metromix.chicagotribune.com for restaraunts to take your new bride too!

btw janel. LOVE the photo above. reminds me of some wedding photos of my parents. scary!

I would suggest the new fandangled JAMES HOTEL. It is a lovely concept hotel with TONS of amazing contemporary art and lovely decor that is fresh and edgy yet confortable. Also - the J BAR downstairs pours a mean Mojito.

try the james. it just opened up and from the look of it, it's the swanky modern one that folks from AT would love.

A couple of years ago my then-girlfriend, now-fiancee and I stayed at Sofitel and we found it to be an amazing experience. Beautiful rooms, a great view, perfect location and wonderful service. We recommended it to a couple of friends who went on their mini-moon in May and they said the Honeymoon suite is incredible. Needless to say we're heading back there for our mini-moon in October. Highly recommended.

My husband and I took a mini-moon in Chicago -- even though we live here! We stayed at the Hotel Monaco. Top-notch service, lovely rooms, and a perfect location. They offer a cutesy "I do, I do, I did" package but the suite was booked when we stayed. Offers a good value (considering) and includes champagne, etc. Could be fun!

Hotel Monaco
225 North Wabash
800-397-7661
http://www.monaco-chicago.com/index.html

We'll have to try the James for our anniversary! I've been to the one in Scottsdale, and it's fantastic.

I really like the W hotel on LSD. The view of the lake is gorgeous and oddly, the entire hotel smells like apple blossoms. And the staff is nice :)

When my friends came into town, we all stayed at The James for two nights. It's very swanky and modern and they give all their guests the VIP treatment. We were miraculously upgraded to an "apartment", which was unbelieveable -- a huge bar, table with banquette, living room, separate sleeping room, awesome bathroom. We felt like rock stars. And the concierge can really hook you up -- they got us on the guest list for both Le Passage and Bella Lounge for that same night. If you decide to hang at J Bar, you get to skip the line, too. I highly recommend it.

I'd suggest my two favorite hotels in Chicago and I've stayed at quite o few over the years for business and pleasure.

The Westin Chicago River North is a lovely place. It's located on the north side of the Chicago River between Dearborn and Clark. Several excellent restauraunts within two or three blocks. It would be the modern choice. Originally built by Nikko as one of their two properties in the US. It was bought by Westin maybe ten years ago and they have done a good job and the sushi bar is still there. Westin is now smoke free.

http://www.westinrivernorth.com/

My other suggestion would be the Drake, located on the north end of the Magnificent mile. It wouldn't be considered modern by anyone today, but it has that old world elegance that you'd expect from a premier hotel built in the 1920s.

http://www.thedrakehotel.com/

The James, just spent a weekend there, could'nt have been cooler.

i would recommend the james (see above) a beautiful comfortable place - good service
http://www.jameshotels.com/

i also like the sofitel downtown...

another alternative: b&b in bucktown

Yeah, I say the James. A few weeks ago me and some friends requested a tour from the manager--a little "inspection" for a possible recommendation to some friends from out of town. Even though we weren't guests there, we were treated very courteously and were shown several rooms. They really showcase local artists and designers, and every room has unique photography and art (at least, unique to each room). One suite had a little room adjacent to the main room with a projector showing groovy footage; and the furnishings are amazingly cool.

I second the vote for Hotel 71 http://www.hotel71.com/ Very modern and luxurious

Hotel Monaco is nice. Actually, House of Blues isn't too bad either. Drake is a classic and in a primo location.

If money is no object, I'd say the Park Hyatt. The outdoor bar is a fantastic spot for a cocktail.

Check out Tablet Hotels (www.tablethotels.com). This is a great resource for modern or "design-y" hotels worldwide.

I've recently stayed at the Drake, Peninsula and the James. Avoid the Drake, it's an overpriced dump. The Peninsula is pretty swanktastic, great pool & spa where you can order snacks in your robe. Also loved the James, great art installations, decor and fun vibe...