Radisson’s luxury hotel Blu to debut in Chicago high-rise

by Melanie Nayer on

The first Radisson Blu hotel in the United States will open on 18 floors of a new 81-story tower in Chicago. Radisson and Carlson Hotels bought the space for $125 million and will launch the luxury-brand hotel in Aqua, the new Chicago skyscraper at 225 N. Columbus Drive.

According to Radisson, about half the $125 million will be put toward development and furnishing of The Radisson Aqua Blu guest rooms, lobby space and meeting areas. The remainder of the money will be put toward other floors containing condos and apartments.

You’ll have to wait a bit before the doors open – The Radisson Aqua Blu won’t be ready until fall 2011.

But, while you’re waiting you can watch the development take place. The new Aqua tower, which opened in 2009 and stands adjacent to the hotel, offers great views of the city from just about every angle.

The Afro-Punk Festival: not your mama’s punk show

by Gadling Staff on

Each week, Gadling is taking a look at our favorite festivals around the world. From music festivals to cultural showcases to the just plain bizarre, we hope to inspire you to do some festival exploring of your own. Come back each Wednesday for our picks or find them all HERE.

You think you know what punk is. But you haven’t seen anything until you’ve joined the thousands of head-bangers who make the pilgrimage once a year in June to Brooklyn’s Afro-Punk Festival.

This two-day celebration of music, skating, and film has become a Mecca for the burgeoning movement of Afro-Punk, a collection of African-American bands, fans, and misfits who are embracing hardcore rock culture and making it their own. Launched in the summer of 2005, the festival was the brainchild of record executive Matthew Morgan and filmmaker James Spooner, who wanted to give voice to the growing popularity of indie and punk rock in traditionally urban communities. It has ever since been a focal point of musical and cultural cross-pollination, fueled by an audience as diverse as the music itself.

Each day of the festival features bands ranging from eclectic rockers like Houston-based American Fangs to genre-bending artists like crooner Janelle Monae, that by turns, awe and electrify the crowd. Afro-Punk is the wild, weird alternate universe where anything is possible (I personally will never forget seeing bass guitarist Ahmed of Brooklyn’s Game Rebellion strut onstage sporting a fan of giant peacock feathers). Want to learn more about the Afro-Punk Festival? Keep reading below…

For first-timers, the Afro-Punk mashup of grunge guitar and streetwise swagger can be overwhelming. But have no fear: punk is a contact sport, and no one can stand still for long. Crowd surfing is encouraged, from the tiniest faux-hawked kindergartener to the heaviest thrasher, so dive away! And if you yearn for the days of good ole-fashioned moshing, you’ll have no trouble finding a scrum for a little full-body ping-pong.

Other thrill-seekers can get their kicks on the festival’s custom-built skate park. The dizzying array of jumps, ramps and rails is also the battleground for the annual URBANX skate and BMX competitions, where pro-skaters and bikers defy gravity and common sense for a coveted $5,000 prize.

Listen for the distinctive clink and hiss of spray cans and you’ll also find a one-of-a-kind outdoor art exhibit. At Afro-Punk, graffiti is king, and true to form, the artists work at lightning speed, to the delight of onlookers, tagging a rich tableaux of original pieces along a 30-foot wall of wooden panels.

On Sunday, the festival closes with a block party featuring live DJ’s, fashion, and food. But before you go, take a moment to enjoy the greatest spectacle on display: the crowd itself. Revel in being someplace where piercings outnumber iPhones two-to-one, and ‘business casual’ means keeping your shirt on. There are few places on Earth where dreadlocks and leather chokers so seamlessly co-exist. Afro-Punk is the center of a movement that defies definition. In the end, what could be more punk than that?

The 2010 Afro-Punk Festival hits New York June 26th and 27th, and will this year open in two new cities: Chicago and Atlanta. Check out afropunk.com for dates and updated details.

Inside the Hotel Palomar Chicago

by Melanie Nayer on

Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar Chicago opened its 261-room art-themed hotel in March and we’ve been eager to take a look inside. My food-and-lifestyle writing friend Johnica Reed was recently in Chicago and I sent her on assignment to check out the new digs in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. Here’s what she found:

Guest rooms

The king-sized rooms are pleasantly decorated in blue and brown hues, complimented with bright accents in the carpet’s floral motifs. Each room has a classic Chicago picture on the wall, and comes complete with WiFi access, iHome docking stations, flat-screen TVs and honor bar service.

Living Room

The Palomar Chicago’s living room hosts its nightly wine service as way to help guests wind down from a windy day along Michigan Avenue. The hotel’s living room space is decorated in the same gold and brown hues used in the guest rooms. In addition to the wine service, the living room comes complete with a fireplace and library, and makes great use of space with its white chandeliers.


The Roof

The talking point of the hotel is the green roof, which helps promote Chicago’s city-wide eco-friendly initiative. The rooftop garden (said to be covered with grass and vegetation) wasn’t open last week but the deck and pool space was available to guests and we got a great look at the view.


A few steps from the pool and the entire skyline is at your fingertips. The view is quintessential Chicago, and looks to be a lovely spot for sipping cocktails on a hot summer night. Right now, the hotel is hosting a cocktail or continental breakfast promotion for $1 more on your room charge. Choose this promotion and you will receive:

  • Deluxe accommodations
  • A complimentary continental breakfast – or – a cocktail in the restaurant for each registered guest up to 2 room occupants per day.
  • Room rate is the Best Available Rate plus $1.00.

Not a bad way to spend a night (or next morning) in Chicago.


American Airlines delays start of Chicago-Beijing flights

by Scott Carmichael on

Yesterday, American Airlines was scheduled to start a new non-stop route from Chicago O’Hare to Beijing – but a last minute snag has forced them to delay the launch. American had requested a preferential take-off and landing slot from the Chinese Government, but was handed slots for a 2:20am arrival, and a 4:40am departure – making the whole thing pretty useless.

American Airlines is working behind the scenes to negotiate a better schedule, and as of right now, the first Chicago-Beijing flight should leave on Tuesday May 4.

Customers who were supposed to be on the inaugural flight are being offered a full refund or free date change to the later flights. Of course, nobody knows yet whether those dates will stay put, or what the final departure and arrival times are, so keep checking AA.com for updates.

Daily Pampering: Renovations at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago

by Melanie Nayer on

After two years and $25 million, the Ritz-Carlton Chicago is ready for its close-up.

The Ritz-Carlton Chicago (a Four Seasons Hotel) recently completed its latest restyling and is ready show off a new lobby, restaurant and bar, ballroom and presidential suite.

The Ritz-Carlton Chicago’s prime location at Water Tower Place sets the mood for unbridled extravagance. The 12th floor lobby was redesigned with deep woods and earth tones,and welcomes guests to a blend of contemporary and traditional design. A sky-lit fountain is centered in the room and thanks to its high-rise location, guests will have amazing views of the city before arriving in their guest rooms.

Located behind the lobby fountain is the new deca RESTAURANT + BAR, which infuses art deco design with brasserie-influenced cuisine. Executive Chef Mark Payne and his team offer a menu of classic items with inventive twists and the wine list offers over 40 wines served by the glass.

The stunning new 2,900-square-foot Presidential Suite is the grand dame of this hotel’s renovations. The re-imagined two-story Suite boasts a spiral staircase featuring new interiors and floor-to-ceiling two-story window views of Lake Michigan. It includes a kitchen, living, dining and study rooms, three full and two half baths. A media room, baby grand piano and Bose surround sound stereo system add to the decor. Amenities include a 24-hour personal assistant with in-room business center; transportation to and from the local airport via a Rolls Royce Phantom; and a daily in room 90 minute massage.

What’s not to love about this Chicago-style pampering?

For more Daily Pampering, click here.