Ritz-Carlton Chicago (A Four Seasons Hotel)

The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, a Four Seasons hotel, welcomes kids with a small gift from the Toy Wagon, as well as homemade cookies and juice, and child-size bathrobes in the rooms. Children's menus are available in all restaurants,as well as popcorn, movies and soda for teens. Cribs and rollaway beds are free, as are children's videos and DVDs; and families also get complimentary use of baby bathtubs, blankets, thermometers, high chairs and strollers, as well as bottles, diapers, wipes, lotion, powder, shampoo and safety pins. With 24 hours notice, they can arrange for bonded and insured babysitting services for your little ones.

There is also a playground directly across the street from the hotel.

The Ritz partners with its downstairs neighbor, American Girl Place (Water Tower Place, 835 N Michigan Ave), to offer an American Girl hotel-stay package for fans of the lifelike historical dolls. Little girls and their dolls receive top-notch treatment from the five-star hotel, including a bevy of American Girl gifts (doll clothes and accessories) and accoutrements (milk and cookies for your child and her American Girl, a bed for her little likeness to sleep. Boys get a Cubs or White Sox hat compliments of the hotel. Whatever package you reserve, any kids can arrange with the concierge to spend some time in the hotel's kitchen baking cookies with the staff.

We had the pleasure of staying at the Ritz this past spring and it was delightful. Whether it was the ambiance of the lobby with the piano playing ...