Business trips can be the perfect opportunity to bond with coworkers and strengthen your relationships with any clients you are visiting. On top of this, bleisure trips that mesh business and fun can really make work travel much more enjoyable for entrepreneurs. If you have to travel to Chicago on business soon, turn it into a memorable bleisure trip by exploring what the amazing city has to offer outside of your work commitments! Chicago is filled with exciting hotspots and lovely hotels that are a must for your itinerary.
If you are not quite sure where to stay and what locales to explore during your bleisure trip, no need to fret! Home Business Magazine recently traveled to Chicago and checked out some incredible establishments. These three will make your trip truly unforgettable:
Where to Stay: The Emily Hotel
Perfectly situated in Chicago’s Fulton Market district (a quick 20-minute drive from O’Hare airport), this boutique hotel is absolutely gorgeous and features a ton of amenities any business traveler will love. Book one of the hotel’s spacious loft suites and you will enjoy a handsome workspace, über-comfortable king bed, living room area with chic contemporary furniture, and complimentary WiFi to help you catch up on emails. The rooms also include a large flatscreen TV, fully stocked minibar, and Bluetooth radio to ramp up the fun!
You will also go gaga over the room’s large, posh bathroom, which features a big tub for a relaxing hot bath and HUGE separate shower complete with two shower heads. The bathroom also offers cruelty-free Malin + Goetz bathing products that smell incredible. In the morning, you can grab locally roasted Sparrow Coffee and succulent Dan the Baker pastries from The Coffee Bar, located on the lobby level of the hotel. The hotel also offers a 24-hour fitness center in case you want to exercise during your business trip!
The hotel also has three fantastic dining options. On the hotel’s ground level is Fora, a globally-inspired restaurant and patio with aromatic and flavorful eats. You can also indulge in tasty tacos and superb mezcal cocktails at Selva, located on the 7th floor of the hotel. Love sushi? Book a signature timed Omakase experience at Sushi By Bou. You will love this hotspot’s ambiance that is inspired by the ’90s hiphop era, complete with graffiti-covered walls, nostalgic tunes from that decade, and murals of Chicago hiphop legends.
The hotel also features over five functional and uniques spaces that are perfect for client meetings and presentations. You can also enjoy cult classic movies and popular new releases at the hotel’s Rooftop Cinema Club, the ultimate open-air cinema experience. To book a room, visit emilyhotel.com.
Where to Wine & Dine Clients: GT Prime Steakhouse
If you want to impress a major client, there is no better place to take them than GT Prime Steakhouse (presented by Boka Restaurant Group). Located in the lively River North neighborhood, this restaurant is known as the premier Chicago steakhouse with a modern twist. The menu was curated by Executive Chef/Partner Giuseppe Tentori and emphasizes sourcing from local farms and outstanding cuisine highlighted by seasonal ingredients.
GT Prime offers tantalizing appetizers like their luscious Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with whole grain mustard remoulade, Meatball “Mama K’s”, and Thick Cut Bacon served with black trumpet mushrooms. For the main course, order the Bourbon Dry-Aged KC Strip 16oz or Big Glory Bay Salmon that is served with potato velouté and melted leeks. Or, order The Carnivore Platter so you can sample Chef-selected cuts like the Prime 8 oz. Filet, Venison Loin, and Morgan Ranch NY Strip (all served sliced). Then complete the meal with the mouthwatering 7-Layer Chocolate Cake. Reserve a table at gtprimerestaurant.com.
Where to Bond with Your Team: Blind Barber Speakeasy
This locale will provide an unforgettable experience for your team. After 5 p.m., walk through the popular Blind Barber Chicago barbershop and enter an unmarked door that will take you to a stunning cocktail lounge. You and your employees will have a blast discussing the day’s activities while sipping on a Fancy Old Fashioned or a delicious signature cocktail (like the Batman made with Hendrick’s Neptunia and Cocchi Americano) and lounging on one of the plush leather couches. For more info, visit blindbarber.com.
