Hotel Wanderlust: Public Chicago

One of Ian Schragers newest properties is Public Chicago.  Chicago Magazine calls it "Dazzling."  I was chomping at the bit to stay there when I was in Chicago a couple of months ago - but unfortunately for me - it was sold out.  I've been lusting after the property since I first laid eyes on it.  I'm in love with their "no color" concept for their sleeping rooms.  Walking in - you just feel a sense of calm.

With 285 sleeping rooms and 8600 square feet of meeting space (including a stunning terrace), this is the perfect hotel to have a little fun (or a meeting) with a group of 50 of your closest friends or colleagues.

Public Chicago is a complete transformation of the Gold Coast's famed Ambassador East hotel and its historic Pump Room restaurant.  James Beard award winning chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten whips up amazing delights not only in the Pump Room, but also customized banquet menus for groups.

This is hotel is definitely on my bucket list to stay.  What about you?

{All images from Public Chicago website}

Hotel Wanderlust: Farmhouse Inn

I'm always on the hunt for new hotels, new destinations.  I just made a hotel discovery - love it when that happens.  I was on Mr. and Mrs. Smith site.  Have you heard of them?  They are a luxury boutique booking site.  What's great about this is they use anonymous reviewers that stay at hotels around the world, and you get a true picture of what the hotel or resort is like.

The hotel - Farmhouse Inn - in Forestville, California offers 18 rooms of quaintness and Michelin star dining.  It's just 1 1/2 hours north of San Francisco and surrounded by the cutest wine country towns of Healdsberg and Santa Rosa.  After taking a look at the pictures, this property is definitely on my "must visit" list.

Below is a recent review via Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

As special and character-rich as an aged Sonoma cabernet, Farmhouse Inn is worth a try. The bright barn-inspired rooms – decorated with antiques and salvaged barn treasures – conjure the oaky aromas of California chardonnay. Fancy mixology instead? Play alchemist in your giant Whirlpool tub, which can be customised with salts, soaps, milks and tonics from the lobby’s bath bar. A few even come come from Farmhouse’s own garden, where flowers, vegetables and herbs create a rich bouquet. Chef Steve Litke combs the gardens every night to select the star players on the morrow’s menu, and the spa harvests lavender, grapes and herbs for use in its massages, wraps and facials.

Wine’s best pairing could be a melting square of Valrhona chocolate, wedged inside a melt-it-yourself s’more, available each night by the crackling firepit.  ~Mr. and Mrs. Smith Reviewer