Chicago francophilia

oh, France, je vous adore

i’ve always adored all things French. French food (YUM), French fashion (oh so chic), French language (sooo romantic), FRANCE! i could go on. so booking with the French hotel chain, Sofitel, for my Chicago stay would seem like an obvious thing to do.

French language - parfait

i’ve actually been a guest of Sofitel before – in Budapest – when i got stuck there during the Icelandic ash cloud debacle. (side note – it was tres fantastique and the staff couldn’t have been more accommodating during that ‘crisis’) BUT i’ll be honest, i don’t automatically think Sofitel when planning my trips – at least, that used to be the case. i came across this particular property via my absolute favorite travel flash-sale site – Jetsetter.com. if there could be a romance with a website – mine is with them! FIRST LOVE – TRUE LOVE! i trust Jetsetter’s carefully curated luxurious taste and feel we are completely aligned AND this is how i found myself booking with Sofitel Chicago. merci, Jetsetter, for all your help and trip tips!

silly lola should have remembered how chic the Sofitel brand was. Sofitel Chicago Water Tower did not let me down.

lola simply adored the tribute to Brigitte Bardot in the lobby.

beautiful Brigitte Bardot

the smartly dressed mannequins inspired by the actress.

Bardot inspired fashion - tres chic

the gorgeous flowers everywhere.

cheery yellow flowers all over

the divine Hermes toiletries in the room. the lovely, delicious macaroon treats given by the hotel as a welcome amenity. (how did they know j’adore macaroons!)

delightful delicious macaroons!

AND then there was the warm hospitality received by my travel blogging friends and me at Le Bar. they even stock my favorite rum at Le Bar and make a handcrafted dark & stormy – YUM! you know how lola loves her cocktails.

Le Bar dark & stormy

let’s just say, this hotel was nothing short of parfait! Sofitel Chicago Water Tower even gives lola the social media attention i absolutely endorse! tres bon manners all around.

au revoir, my French friend in the Windy City!

17 Comments

Filed under chicago, france, swanky luxe stays, travel

17 Responses to Chicago francophilia

  1. I love this post. Interesting how Sofitel isn’t top of mind – and to be fair have stayed in a few and they were lovely! Love the France – not France pic!

    • haha! i liked the france pic mostly because of the pink, of course! πŸ™‚ sofitel will be top of mind from now on. super impressed with their brand! xo

  2. Very nice indeed! Jetsetter did us right and you did me right by introducing me to Jetsetter! I still need to try a dark & stormy – on my list of drinks to try. Cheers!
    Raul (ilivetotravel in Twitter) recently posted…Traveling for Good – A Trek in RomaniaMy Profile

  3. Love the Lolaesque take on the Sofitel. As usual, you made me smile.
    Leah Travels recently posted…‘Pump’ and Circumstance in ChicagoMy Profile

  4. There is a Sofitel in NYC and I LOVE it…and I adore macaroons too! When you’re back in NYC, a trip to Laudurer is in order, capice?
    Charu recently posted…How I Celebrated My 10th Wedding Anniversary (contd.): Hiking Around Lake Minnewaska, and Nearby AttractionsMy Profile

  5. I am so with you on all things French! πŸ™‚ And Sofitel did a great job greeting us, the appetizers at Le Bar were great. I’m pretty sure it was my first Sofitel experience and definitely a positive one. Lovely recap, Lola!
    Pola recently posted…Photo of the Week: View of Paris from MontmartreMy Profile

  6. Lara

    I never thought about staying at a Sofitel and now I will. Great review!

    • it was tres FAB!! i definitely will consider them going forward in the cities they are located. love their distinguished french touch!!

  7. J’Γ©tais hereux de faire votre conaissance a l’hotel de Sofitel πŸ™‚
    Traveling Ted recently posted…Five awesome dunes to explore around Lake MichiganMy Profile

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