Tag Archives: chicago tourism

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!

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Filed under chicago, france, swanky luxe stays, travel

boa fun & games in Chicago

leah's montage of our trouble-making FUN

i’m sure what i’m about to tell you won’t come as any real surprise. lola has a big IMAGINATION, flair for the DRAMATIC and is a bit of a TROUBLE MAKER! i truly think i could have fun in a cardboard box!

my latest adventure took me to Chicago and i was super excited to return for many reasons including meeting up with fellow travel bloggers, some whom i’ve met before and some new friends yet to make. it was great fun and you can read each of their recaps of the #WindyCityTweetup here:

i was also excited because even though i’ve visited the ‘Windy City’ before i have never really toured it. what i found was a city full of diversity and rich in culture & history.

diverse architecture

interesting works of art

interesting works of art

fascinating history

i loved Chicago – everything about it was dramatic! it was just lola’s speed.

best of all was how the group and city embraced the ‘lola-factor’. i’ve yet to meet a city that can’t handle the boa and Chicago didn’t let me down. why, you say?

one, staying in a French hotel!

cabaret = boa

with a tribute to Brigitte Bardot in the lobby!

hollywood glam = boa

then you throw in the whole roaring 20’s gangster scene of Chicago and i say, HELLO!

gangster flapper girls = boa

it surely was not the first time this fine city has seen a posse of boa-wearing gals.

the tweetup gals in our boa get-up (thanks pola for the pic)

but oh, did we wear them well! hasta la vista, Chicago. until next time we meet…

XO – lola

*and thanks to raul for the gangsta pic

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Filed under chicago, travel