On a snowy and windy Chicago night, Amalfi Hotel greeted us with a wine reception complete with antipasti and a special to the house Amalfitini cocktail. Next morning, after a relaxing sleep in a cozy bed with 315-thread linens, we were treated to a continental breakfast (served on every floor) that attracted disheveled guests in terry cloth robes and slippers, adding to the home away from home feel. Named after the sunny coast of Italy, a family-owned Amalfi is in River North District—a walking distance from the Magnificent Mile, great theaters and fabulous restaurants of Chicago’s gorgeous downtown. Opened in 2004, this luxury boutique hotel caters to business (70%) and leisure travelers with its many amenities and conveniences. “Distinctively pet friendly,” it offers a fitness center, free Internet and iPod station in every room, Wi-Fi in all public areas, and a number of meeting spaces. Small enough to feel cozy, yet large enough to maintain the anonymity of its guests, a six-story Amalfi has 215 rooms with large-screen television sets, DVD players, minibars, and coffee makers. “We don’t nickel and dime you,” said Jose Angulo, Director of Business Development. “Our business and fitness centers are complimentary, opened 24 hours. We have four computers, four printers for the guests’ use; local calls are free. On average, people stay with us 2.7 nights, and we have many repeat customers.” Looking at happy faces during the daily wine reception and watching people make fast friends and chatting merrily over their amalfitinis, it was easy to believe that. To remember this hospitable place better, I’ve asked for a recipe to try it at home, and here it is: Amalfitini. 1 ¼ oz Skyy Vodka, ¾ oz Carevella Limoncello, ½ oz Peachtree Schnapps, ¾ oz Triple Sec, 1 ½ oz White Cranberry Juice. Shaken and served in a chilled martini glass garnished with a fresh peach in season or lemon wedge. More information at www.amalfihotelchicago.com. Photography by Yuri Krasov.
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