Are you looking for the perfect place to hold your wedding? If so, you might want to consider booking a hotel as your venue.
Although banquet halls and barns are the top options for many, others prefer a place that’s convenient for everyone, especially when the venue takes up most of the wedding budget. So, a hotel makes a great choice. The question is, why?
Keep reading to find out how you can achieve more when you get a hotel wedding venue.
Venue Size
When picking a wedding venue, it’s important to look into the size. Beyond the space itself, it also considers the capacity.
You want to be sure your venue can accommodate all your guests, if not more, without paying for a lot of unused space. As much as possible, work with an estimate of at least 80% of the people you invited.
Hotels usually have different function rooms for these types of events. This way, you can get an idea of which works best for your number.
Other Amenities and Services
When picking your venue, take your time to evaluate what comes with booking the space. For most places, you can expect linen, tables, chairs, and a sound system or stage. But with a hotel, you can get access to more amenities.
A hotel wedding venue allows you and your guests to enjoy the rest of the hotel’s facilities, whether swimming pools, gyms, or restaurants. This way, they can make the most out of their visit.
Trained Staff
Getting a hotel wedding venue is ideal if you prefer a place that provides staff. This makes it easier for you to handle guests and other wedding needs, from catering to further concerns.
A hotel makes a great choice because its staff is trained for this type of service. So, you can expect them to benefit from their experience and skills, allowing you to enjoy a smooth wedding experience.
Access to Catering
Most hotels conveniently have built-in restaurants or food services. So, you won’t have to look for a separate provider. At the same time, you can include it in a single bill.
Moreover, hotel catering services offer a broad menu selection, allowing you to select the perfect dishes according to your tastes. Sometimes, you can even customize them to fit the wedding’s requirements.
Convenient Accommodation
One of the best things about booking a hotel wedding venue is the convenient access to accommodation. Your guests can simply book a room at the same place, before or after the wedding.
Because of this, you want to consider looking into what the hotel offers beyond your needs for the wedding. This way, you can ensure your guests have a great time when they decide to stay the night.
Perks of Choosing a Hotel Wedding Venue
Most people believe that traveling is all about leisure and relaxation. But for some people, it’s about unwinding, even if it means being on the move!
Studies find that about 31% of adults around the world are not physically active, despite the health benefits regular exercise offers. So, what can you do about it?
A simple routine is a great place to start! Here’s an easy hotel room workout you can follow to stay fit while you travel.
Jumping Jacks
Jumping jacks are one of the easiest exercises you can do without needing equipment. Moreover, it’s a full-body cardio move, so you can expect a rush of adrenaline after this.
A tip for doing jumping jacks is not to focus on how high you jump. Instead, you want to maintain the right form, holding a low squat with your back straight and arms wide on your sides.
Bodyweight Squats
If you’re looking to strengthen and shape your glutes and legs, bodyweight squats are the perfect exercise to achieve this. But for starters, it’s a bit harder to endure than a streak of jumping jacks.
The form is crucial to ensure this move gives you effective results and prevents you from aching too much. Make sure you keep your chest open and hips back. You should also squeeze your glutes to keep your stance.
You can also kick it up a notch by adding heavy objects in the mix, holding it close to your chest while you do this move.
Mountain Climbers
Another cardio move you can consider is mountain climbers, which is like a mix of different moves. Instead, this one works on keeping your heart rate up and working your core.
For this, you need to start in a plank position then drive one knee up like you’re climbing, with the other still in the first position. Do this repeatedly alternating sides and picking up the speed as you go.
Push-Ups
Push-ups are one of the most common indoor workout exercises. But contrary to what most people think, it takes a while to get used to because it requires you to follow a specific form.
Generally, you start with a plank position and bring your body up and down repeatedly, engaging your core. There are also lots of ways to do this, depending on what you’re comfortable with.
Keep in mind that you should maintain the proper form from start to end to ensure the best results.
Lunges
Lunges are an exercise that focuses on your leg muscles, allowing you to increase strength. Additionally, it’s one of those moves that you can do almost anywhere.
For this, you should start by stepping forward, making sure to lower your body to the ground while keeping your extended leg parallel to the floor. Once you go back in place, repeat it on the other side.
Take a Quick Hotel Room Workout to Maintain Fitness
There are lots of ways to stay fit even when you’re away from home or don’t have access to equipment. The key is to know the best indoor exercises to create the perfect hotel room workout routine. Along with other ways to stay fit, you can maintain health and fitness as long as you can!
Looking for the perfect hotel can take a while, especially when there are so many choices. So, you want to be sure you pick one that offers what you need for a good price.
According to reports, two out of five individuals are likely to choose cheap accommodation when they travel. But the question is, how do you find the right place?
Here are a few tips to help you find cheap hotels in Chicago to give you a fresh start to the new year.
Play with Search Filters
When you’re on a search for a hotel, you want to take your time to play with search filters. This way, you can ensure you find the perfect match for your preferences.
Doing so also helps you narrow down your search to options that contain at least one thing you need. This way, you won’t have to worry about too many add-ons or extra fees later.
Find the Right Size
The size of your hotel can give you an idea of how much you might have to spend on a room. For example, if you go for bigger or well-known names, rooms are likely on the costly side.
Consider going through hotels that are reliable based on service, presentation, and reviews. You can also look into other perks, like facilities or location convenience. Who knows, you might find the perfect accommodation without having to pay the price of a luxury experience!
Check the Inclusions
Cheap hotels in Chicago aren’t only about finding the cost. It’s also best to consider what your room booking includes, from amenities to access.
By factoring these in, you can determine the value of your room and see how everything fits together. It’s also a quick way to check how much of your money’s worth you’re getting.
Look Into Promos
One of the best ways to book cheap hotels in Chicago is by looking into options that offer promos. It can be anything from special offers from cards, rewards program benefits, or time-limited discounts.
Through this, you can find hotels that allow you to pay a lower cost or receive a cashback from your booking. Either way, it’s a great way to save on overall accommodation expenses.
Consider Your Booking Date
The time you book your room can affect the prices. So, you want to consider looking into rates during peak and off-peak periods.
As much as possible, book your accommodation for a day with less demand. This way, you can enjoy regular or cheaper prices without worrying about running out of available space.
Consider These Tips to Find Cheap Hotels in Chicago
Finding cheap hotels in Chicago takes time and effort. But with the right tips, you can find the perfect accommodation in no time!
Keep in mind that it’s important to know what you’re looking for throughout the process. This way, you can get a hotel within your budget without worrying about extra fees during your stay.
The New Year is a fun and festive time for everyone around the world. So, it’s one of the best times to grow bonds and make memories!
One way to go about the New Year is having dinner, especially because bonding over food is a great way to get social. But if you’re in Chicago, where’s the best place to grab a meal?
Here are a few restaurants to consider that can bring your New Year dinner ideas to life.
Boka
If you’re up for something fancy, Boka is a great place to start, especially because it’s Michelin-starred. Here, you can enjoy a nine-course meal with the fanciest mix of ingredients and cooking styles, from scallops and lobster to caviar and truffle.
It makes the perfect place to try if you’re new to Chicago or looking for a restaurant that’s more on the formal side. So, you can enjoy a relaxing time while being served the best.
Esmé
Aside from Boka, Esmé is another luxurious Michelin-starred restaurant that gives you a whole different experience. You can catch live performances from several artists and even a Champagne toast!
Cindy’s
If you’re looking for a place with a great view of the fireworks, Cindy’s rooftop terrace may be the perfect spot. It also gives you a mesmerizing look at the rest of the city.
When you visit during the New Year, you can enjoy the restaurant’s regular menu with the addition of fancier specials. Moreover, you get different part favors, from hats to noisemakers!
X Pot
The X Pot offers a unique touch to New Year dinner ideas with a 5D spectrum dining experience. You can witness an immersive adventure that takes your senses to different places with the use of state-of-the-art tech.
At the same time, you can enjoy this interactive activity while you chow through all-you-can-eat Japanese barbecue or yakiniku and hot pot!
Bar Siena
Bar Siena makes an ideal place for New Year festivities, being a huge bar on the first floor and a large dining space upstairs. So, it’s perfect for big groups of people, whether you’re in for the drinks or the meals.
They mostly offer Chicago classics, including pasta and pizza, but they add a few specials during the New Year. Even so, their regulars are a great fit for everyone, regardless of preference.
You can also check out more West Loop restaurants if you’re looking for more places like this, giving you the perfect mix of different cuisines.
Consider These Chicago Restaurants for New Year Dinner Ideas
If you’re ending the year in Chicago, you want to take your time to check out their restaurants to complete the experience. With the variety, you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your New Year dinner ideas. In fact, you might even come across places that offer more than you can expect, making it all the more memorable for you, your friends, and your family!
Are you planning to wrap up the year with a hotel staycation? If so, you might want to consider turning it into a last-minute year end party instead.
But you might wonder, what can you do in a hotel room all day? Luckily, there are lots of fun activities that can keep everyone engaged and entertained!
Here are a few last-minute year end party ideas that are hotel-friendly.
Host a Wrap-Up Quiz
If you want to make sure everyone participates during the party, consider hosting a wrap-up quiz on common interests and topics. It can be about memes, music, entertainment, or even personal updates!
It’s a great way to go through everything about the year for everyone while getting a glimpse of popular trends that came and went. Moreover, you can come up with lots of formats for the quiz or do them in groups or individually.
Set Up an Awards Ceremony
A common celebration during year end parties is awards ceremonies. Through this, you can honor everyone for their iconic achievements or quirky traits throughout the year.
You can get creative with how you present each award during the party, which adds to the fun of it. A quick suggestion is to set up a make-shift red carpet and backdrop.
Additionally, you can look for a pet-friendly hotel to add to the festivities and make the awards ceremony all the more exciting and memorable for everyone!
Organize a Talent Show
A fun way to get everyone ready for the party is by organizing a talent show. You can add a twist, making it more about creativity than actual skills. This way, there’s no pressure to show up with something too impressive.
When you decide on this idea, it’s best to inform everyone before they arrive. It allows them to prepare for the show and feel more comfortable throughout the party.
Sing to the Year’s Top Hits
You can’t go wrong with karaoke night, especially during big days like a year end party. To keep it in theme, you can add a specific rule: you can only sing the top hits of the year!
Karaoke is one of the best ways to keep the entertainment element and get everyone easily onboard. Moreover, it requires little to no planning at all, making it the perfect last-minute idea.
Prepare Iconic Food of the Year
If you have more time to prepare for the party, you may want to prepare a potluck or recipe swap of the most iconic food of the year.
Studies find that food plays a role in building relationships and connections. So, it’s an excellent idea if you want to focus on growing your bond with everyone else.
Try These Last-Minute Year End Party Ideas from a Hotel Room
Last-minute year end party ideas don’t have to be the grandest out there. If you’re spending it in a hotel room, you want to make sure it’s easy to prepare and clean up. This way, you can make the most out of the day and create memories for the books!
When you visit Windy City, one of the things you shouldn’t miss out on is trying the famous Chicago deep dish pizza. According to most people, it’s a food experience like no other!
But one thing you might notice is that lots of places offer it. So, how do you find the best places to enjoy it?
Generally, it all depends on your preferences. Even so, here’s a list of the top places to eat the popular deep dish pizza.
Pequod’s Pizza
If you’re a natural foodie, Pequod’s Pizza is a must-try on your list. The reason is it’s popular for serving these pizzas with caramelized crusts!
The history of the famous Chicago deep dish pizza dates way back. So, you’re likely to find a few places that opened up in years you might not expect.
Ever since they opened in the 1970s, they have been consistently offering their pizza with a crispy edge and soft filling. Some say it’s the type of dish that tastes better freshly cooked to really enjoy the contrast between the crust and its filling and toppings.
Giordano’s
If you’re looking for West Loop restaurants, you want to try out Giordano’s for its innovative style. According to some people, it’s a whole new experience with the way they stuff it.
You can try their staple Chicago Classic, but if you want a bigger twist, consider their inventive options. It includes adding Greek-influenced ingredients, from spit-roasted gyro meat to feta cheese and herb blends.
Bartoli’s Pizzeria
Bartoli’s Pizzeria has received the “Best Pizza in Chicago” award and title a couple of years in a row. But aside from its mouth-watering presentation, the secret to their success is practically a family secret.
The family-run business has been in the competition for years and slowly worked its way to become one of the city’s icons. A specialty worth trying is the deep dish spinach & cheese, which combines those exact two ingredients in the best way possible.
Burt’s Place
If you watch Anthony Bourdain, you may be familiar with the restaurant Burt’s Place. Although it offers the classic like other places, the restaurant prepares it in a way that boosts the dining experience.
Once you have a bite, you will definitely find yourself wanting even more!
Pizzeria Uno
The Pizzeria Uno has been in business since 1943, making it one of the original deep dish pizza spots in the city. Even so, their classics remain one of the best options for the dish and are worth trying out yourself.
One thing you might notice is how they combine authentic Italian recipes and ingredients with the pizza, making it the perfect fusion of flavors.
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
Another popular family-owned pizzeria is Lou Malnati’s. That’s because they’re often credited for being the inventors of the typical Chicago-style pizza and have been sticking with their original recipes even to this day!
One of their trademarks includes their butter crust, allowing you to enjoy a thin pie that’s crips on the edges but strong enough to hold the overflowing filling and toppings.
