The famed British brand occupies floors 15 to 30 on Water Tower Place, close to the lake. 434 rooms have massive picture windows and a warm colour scheme. Steaks, seafood and pasta are the specialities at The Ritz restaurant, Torali, but there’s also a cafe, lobby bar and cocktails on the roof (when the weather allows). It’s a great choice for those with children: Ritz Kids Club provides a ‘red wagon’ on arrival from which each child can choose a toy, a candy cart does the rounds, the restaurant has menus for younger diners and rooms come with mini-sized robes and slippers. And there’s a lovely spa for the grown-ups.