Alex Catarinella

The James

  • Where:
  • Why:Work then party trip
  • When:A weekend in late June.
  • Who:Flying solo, per usual.
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The James How YOU doin?

How YOU doin?

The James Talk about overpacking!

Talk about overpacking!

The James Beautiful complimentary bikes that I didn’t take advantage of…oops.

Beautiful complimentary bikes that I didn’t take advantage of…oops.

The James Leaf-y lobby lounging.

Leaf-y lobby lounging.

The James Art and elevators.

Art and elevators.

The James My heavenly new home.

My heavenly new home.

The James The James really is on point with their furniture.

The James really is on point with their furniture.

The James My own little corner where I’d play on my lap top and binge on room service goodies.

My own little corner where I’d play on my lap top and binge on room service goodies.

The James The temptation of it all! Foreshadowing my late night snacks (Sun Chips and peanut M&Ms…) whilst watching Forensic Files.

The temptation of it all! Foreshadowing my late night snacks (Sun Chips and peanut M&Ms…) whilst watching Forensic Files.

The James Alas, the mini bar!

Alas, the mini bar!

The James The amazing Harmonic products are chained to the shower wall! Rude!!!

The amazing Harmonic products are chained to the shower wall! Rude!!!

The James And here we are!

And here we are!

Highs & Lows

  • Really into the Harmonic products, especially the shampoo and conditioner, which are all gluten free, FYI, if that’s your thing. My scalp felt like a Pop Rocks explosion -- must’ve been eucalyptus or something fun in the ingredients. So good.

  • I could hibernate for every season in that bed. Mattress/pillows/sheets sent down from the slumber gods.

  • The decor, from the lobby to the bedroom, was super minimal and calming. A really good change from the over-the-top hotels with antique baths and complicated light fixtures that take me decades to figure out how to turn on/off.

  • Bathroom wasn’t great. I’m all about diving into hotel baths and it just wasn’t happening in this tiny, ordinary one.

  • My room’s view was a snooze, so I suggest maybe not getting a corner room…

  • Nothing special going on with the mini bar, unless you’re into overpriced peanut M&Ms and Sun Chips. (I was after midnight...)

The Barometer

  • Design

  • Website

  • Environmental Consciousness

  • Night's Sleep

  • Service

  • Amenities

  • Takeable Treats

  • Refer a Friend

  • Overall Value

  • Life Changing

Total: 45/50

Important Bits

  • Type

    Contemporary chill boutique hotel.

  • Vibe

    Chill and relaxing. I think it has a lot to do with the hotel’s earthy contemporary-chic designs.

  • Location

    The location, “Magnificent Mile,” gave me 5th Avenue vibes. There’s Topshop, Zara, Burberry, etc., countless restaurants and bars and a plethora of cabs. There’s also fancy versions of McDonald’s and Chick Fil A with outdoor seating. Not kidding. Also, a Trader Joe’s conveniently just across the street.

  • Rooms

    297

  • Music

    Didn’t really notice music during the day, but I did hear Icona Pop’s “I Love It” when heading to the elevator in the evening.

  • Year Opened

    2007

  • Designed By

    Interior designer Deborah Burke.

  • Health & Wellness

    No pool, yes gym. I was low on coins, otherwise I would’ve been all up in the spa. You can apparently transform your own ROOM into a “spa haven” (according to the site) with a “purifying shower ritual” and lots of Aveda products. So fancy.

  • Restaurant

    David Burke’s Primehouse.

  • Bar

    The lobby bar is cute. I didn’t get to actually drink and chill at the Jimmy (again, I’m broke), but it’s pretty swanky.

  • Minibar

    The usual glutinous selection of peanut M&M's and SunChips.

  • Children

    Unfortunately I saw some. :-/

  • Price

    Typical boutique prices.

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