International travel has been transformed in almost every way since my first journey across the Atlantic as a young stewardess for United Airlines. In the last ten years, technology, political policy, and issues of security have reshaped the international tourist experience. People are far more cautious about flying domestically and internationally in the wake of 9/11– or even more recently—after the bombing attempt aboard the Amsterdam to Detroit flight.
The perils of the international traveler do not end at the arrival gate. Language barriers, cultural differences, and unfamiliarity with specific areas of town can make a foreign visitor feel more like an alien visitor. Large hotels are simply too busy to accommodate their guests any further than providing them with a place to stay and a few overpriced snacks and beverages from a wet bar. Corporate housing, or short term and extended stay furnished apartments, has become the essential hotel alternative for the discerning international traveler. Manilow Suites, the original corporate and short term luxury housing provider in downtown Chicago, offers more than just a bedroom and complementary pamphlets at a concierge desk. We offer the comfort, convenience and guidance that a trusted local friend would, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The extensive amount of travelling I’ve done has given me insight into the details that can make or break a trip to another country. Lengthy check-in procedures, missing contact information, and underwhelming accommodations can easily spoil a well-planned vacation or business venture. Coupling this with an uncomfortable, cramped bedroom only compounds the sense of buyer’s remorse that begins to set in upon realizing that the housing you’ve reserved is less than you were expecting. Manilow Suites offers an alternative: beautifully furnished, spacious apartments in luxury high rise buildings throughout downtown Chicago, for the same (if not lower) price than the finest hotels.
Not only do we set ourselves apart from the hotels, but other short term housing providers as well. We are the only company that that owns our own furniture and appliances, requires only 5 business day notice to vacate and no contract confirmation, offers daily housekeeping by directly employed staff members, and a comprehensive list of recommendations based on our collective 150+ years spent in downtown Chicago. Whether you are in need of a hair salon, coffee shop, restaurant, bookstore, or tickets to a theatre production, our guests get the inside scoop on where locals go to experience Chicago. This is just another way we strive to make our guests, regardless of how far they’ve travelled to stay with us, feel like they never left home.
