We are going to Chicago at the end of May for a short break and we'd like to stay at a boutique type hotel. We are after a modern, plush hotel, central and preferably with a pool. Does such a place exist on our budget of up to £150/night? James Tornos, West Malling, Kent

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds: You can get some great boutique style hotels in the Loop ­ the downtown central area ­ but finding one with a pool there is tricky. You might have to decide between a central boutique hotel, or somewhere by the lake, larger, but with a pool.

The Burnham Hotel is a terrific option. Its 122 rooms are all smartly furnished in dark blues and cream, with a cosy lobby and swish ground floor café. It's right where you need to be, in the Loop district, and there's a complimentary wine reception every night for guests, to get you off to the right start. Doubles are from £120. However there isn't a pool. Similarly pool-less, is the nearby and more designer feeling Hotel 71, which has modern doubles, minimalist public spaces, and an excellent fusion restaurant, from £143.

However, if you need that pool, and don¹t mind a less central and plush option, there is a great rooftop pool at the Essex Inn (00 312 939 2800). The hotel overlooks Grant Park and beyond that Lake Michigan, has good sized and bright rooms, and a extensive fitness centre.

It's to the south of the Loop, but it's easy to plug into the public transport system. A big leap up in chicness, and in price though is the W Chicago Lakeshore (001 877 946 8357), which overlooks the Lake near to Navy Pier, and has a swish spa, snappy designer rooms, and a superb indoor pool. The rooms will burst your budget, but it¹s very much worth a look at £180 a night.

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