SCRAPPY!

Congratulations to our winner, Jen E.  from Waukesha, Wisconsin who chose the winning name for our newest sustainable pooch. Loren and Madeline are thrilled to officially welcome Scrappy to the family. Jen wins a two-night stay, dinner at Elate and an optional photo shoot with Scrappy.

We had such wonderful entries that we decided to extend a prize of $100 to spend at Hotel Felix to each runner up:

-Karen P. who submitted the name Happy (but also submitted Scrappy as a second name)

-Karlyn C. who submitted the name Helix

-Betsy B. who submitted the name Ferraille

Congratulations again to all our winners and thank you to all who participated. We hope you all welcome Scrappy into the Hotel Felix family!

We are gearing up for the Green Festival this weekend, May 5-6, in downtown Chicago. The annual celebration of all things green takes place at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Avenue) on Saturday, May 5 from 12-8 p.m. and Sunday, May 6 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

The Green Festival‘s mission is to show everyone what it means to be a part of a sustainable community. More than 125 green leaders, authors and educators gather to host how-to workshops, conduct seminars, enjoy organic beer and wine and relish the green life. Don’t miss the unique marketplace that features more than 300 eco-friendly businesses from all-natural body care products to Fair Trade chocolates.

With a Green Kid Zone, an eco-fashion show and interactive D.I.Y. workshops there is something for everyone at the Green Festival. Check it out this weekend and post pictures of your experience on our Facebook timeline!

There are so many exciting things happening at Hotel Felix (exhibit A, B and C), it’s hard to keep up! This latest announcement surely does not disappoint. As many of you may know, we recently welcomed a furry bundle of joy to our sustainable sculpture family this past Sunday (Earth Day). The adorable pup is now a permanent Hotel Felix resident – there’s just one problem. He/she needs a name!

From April 22 through April 30 (Monday) at 11:59 p.m. CST all are invited to submit the creative name of their choice for our new pup to social@hotelfelixchicago.com, along with:

1. 1-3 sentences explaining your recommended dog name.
2. entrants’ full name, city and age.
3. an additional point will be awarded to contestants who submit a photo of him/herself with their dog.

All entrants are encouraged to be creative and THINK GREEN! Entrants must agree to rules listed here. The names will be judged by Hotel Felix’ Green Panel of environmental activists and select the winning name based upon a set of criteria and how well the name ties into Hotel Felix’ green theme. The Green Panel is composed of environmental champions including representatives from Greenheart Shop, Green Grocer Chicago and Green Building & Design Magazine.

The winner receives:

1. a two night-stay at Hotel Felix
2. dinner at Elate, the organic restaurant adjacent to the hotel
3. an optional photo shoot with the pooch

The winner will be announced on May 8. Good luck everyone!

TODAY Hotel Felix made a special fan very Happy. Naturally.

In celebration of NBC Universal’s Green Week, your favorite eco-friendly, LEED Silver certified boutique hotel was featured as the grand prize for Kathie Lee and Hoda’s Fan of the Week on the TODAY Show! Congrats to winner Karen Benavidez from Kingsville, Texas for winning a four-day, three-night trip for two to Hotel Felix.

The trip includes breakfast and dinner for two everyday at Elate, the organic upscale restaurant adjacent to Hotel Felix. It also includes two spa treatments and round trip airfare.

To check out the clip, visit this link. Congrats again to Karen, we look forward to having you as our guest!

We’re excited to announce a collaboration with Columbia College of Chicago and Nespresso in celebration of Earth Month! From April 13-15, we’ll display a Columbia College student designed 3-D art installation created entirely out of recycled Nespresso capsules in the hotel’s mezzanine level of the lobby. The display will be available from 7-10 a.m. with complimentary coffee brewed fresh by Nespresso baristas. Stop by for your morning java fix and take in some creative student artwork made locally in Chicago.

The mezzanine where Columbia College student artwork will be featured.

Hit up Hotel Felix for your morning java fix this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

We have an exciting Earth Month announcement!

To celebrate our favorite day of the year we’re offering an exclusive Earth Day rate of $4.22 for the next 10 people who book a room for April 22 online.  This rate is only available to stay on April 22 (Earth Day!) and the promotion is based on availability and does not include sales tax. You may book now at this link. Good luck!

It’s our favorite time of the year here at Hotel Felix – Earth Month! We’re proud to be Chicago’s first LEED Certified hotel. Here are just a few of the ways we make an effort to be lean, green, eco-chic machines:

-In-room motion sensors to control heat and air conditioning
-Water waste reduction plumbing
-Use of bamboo and cork flooring in public areas and low volative organic compound paints
-Serving guests complimentary, locally-owned fair-trade coffee

We have loads of fun events planned all month long to celebrate going green so stay tuned to hear more! How do you make an effort to reduce your carbon footprint? Happy Earth Month!

A new season brings a new set of travel plans. Here are a few tips to follow while traveling this spring and beyond.

When traveling it is always beneficial to pack underwear, an outfit and toiletries in a carry-on bag. By preparing for the worst (your luggage is lost) you will be able to have a fresh pair of clothing and toiletries at hand. Remember, most airlines only allow economy passengers $50 dollars to purchase essentials if their luggage is lost.

It is always a challenge to stay healthy while traveling. Close quarters on flights, lack of sleep, stress inducers; here are a few ways to avoid catching a cold or a virus.

• Rinse, Lather, Repeat. Be sure to always thoroughly wash your hands! Always carry hand sanitizer if a washroom is not readily available and you have come in contact with public surfaces.
• Be sure to get up and move. Long flights can take a toll on your body so be sure to do a few laps (walking of course) up and down the aisle to avoid muscle cramps and soreness. Also be sure to stretch out your muscles. Seated twist is great for stretching out your back.
• Get Rest. To boost your immune system or recover your mood you must rest. Try packing your own travel pillow and blanket to avoid using the airlines. Noise canceling headphones are great for light sleepers.
• Stay Hydrated! Drinking water will improve your health but will also help in avoiding jet lag so be sure to drink up.

Travel safe and smart but above all enjoy your time!

With temperatures climbing to the 80′s and brilliant blue skies, today is a beautiful day to welcome the spring season! Today, spring equinox, marks the first official start of spring and the start of more daylight then night for the next six months. Spring equinox is one of the few days of the year where the length of the day is almost exactly equal to the length of the night.

The balmy temperatures feel more like summer in Chicago then spring but we’re certainly not complaining! We encourage you to try a bike ride, or perhaps a walk or jog, on your commute to soak up this sensational weather. How will you be celebrating the first day of spring? Share with us on our Facebook page or tweet us your plans.

What if we told you you could stay in an eco-friendly hotel and receive 2,000 Stash Hotel Rewards bonus points? Too good to be true? Hardly! Now Stash is offering 2,000 bonus points when you stay with Hotel Felix. With Stash rewards, simply sign up, stay at Hotel Felix, collect points and redeem in a snap with no blackouts. Patrons must book their rooms by April 31, 2012 to receive bonus points. As Chicago’s first eco-friendly boutique hotel, we are located steps away from the Magnificent Mile. Hotel Felix is the ideal destination for your next getaway – but hurry, this deal won’t last long!

To book a room online please visit http://www.hotelfelixchicago.com. To make your reservation by phone please call us at 1-877-848-4040. To sign up for Stash Hotel Rewards, please visit https://www.stashrewards.com/signup.