What to expect: Located in the tree-lined neighborhood of Evanston, this hotel is close to many shops and restaurants. On site, clean lines and imported chandeliers earmark the hotel’s grand two-level entrance. Set adjacent, the lounge offers sitting areas with Indigo-velvet high-back chair, brown velvet couches, marble tables, and a cream-leather cubby. Modern lobby décor features striking color and leather furnishings; the registration area showcases dramatic mosaic work, inlaid throughout.

Amenity highlights: The Globe Café offers flat-screen TV, “media towers,” and complimentary wireless Internet access. The Indigo Lounge provides an intimate setting for cocktails and entertainment. The 24-hour fitness center features treadmills, weight-training equipment, stationary bikes, towels, purified water, yoga mats, and more.

Insider tip: Evanston is a neighborhood that offers an urban feel without the hassle. Home to many parks and the Lake Michigan lakefront, the area is pedestrian-friendly. The neighborhood also provides many shops and restaurants.

What to expect: In contrast to its busy Northwestern locale, the Best Western University Plaza’s lobby is hushed, with clubby, dark-wood tables and paisley upholstered seating. Hotel guests—mostly business travelers and families and friends of Northwestern students—meet here to make plans, peruse a complimentary USA Today, make use of complimentary Wi-Fi, or relax with a book.

Amenity highlights: Guests in town for business appreciate the hotel’s three meeting rooms, business services, and catering; those visiting university students like the proximity to downtown Evanston dining, shopping, and nightlife. A shuttle service provides complimentary transport within a two-mile radius. A third-floor fitness center contains cardiovascular machines and strength-training equipment.

Insider tip: Blind Faith Café, 4 blocks from the hotel, has been serving hearty vegetarian and vegan fare for nearly 30 years.