While there’s no such thing as a “typical” Holiday Jones guest, when you spend as much time as we do conversing with people from areas of the world ranging from California to Turkey, it’s not difficult to pick up on the fact that many are trading in the standard vacation in favor of extended, meaningful travel experiences. In fact, we specifically designed Holiday Jones – from our boutique rooms to our community atmosphere – to help our visitors get more out of their stay with us and truly get a feel for what’s going on in the city.

Want to know more about the evolving traveler? Here are three ways mindsets have evolved over the last decade.

Travelers want to really see the city.

While we’re not suggesting our guests didn’t come to see the city, the attractions they’re most interested in have changed a lot over the years. Millennium Park and The Bean are still Chicago must-sees, but more and more guests – especially younger travelers – are curious about the neighborhood hotspots and want the 411 on some of Wicker Park and Bucktown’s best kept restaurants, bars, entertainment, shops and less traversed neighborhood destinations – it’s about capturing “the local experience,” including grabbing those tasty empanadas in the Holiday Jones lobby!

Fortunately, we’ve got you covered. Our front desk is staffed with people who are local to Chicago and the neighborhood. They have insiders advice on what to order at Lost Lake (the Bunny’s Banana Daiquiri) or where to see the best live band in the city (it’s either Twin Peaks or Meat Wave) – real and honest opinions straight from the source. Hey, if you want to really see Chicago, we want to help you.

Travelers want to meet new people.

More and more Holiday Jones guests come ready to make friends. In fact, according to Virtuosa, part of the reason many people travel is to meet new people. That’s exactly what we love to hear, and it’s a big part of the reason we make our common spaces a priority across our locations.

What can we say? A lot of international friendships blossom over a game of bumper pool or checkers. Afterall, it’s not every day a banker from Cape Town gets to win a bumper pool tournament over a team of particularly skilled sous chefs from Denmark.

Tired and on a losing streak? That’s cool, too. We have private rooms available, too – perfect for getting a good night’s rest right before your 9:00 A.M. Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise. It’s our goal to ensure our guests walk away with an experience that is about so much more than just a place to lay their heads.

Travelers are more diverse.

When we first started out, we saw almost exclusively duo travelers – most of the time from locations abroad. Now, it’s not uncommon to see solo travelers, larger groups and even families booking with us – and more and more people are from the United States.

At Holiday Jones we welcome groups of all shapes and sizes. Whether you’re in search of a place to stay with your kids or you’re looking to see a show at the Double Door, we’ll provide you with the tips and tricks you need to get the most out of your experience. Check out our blog for the best things to do and see in Chicago or stop by our front desk – we’re happy to lend you some advice.

At Holiday Jones, we’re always on the lookout for new travel trends and resources we can provide our guests. If you’re thinking about booking a trip to Chicago, take a look at our FAQ page for more insights into your travel experience.