CHICAGO -- About an hour into my stay at the Hotel Monaco in the heart of Downtown Chicago, 225 N. Wabash Ave., there was a knock at my door. A member of the housekeeping staff announced he was stopping by to drop off my goldfish.

Goldfish?

At first I thought he meant goldfish of the kid-friendly cracker variety, but no, he meant goldfish, as in two orange fantails circling each other in a clean bowl of water.

Jon Bartlett, general manager of the Monaco explains that this is The Goldfish Program: "We know that people are traveling when they stay with us, and it’s nice to have a companion while you travel," says Bartlett. "We want people to feel comfortable."

Bartlett says the goldfish are also a big hit with child guests and that when kids are in the room, the hotel provides a name card to encourage the kids to name them. (I’m a few decades past childhood, but I named mine anyway.) If guests become particularly attached to the fish, and don’t mind traveling with water-locked companions, Bartlett says they are invited to take them home.

The Monaco is not just fish-friendly. The hotel welcomes all creatures, including any type of dog.

The Goldfish Program demonstrates the element of whimsical that’s prevalent throughout the Monaco. The decor, for example, has a "world traveler" theme and features an eclectic mix of styles from modern to traditional. The rooms feature broad, green-striped walls, a window seat overlooking the city and a round massive mirror directly across from the bed.

"We strive to provide a fun and energetic atmosphere for our guests," says Bartlett, who accepted the general manager position at the Monaco six months ago after managing a hotel in Seattle. "We want people to feel inspired while they are here."

Bartlett says warmth is an important aspect of the Monaco experience. He says they strive for a friendly, inviting staff and space that make the guest feel like someone / something is truly waiting for them. One of the ways the staff attempts to achieve warmth and a personalized experience happens during the reservation process. The customer service representatives ask pointed questions like why the person is coming to Chicago, why they chose the Monaco and if they have any upcoming special events like an anniversary or birthday.

The Monaco offers free Starbucks coffee for three hours in the morning as well as a complimentary wine reception, called "Wines Around The World," every night between 5 and 6 p.m.

"Most of our wines are organic. We only pick wines that share the Monaco’s eco-philosophies," says Bartlett.

Arguably, the main attraction of the Monaco is location. It’s one block from Michigan Avenue, across the street from the river and just a couple of blocks from the theater district, Millennium Park (I finally checked out "The Bean") and the lakefront.

The Monaco is adjacent to the South Water Kitchen, which serves "American regional" menu items from macaroni and cheese to ribs. There are many other restaurants within walking distance, including an Irish bar / restaurant across the street, an Elephant & Castle a block away, a Mexican eatery and loads of faster food options.

Although located in a historic building, the Monaco is dedicated to modern green practices. The hotel is Gold Seal Certified, which means the building and business meet a list of eco-friendly criteria including composting, recycling, energy-efficient light bulbs, low-flow toilet and showers and an almost paperless bookkeeping system. The little bit of paper used is recycled and the hotel uses soy-based ink.

The Hotel Monaco is a smoke-free, four-star boutique hotel that was renovated in 1998. The building was built in 1912 for the D.B. Fisk & Co. hat factory, which was one of the most prominent millinery houses of the early 20th century. In 1958, the factory was replaced by the Oxford House, a modest, two-star hotel, until the hotel was purchased in the ‘90s by the Kimpton Group, which owns and operates 50 upscale hotels throughout the country.

The price ranges greatly, depending on date and occupancy, from $199 to $599 per night. Summer is the hotel’s busiest season and, consequently, the most expensive.