Mykal Bayne

There are some hotels you stay at and others that stay with you—Viceroy Chicago is definitely the latter. I first spotted the property while strolling through the Gold Coast, and it immediately stood out with its golden facade glinting against a blue-sky Chicago afternoon. A few weeks later, I finally got to check in—and let’s just say, it lived up to its dramatic first impression. From the moment I walked into the art deco lobby, I felt like I had stepped into a movie. Not a superhero flick—more like a slow-burn thriller with a well-dressed lead and a martini in hand. If you’re looking for a hotel that offers both substance and serious style, keep reading. Why stay at Viceroy Chicago? Viceroy Chicago isn’t just a place to crash—it’s a luxury boutique hotel with a serious sense of identity. Housed in what was once the historic 1920s-era Cedar Hotel (the original brickwork still graces its base), the property blends old-school Chicago character with modern elegance. Design lovers, take note: this place is a visual treat. Every hallway, fixture and velvet accent feels curated, and the city views are jaw-dropping. It’s a hotel that doesn’t just give you a place to sleep—it gives you a vibe. What are the rooms like at Viceroy Chicago? I stayed in a Grand Lake View King room, and let me tell you—it was hard to leave. Floor-to-ceiling windows revealed sweeping views of downtown and glimpses of Lake Michigan, and the natural light pouring in made everything look even more luxurious.

AmazeVR and the Gen Z K-Pop group TXT (TOMORROW X TOGETHER) are bringing fans face-to-face with the five members through virtual reality now through November 10. Throw away nosebleed seats and overpriced parking passes because this 3D virtual world delivers on a level of intimacy and interactions you’ve never experienced before. The VR concert theater tour, Hyperfocus:TOMORROW X TO GETHER VR Concert, began in August and visited five cities across four months. I was pleasantly surprised by how familiar it felt to an in-person concert. There were a few incredibly kind MOAs, TXT’s fandom name, handing out free gifts and trading photocards with other fans before showtime. Once we got inside the theatre, we were directed on how to put on our VR gear and how to adjust the headset for comfort.  Time Out Tip: Leave your lightstick at home—once inside HYPERFOCUS, you simply move your hand as if you’re holding a lightstick and a virtual one will appear in your hand! That was one amongst the many details that I loved about this show.  Above everything, I loved that we experienced the same impressive live vocals and choreography that we’d see at an in-person show, except with a better vantage point. The audience is constantly moving, flying and dancing alongside the members. The diverse setlist also has a few surprises for even the biggest fans. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime POV. This is on top of lovely fan moments, exclusive photo cards and an official commemorative VR concert tick

If you’re traveling for music festival season next year, you might want to consider heading north to visit our friends in Canada for this one-of-a-kind concert experience. Festival d'été de Québec, or FEQ 2025, delivered an enchanting 11-night experience (July 3–13) with over 150 performances across six stages, including two free-access venues—making the festival feel both grand and inclusive. Headliners spanned generations and genres: Rod Stewart, Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne, Hozier, Kygo, Slayer, Benson Boone, Farruko and Ice Spice graced the iconic Plains of Abraham, which hosts a capacity of 100,000. Photograph: Dylan Stewart PageFestival d'été de Québec Amenities, actually cool brand pop-ups and culture The festival’s charm lies in its seamless integration into Quebec City—where historic architecture provides a gorgeous backdrop. Brand activations, pop-up installations, freebies, and interactive art enhanced the ambiance—plus a “Pop-Up FEQ” treasure hunt and surprise concerts added delightful spontaneity. Culinary offerings were plentiful both within the festival and in nearby eateries—from street-food trucks at Cœur du FEQ to sit-down venues like Bistro L’Atelier, Le Bedeau and Chez Ashton, all offering regional specialties and vegan/vegetarian options. There are dedicated FEQ merch boutiques throughout the grounds, plenty of water-filling stations and restrooms for comfort and convenience. Photograph: Sébastien DionFestival d'été de Québec Getting around the festiv

Plenty of hotels opt to wash your towels and sheets only upon request and say they’re saving the planet. Others will fill their property with flora and call it being “green.” But a new hotel in Denver is so genuinely committed to eco-friendly practices that it claims to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than it creates. That’s the mission behind Populus, the first carbon positive hotel in the United States. Not only does the architecturally distinct building check a bunch of eco-friendly boxes—from locally-sourced construction materials to an on-site biodigester for food waste—but its “One Night, One Tree” program plants a tree elsewhere in Colorado for every overnight stay. Maybe just as important for the average Mile High City visitor, Populus is an admittedly pretty stylish place to stay, with absolutely lovely hospitality and just a bit of a luxurious touch. That’s what Time Out video editor Mykal Bane thought after she was invited to spend a few nights at the 265-room hotel around its opening last October—and shared her experience with me for this story. “Sometimes there’s this idea that your life is now harder because you’re doing all the things for the environment that may not always be the most convenient thing for people,” Mykal says. “But I think they made the eco-friendly aspect very easy: It felt like a normal day.” Photograph: Courtesy Jason O’Rear Photograph: Courtesy Steve Hall The hotel certainly doesn’t look normal, though. The 13-story tower, situat