Chicago is famous for its architecture, music, and rich history. There’s luxury shopping on the Magnificent Mile, trendy independent boutiques in over 75 neighborhoods, and don’t get me started on the dining options. You can read about them in a later post.
But finding a place to stay while you visit all the attractions that Chicago has to offer is an important decision. With over 48, 685 rooms in 955 hotels in the downtown area alone, there’s a huge selection and a wide price range from 5 star to budget friendly. Let me introduce you to three great Chicago hotels, all of them are excellent options.
The St. Regis Chicago
In a city famous for tall and super-tall skyscrapers, it takes a lot to stand out, and the new St. Regis Chicago has certainly accomplished that. The first new build in the Lakeshore East neighborhood in ten years, it is also the tallest building in the world designed by a woman, namely Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang Architects. The hotel occupies the first eleven floors of the 101 story tower and the remainder of the building is residential. Luxurious facilities at this desirable address include a state of the art fitness center, a Forbes 5 Star St. Regis Spa, two gourmet restaurants and an indoor/outdoor pool.
Prepare to be impressed by the atmospheric height of the lobby when you enter. To put you at ease the front of house staff are exceptionally pleasant and welcoming. You’ll feel as if you’ve come home, especially if your home is a marble covered castle in Italy. The concierge desk is manned by Les Clefs d’Or staff who are trained to cater to your (almost) every conceivable whim, from seats at sold out venues to reservations at the city’s finest restaurants.
Handsomely appointed rooms and suites have city or river views and amenities increase with the size. Suites start at 460 sq.ft.(41 sq.m). The John Jacob Aster suite, with its floor to ceiling corner windows, full kitchen and lavish marble bath is 1,479 sq.ft. (133 sq. m.). The two bedroom Presidential Suite is a grand 4,600 sq.ft. (427 sq. m.). Each suite has dedicated butler service if you fancy having some assistance packing and unpacking, having your bath prepared with bath bombs and rose petals, or enjoying your morning coffee made for you as well as breakfast in bed. Families will find themselves very welcome and very well cared for at The St. Regis. Behind the hotel is a six acre, dog friendly pocket park with walking paths and fountains. Children will discover stuffed animals at bedtime and there are story books in the hotel library. The location is close to the city’s landmark sites like Cloud Gate at Millennium Park and the theatre district.
Every room at The St. Regis is elegant, luxurious with a stunning view of the city or the river. There are two excellent restaurants, Miru, a Japanese inspired gem, has a terrace that overlooks the spot where the Chicago River meets Lake Michigan. Tre Dita’s menu is a love letter to all things Italian, and it offers an extensive cellar of Italian wines and unique pastas handmade every day in the Pasta Lab.
The LaSalle Chicago, Autograph Collection
History buffs and those who love impeccable, classic hotels will fall in love with The LaSalle Chicago, Autograph Collection. The only luxury boutique hotel in The Loop, it occupies the 18th through the 21st floors of the last building designed by famed Chicago architect Daniel Burnham in 1914. The building occupies an entire city block and was one of the largest office buildings in the US, a suitable landmark for the man who famously said, “make no small plans”.
The huge footprint of the build allows The LaSalle to offer 232 rooms and suites on only three floors, with a ballroom and meeting rooms on the 21st floor. Floors one to 13 are a J.W. Marriott and 13 to 17 are mixed use. Make no mistake, you won’t find huge numbers of conference attendees milling about in the lobby. This is the perfect urban retreat for romantic couples, C-suite executives, and culture lovers.
The decor in guest rooms and suites is a sophisticated teal-tinged grey accented with gold toned lighting fixtures and rosewood finished hard goods. Plush velvet sofas and side chairs invite you to relax and to review your itinerary or binge your favorite streaming series.
Bathrooms are a poem to Art Deco with black walls, crisp, white trim, and beveled mirrors above the marble sinks. In keeping with the hotel’s theme, thoughtful items are tucked into a leather box including a sewing kit, comb, and razor. There’s no need to call for small items you may have overlooked, saving you the precious resource of time. Two sand filled hourglasses on the bedroom dresser remind you to seize the day.
It almost goes without saying that the robes are luxurious and the beds are deliciously comfortable and swathed in Frette linens. There is a mini-bar with top shelf spirits for a fee and a complimentary Lavazza coffee maker and select teas which are replenished during the twice daily housekeeping service.
Mention must be made of The Grill on 21 which serves up sumptuous breakfasts and an outstanding dinner menu that features elevated American specialities. Traditional favorites like Steak Diane and Beef Wellington have been perfected here and the bar’s craft cocktail game is strong. The Grill on 21 continues the hotel’s chic ambiance in shades of rich burgundy and black leather with chandeliers lending intimacy to every dining experience.
The LaSalle Chicago’s location could not be better for art and architecture fans. The Skydeck at Willis Tower is just around the corner, offering in depth interactive exhibits and a chance to step out onto The Ledge, a glass platform suspended 103 floors above the street. The Art Institute of Chicago with its impressive collection of Impressionist Art is within easy walking distance, along with Millennium Park, Cloud Gate and the Riverwalk.
Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
Guests have been returning to Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile since 1978 and many of them will recognize familiar faces. Over a third of the staff have been with the hotel for over 25 years. The family vibe of the hotel is authentic, and a pleasant surprise in a hotel with 1200 rooms. It must be said that this hotel is a favorite with conventioneers and the lobby can be pretty crowded at times, but step away from the hubbub on the main floor and you’ll find a great restaurant, and some of Chicago’s best attractions right outside the door.
Following a 19 million dollar renovation in 2018, which saw the entire hotel refreshed from top to bottom, the hotel now has an apiary and herb and flower garden where the outdoor swimming pool used to be. Executive Chef Amy Reynolds often uses the hotel’s garden produce and honey in the menus at her 95% scratch kitchen. Another member of the Marriott family, she has been with the hotel for many years, first as a pastry chef, having studied at Chicago’s own French Pastry School. In her current role she’s passionate about bringing fresh, local and seasonal ingredients to her menus at Harvest, the hotel’s second floor dining room. The kitchen also provides the Rush Street Pantry and Reviver Bar with to go snacks, house made pastries and small plates.
In addition to comfortable rooms with a Chicago steel town color palette of rust, gold and blue, there is a Club Level and a quiet, pleasant Club Lounge on the mezzanine that’s open during the week for early morning to late night nibbles.
Shoppers can exit the hotel right on to Michigan Avenue where streets are lined with luxury name brand stores like Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co. and Gucci. And the hotel is surrounded with dining options including an Eataly, right next door. If shopping wasn’t enough exercise for you, the hotel has an impressive 9,000 sq. ft. (836 sq. m.) fitness center with all the latest equipment including Peloton bikes and an On Demand Fitness Lab with hundreds of digital classes available to choose from.
Children from ages 4 to 10 can take advantage of the hotel’s American Girl Package that includes a robe, slippers and doll bed for their doll, a sweet treat at bedtime and free parking for mom and dad. The hotel’s location is perfect for many kid’s activities. Navy Pier, with the Centennial Ferris Wheel, The Children’s Museum, Flyover Chicago, a carousel and midway rides, is only a 20 minute walk away. Chicago’s wonderful free zoo at Lincoln Park is a ten minute Uber ride from the hotel, and right across from the North Avenue Beaches on Lake Michigan.
You can find more photos of Chicago on my Instagram, @wheretolady to help you decide which of these three great Chicago hotels is your best choice.
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