Fodor's Expert Review The Peninsula Chicago

On weekend nights the Peninsula's soaring lobby-level restaurant—aptly named the Lobby—becomes a sweet fantasia, centered on an overflowing chocolate buffet. Guest rooms are pretty sweet, too, with plush pillow-top beds and bedside consoles that control both the TV and the \"do-not-disturb\" light. One of three American branches of the venerable Hong Kong–based chain, Chicago's Peninsula Hotel features a rooftop lap pool enclosed in a Zen aerie with stunning views. Make time to enjoy the property's fitness center and award-winning spa or just linger over a traditional afternoon tea.

Don't just dismiss the Lobby as a "lobby." It's actually a Michelin-star restaurant.

room

Elegant to the last thread, each room's crisp white custom Pratesi linens (on top of pillow-top mattresses), navy accents and floral wallpaper doesn't look dated at all--instead, it's very modern. Pets are welcome, for a shockingly low rate of $50 (per pet) for the entire stay, so long as they weigh 30 pounds or less.

YOU SHOULD KNOW It's tempting to sign up for one of the hotel's Peninsula Academy "experiences" (private shopping or Cantonese cooking class) but you might balk at the cost. "Chicago by Air and Sea" runs $1,600 per person.

bathroom

Black-granite countertops in the bath and a TV that's viewable from the bath tub make this a spa-like bath on many levels. Bathrobes and slippers are available in all rooms. Baths are stocked with L'Occitane toiletries.

lobby

From the street level, you zip up five floors to the lobby, which makes this high-ceiling space with gold relief everywhere feel like a private sanctuary. Afternoon tea is served here but so are cocktails by the fire and daily breakfast, lunch and dinner (substituting brunch for Sunday's lunch).

pool

Surrounding the pool, on the 19th floor, are 20-foot tall walls of windows that coax in natural light. Even if you don't plan to wet, just reclining by the pool (the furniture is very comfy) is a treat. If you like to swim laps, then you'll love the pool's length (half the size of an Olympic pool).

spa

Spanning the 19th and 20th floors, the hotel's spa is such an experience that to spend time here only for a massage or facial just doesn't cut it. The pool area spills out onto a Sun Terrace with chaises for one of the best (and secret) views of the city skyline.

gym

Machines in the 24/7 fitness center are paired with a view, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows.

YOU SHOULD KNOW The gym isn't solely for hotel guests. Memberships to the public grant access to the spa and fitness center, too, something to keep in mind.

dining

Dinner at the Michelin-starred Lobby includes fine delicacies like Wagyu beef, duck breast or lamb loin. Shanghai Terrace capitalizes on the brand's Asian beginnings with elevated Chinese food (probably the fanciest in Chicago) and French cuisine is the specialty at Pierrot Gourmet, open from morning to night and mimicking a Parisian bistro.

drinking

Bars in the Lobby are a must, especially if you enjoy rare Scotch and whiskey, or even a good old-fashioned martini. A "bar bites" menu is perfect for sharing. Some of the cocktails at Shanghai Terrace are prepared with sake, for a fun twist, and the names for all are inspired by Asian culture, like Lychee, Bamboo and Orchid.