The Peninsula Chicago
108 E. Superior St., Chicago, Illinois, 60611, USA
Why We Like It
It’s rare to find a hotel that’s this refined and elegant while also appealing to families, even if that’s not the bulk of guests, through offerings like a children’s afternoon tea, a camp-inspired set-up in rooms upon request, spa treatments just for kids, a scavenger hunt and pint-sized motorized car with the brand’s signature Peninsula stuffed bear at the check-in desk. Seasonal twists to dining and the décor keep the ambiance fresh, with afternoon tea year-round, not just during the holidays. A newly renovated spa is another cherry on top.
Fodor's Expert Review
With a clientele that includes high rollers, rock stars, and business execs, as well as families and couples, there’s something for everyone at this luxury hotel. The hotel takes up an entire block just off of North Michigan Avenue. Open since 2001, there are only two other U.S. properties from the Hong Kong brand: in Beverly Hills and New York City.
PROS
- Caters to families without losing touch with its luxury status
- Friendly butler-like staff
- Spacious rooms
CONS
- Pricey room rates
- On-site dining is expensive
- Limited dinner options
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Room
Accommodations—split between rooms, suites, and signature suites—are so high-tech that nearly everything is controlled through a tablet, from turning on and off the lights to ordering room service. As a result of the last renovation, where the designer (Bill Rooney Studios) was inspired by a luxury yacht’s interior, each room features blue and white hues, to mirror Lake Michigan a few blocks away, as well as nods to Chicago’s flower (chrysanthemum). The smallest room is 531 square feet, considered large by downtown-Chicago standards. All rooms have a Nespresso machine in a coffee bar set-up. Each bed is outfitted with a custom Pratesi duvet cover featuring a subtle wave pattern mimicking the nearby shoreline. and six different pillows with varying levels of size and firmness, from buckwheat to Euro, so you can choose the ones you like best, without even calling housekeeping. But if you do, a new pillow arrives within 10 minutes.
Tip Ask about “Peninsula Time,” which offers flexible check-in and check-out times with no additional fee.
Bathroom
Boasting spa-like marble baths in every room, there’s a soaking tub and walk-in shower. Tying into the high-tech nature, you can even watch TV while in the tub as one is in the alcove. Like at other Peninsula properties, the toiletries’ scent is unique to the hotel (red apple, spiced berries and florals).
Lobby
The lobby’s not at the street level. Instead, an elevator takes you up to the fifth floor. But this only makes the vibe feel more relaxing and calming, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Tall vases of fresh flowers and neutral hues throughout feel more like the entry to a spa than a hotel, which is a good thing. Floor-to-ceiling windows spanning 20 feet in height coax in natural light. The Lobby is also home to the aptly named The Lobby restaurant, open for breakfast and lunch daily and dinner two nights each week, along with afternoon tea on weekends.
Pool
At 83 feet in length, the hotel’s indoor heated pool on the 19th floor is half the size of an Olympic pool and the area also includes an indoor hot tub and outdoor terrace. Floor-to-ceiling windows spanning 20 feet in height on the East and South ends provide a city view as you swim laps, particularly stunning after sunset when Chicago’s all aglow. From the South end of the terrace, guests can see the Willis Tower and the John Hancock Center.
Tip Traveling with kids? The pool’s family hours are between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Spa
Fresh off a renovation, the spa on the 19th and 20th floors continues to offer Asian- and Ayurvedic-minded treatments as well as a relaxation lounge with a crackling fireplace. New to the treatment menu are CBD-infused products that can be used for facials, massages, and other services. Facials fold in products from the French skincare line Biologique Recherche. Also in the spa is a salon offering manicures and pedicures.
Gym
The fitness center is attached to the spa, totaling 15,000 square feet. There is TechnoGym cardiovascular and strength-training equipment along with Peloton bikes, a Tonal machine, a dedicated yoga room, and a steam room.
Tip For a different kind of exercise, book a stay between late November and mid-February to experience the hotel’s adorable ice-skating rink which is so popular couples often get engaged here.
Dining
There are three dining venues on site—Shanghai Terrace, The Lobby, and Z Bar—with the Parisian-style Pierrot Gourmet (a café, bakery, and wine bar) immediately next door. In honor of a hotel employee’s love for pugs, the breed is featured on Z Bar’s plates and wall art for a whimsical vibe. Year-round afternoon tea is served in The Lobby with seasonal tweaks and a special tea just for children, with pastries and chocolates shaped like objects such as—for a recent tea menu—what looks like paint tubes and painter’s palettes for budding artists.
Tip Serving everything from Shanghai fried noodle and dim sum to traditional Peking duck, Shanghai Terrace books up quickly as it’s very popular with locals so be sure to make a reservation well in advance of your stay.
Drinking
There are many spots to grab a drink in the hotel, such as Z Bar where you can pair cocktails (like the “Z,” crafted with gin, Japanese cucumber, mint, lime, and an Italian liqueur) and vintage spirits or French Champagnes with light bites and relax under a skylight shaped like Anish Kapoor’s “The Bean” (Cloud Gate) sculpture in Millennium Park. During the warmer months, the bar operates a rooftop terrace. Drink menus are also at Shanghai Terrace and The Lobby.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
While the hotel’s car service can shuttle you within two miles of the hotel, the good news is that most everything is within walking distance, including the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (a 6-minute walk) and the Art Institute of Chicago (a 25-minute walk). Access to CTA bus and L lines is also within a few blocks’ walk but you can also take taxis, Ubers, and Lyfts. Luxury designer boutiques along Michigan Avenue are also within a 15-minute walk.
Restaurants
Giordano’s Pizza is across the street and serves deep-dish pizza, a Chicago staple. For more casual cuisine, head to the country’s largest Eataly (a 7-minute walk), an Italian-foods marketplace with several restaurants. RL Restaurant, part of the luxury fashion company Ralph Lauren, is next door and serves chophouse-like fare for lunch and dinner.
Bars
There isn’t a location better than this to go out for a drink, with Gold Coast, River North, and Loop bars all within a 15-minute walk. Soak up the Chicago skyline view at CloudBar at 360 Chicago (7-minute walk), on the 95th floor of the former John Hancock Building. For another drink-with-a-view experience, Cindy’s Rooftop delivers. It’s on the 13th floor of the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel and open year-round.
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Quick Facts
HOTEL INFO
HOTEL DETAILS
Rate Includes: No Meals
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