Luxury Hotels - Chicago Hotel for Anniversary

Hello, my wife and I are celebrating an anniversary next June in Chicago and I've booked us at The Peninsula on my corporate rate (it's very, very good). I'm curious if anyone has stayed here and/or if they have any other high end properties to recommend.

The Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton (a FS property) both look great as well as the Trump hotel. Though Trump's hotel is a little further down the mile than we want to be (same as with the newer W).

Any thoughts or recommendations are appreciated!

Hello, my wife and I are celebrating an anniversary next June in Chicago and I've booked us at The Peninsula on my corporate rate (it's very, very good). I'm curious if anyone has stayed here and/or if they have any other high end properties to recommend.

The Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton (a FS property) both look great as well as the Trump hotel. Though Trump's hotel is a little further down the mile than we want to be (same as with the newer W).

Any thoughts or recommendations are appreciated!

There are at least a dozen threads on this very subject from the past year. Do a quick search and you'll find most of them.

My personal favorite hotel in Chicago right now is the Ritz-Carlton for the combination of service and old-world luxury. However, it may not be right for an anniversary. You can't really go wrong with the Peninsula though.

What kinds of rooms were you looking to book?

This thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxury-hotels/1206190-luxury-hotels-chicago-site-inspections.html should be helpful.

I booked a standard room at The Peninsula. The Trip Advisor reviews of the Ritz noted that some of the rooms were looking a bit tired and I saw that The Peninsula rooms are considerably larger. The link above solidified what I've read.

Thank You!

I booked a standard room at The Peninsula. The Trip Advisor reviews of the Ritz noted that some of the rooms were looking a bit tired and I saw that The Peninsula rooms are considerably larger. The link above solidified what I've read.

Thank You!

I would concur; junior and full-size suites at the Ritz are lovely, but as far as standard rooms go, the Peninsula is going to be your best bet.

I go to ORD a lot on business and pleasure. Truly. I feel like I live there.

I've stayed at all the hotels you mentioned. The Peninsula a is superior hotel, that happens to be on Superior street. What a coincidence. If you got a really good corporate rate, I'd stay there! Why not? It's a fine hotel, and Chicago? What a GREAT city. Especially when you will be there.

When you are in this class of hotel, you are not going to be disappointed. Any other property in this range is going to be on par, but not necessarily "better", or "worse". Just a different flavor. Since I don't know your taste, it's hard to recommend.

In this class of hotel, it's all personal taste.

I like the Intercontinental. Probably because it's right on Michigan Ave, is smaller, intimate, yet upscale and lovely. They also have a really great Starbucks off the lobby (an upscale Starbucks), and are attached to Jordon's Steak House. It's probably my favorite hotel in Chicago because of location, intimacy, appointments VS cost, and the attached coffee/restaurant choices.

Trump? Palmer House? Hilton Mag Mile? Fairmont? The list goes on. There are SO MANY good choices in Chicago we'd run out of room. By the way, I happen to like where Trump is. That section of the Mag Mile is my favorite, as it is closer to the Water Tower. But that's my preference.

Net net, I'd stay where you got your deal and look forward to it. What's NOT to like about the Peninsula?

Enjoy!

Peninsula.

Too bad you didnt look at the Elysian. Number 1 hotel in the US in my opinion (and Conde Nast traveler). Pretty new property and very good service.

Too bad you didnt look at the Elysian. Number 1 hotel in the US in my opinion (and Conde Nast traveler). Pretty new property and very good service.

Becomes a Waldorf Astoria on Feb 1....

FDW

Too bad you didnt look at the Elysian. Number 1 hotel in the US in my opinion (and Conde Nast traveler). Pretty new property and very good service.

The Elysian is very fine. But so is the Peninsula. Just a different flavor.
In that category, they are all fine hotels. I'd be happy at either place.

I also happen to like The Fairmont in Chicago, but for a few odd reasons. First, it's a fine hotel. Of course.
However, there is an attached FULL health club with an Olympic pool. 2nd, I happen to love the Breakfast floor, with a beautiful view of the lake. I usually spend an hour there in the morning.

I could go on. I've stayed at just about every finer hotel in that city over the years. They are all very nice, just a different flavor. That's what makes it fun. I stay at a different property every time I go.

I booked a standard room at The Peninsula. The Trip Advisor reviews of the Ritz noted that some of the rooms were looking a bit tired and I saw that The Peninsula rooms are considerably larger. The link above solidified what I've read.

Thank You!

I thought the Ritz just did a renovation? Also, don't forget the Park Hyatt.

I thought the Ritz just did a renovation? Also, don't forget the Park Hyatt.

The Ritz's renovation was centered on the lobby, restaurant, and bar areas. My understanding is that only a few rooms were touched. However, any room on the premier floor, or anything that's an executive suite or higher, is going to be just fine. Peninsula standard rooms are larger, but the Ritz has huge variation in its suites and executive suites and they've always been exceptionally liberal with me regarding upgrades (and other guests as well, as noted on this forum).

Park Hyatt's new renovation is stunning, but the service remains a notch below five-star.

While I've looked at all of these, and agree, so many great hotels to pick from in the high end luxury market, I think The Peninsula is the way to go. The rate I got is more than 50% less than The Elysian using my corporate rate which simply sweetens the deal.

Thanks for all of the tips. Any restaurants recommendations, both nice and fun casual are welcome!

While I've looked at all of these, and agree, so many great hotels to pick from in the high end luxury market, I think The Peninsula is the way to go. The rate I got is more than 50% less than The Elysian using my corporate rate which simply sweetens the deal.

Thanks for all of the tips. Any restaurants recommendations, both nice and fun casual are welcome!

While there are several excellent choices in Chicago I think you have chosen well. Pierrot Gourmet is a good choice for lunch, the entrance is at street level adjacent to the main hotel entrance. The Lobby is also very nice, try it if you get a chance. We also really enjoy The Bar which is one of my favorites of anywhere we have visited, get there early to get a good spot. The fitness center is on an upper floor and has some great street views.

Another place we enjoy is the RL Restaurant which is on the north side of the same block. It is part of the Ralph Lauren store and is their first attempt at the restaurant business.

http://rlrestaurant.com/

Peninsula. Haven't tried the Elysian, but I'm not holding my breath.

I have just completed stays at both the FS & the PEN. Without any doubt, I would rate the FS as far superior to the PEN.

Arriving at the PEN from the airport, there was no one waiting to help us with bags, all the bell boys were staying inside as it was too cold I'm guessing! Seeing us struggle with all the luggage, one guy made a half hearted attempt to help, but it was not genuine and we told him not to worry. Check in was slow. It was about 9pm on a saturday & the lobby was packed with guests in the lobby lounge. Whilst this is not an issue in itself, it is when all the staff are busy serving them & not checking people in. First impression was that although the hotel was 'grand', it also felt large an impersonal. We had just come from the MONYC, so perhaps that's why it felt so big.

Room was fine, nothing special, a bit dated, but fine really. Bathroom felt very dated.

However, my biggest issue was with the staff. No 'hello's' from anyone for the whole stay pretty much. Poor directions from the concierge, bad advice re restaurants.

I got fed up and went to the FS, which was like a breath of fresh air. Typically friendly staff, all FHR benefits offered (PEN refused upgrade even though I logged on to check availability and saw rooms). Some major upgrades going on in the lobby at the moment, but all being done quietly. Food was superb, as was the spa area. Suite was new, with wonderful views from the 40th floor over the lake. Bathroom was a bit small, but I was so happy with everything else I did not care!