Peninsula Chicago
River North
COST: $$$$
As you walk into the Peninsula, the concierge and receptionist greet you by name; classical music plays when you enter one of the 339 rooms; and your bedside table has a control panel to manage the lighting, deactivate the doorbell for privacy, and alert housekeeping when you want service. The luxury extends to the hotel’s spa by ESPA: it includes an outdoor sundeck, spa cuisine, eight treatment rooms, a steam room, and a lap pool. And be sure to dine at Shanghai Terrace—Food and Wine voted it one of the top 100 Asian restaurants in the U.S.
Tip: Enjoy Chocolate at The Pen every Friday and Saturday from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Open to the public, the event features a jazz trio along with an unlimited selection of sweets ranging from chocolate-dipped strawberries to chocolate tiramisu.
Room to Book: Reserve one of the renovated rooms with new linens, carpeting, iPod docking stations, and flat-screen TV’s. (All rooms are scheduled to be renovated in 2008.)
From the T+L 500
Contemporary downtown tower with a rooftop spa, near Michigan Avenue.
- Stats:
- 339 rooms; 4 restaurants; 1 bar.
- Competitive Edge:
- Prime shopping location, and two of Chicago's best restaurants.
- Rooms to Book:
- North Grand Deluxes facing the Historic Water Tower Park.
- Don't Miss:
- A cup of rare cave-aged, 1983 Yibang Pu-erh tea at the Terrace.
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