After gallantly weathering an unprecedented year, and earning the designation of “Best Big City” in the U.S. for the fourth year in a row by Condé Nast Traveler’s discerning readers, the city of Chicago is off to an auspicious start in 2021. An eclectic mix of new hotels are springing up, from the new Pendry Chicago in the landmarked Carbon & Carbide Building, to the Sable Hotel (a Hilton Curio Collection Property) at Navy Pier, and the debut of the St. Regis Chicago in Jeanne Gang’s highly anticipated Wanda Vista Tower, projected to be the third tallest skyscraper in the city. The resumption of indoor dining is augmented by the launch of some exciting new restaurants, including Venteux by Chicago’s youngest Michelin-starred chef, Donald Young (Temporis, Les Nomades, Bistrot Saveurs), a new concept by the prestigious Alinea Group at the Wanda Vista Tower and more. As museums cautiously
begin to reopen with strict health and safety procedures under the city’s Tier 1 mitigation plan, Chicago is excited to welcome eagerly anticipated exhibitions such as Immersive Van Gogh at Lighthouse ArtSpace Chicago, Frida Kahlo: Timeless at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art, Mandela: Struggle for Freedom at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes at the Museum of Science and Industry and The Obama Portraits, coming to the Art Institute of Chicago this summer on the first stop of its U.S. tour. And finally, the city looks ahead to the future of business travel with the launch of Phase 1 of Healthy Meetings Chicago, an interactive digital platform in collaboration with the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) which showcases the health and safety advantages of hosting future meetings and events at Chicago’s GBAC STARTM accredited McCormick Place Campus, the largest convention center in North America.
Check out what’s new and happening in Chicago this winter and spring below, and visit www.ChooseChicago.com for more information.
Pendry Hotels & Resorts announced its further U.S. expansion with the renovation of the Art Deco Chicago landmark, the Carbide & Carbon Building (and former St. Jane Hotel), as Pendry Chicago. Featuring 364 redesigned guestrooms and suites in a contemporary palette awash in warm minimal tones and comfortable finishes, the Pendry Chicago will also feature public spaces thoughtfully designed by Alessandro Munge’s, Studio Munge. The hotel’s signature restaurant and bar concept, Venteux will be helmed by Executive Chef-Partner Donald Young (Temporis, Les Nomades, Bistrot Saveurs), Chicago’s youngest Michelin-starred chef, and overseen by hospitality and nightlife pioneer, Andy Masi, and his Clique Hospitality group. In addition, the hotel will feature a lobby bar and lounge, a spectacular rooftop lounge, 12,000 square feet of meetings and event space, curated fitness and wellness programming, and an extensive art collection. The hotel is expected to debut in spring 2021.
Sable Hotel at Navy Pier (a Curio Collection by Hilton property) will be perched aside one of Chicago’s most beloved and iconic destinations - Navy Pier - and located just steps from cultural attractions like Chicago Shakespeare Theater and the Crystal Gardens. Featuring 223 guest rooms, over 4,200 square feet in event space and two restaurants - the first floor's
Iberian & American influence restaurant bar Lirica and Offshore Rooftop and Bar, the nation's largest rooftop, with a 20,000 square foot terrace, multiple firepits and an entertainment area. The hotel is accepting reservations from March 15, 2021 and beyond.
The Chicago Hotel Collection will welcome two new locations to its portfolio with outposts in Wicker Park and Millennium Park. The decor of the properties include bespoke details such as one-of-a-kind art installation in the lobbies and modern furnishings in the guestrooms and bathrooms. Flexible room types include classic King, Queen and Double rooms, as well as Signature Studios with custom bunk style beds for fun family or group stays. Covid-19 implementations include streamlined contactless check-in, mobile room keys, frequent sanitation of common areas and limited housekeeping during guest stay. Furthermore, guests will receive an incredible daily amenity package featuring 3 drinks
per night, free Wi-Fi, use of Peloton Bikes on site with reservation, early check-in/late check-out, booking credits to use for your next stay when booked direct and a complimentary 1-year Club 1 Hotels membership (with instant access to their travel portfolio with worldwide hotels, car rentals, activities and more up to 60% plus a $50 Club 1 Hotels booking credit for your first reservation). The new locations are projected to open in May 2021.
The Reserve Hotel, located on South LaSalle Street in the heart of Chicago’s financial district, will be a 234-room luxury hotel occupying the top five floors of a historic landmark building. (It will sit atop the JW Marriott Hotel, which already occupies the first 12 stories of the former Continental building.) Expected completion of the property is projected for October 2021.
Chicago’s newest Vista Tower skyscraper, the third-tallest building in Chicago, is being rebranded as The St. Regis Chicago, after the owners signed an agreement with St. Regis Hotels & Resorts to manage a 191-room luxury hotel. The St. Regis Chicago also will include 393 luxury condominiums, complete with a sky terrace and outdoor pool on the 47th floor, as well as a private lounge and dining room, a demo kitchen, golf lounge and more. The award-winning Alinea Group from Chef Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas (Alinea, Next, Aviary, Roister) will operate a fine dining restaurant with an outdoor terrace, an all-day restaurant and lounge overlooking the Chicago River and a bar with an outdoor terrace as part of the luxury hotel. The hotel is scheduled to open during Q3 of this year.
Images: The Obama Portraits: Kehinde Wiley. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution.