Marcel Proust once wrote, "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." You’ll ruminate on those words upon walking into Viceroy Chicago’s lobby and seeing the quote and others from the French writer inscribed on a 30-foot-tall teal wall.
While this isn’t a new landscape —the brick and terra cotta structure housed the Cedar Hotel in the 1920s — TAL Studio designed the historic building with a new set of eyes. A rich palette of gold and that same alluring teal in the Proust piece shades the 180 rooms and suites, midcentury furniture lends a timeless feel and quirky touches like different colored guest room doors add character.
But there’s more to see in and around this Gold Coast hotel. Viceroy’s restaurant stars one of Chicago’s best chefs turning out delectable American fare, a buzzy rooftop bar slings cocktails and city views and Oak Street Beach lies just a few blocks away.
- This design hotel makes every detail count, from the big (that Proust poem) to the small (bold black-and-gold horizontal striped walls and graphic floors at the elevator bank).
- The surrounding neighborhood never gets boring. It’s a scene with an older crowd wining and dining at upscale staples (Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse, Maple & Ash), raucous 20-somethings barhopping on Division Street and tourists flocking to witness it all over deep-dish pizza (next door at Lou Malnati’s). Bonus: it’s all close to the beach.
- A meal at Somerset is a must. Led by chef Lee Wolen, the menu covers everything from scallops to shortribs. But Wolen’s juicy chicken is a revelation (the dish is a signature at his other restaurant, Boka).
- Zip up to the 18th floor to Devereaux, where you can sidle up to the black stone bar for cocktails like the Salty Dog (gin, aquavit, grapefruit, myrtle berry, lime and Hawaiian black sea salt) and bites (everything from housemade kettle and caramel corn — an homage to Chicago favorite Garrett Popcorn — to a burger) from Wolen.
- Aside from Devereaux, the rooftop is a destination alone for its alfresco pool and vistas of the city and the lake.
- The pet-friendly hotel furnishes your pooch with a bed, bowls and a toy. It charges a nightly $50 pet fee, a portion of which goes to Orphans of the Storm, a local rescue that aids homeless animals in the city.
- Forget Uber — take a ride in the hotel’s Tesla Model X house car.
- When the weather warms up, borrow one of the complimentary bikes to pedal the path along Lake Michigan.
- While the Gold Coast hotel doesn’t have its own spa, its partnership with nearby Exhale grants you discounts on treatments and fitness classes.
- Help yourself to the fruit-infused water and Tea Forté in the lobby when you need a refreshment.
- Chaise lounges, floors-to-ceiling windows, midcentury-modern furniture and jewel tones will entice you to stay a while in the stylish room.
- We like that the Lake View rooms give you a glimpse of the waves rolling in. But for optimal views, pick the Viceroy One Bedroom Suite, whose bedroom bears two walls of windows.
- The spacious bathrooms have several different marbles, seated rain showers and ample vanity space. But our favorite perk is the luxe Natura Bissé body products and ROIL hair toiletries.
- Gold-brick headboard wallpaper pops in the space. A digital reproduction of a work produced by London artist Tim Modus, it represents Chicago’s architectural history.
- Beyond the Proust wall, the airy three-story lobby gleams with white marble and brass.
- An oversized work depicting a Venetian carnival recital by South American Cubist painter Badi hangs behind the polished brass check-in desk. Drift over to the adjacent wall to see gold-framed black-and-white photos of bygone Chicago buildings, offices and apartments.
- Graphic wood flooring, brass accents and plentiful wood make the two-story Somerset glow soft gold. Douses of color come from the pine-green banquettes and the red neon “Cedar Hotel” sign mounted on the wall.
- At Somerset, a portrait serves as a secret door to a hunter-green-filled private dining space that recalls a yacht club.
24-hour room service 
Bar
Gym
House car
Meeting rooms
Outdoor pool
Pet friendly
Restaurants
