Get ready for take-off! Announcing Forbes Travel Guide's Inaugural Verified Air Travel Awards. 
Waldorf Astoria Chicago
Chanel-inspired elegance on the Gold Coast
Waldorf Astoria Chicago, one of Chicago’s most stylish luxury hotels, revealed a makeover across the grand-chateau-style property in late 2022. Waldorf Astoria Chicago is an Art Deco jewel inspired by the style of Coco Chanel and French design masters, whose style and grace can be seen across the updated social spaces and accommodations.
The hotel draws from the past with its old-fashioned motor court and antiques while remaining firmly au courant with its crisp gray color palette and slick surfaces. Guest rooms are spacious (there are only 10 per floor) with fireplaces, terraces, white marble baths and tricked-out wet bars. Waldorf Astoria Chicago also boasts a new 1,800-square-foot Astoria Suite and redesigned 2,400-square-foot Presidential Suite, which both evoke the charm of a Parisian pied-à-terre.
The luxurious property is also home to Brass Tack, an American brasserie with Chicago influences, on the hotel’s third floor; the lobby-level Peacock Lounge; and Bernard’s, an intimate craft cocktail and champagne bar. Be sure to also visit the lavish spa, a getaway itself with Greek columns and a mosaic pool covered in thousands of tiles.
The hotel draws from the past with its old-fashioned motor court and antiques while remaining firmly au courant with its crisp gray color palette and slick surfaces. Guest rooms are spacious (there are only 10 per floor) with fireplaces, terraces, white marble baths and tricked-out wet bars. Waldorf Astoria Chicago also boasts a new 1,800-square-foot Astoria Suite and redesigned 2,400-square-foot Presidential Suite, which both evoke the charm of a Parisian pied-à-terre.
The luxurious property is also home to Brass Tack, an American brasserie with Chicago influences, on the hotel’s third floor; the lobby-level Peacock Lounge; and Bernard’s, an intimate craft cocktail and champagne bar. Be sure to also visit the lavish spa, a getaway itself with Greek columns and a mosaic pool covered in thousands of tiles.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- The Waldorf is easily one of the most fashionable hotels in the city. Designed by famed architect Lucien Lagrange, the hotel has a grand Parisian feeling and scale that starts at the old-fashioned motor court.
- The dazzling Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star spa inside the luxury Chicago hotel draws both locals and guests looking to escape the urban jungle with treatments such as lava shell massages and traditional men’s shaves.
- A narrow pink mosaic pool is housed in its own wing with chaise lounges and daybeds for relaxing with a book or magazine. There’s enough room to swim a few laps or simply take a refreshing dip.
- The Waldorf is located in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood within walking distance of lots of shopping and restaurants. The city’s designer-lined Oak Street is right outside the door.
- With custom-designed Chiavari-style chairs with double cushions, Christofle flatware and Schott Zwiesel stemware, each table in the ballroom is as pretty as the exquisite chandeliers inspired by Coco Chanel’s jewelry.
Things to Know
- You won’t find a doorman or bellhop at the check-in desk. The luxury hotel eschews the traditional welcoming system and instead employs a jack-of-all-trades staff, which means any staff member might help you with any certain type of request.
- The Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star hotel has a small fleet of Lexus vehicles at your disposal for drop-off within a two-mile radius.
- Most suites at the luxury Chicago hotel feature a furnished balcony or a fireplace, so it’s worth splurging for the added amenities.
The Rooms
- All of the guest rooms at Waldorf Astoria Chicago are more like suites, since they’re spacious and have a very clean, contemporary and sophisticated style with a palate of white, black and dark gray.
- A large gray velvet sofa anchors the living room, and a pair of armchairs is perfectly positioned for you to enjoy the fire or the 42-inch television.
- The hallway leading to the bedroom features two large closets with a vanity area. A Carrara-marble-clad bathroom is directly across from the closet area and the bedroom itself is at the end of the hall.
- Cozy bedrooms include large beds topped in pristine Italian linens, white lacquer dressers with ample drawers, flat-screen TVs and two black end tables with large drawers and shelves.
The Restaurants
- Come to Brass Tack for hearty brasserie fare, like veal osso buco or a porterhouse steak cooked in a wood oven. The restaurant sources its ingredients from local farms, giving the dishes a Midwestern taste. Be sure to visit Brass Tack for its everlasting rosé during weekend brunch and bottomless martinis on select weekdays.
- Sit down at the second-floor lounge Bernard’s to sip cocktails like the Southside (Chicago-made Few gin, lime juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, mint and soda) or Cristal by the glass while peeking out at the gorgeous lobby.
- Cozy up to the fireplace in the Peacock Lounge when it’s cold outside, or bask in the fresh air on its patio when the weather warms up. The lobby lounge serves coffee, tea, wines and champagne throughout the day. Indulge in bites like the éclair sandwich, an unusual spin on tea sandwiches where smoked salmon, marinated cucumber and miso cream cheese get tucked between slices of éclair bread.
Amenities
24-hour room service 
Babysitting services
Bar
Indoor pool
Meeting rooms
Pet friendly
Restaurants
Spa
Getting There
Stories
