Grace Wong | Chicago Tribune
There’s no better time to enjoy Chicago than in the summer. Whether you’re taking advantage of world-class museums or soaking in the sun on the lakefront, the city comes alive when the days are long and the weather is warm.
Some hotels are especially eager to welcome guests this year because they have a new look to show off. During the pandemic, they took advantage of their closed doors to update rooms, lobbies and curate new experiences. These upgrades weren’t cheap — many of them spent tens of millions of dollars to give their properties a face-lift.
One of these hotels is the Ritz-Carlton (160 E. Pearson St., 312-266-1000, ritzcarltonchicago.com). Built in 1975, it was one of the first luxury hotels to open in Chicago. But it remained largely unchanged in décor as the years went on. Rooms featured heavy drapery that may have felt glamorous when it first opened nearly 50 years ago, but began to look reminiscent of grandma’s house in today’s modern age.
So in 2017, the Ritz-Carlton began its renovations, starting with a complete overhaul of the lobby. The giant lobby fountain was replaced with plush seating and fountain-inspired glass sculptures that hung from the ceiling, sans fish. Torali restaurant, a cafe and an expanded bar line the perimeter of the seating area.
All 434 guest rooms were gutted and completely redesigned, with construction complete in February 2021. The rooms are sleek with neutral colors of lavender and gray, yet still cozy and comfortable. And there are still drapes, but now they’re in the form of thick, velvety blackout curtains. Bathrooms now feature double sinks, as single sinks were the standard when the hotel was originally built.
If you’re really looking to treat yourself, the 2,500-square-foot Presidential Suite is a bi-level experience complete with a spiral staircase, full kitchen and media room that was completed in March 2022. It’s equipped to handle guests and staff, who have the option of their own entrance away from the main one.
The Ritz-Carlton isn’t the only hotel that decided it was time for a change. From big to small, permanent to temporary, read on for details about the upgrades at some Chicago hotels that are now open for guests to see and experience for themselves.
Arlo Chicago
Open April 11 and replacing Hotel Julian, the Chicago location of this New York-based hotel chain occupies the Atlantic Bank Building with 218 rooms and steakhouse-meets-gastropub About Last Knife on the ground floor. You can expect fortune cookies in your room when you arrive and stamped postcards to mail to friends and family. If you have a nice stay, you can leave a Post-it note on the community board for future travelers. The entryway features terra cotta, glass and steel that opens into a modern, industrial-style lobby accompanied by a small bar. Rooms are somewhat minimalist, with panoramic views of Lake Michigan and downtown in the Millennium King rooms on the top five floors. 168 N. Michigan Ave., 312-346-1200, arlohotels.com/chicago
Avid hotel Chicago O’Hare
Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts and one of 53 locations, Avid hotel is a new option for travelers flying through O’Hare International Airport and looking to get a no-frills hotel experience. The hotel includes a pool and fitness center, plus grab-and-go breakfast. 1551 E. Touhy Ave., Des Plaines; 224-319-0200; ihg.com/avidhotels
citizenM Chicago Downtown
Dutch hotel chain citizenM opened its first hotel in downtown Chicago with 280 rooms and art by Nina Chanel Abney, who painted an abstract tribute to the city on the building’s exterior. Inside the rooms, guests sleep on extra-large king-size beds, recharge in the rain shower, and control the blinds, temperature, TV and lights using an iPad. Similar to the hotel’s other properties, this one also features contemporary art created by local artists, including the beloved JC Rivera, known for his iconic The Bear Champ character. 88 E. Wacker Place, 312-248-7455, citizenm.com/hotels/chicago
Park Hyatt Chicago
After closing during the pandemic, the redesigned Park Hyatt has reopened with a lighter and brighter aesthetic. In addition to a lobby featuring Chicago-based artists, its updated 146 guest rooms and 36 suites have a soft cream and camel color palette intended to mimic a residential environment. Rooms come with an integrated media hub that includes a tablet system for guest service communication and in-room dining, and bathrooms have oversized soaking tubs with retractable doors to view the city. 800 N. Michigan Ave., 312-335-1234, hyatt.com
Waldorf Astoria
Inspired by French fashion and architecture, the Waldorf Astoria renovations were completed earlier this year. From a Swarovski chandelier nodding to Coco Chanel’s brooches to suites inspired by Parisian pied-à-terres, the updates are meant to inspire a feeling of timeless luxury. The jewel-toned Peacock Lounge features a fireplace and plush furnishings to perch on while noshing on appetizers or sipping Champagne, and Bernard’s restaurant has returned with a new menu boasting caviar service and espresso martinis. 11 E. Walton St., 312-646-1300, hilton.com
theWit
Inspired by a gallery owned by a worldly art collector, the new updates to this Theater District hotel will have guests looking for creative touches at every turn, from sculptural columns in the lobby to light fixtures that look like origami in guest rooms. Even the carpet is meant to resemble artistic scribbles. Every room also receives nightly turndown service. Just don’t be startled by the mannequin torso sculpture in your room when you get up in the middle of the night. 201 N. State St., 312-467-0200, thewithotel.com
Grace Wong is a freelance writer.