The Peninsula Hotel, Chicago – USA

Where

The Peninsula Chicago is set in the heart of the “Magnificent Mile,” the premier shopping district in this beautiful, lakeside city.

Back story

The Peninsula Chicago, one of a prestigious line of properties owned and managed by the Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels Limited group, opened in 2001. The property has won many awards over the years, and is undoubtedly one of Chicago’s most sophisticated properties, combining the delights of the Far East with Midwestern hospitality. Being in a city known for its architecture, style and elegance were key for the architects – Elkus / Manfredi Architects Ltd. of Boston, and for the interior designers – Babey Moulton Jue & Booth of San Francisco.

Rooms and interiors

The Peninsula Chicago has 339 luxurious and spacious recently refurbished guestrooms and suites furnished in a magnificent classical style, with the crème de la crème being the Peninsula Suite, which has its own large terrace and Jacuzzi. I am happy being in an Executive Suite, after a quick and easy check in. The room exudes that lavish Peninsula style, equally balanced between luxury and comfort. The hallway opens out onto a large living room with an oversized executive desk with a printer/scanner/fax machine, lounge and armchair positioned around a coffee table. Each Executive Suite occupies a corner of the building, ensuring excellent views. The bedroom has sliding doors to separate it from the living room, with the bed very enticing indeed. It is ridiculously comfy, with 100% Egyptian-combed cotton sheets, duvet and pillowcases by Fili D’oro and a mattress that is just right. The marble bathroom is sleek with a soaking tub by the window, double vanities and a TV. Yes, there is a TV so you can sink back in the bath and watch a movie if you want.

Being the Peninsula, the suite is quite high tech with a bedside panel controlling lighting and air conditioning with the touch of a button, as well as an iPod docking station and memory card reader. The very well set up mini bars – there are two – are complimentary.

Dining

There are several places to wine and dine at the Peninsula Chicago. First stop for us was The Lobby, quite magnificent with high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows that allow light to stream in, and an elegant, yet casual feel. The Lobby offers all day dining and is famous for its Sunday Brunch and for its decadent chocolate buffet on Friday and Saturday evenings. It’s also known for its Afternoon Tea, which offer rare teas from around the world complemented by the most exquisite sweet and savoury treats, as well as live music. For our waistlines, we just enjoy an espresso coffee, saving ourselves for dinner in Shanghai Terrace. This restaurant features a menu of traditional Shanghainese and Cantonese dishes, with a modern twist conjured up with aplomb by Chef de Cuisine Ivan Yuen. The restaurant has a warm and welcoming air, with Chinese antiques, dark timber chairs and tables and lacquer trimming mixing beautifully with contemporary white walls and splashes of red curtaining.