With a raft of historical museums, buzzing bars and vast green spaces, the Windy City rewards the active traveler. However, exploring can be tiring, so it helps if you can return to a bit of pampering at a premium hotel. It’s not just about hot tubs here – between bourbon massages and aromatherapy showers, Chicago has your wellness journey covered.
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago
Hotel
Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Chicago / Expedia
Towering over the boutiques and luxury designers of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, with guest rooms starting on the 30th floor, the Four Seasons epitomizes five-star opulence. Choose your view – Lake Michigan or the Chicago skyline – and drink it in from the cloud-soft cushions of your 1940s-inspired room. The spa, offering novel massages using vintage bourbon and warm bamboo, is a particular highlight.
Park Hyatt Chicago
Chain Hotel, Luxury
Courtesy of Park Hyatt Chicago / Expedia
Chicago billionaire Jay Pritzker founded the world’s first Park Hyatt. Keen-eyed visitors will notice world-class contemporary artworks from the hotel’s private art collection on the walls; service has a similarly personal touch, with staff going out of their way to surprise guests with a favorite flower or cocktail. Indulge in a wellness “journey” comprising multiple treatments at NoMI Spa, or opt for a three-treatment tasting menu, including a deep-tissue massage or a pampering medical-grade hydrafacial.
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel
Hotel
Courtesy of Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago / Expedia
The mid-century modern furniture in the Radisson’s teal-coloured rooms would sit nicely on the set of Mad Men. The rest is similarly stylish, with an excellent art collection in the lobby and the undulating, Jeanne Gang-designed exterior catching the eye of any passerby. Don’t forget to swim a few laps in one of the two large pools.
Waldorf Astoria Chicago
Suite Hotel, Luxury
Courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Chicago / Expedia
Sitting pretty among the high-end boutiques and historic mansions of Chicago’s Gold Coast, the Waldorf Astoria is a destination unto itself. Interiors scream sophisticated Parisienne, with a crystal chandelier inspired by Coco Chanel’s brooch in the lobby; tufted, pewter-toned headboards in the guest rooms; and mirror-bright marble floors throughout. However, the real draw is the 14,000sqft (1,301sqm) spa with a blowout salon, a makeup studio and many revitalizing treatments and massages.
The Langham Chicago
Suite Hotel, Luxury
Courtesy of The Langham Chicago / Expedia
Built by German-American architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the Langham is a glittering black obelisk that takes its design credentials seriously. Blown-glass discs float overhead like a troop of flying saucers, and twinkling lights sweep, galaxy-like, over the pool. Elsewhere, meringue-hued Bauhaus recliners invite you to flop onto them. Don’t miss the Chuan Spa, an Asian-themed wellness center offering a multi-room aromatherapy experience.
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Hilton Garden Inn Chicago / Oakbrook Terrace
Chain Hotel, Luxury
Courtesy of Hilton Garden Inn Chicago / Oakbrook Terrace / Expedia
Way out in the Chicago suburbs, this Hilton Garden Inn sits between the airport and downtown; it’s ideal for those who don’t want to battle traffic on their way to their flight. Rooms have excellent accessibility – choose from king-size rooms fitted with roll-in showers and visual alarms or Pure Wellness rooms that have undergone a seven-step purification process to remove pollutants and allergens. There’s also an on-site fitness room with machines and free weights.
JW Marriott Chicago
Hotel
Courtesy of JW Marriott Chicago / Expedia
Housed in a former bank designed by Chicago architect Daniel Burnham, the Marriott’s façade embodies 1900s elegance with its Corinthian columns. The renovated interior is contemporary yet timeless, splashed with bold red accents and elaborate chandeliers. The spa is noteworthy for its couple- and gentlemen-specific treatments and Turkish-style hammam with a fireplace.