THE PENINSULA CHICAGO: A LUXURY ESCAPE IN THE HEART OF THE MAGNIFICENT MILE
Written By: Khansaa Houlbi
If Chicago is a city that knows how to make a statement, The Peninsula Chicago is where you go when you want that statement made with style and a little extra shine.
Chicago is known for many things, and depending on who you ask, those things can range from deep-dish pizza devotion to architectural obsession to music history that basically makes your playlist feel underqualified.
For my high-school hopeless romantic self, Chicago will always be the city where Lola met Kyle in LOL (yes, the Miley Cyrus one, yes, I still remember), where teenagers take dramatic train rides and even more dramatic selfies in front of Cloud Gate. But beyond my nostalgic cinema delusions, Chicago has given the world the birth of house music, the early brilliance of Kanye West, the genius of Virgil Abloh, and an artistic pulse that stretches from museums to murals.
It’s iconic, in short. And while its cultural legacy gets most of the spotlight, Chicago’s hospitality scene deserves its own standing ovation. Leading the cast is The Peninsula Chicago, a property that doesn’t just participate in the city’s luxury landscape, it sets the pace, always polished and effortlessly unbothered.
Set at the heart of the Magnificent Mile, this is prime Chicago positioning. You’re steps from the historic Water Tower, the city’s best shopping, and enough restaurants to make you forget how to cook for several months. Since opening in 2001, the hotel has collected accolades like they’re complimentary amenities: Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond for 23 consecutive years, plus top global rankings from La Liste and U.S. News & World Report.
Courtesy of The Peninsula Chicago
ACCOMODATION
Relaxation begins the moment you arrive at The Peninsula Chicago. With 339 guestrooms and 82 suites, the design is calm and soothing, with soft tones that instantly put you at ease. Even the entry-level rooms feel impressively spacious, with layouts starting at around 530 square feet.
And for those who prefer their stays a little more cinematic, there are the hotel’s statement suites: the Water Tower and Lake Suites, each spanning over 2,500 square feet, and then the peak of Peninsula indulgence, the Peninsula Suite, with more than 3,000 square feet, a baby grand piano, and a 2,000-square-foot private terrace overlooking Lake Michigan. Somewhere around the grand piano and the terrace, it stops being a suite and becomes a lifestyle.
Across rooms and suites, the details are exactly what you want from a Peninsula experience: seamless tech, thoughtful lighting controls, desks that actually make you want to write, and opulent marble bathrooms. There are walk-in showers, deep baths, and even TVs tucked into the bathroom walls, which makes it dangerously easy to lose track of time while “just getting ready.” And just like that, as you set down your luggage you instantly feel your nervous system reboot.
Courtesy of The Peninsula Chicago
Courtesy of The Peninsula Chicago
Courtesy of The Peninsula Chicago
Courtesy of The Peninsula Chicago
Courtesy of The Peninsula Chicago
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Chicago is not a city that plays about food. It’s bold, it’s proud, it’s deeply loyal to its own traditions, and it also happens to do global cuisine exceptionally well. The Peninsula Chicago understands this, and its dining selection feels curated with intent rather than obligation.
Z BAR
If you’re looking for an immaculate vibe, Z Bar should be your first stop. Located above Chicago’s iconic Michigan Avenue, it pairs sleek design with an immersive atmosphere shaped by curated music, art, and lighting that flatters everyone.
The terrace is what seals it. With the skyline stretching out ahead, it’s an ideal spot for golden hour, and an even better spot for the “let’s stay one more hour” phenomenon that Z Bar seems to inspire.
The menu leans indulgent in all the right ways: West Coast oysters, Ossetra caviar, Z Bar Classic Sliders, and the standout Mini Wagyu Cheesesteak. As for cocktails, you can’t go wrong with the signature Z, but the Tommy’s Margarita is crisp perfection, and Bangkok Jam brings a playful complexity that makes you pause mid-sip like you’re trying to identify a secret ingredient (you won’t, but it’s fun to pretend).
THE LOBBY
This is where you go when you want the full American dining experience, filtered through Peninsula-level refinement. The Lobby is airy and lush with soaring windows, a space that instantly makes breakfast feel like an occasion. The menu is contemporary American done properly: polished, seasonal, and deeply satisfying without trying too hard.
In the morning, the Peninsula Breakfast is the classic order, anchored by two farm eggs any style and all the comforts you want before a day in the city .And if you’re in the mood for something comforting, the house-made bakery basket is hard to resist, with butter, preserves, and honey, and it’s genuinely hard to stop at one.
Come lunchtime, the Peninsula Club is a standout. Roasted turkey, bacon, egg, avocado, the whole beautifully layered situation. It’s the perfect “I need something filling” option, especially after a morning on the Magnificent Mile.
Courtesy of The Peninsula Chicago
Courtesy of The Peninsula Chicago
Courtesy of The Peninsula Chicago
SHANGHAI TERRACE
Dining here feels like being teleported, softly, into a chic modern Chinese dining room. Not literally, of course, but your tastebuds definitely are.
Shanghai Terrace serves standout interpretations of Shanghainese, Cantonese, and Sichuan classics with genuine finesse. Expect dim sum that doesn’t hold back, including lobster and chicken dumplings with black truffle, crab wonton, and Shanghai Terrace specialty dishes like Chinese-style beef tenderloin and wok-fried scallops in black truffle sauce.
And if the weather plays along, the terrace is a must. The city views are stunning, the flavors are bold, and the experience is exactly what you want from a luxury hotel restaurant: memorable, exciting, and indulgent in the best way.
PIERROT GOURMET
You’re traveling, so you might as well collect destinations through your taste buds. We did Asia at Shanghai Terrace, American classics at The Lobby, and now it’s time to oui oui your way through Pierrot Gourmet, The Peninsula’s chic café-meets-gourmet-market.
It has Parisian café energy translated for Chicago: polished, quick, and irresistible. The menu keeps things European with some French accents. The French Toast Bites come dressed in berry compote and crème anglaise, while the Breakfast Croissant Sandwich does delightfully the most. If you’re in a classic mood, the Quiche Lorraine with gruyère and bacon lardon never misses.
Whether you’re grabbing a bold coffee before heading into the city, or stopping by for a late afternoon snack and a little wine (as a treat, why not), PG is essential.
Courtesy of The Peninsula Chicago
Courtesy of The Peninsula Chicago
SPA & FITNESS
Travel is glamorous until you’ve walked 18,000 steps in boots that were chosen for aesthetics rather than comfort. The Peninsula understands fatigue as both a reality and an art form, which is why its Spa & Wellness Center feels like an escape within your escape.
Occupying the 19th and 20th floors, this 15,000-square-foot sanctuary offers a full menu of therapies that take your body seriously. Signature massages are the obvious choice, but the facials deserve their own standing ovation, especially those powered by Biologique Recherche (a cult favorite for a reason, and yes, a personal favorite too). And then there’s the fitness component, for anyone balancing wellness with indulgence: state-of-the-art equipment, classes, and a truly impressive 25-meter indoor pool.
No matter your reason for checking in, the moment you step into the Peninsula Spa & Wellness Center, relaxation is practically guaranteed.
Courtesy of The Peninsula Chicago
The Peninsula Chicago is luxury with restraint: attentive without hovering, chic without trying too hard. It keeps you close to the city’s energy, yet inside it feels like a calmer, softer world. You’ll check in and instantly unwind, like someone softened the edges of the day. If you’re craving Chicago with a little more calm and a lot more comfort, this is where to start.
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