On a quiet Sunday afternoon, we pulled into the Waldorf Astoria. The city seems to slip away the moment you enter its brick courtyard. The hotel’s French château exterior welcomes visitors with a fountain surrounded by flowers discretely positioned behind walls, affording guests a sense of privacy.

The capable valet greeted us and loaded our suitcases onto a luggage cart. While we checked in, a staff member suggested another guestroom might be more spacious, if we were willing to wait for Housekeeping to inspect it. He offered us complimentary beverages in the Petit Margeaux, a small cafe located at the front of the hotel with indoor and outdoor seating. It’s a relaxing spot for an afternoon coffee accompanied by a macaroon or a glass of wine.

Within 20 minutes, we received the keys to our deluxe guestroom. These deluxe rooms range from 480  to 580 square feet. The foyer contained an impressive amount of storage with pull-out drawers and recessed open space perfect for the packages we acquired shopping along the Magnificent Mile.

The wheelchair-accessible room contained a large wet bar with microwave and mini fridge, as well as a sink. The king-sized bed faced a sitting area with a working fireplace surrounded by marble and a flat-screen television hanging above. The neutral décor was classic black and white with the only color being dark chocolate brown chairs sitting beside a glass coffee table.

WiFi is complimentary, and a desk placed in the corner provided a handy spot for work. The huge marble bathroom featured a roll-in shower and a separate bathtub, both properly outfitted with grab bars.

The 14,000-square-foot Waldorf Astoria Spa includes a heated indoor lap pool, steam room, Jacuzzi and sauna. From massages to manicures, the facility provides services to relax and rejuvenate. The Health Center features equipment from Life Fitness, Woodway and Wattbike.

Elevated French food is on the menu at Margeaux Brasserie, which evokes a Parisian café vibe with checkered tile floors, cozy booths and a well-stocked bar. Sophisticated palates will appreciate the hand-ground steak tartare and Margeaux escargots, which are available even on the late-night menu.

The Waldorf exudes downtown luxury. Whether you are leisurely exploring the Windy City or on a business trip, the hotel provides an exemplary home away from home.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago

11 E. Walton St.
Chicago, IL
tel 312 646 1300