Waldorf Astoria Chicago

Character and identity

A grand-chateau-style tower in the Gold Coast designed by Lucien Lagrange, the Waldorf Astoria announces itself with purple awnings and an old-fashioned motor court before opening into Art Deco interiors refreshed in late 2022, drawing on Coco Chanel and French design references. At 215 rooms with only ten per floor, the scale feels closer to a boutique than a big-city flagship. Brass Tack handles French-leaning American brasserie cooking on the third floor, Bernard's is the speakeasy-style cocktail and Champagne bar, and the spa, columned and built around a pink mosaic lap pool, is a genuine draw in its own right.

Who's it for

Bottom line

What sets this place apart is the combination of a genuinely intimate floorplate (ten rooms per floor), a serious spa, and a Gold Coast address that puts the city's best shopping outside the door. Splurge on a suite with a fireplace or terrace, request a north or east-facing room for Lake Michigan views, and time a winter visit around the 25-foot holiday tree lighting.