Too much frustration, not enough relaxation. That was my experience this past Saturday and Sunday nights at The Peninsula, where my wife and I were celebrating the one-year anniversary of our healing following a devastating, near-fatal collision caused by another driver up in Michigan. To start, upon arrival for our 3pm check-in we were told our executive suite was still occupied by another party that had opted for late check-out. So we were comped on a round of drinks in the lobby bar, then allowed the use of a standard room until our suite was ready at 530pm. Upon arrival in our suite we found we'd also been given a bottle of red wine for our troubles. After returning from a concert that night, my wife took a bath in the lovely bathroom. As she was getting out of the tub I walked into the bathroom barefoot and fell down quite hard on my right elbow, which had been broken in the auto accident last year and still has a plate and screws in it. Due to a plumbing problem the bathwater had backed up and come out of the shower drain, flooding the marble tile floor all the way to the bathroom door! I was soaking wet and bruised my hip but otherwise unhurt. We used all of our bath towels and the bath mat to dry the floor. The next day I notified management about the safety situation (more as a warning to staff and future guests; we certainly wouldn't do the same thing twice!) and we were moved to a higher tier junior suite for our second night, requiring us to pack and unpack. The bellhop said she could not move our wine and snacks and called room service to do so. When we arrived back from dinner two hours after switching rooms our wine still hadn't been moved, so we had to call for that. These experiences were extremely frustrating. The property is lovely, the suites quite comfortable (loved the iPad-style controls for TV, lighting and air conditioning), the staff was friendly, and the food and drink were both great, but the ball was dropped on too many occasions for me to want to return to The Peninsula any time soon. read more

I truly enjoyed my stay at the Peninsula Hotel. Large and comfortable rooms, with great decorations and high tech with digital light switches and tablets that allow you to do pretty much anything in your room, from dimming lights, adjusting temperature, ordering room service, to ordering another bathrobe. Room also comes with a shower and tub, and a lit make up mirror set up like a vanity you can sit at. I also had a meeting here. Outstanding meeting services with the banquet and AV staff. Excellent front desk staff and a great bar too. Gym is also large, clean, and has a great outline of general equipment. Home run hotel. I would totally stay here again and enjoy the luxury. read more

I run a business in Chicago and have to say that The Peninsula Chicago is outstanding. This hotel group has done an amazing job training the staff and the attention to detail is exceptional. The Peninsula Chicago will be my hotel of choice from now on. Thanks for accommodating me and best wishes on your continued success. read more

The Peninsula Chicago - Hotels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Absolutely 5 star in every way! Pre-arrival wine request was done without question. The rooms are so comfortable. The staff are so well trained. Breakfast in the lobby was excellent and the Z bar for cocktails was first rate as well. A special recognition goes out to a Joy. So nice and informative. Definitely will be back! read more

Haven't stayed there yet (or eaten at Avenues...sigh) but the afternoon tea in the terrace/veranda/whatever they call it is ample, filling, well-prepared, elegant and fun. Servers struggle to properly pronounce the french names of the various pastries without a hint of irony or embarrassment, which provides a side of amusement for free. Best place in town to take a visiting mom... read more

This hotel is truly outstanding, understated, muted elegance. Its opulent, but in shades of lemon, beige and sycamore bark. The guest rooms are spacious, the bedding is magnificent! We were greeted with a box of Vosages chocolate. The room is appointed with glowing switches and a bedside control cneter that operated nearly everything in the room. Mood lighting, call buttons, etc...They even have night time puddle lamps under the bedside tables and special reading lamps mounted above your shoulder. But I appreciated the little touches that make for a pleasant stay. Four newspapers delivered in a bag they hang on your door each morning. Turn down service every night that comes with replenishment of your towels. The maids do not have big cumbersome carts. They carry what they need and no door is left opened when a guest room is being serviced. Rather a small placard is place on the door indicating service is occurring. This creates a posh serenity and your room is never splayed open for all to see. The staff is courteous, mannerly and polite. When you check in, for instance, the person who services you also escorts you to your room. Everyone is friendly and attentive and often they will know your name. Other little tips: WiFi is free, the morning coffee with "Go" cups is excellent. The location, half a block of the MagMile is perfect. The media consoel allows you to plug in an IPod or IPhone and get wondeful audio. You can also easily connect cameras and laptops and memory cards. You can have independent music and TV in the bathroom as well over quality Bose-sounding speakers. The bathroom featurea big soaking tub with TV controls at your finger tips, and a large two-person two headed shower. This is unquestionably one of the finest hotels in the USA. read more

Wow! I believe I have found a new Gold standard for excellence that rivals and perhaps excels the Ritz-Carlton! I had the pleasure of staying 4 nights at the magnificent Peninsula hotel on recent business trip to the Windy City! I cannot think of many other stays that have been as comfortable, pleasurable and filled with some of the most impeccable and courteous service ever! Rich, opulent rooms and lobby areas, great choice of dining (from quick and casual to sophisticated and ultra formal), great bar (though a tad pricey!!!) and a location that's hard to beat, right beside the historic Water Tower. Luxuriously appointed rooms that are elegant and understated - they don't SCREAM opulence at you but it's obvious in every little detail. The standard rooms are roomy but not huge. The bed was really comfortable and the climate control very efficient. What makes this absolute gem of a hotel stand out is the service. Every single person - check-in desk clerk, the bell-hops, the concierge, housekeeping, room service waitress... every single one greeted me by name when they saw me... this is staggering!!! As a previous reviewer has stated, the rooms are indeed serviced twice a day unless you request otherwise. Bathroom was gorgeous - marble sinks, comfortable shower with great control of water temperature and a fantastic set of bathroom amenities that were refreshed every single day! ~ 5 stars overall - this is unquestionably one of the premier hotel chains, if not the very best, in the world! If I could, I would return here in a heartbeat to enjoy more of this world class service and elegance. # 211 read more

Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula Hotel takes the cake! Every Christmas season, a group of friends treat ourselves to afternoon tea. We usually go to The Drake or The Ritz, and both are good. This year we decided to try a different place, and everyone agreed we've discovered the best... The Lobby in the Peninsula Hotel. First, it's an elegant room. Wide open, with tables far apart, so you can't hear conversations nearby (a problem especially at The Drake). The service was beyond excellent. There was someone at our table every few minutes, refilling out tea pots and water, making certain we wanted for nothing. They make serving tea a ritual, and a learning experience, too. You can just order tea, but then you'd be missing the triple tiers of finger sandwiches, cakes and pastries... and scones with lemon curd, jam and whipped cream. My favorite was the tiny chocolate soufflé. (Writing this review is making me want a sugar fix.) One of us is gluten free, and her needs were accommodated at no additional cost. She had to pass up the soufflé, but everything else looked yummy. Reservations fill up very quickly during the holidays, especially on the weekends. I made ours just after Thanksgiving, and we got our first choice for seating. read more

The power of positive energy! Not just a hotel.....but a place where people are happy, take pride in their jobs and existence...and transfer that on to you! The most noticeable thing truly is the kindness of the staff! The rooms are comforting. Love the music in the bathroom among other things. We tried the afternoon tea which was totally delectable with champagne and live violin playing in the background. More excitement came from hanging out by the pool and trying one of the Ayurvedic Hollistic journey spa treatments...I was so relaxed that I passed out during the entire treatment...The Classic Manicure and Pedicure were also to die for....and they were able to fit me in one night after dinner. This hotel has everything under one roof....which makes you never want to leave! read more

Can I live here? Seriously- I'd like to just move in. Ill be back ASAP, no need to experience any other hotel. The beds, the pillows, the bathrooms, the room service- impeccable and luxurious. My morning coffee arrived almost before I finished ordering it, and that is an amazing thing. Don't be an idiot- book your stay here. read more

The Peninsula Chicago - Really? Yes, Ill be in here if you need me. - Hotels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Really disappointed in the Spa here. Was so excited when scheduled it since I've heard such good things. It is BEAUTIFUL for sure and clean. Pool area very nice. Watched people being served lunch and in my head planned my next visit and indulging in that..hot tub a little too hot and I love hot... Spa: a very nice lady walked us in past these amazing looking cocoons where people were napping, relaxing, and drinking wine. Sign me up! I assumed we would get there after our massage. Walked us to small waiting area that was comfortable. No one offered water..or a glass of wine (that I would gladly pay for) or anything until I was taken back for my massage. Masseuse talked very nice about my areas of interest, pressure type, comfort of room, temp, volume of music....all very good. Then he starts in on me - OUCH!!! If that is medium pressure I can't even imagine who could take firm. When massaging my head I felt for the first time like it was in a vice and I was a little afraid. I finally said "can you please lighten up on the pressure and slow down?" He did but then quickly went back to the very fast rubbing. It was not at all relaxing - I actually felt anxious and was ready for it to be over. In the 100s of massages I've had that is the 2nd time ever I've been so uncomfortable. When it was over we were left to find our way back to the first holding area. The cocoon area was now full of four other patrons that were very loud and didn't look like they were moving any time soon. I asked about how we could get in there and told "first come / first serve" - I said do I just wait them out? Blank stare. Never got to partake. Steam room small and clean but the steam head blew out steam with such force and sputtered a little at the start spraying my feet with very hot water. Showers and locker room - clean and roomy. Love the guests that ignore "no talking on cell phone" signs. So overall VERY disappointed - for the price paid and compared to the other spas we have visited - I would not recommend or return. I mentioned this all to management before leaving too. If I ever want to return I can call him direct. Um ...thanks...???? read more

This review is only for the Holiday Afternoon Tea. I decided to have a special Mother/Daughter day and made reservations for the holiday tea at The Peninsula. I wasn't going to as the cost was $325 for 2 people (this includes tax and gratuity) but decided to try to have something special before my daughter goes to college in 1.5 years. It was definitely NOT worth the money AT ALL. The dining room decor and service was great but the food was subpar to say the least. The savory items (5 tea size sandwiches) and dessert (also 5 items) were not really that good. You can order as much as you want but we did not even finish some of the items having taking a couple of bites. The truffle egg salad and chicken salad wasn't too bad. The cucumber sandwich was completely flavorless (I couldn't even taste the cucumber) and the bread seem dry and old. We did like the scones that came in the bread basket but that was about it. The desserts were actually not good at all. Most of them were all mousse like. All in all, the quality of the savory sandwiches and desserts were all subpar and I would have expected something of better quality for The Peninsula. And the cost of the Holiday Afternoon too was much more expensive than their usual regular tea (with no additional items). Definitely was not worth the money at all. read more

The Peninsula Chicago - Afternoon tea dessert - Hotels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Posh as F! I did a corporate show there, and they let us order whatever we wanted off the room service menu. I should have gone bigger, but I went for the Sirloin Cheeseburger. It took an hour to get there and was overcooked, but it was good. read more

As far as I am concerned, this is the best afternoon tea in the city - hands down. The service is beyond reproach. The presentation is perfection and they offer a wonderful variety of teas. To my knowledge, this is the only hotel in the city which offers afternoon tea where you can request extra finger sandwiches and scones and NOT be charged more. A very nice perk indeed, and trust me - the sandwiches, scones, cookies, mini quiches and tarts and sweets are wonderful! You will also be treated to a piping hot mini sweet souffle fresh out of the oven - just before your 3 tiered plates of treats arrive. And the tea room is beautiful - you truly feel like you are Marie Antoinette having tea with her ladies. The ceiling must be 50 feet high - lots of use of the color gold - great lighting - and the room looks east towards Michigan Avenue so there is lots of light. I took my mother here last year who had never been to tea before and she counts this as one of her best outings in Chicago. The Peninsula also features wonderful live music from a balcony overlooking the tea room - cello, violin, harp and at the holidays they had a woman in a ballgown serenading us with opera music. Just exquisite! A little pricey - but well worth the treat. read more

edited 11/20/06: I went to the tea here yesterday and it was great. I actually don't like tea much but I can imagine if you like tea you would have loved it. I had the vanilla bean. I had the added glass of champagne and it was very good. The service was exemplar. I got there early and the staff was very attentive, offering me reading material while I waited. The tea sandwiches were extremely tasty, and the server graciously refilled them several times--I wasn't expecting that considering that some of them were lobster salad. Very nice way to spend the afternoon with friends or family. I hope to go back for the chocolate buffet on Fri/Sat nites or the jazz and dessert night on Thursdays. ---------------------------------------------- This review is based on my experience a few years ago. I assisted with the planning and organizing of a fundraising event for a celebrity charity and the service from first inquiry about their facilities through the end of the event weekend were outstanding. (We even needed a mannequin at the last minute for the auction and they got us one). The rooms were amazing--they have lights all along the bottom of the wall to guide your way to the bathroom, and the tub has a speakerphone and TV. My friends rented the Presidential Suite (or whatever it was called--their best one), and it was like something out of MTV cribs, with a gazillion rooms, a jacuzzi with Bose on the terrace, a formal dining room, grand piano, etc, etc. No wonder they have been rated top hotel in the country--the staff were warm, friendly and helpful and the rooms were beautiful. read more

I'm still in awe. I just spent one night there with my wife and we are still smiling. I also did spend some time there a few years ago but on a corporate trip (and so I didn't get to enjoy a lot of time in my room) We stayed in a King Grand Luxe room on the 16th floor over Michigan Ave. The room was quiet and luxurious. I just enjoyed hanging in the room reading a book while listening to classical music over the room sound system. The room also has incredible mood lighting. The staff is friendly, discrete and amazingly helpful and polite. It's amazing how you feel like the most important person in the world during the 24 hours you spend there. The bathroom is also spacious and comfortable. I let myself soak in the bathtub for an hour just to relax. Here too, you can watch TV or listen to the radio (or even use the phone if you feel the sudden urge to brag about were you are to your best friends) The concierge service made reservations for us at a local restaurant and we enjoyed a room service breakfast the next morning. They will literally bring the restaurant table to your room. Forget breakfast buffet at the Holiday Inn with the powdered eggs, you get here exactly what you want at the time you want it and you get to enjoy it on the room couch. No stay there is complete unless you have experienced room service. We also enjoyed a late night coffee and desert at The Lobby downstairs. The Peninsula Coffee (a blend of coffee, chocolate and Grand Marnier) was divine. I highly recommended it but be aware that it is a strong drink. The attention to detail is wonderful. It's just like taking a vacation without even leaving Chicago. I think I will go back there for my next wedding anniversary and this time, my wife wants to enjoy a dinner at Avenues in the room too (yes, yes, room service also serves from any of the Peninsula's restaurants !). All this definitely comes at a price and not everyone can afford it. But I say; if you want to celebrate a very special occasion, it's something to try at least once in a lifetime. Oh, and since it was a very special occasion too for my wife and I, we were treated with a bottle of Champagne and some chocolate covered strawberries on our arrival. It was perfect and I'm still grinning stupidly :-) read more

Summary: A luxury - super expensive - place with fantastic service and atmosphere. Pros: They make you feel special. Cons: $$$$$ - not many of us can afford it on a frequent basis. However, once in a while, it's nice to treat yourself with an unforgettable Sunday all inclusive brunch! Details: My first experience with this place was very negative. My fiance (girlfriend at that time) took me there for dessert. I paid $60 for 2 teas + 2 tiny desserts. Yes, the place was super. Yes, the service was great. Yes, we were sitting by the window with awesome view of the beautiful terrace. However, SIXTY BUCKS!!! We could have dinner for 2 in a decent place for $60... Next time we went there for Sunday brunch (about a year later after my initial shock ;-). It was not cheap, but was worth every penny. I loved everything about it: live music; view of skating ring; delicious food; oysters buffet; insane amount of dessert. This reminded me of new year's eve dinner-buffet at Shaw's, except much better :). Today was my third visit to The Peninsula and it exceeded already super high expectations. We are looking for a place for our private and small wedding. Amanda, the Private Events Manager, met us with warm hospitality. She was very patient, professional, flexible, understanding, listening and honest. She showed us options for the ceremony, cocktail party and reception. She sat down with us and went through the details of the wedding planning. She also provided many recommendations and assured us that she will be working with us to make sure that our special day will go smoothly and enjoyable. Overall - 5 stars if you are ready to pay $$$$. read more

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Would rather stay here any day over The Ritz or The Four Seasons. Luxurious, marble, expansive, spectacularly appointed. Service is as good as it gets and the food at Avenues --- although devastating to the wallet --- is simply wonderful. I've stayed in the regular sized rooms and also the suites. No matter the size, the rooms are always spacious and nicely decorated in yellow and white. The beds are heavenly. The bathrooms are spacious and clean, and the water pressure is solid (weak water pressure can ruin an entire hotel experience, no?). Televisions mounted to the wall near the tub along with a window out to the city make bubble baths for one or two an exceedingly wonderful time. Back one of those times when I was married to one of those men I went to The Pen for an anniversary and was delighted to find a bottle of good, chilled champagne waiting for us, as well as chocolate covered strawberries. All class. You're going to drop some money here, make no mistake. But it's worth it. If you can treat yourself, do! read more

If you don't mind paying 5X the actual cost for wine, this is your place. We met this guy on the bus who had a cello, chatted with him a bit and he mentioned he wold be playing here that night in the main lounge. So after we did some other stuff around town, we stopped by to hear him play. Good choice - he was excellent and the music was truly delightful. The hotel itself is clearly top-shelf. Everything screams opulence, especially the lobby displays of Van Cleef & Arpel, Tiffany's and (oh my) Harry Winston. But opulence isn't perfect. The hostess had that oh-so-helpful yet slightly disdainful attitude. The lounge area was chilly. The drinks were so overpriced it was absurd. But the wait staff were extremely nice and the people-watching was pretty darn good. Unique sort of people to watch, but fun all the same. I am not a rich person so I doubt anyone at the Peninsula will give a damn about my review - I of the unwashed, looking down my nose at they, the privileged. But every now and then we do like to stray into the world above us, to see what we might be missing and determine whether it's worth setting our sights toward it. Eh. I would like to think that even if I were fabulously wealthy, I would be offended by paying $333 for a glass of wine whose market price for a bottle ranges $320-$700. Retail. I get it, wine is the big markup item restaurants love to sell at outrageously inflated prices but that is frankly completely ludicrous. (The wine was a 2006 Chateau Margaux - undoubtedly a good wine, but come on...) The waiter treated us like any other patron, and the atmosphere was pleasant. We loved the music, and were glad we went. But - it was for the music that we went in the first place, so the rest was just observation. Nice place, overpriced, pretty surroundings, good service, heating system needs some work - overall an upscale hotel - nuff said. But - they do hire brilliant musicians, so thumbs up for that! read more

The hotel and the amenities are truly five-star but the service leaves a lot to be desired. Namely, I injured my foot pulling open the shower door which raises about an inch from the ground and has a sharp edge of glass without any plastic protectant (the same problem exists with the bathroom glass door). Where the horizontal and vertical edges of the glass shower door meet, the edge carved into the top of my foot as I opened the door. I called the front desk and spoke with the manager Brenda and she was lifeless. I asked for assistance finding an open urgent care, getting first aid and addressing the blood stains in the room. Never heard further from Brenda. I called her back and had to ask for the GM since Brenda wasn't offering any help. Disappointed is an understatement. Lacking managerial skills is an understatement. I expected more than "oh ok" which is all I got from Brenda for my bloody foot and room. I ended up with a significant urgent care bill which Brenda did not offer to cover. It took almost 30 minutes to get a bandaid since Brenda never told security (Kaseem) that there was an injury. Adding insult to (the literal) injury, Brenda promised to arrange a car service to the urgent care but it wasn't there as promised and after waiting I finally had to take a cab and fetch one coming back. Just dandy. Another hotel manager finally took care of me and I was able to enjoy the rest of the stay. read more

I LOVE that The Peninsula cares so much about making sure that your experience with them is right and that you leave a satisfied guest. After being contacted by the GM, I emailed her about my experience and in record time, I received a reply from Jason the Director of Rooms and I am extremely pleased with what I have been offered. This is the kind of service you get when you pay to stay in a top notch establishment. They do not measure their commitment to providing the utmost service to only a certain clientele, the management at The Peninsula makes sure that every guest is made to feel as if they are first class. So, for anyone on the fence, whether you can afford it or not, you only live once and if you work hard you deserve to play hard! read more

Environment: 5/5 Employees: 5/5 Amenities: 4/5 Service: 2/5 Food: 3/5 Drinks: 3/5 Cost: 5/5 Accessibility: 5/5 Total: 32/40 Synopsis: Ever since I have been to Chicago, I had the unique opportunity to be a gypsy and stay in a bunch of hotels for free. A friend of mines, from New York, does many business trips here and in Seattle and let's me stay with him to catch up on life and so I do not have to get up as early to go to my internship. It is very difficulty to turn down this offer, especially since there is free continental breakfast in the morning to look forward to. Before my arrival to the hotel all he said to me via text was, "Dayum, u are gonna like this room lol." I thought he was being facetious, but he was right! DAYUUUMM!! I felt like Vivian Woods from Pretty Woman, but without all the hooker stuff. What was very disappointing was the service. Environment: When you first enter the hotel, you don't witness the, "this is an awesome hotel" feeling. A receptionist desk and that's it. "I am on the second floor," my friend said. Okay...WOW! That is all I have to say! WOW! An enchanted corridor. Dorothy, we are not in Chicago anymore. The hotel became palace-like. The room we stayed in had a flat screen television upholstered against the wall can be brought out and swung towards your bed. The bed had these interesting spotlights that were meant for reading but we both thought they were "cameras" for perverted behavior. The bathroom was the BEST part. Separate glass rooms for the toilet and shower...and then....THE HUGE BATHTUB! LOVVEE IT! You could sit in it and watch television. I relaxed in it for an hour. WOOT! I miss it oh so very much. Employees: As expected, everyone said, "Hi" and were very polite. Amenities: Although everything included was awesome, they did not have an iron board nor an iron within the room. Really? Luckily, I called the night before because I had my internship in the morning and could not afford to be late. Service: Although the employees were great, the service wasn't. Our continental breakfast was 15 minutes late. Umm..luckily I decided to wake up earlier or else I would have been more late than I was. Food: We had salmon eggs benedict. The hollandaise sauce was nothing note-worthy, along with the benedict. What was upsetting was the fact that partial of the yolk was cooked thoroughly. What were you doing for those extra 15 minutes? Okay no!! 3/5 Pork Sausage: Nothing too special, but it was good. 3/5 Hash browns: Mmm...this was delicious. Yum, yum. Crispy, buttery, awesomeness: 5/5 Wheat bread: Um...where is my jam and butter???? 1/5 Drinks: The coffee was eh...I had better. I drink my coffee black. 3/5 Cost: Free :) But I think our bill came out to be 50 bucks for everything we ordered, which covered everything. DAMMMNN!! If it was on my dime, I would be like Hell-no! Accessibility: It was very close to the Chicago red-line. And the place is a "hole-in-the-wall" seemingly place. 5/5 read more

Hi there! My name is Ande Breunig and I recently helped out with the BABCC Holiday Gala hosted at your downtown Chicago location. I am writing this review to sing the praises of a member of your catering and service staff - Leon. Leon was so incredibly attentive, polite, and professional to our group that I felt it was in order for me to contact you. At one point, close to the end of the evening, I commented how all the Brie cheese was gone....and - lo and behold - Leon appeared with a beautiful plate of Brie, complete with crackers and strawberries. It is a rarity to find this level of service and attention to detail nowadays; although I would expect nothing less of the Peninsula, Leon is certainly a gem that stands out and you are fortunate to have him as an employee. I, myself, am a retail manager with 20 years of management experience and I can easily say that Leon represents the customer experience attributes I look for in each and every employee. Bravo, Leon! Please see that this message gets passed on to him and that Leon is commended for his service. Sincerely, Ande Breunig read more

Came here for a happy hour event on a Friday night. Maybe I was just in a good mood because we got a good parking spot, but I loved this hotel. Christmas decorations were hung and all employees were helpful. The charcuterie of meats and cheeses were artfully arranged and were delicious too! This hotel is even more impressive on the inside than the outside. It is classy and elegant. As soon as you walk in you are treated like royalty. I would like to try the restaurants inside for a special occasion dinner. read more

This review is only for the rooftop bar: I came here with a group of rowdy, tipsy girls who broke glasses, spilled drinks and took pictures. Your worst nightmare at a swank bar such as this! But the staff was courteous and patient, taking the time to explain the drink menu and they split our bill for each of us. The drinks were tasty and the outdoor bar is not too stuffy; the live plants are a nice touch! read more

Boys and girls, If you can spring the $, I highly recommend having a weekend staycation here. I know this may sound a little luxurious, and it is! You normally would spend money on hotel, air fare and eating out for a weekend trip anyway, so I suggest you consider getting one or two nights hotel here. We stayed here on a Saturday night for my birthday, easy check in, courteous service the whole way, the room is beautiful, understated. The bath is really spacious, so we hopped into the bath tub and opened a bottle of our own champagne right away. Went out to dinner at Bistronomic (another review) and then also visited the chocolate hour at the lobby. The chocolate hour is amazing in itself! The chocolate buffet is fun and the atmosphere is relaxed with a mixed crowd, some couples and some families. The next morning, we enjoyed the gym, the pool and the steam rooms in the locker room. It was a very relaxing trip. We checked out and then had brunch at Pierott Gourmet, right next to the Peninsula. The almond croissant was a great way to cap off a perfect stay! read more

Swooon - I just love this hotel! I travel to Chicago regularly for work and have stayed at several NICE hotels in the city, but the Peninsula is in a class of it's own. I had just a regular room and everything - I mean everything - from the moment I arrived to the moment I checked out was wonderful. The room was beautiful, inviting and so comfortable. The small touches from their staff takes their service to a higher level. The service overall is attentive without being intrusive and they really do take good care of all levels of their staff. I had the most lovely conversation with the house car driver about the training they receive and it was really amazing. The hotel is really quiet too - I didn't hear any noise while I was there, which was helpful given I was there for work. No, it's not cheap, but if you have a chance and a choice - choose this hotel. You won't regret it. This hotel and its staff are exceptional and I only hope I will have another opportunity to be a guest here! read more

They kiss ass hard here. An excellent hotel with service that's almost too nice. I am not complaining, but sometimes I just want to be a gruff American. I'm polite, but not extremely friendly. They did an excellent job of receiving all the packages I had mailed here, and didn't even lose one! :-) The maids mess with your stuff when they clean, but in a good way. She folded all my clothing and organized things. Like mom, only better. Plus they didn't steal any of the foreign currency I had laying about. Shockingly, the French restaurant is quite good. Normally hotel resturants in the US are mediocre at best, but this was one of the better meals I had in Chicago. My only complaints are that one time I went to look at the pool and one of the spa staff asked me if I was a guest?! Perhaps she assumed I was an outsider trying to mooch free pool because I am young and sometimes oddly dressed. Regardless, it was tacky to ask. Oh and the pool is VERY SMALL. The photos are not at all representative. read more

Exceeded standards! Super clean comfy rooms, spa was wonderful with steam room, outside terrace has wonderful view! Brought my coffee downstairs and was able to enjoy the city views. Truely loved this hotel and mins from Michigan Ave shops across from saks! Rooftop bar is relaxing and great views! read more

Happy 30th to us.. What a beautiful hotel to spend a memorable evening. The staff was outstanding to begin with. The entrance to the lobby was gorgeous. Then our room with that entrance too.. so pretty to walk in. Could not of had a lovelier room with a great room. Loved the bath room as well with the soaking tub and tv/music right there. And what technology everywhere to dimming the lights to a digital "do not disturb". So nice to adjust the settings at the touch of your fingers. All of this made for a very relaxing night. Sorry we went to a preselected restaurant for dinner, I wld of rather stayed in the hotel and enjoyed their restaurant and ambiance. Late check out gave us a chance to enjoy every minute. Love the Peninsula.. we will be back!! read more

Impeccable service, enticing decor and perfect location downtown. The rooms are HUGE, the pillows are so comfy and the lights in the room are a lot to get used to... there's so much to do from the pool to spa to high tea. Staff will treat you like royalty and food is Michelin quality. The showers are kept in tip-top shape. We spent several mornings at the spa. Perfect temperature and they have a fireplace and heated blankets. The comfort level is extremely pleasing... the lobby when you walk in will make you drop your jaw. The valet is deluxe with some crazy expensive cars. Oh lala! Accommodations were taken care of from work but I would definitely recommend this to many. Thanks for incredible last month. I love Chicago!! read more

The Peninsula... What else can you say about a perfect night within the confinds of a suite and the immaculate service. A friend was in town for the week and the night started with friends and family sitting about, catching up, getting acquainted and enjoying a lovely spread of hors d'ourves and cocktails. What really made me smile as the light switches, i felt bond-esque with the many little switches on the phone, dimmers, mood lighting, sound. It was the perfect control center for a night in the room. Jumping on the bed ( i mean, sitting on the bed ) was delightful. but what struck me the most was the luxurious bathroom. I could live in the bathroom if there was just a little chaise... start the bubbles and bring the champagne... I'm ready for a little rendezvous. Enjoy your night, I know I did. read more

As is so ever often the case, I wish Yelp had halfsies - I would say "3 and 1/2." But I cannot. So I default to 3. Our experience here was fine. We were greeted very formally - too formally - and escorted to our rooms similarly. Delivered room service very formally (and we were hungry, so the staff mistook our 2 person order for that of 6 people and were surprised when they asked where to place the 4 "other settings" in the room, to which we embarrassingly replied "Nope, just us! You can put the PB&J on the nightstand, the coconut shrimp and sushi on the coffee table, and the pancakes on the bed!" You get the idea - the waiter seemed slightly horrified, and being that we're in the %4 of Americans who aren't yet obese, more confused...) BUT: TV in the bathtub! So, "Wait up, obesity, I'm comin' to getcha!" I mean what else could you possibly want!? (Wonder not, my friends, my feigned disdain was in-fact mixed with genuine delight - I hate myself for this, but what do we have left as Americans if we don't SAY one thing and then DO exactly the opposite!? Just fulfilling my constitutional obligation...) Of course it was spotless, comfortable, nicely located, blah blah. Nothing wrong here, but I def prefer the 6 star experience when the staff is in love with the place, in love with the experience, want to, and are allowed to get to know you and you get to know them - ie: The Greenbrier, or Lake Placid Lodge: unparalleled luxury experiences. This hotel has WAY too much "Yes sir, Of course Miss, How can I help, gentlemen?" for my taste... Places like this, while pleasant, often confuse an overly-subservient staff for a desirable experience, as in: "I spent a shit-ton of cash for this room, so everyone should treat me like I'm fucking Prince William!" Which I'm sure many of the overpaid bankers who breeze through here genuinely enjoy, or at least feel they deserve, because let's face it, they own our economy, our elected officials and our retirement accounts - we owe them everything! But the staff come off as well-dressed serfs instead of people who love their jobs and want to have a great time alongside you and, to me, the latter is a WAY better experience than someone bowing and timidly catering to my every whim. But I don't own any dot-coms, so what the F do I know...? I feel like, in this place, since I don't own anyone- I mean any businesses- I'm not really factored into their equation. And I say this truly not from a place of hate or jealousy, just that it fits perfectly a place of predictable, pseudo-luxury boredom. White gloves and a fake "Good morning, Sir" from EVERY employee does not a memorable experience make. There needs to be something special there, and it has to be inspired in the staff. Bludgeoning them into submission - much like I'm bludgeoning this review - is just boring and predictable. It's formal, polite and "fancy," but who cares? read more

This is an amazing hotel in the heart of downtown Chicago. I felt welcome as I walked into the lobby. We visited the chocolate bar for a late night dessert and wine and were not disappointed! Everything was perfect. The desserts were plentiful, the wine selection was broad and the service impeccable. We started with the custom-made hot chocolate where I had dark chocolate with sea salt and my friend had dark chocolate with cayenne. We then had a nice pinot noir with fruit tarts, macaroons, and other tasty chocolate desserts. I was so glad I had a salad for dinner because I freely indulged with no guilt. I highly recommend the hotel and the chocolate bar with a wonderful evening out. read more

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The Peninsula was even more magnificent than I could have imagined. The lobby and restaurant looked very elegant. I was very disappointed about not seeing any celebrities around the hotel, but the evening was still a blast. I can only comment on The Bar (that's what it is called), which I loved. It looks like an old library with dark wood, leather chairs, and an older, distinguished crowd. I must admit that I tried a cigar from their massive collection, and their bartender made some delicious drinks. The wait for a table was not too bad considering how packed the bar was. This is a great place to relax with friends and scope out older, rich people ;-) read more

Even though the room rates will kill your wallet, the overall experience is absolutely wonderful; you really are getting what you paid for. I decided to go for the cheaper rooms, a double suite. Even though it was one of the cheaper rooms, it was still luxurious. The bed was soft, with numerous pillows, down blankets and sheets. Amenities such as a universal remote control, responsible for the radio, television, phone, alarm clock, etc. was at my disposal. The bathroom was awesome. Bathing while watching ESPN was particularly fun. Plush towels and good quality toiletries (instead of the generic hotel conditioners, toothpaste, etc.) were a definite plus. Room service was prompt and courteous. Really, there was nothing about the experience that left a negative impression. If you stay over, you're sure to have a wonderful time. God, I sound like a cheesy commercial... read more

This is the perfect hotel if you truly care about quality, comfort and service. The hotel is not as name brand as other "luxe" hotels, but it is better and less needy. The hotel is the perfect blend of sophistication without pretentiousness. The staff is as attentive as they are unassuming. Almost every time I stay here the staff finds some way to go beyond. I recall one trip, where the staff literally met every request with a smile. I, of course, jokingly requested a whole watermelon. 20 Minutes later a whole sliced watermelon and 4 scotches (scotchy, scotch, scotch) showed up at my room - for free. While seemingly ludicrous, watermelon and scotch made a wonderful amuse bouche...for the evening. While probably the most expensive hotel in Chicago, it is by far the best. The public spaces are beautiful. The workout facility is top notch. The bar and the food are better than most of the ones found around town. The hotel generally has some "famous" people in residence, as they say. It makes for a fun time at the bar. In one night I met the lady from Falcon Crest; another from Full House, and Blink 182 at the bar. Really?! Fortunately, I get to stay in a lot of nice places, including cross street rivals the Ritz and the Four Seasons. The Peninsula is far superior. Finally, you get the added benefit of having people say: "Hmmm, I've never heard of the Peninsula." when they ask where you are staying. That is when you know you are in the right place. read more

Stayed here for two nights as a treat post a conference. The suite we had was beautiful, breakfast was very nice. What I enjoyed was the non intrusive but attentive service for our entire stay. read more

Who doesn't love a luxury hotel! When in Chicago, this should be the first stop - then compare all others to it. I primarily judge a luxury end hotel by two factors, then everything else follows: Check in service, and the room. I would say the check in process is the only thing that kept me from giving this place 5 stars. She was friendly enough, and did her job ok...but this is one of the highest end branded hotels in the world. First, there were two of standing at the check-in counter - 2 men. a) she didn't ask how many keys were needed b) did not ask what other name should be listed on the room. During my 5 night stay here, I noticed check in asking every other guests (male/female check in couples) these two questions. (Hmmm - recognize your demographic with high disposable income!) FYI - top service hotel at check-in: Every "W". Ok, the other check in question - which daily newspaper would you like? Which she rattled off 5 - one being the local Chicago Trib, then the other top contenders. We chose the Wall Street Journal - Every morning we have a wonderful Peninsula cloth bag on our door knob...with a different paper every morning - not the WSJ. A quick note at the front desk a few days later fixed this. Ok - the room: AWESOME! Bed was like a cloud, Wide screen TV swings out to face room or bed. Docking for your iPod is connected to the TV/audio system for full control of your iPod from the room. Separate dressing area with drawers, and a bathroom almost the size of the expansive room - complete with TV, and 2 phones - one next to the commode, and a hands free version next to the sunken tub. Your own fax machine with private number, and full room light controls from bedside, complete with nighttime dimming option. Are you getting the picture of fabulousness? Check out my other reviews of the bars and restaurants within "The Penn" read more

After what seemed like a whirlpool of downward spirals, a trip to Chicago couldnt have come at a better time. I was hesitant on going at first because i had so much on my plate, but being invited to a grand celebration for my hard work, why would i deny myself? I earned it. This was my first time in Chicago so i was a tiny bit excited. I was only in town for one night, but still, it was totally cool getting to visit a new place. When i arrived at the Pen Hotel, i was almost in awe. Its gorgeous. Completely gorgeous. Marble floors, beautiful art decor, and an extremely helpful and pleasant staff. Ive always said that staying in hotel rooms alone can sometimes be a little sad. But my room at the Pen was more than beautiful. And huge! For a one night only stay i was surprised they gave me a suite. First thing i did was put my bag down, and heave myself onto the big plush bed. Comfortable beyond belief. Then i got up to gaze at the city below me....the view was amazing. My room did not fall short of anything. It was beautiful, classy, clean and very spacious. The ballroom where the celebration was being held, was even more gorgeous than the hotel itself. It was so fancy i felt a little out of place. I think i cleaned up nicely though....took the lip ring out, tried to cover up as much of my tattoos as i could, had the long curly locks flowing and the crimson lips on display. I scored great contacts in Chicago should i ever want a change of pace. Sweet! Upon my departure from the hotel, they arranged a car service for me back to the airport....without me having to ask. 5 stars all the way. This trip was just what i needed to put a smile on my face. If you're ever in the area and you want to splurge and live fancy for a day, the Peninsula Hotel is a wonderful option. This place will not disappoint you. read more