Review: The Peninsula Chicago

Start us off with an overview.
As Chicago's hotel scene adds more and more modern brands, this nearly two-decade old spot stays rock steady with a classic spa on the nineteenth floor, a refined bar scene, and a dim sum garden in a nod to the brand's Eastern roots. It's opulent and moneyed, but for all that wealth not stuffy—a grandeur you can live with.

What’s the crowd like?
Well-traveled sophisticates. Celebrities not uncommon.

The good stuff: Tell us about the rooms.
Generously residential: Even the smallest rooms, include a couch and small dining table for two by the picture windows. Serene neutrals-with-blue-accents color scheme. They're also completely wired so that you needn't move from the bed to control lighting, temperature, curtains, or the "do not disturb" sign.

We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?
The beds are downy and delicious, of course.

How about the little things, like mini-bar, or shower goodies. Any of that worth mentioning?
The Bernardaud China provided for your morning Nespresso drink is enviable.

Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.
If there's a hotel worth checking into just for the bathroom, the Peninsula Chicago is it. The marble bathroom is huge and comes with a 19-inch TV inset near the soaking tub if you want to watch while you bathe.

Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?
Excellent and included.

Room service: What's on offer?
It might not jump out at you, but try the congee for breakfast. There are also plenty of options for travelers with dietary restrictions, including vegan and gluten-free dishes.

Anything we missed that we should have asked about?
The ESPA spa is its own attraction, with a real Zen vibe. It adjoins the top floor pool, flanked by an entire wall of windows allowing you to swim laps while ogling the architecture. The bar is a real hideaway for both guests and in-the-know locals, with its casual elegance (yes, that's a Le Corbusier on the wall), gas fireplace, and low lighting. There are three other restaurants, and they are all quite distinct from one another, including the lobby lounge, which is popular for tea; a café at street level with scrumptious tarte flambé; and the ruby-toned Shanghai Terrace serving authentic Cantonese and dim sum lunches.

Bottom line: worth it?
It's expensive, though it does deliver on luxe level amenities and service.