Book Waldorf Astoria Chicago with VIP Benefits

Architect Lucien Lagrange drew on the grand hotels of 1920s Paris for this hotel and residential tower. That influence gives the building a different character from an all-glass downtown high-rise. The cobblestone courtyard creates a pause between the street and the hotel, an arrival space with a clear role rather than simply another lobby feature.

French visual references carry through the rooms and public spaces, while Brass Tack takes its direction from an American brasserie. The contrast gives a stay two distinct moods: Parisian-inspired surroundings and a restaurant with an American menu. Larger accommodation choices include the Astoria Suite and Presidential Suite.

The hotel has 214 rooms and suites. A Superior King measures 375 square feet and accommodates two guests. For a fireplace and outdoor space, the 400-square-foot Terrace King is a more specific choice. The Deluxe King with Fireplace provides 480 square feet, while the Deluxe Two Queen has 580 square feet and accommodates four. These categories should not be treated as interchangeable: bedding, floor area, and terrace access differ.

The 600-square-foot Junior Suite adds a living area with a queen sleeper sofa. A partial wall separates it from the bedroom, so it does not give the same separation as a full one-bedroom suite. Families sharing a room may prefer two proper queen beds; couples staying longer may value the Junior Suite's additional seating. Connecting rooms and accessible categories are also listed, including rooms with roll-in showers. Match the specific room configuration to the needs of everyone traveling.

In the One-Bedroom Terrace Suite, a separate living room, sleeper sofa, and fireplace make evenings in more comfortable. It measures 660 square feet, with a 60-square-foot terrace, and has a private bar with a refrigerator and microwave. The Corner One-Bedroom Terrace Suite increases the interior to 760 square feet and the terrace to 90. A separate powder room supplements its marble bathroom, which has a double vanity and soaking tub.

The Gold Coast Terrace Suite has 855 square feet indoors and a 120-square-foot terrace. Larger parties can consider the Astoria Suite in one- or two-bedroom configurations, with a kitchenette and dining space. The Presidential Suite occupies the 26th floor and can be booked with two or three bedrooms. Its full kitchen, fitness room, and two furnished terraces suit a stay with more time spent at the hotel. For either signature suite, confirm the exact configuration when arranging the stay.

Brass Tack is the hotel's third-floor American brasserie, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with brunch on weekends. The menu's American direction contrasts with the building's French influence. A wine cellar of about 3,000 bottles provides scope beyond a short hotel wine list, making dinner here worth considering even when the surrounding neighborhood has plenty of alternatives.

The restaurant opens at 7 a.m. daily, which makes an early breakfast possible before work or sightseeing. It stays open later on Fridays and Saturdays. There is no need to build every meal around a reservation, however: the hotel also provides 24-hour room service, useful after a late arrival or when children need an earlier evening.

Bernard's sits one floor below. This smaller, speakeasy-style cocktail lounge opens nightly and pairs drinks with small plates. Equestrian references and a darker interior give it a more intimate mood than the brasserie. It is a place for a drink before going out, or a final stop after dinner, without leaving the building.

The spa and health club occupy more than 14,000 square feet, a substantial part of the hotel rather than a treatment room added to a gym. An indoor heated lap pool gives swimmers a weather-independent option. The wider facilities include a eucalyptus steam room, dry sauna, whirlpool, and relaxation lounge.

Treatments range from the Waldorf Signature Massage and Himalayan salt stone massage to facials, body treatments, manicures, and pedicures. The spa boutique carries skincare names including Biologique Recherche and Knesko. Select a treatment for the time and attention you want to give it, with any relevant preferences or sensitivities discussed beforehand.

The fitness center is open around the clock, while the lap pool and spa follow their own schedules. Water classes can be requested. For early risers, this distinction matters: gym access does not imply that the pool is available at the same time. Arrange spa appointments around the rest of the day.

Oak Street boutiques and the Magnificent Mile are about two-tenths of a mile away. Oak Street Beach and the Museum of Contemporary Art are each around four-tenths of a mile from the hotel. That proximity makes it easy to combine shopping with time by Lake Michigan or a museum visit. Millennium Park and the Art Institute lie farther south, so a day centered on those sights involves more travel than a day around the Gold Coast.

For arrivals, Hilton lists O'Hare International Airport at 16 miles and Midway at 13 miles. Actual transfer time depends on traffic. There is no airport shuttle. Valet parking and on-site electric vehicle charging are available, but self-parking is not.

A house car provides drop-offs within a one-mile radius on a first-come, first-served basis. It is separate from reserved private transfers. Those can be arranged through the hotel's transport partner with at least 24 hours' notice, a useful distinction when an airport connection must be planned.

The Sinclair Ballroom, on the fifth floor, has coffered ceilings and hand-blown chandeliers. Its published capacity is 200 for a banquet or 230 for a reception. Smaller settings include the third-floor Alcott Salon and the courtyard-facing Hawthorne Salon; private dining can be arranged in the Walton Room or Gallery Salon. The range allows a group to keep meetings and meals close to its accommodation without using a ballroom for every occasion.

The hotel also lists cribs and childcare among its services. For a family gathering, establish those arrangements alongside room connections and sleeping capacity. Here, practical choices such as a separate living room or a terrace can shape the stay more than simply moving to a higher room category.