Wonder In The Windy City: Pendry Chicago – Review
By
6 months ago
Art Deco elegance abounds
Looking for a place to stay in the windy city? Martha Davies checks into Pendry Chicago.
Hotel Review: Pendry Chicago
While there’s no shortage of skyscrapers in the sprawling mass of downtown Chicago, one casts a rather different shadow: the Carbon and Carbide Building, an Art Deco landmark dating back to the 1920s. This is the home of Pendry Chicago, an utterly chic hotel that feels more like an indie haunt than an inner city behemoth.
Pendry Chicago’s Art Deco heritage is dazzlingly apparent from the moment you set foot in the lobby, which is drenched in gold. Elsewhere, however, you’ll find touches that bring you firmly into the 21st century: just peek into Bar Pendry, a cocktail spot bathed in plum and emerald tones, with art pieces half-draped in shadows (all the best bars excel at mood lighting, after all).
The rooms, too, are elegantly modern, with cornicing and gold fixtures providing only subtle echoes of the building’s history. The centrepiece of each room is, naturally, the gargantuan bed – and the picture-perfect city views hovering beyond the windows. Standing on Michigan Avenue, at the edge of the ultra-buzzy Loop neighbourhood, Pendry Chicago occupies a pretty much unbeatable location; from the upper levels, you can see right over the nearby buildings to the glittering river beyond. (And if you head to Chateau Carbide, the hotel’s breathtaking rooftop bar, you can enjoy some of the best views around). Whether you’re planning on heading to a baseball game, splashing the cash in the shops along the Magnificent Mile, or just lounging in bed, there’s no better place to be.
You don’t need to venture far, though, since there’s so much on offer right outside your bedroom door. Swing by the billiards room or the fitness centre if you’ve got an hour to kill, before making yourself comfortable at Venteux (French for ‘windy’), Pendry Chicago’s gorgeous brasserie. Half sage-green cafe and half velvet-clad restaurant, it provides the perfect backdrop for a morning coffee, leisurely lunch or indulgent dinner. (Though the aforementioned Pendry Bar also serves nibbles alongside its top-notch cocktails, if you’re looking for somewhere slightly more casual when evening approaches).
Like any high-end hotel, Pendry Chicago is far more than the sum of its parts. The rooms may be gorgeous, the culinary opportunities plentiful, but this hotel certainly has its (luxurious) quirks. Expect complimentary bike rental, so you can whizz around the city in style – or, if you prefer, you can hop in a Cadillac and enjoy Pendry’s complimentary chauffeur service. The concierge team can also help you organise priority bookings at the nearby AIRE Ancient Baths, and they can even set you up with your very own Taylor guitar, free to rent during your stay. No matter what you’re in the mood for, you can find it here.
Offering a unique blend of old-school glamour and 21st century cool, Pendry Chicago is exactly the kind of luxe hotspot you’d expect from the Pendry brand, which now covers 13 locations – from New York to Barbados and Mexico City. With fantastic food, breathtaking views and so much more, what’s not to love?
THE FINAL WORD
Pendry Chicago might be housed within a city landmark, but it feels like a well-kept secret: unique, intimate and unquestionably cool. A superb staycation spot.
