In a city of beautiful towering architecture, amazing food and influential culture, there’s no better place to indulge in a few luxuries.
By Rowena Carr-Allinson
Family suites at the Peninsula Hotel Chicago (Courtesy Peninsula Hotels)
Taking a family vacation in the Windy City? Push the boat out, blow the budget and indulge in one of the luxurious hotels in town. We’ve got a choice of high-end Chicago stays that combine that deluxe experience with the family-friendly amenities you didn’t even know you needed, but will be delighted to have found!
Here are five of the best family-friendly luxury hotels in Chicago to consider.
Peninsula Hotel Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Bang in the centre of Chicago, on the Magnificent Mile, the luxurious Peninsula Hotel is ideally located for shopping on North Michigan Avenue and for seeing the city’s sights such as the Millennium Park and Navy Pier. A 5-star, family-friendly, award-winning hotel, it boasts 4 lovely restaurants with everything on offer from seafood fine dining and contemporary Cantonese cuisine to the famous Peninsula Afternoon Tea and a Chocolate Bar Buffet that the kids will love. Families looking for space will enjoy the junior suites’ 840 square feet overlooking the Magnificent Mile that have handy sleeper sofas in the living room! Welcome in-room perks include a bed-side touch panel for temperature, lighting, TV and even alarm clock, as well as separate showers, bathtubs (with TVs in the marble walls!) and free WIFI. The hotel can also provide rollaway beds or cribs on request.
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago (Courtesy Four Seasons)
Overlooking Lake Michigan and the city, ideally located for shopping on North Michigan Avenue, the very smart Four Seasons is a sophisticated family-friendly hotel with all the amenities you’d expect from a luxury hideaway. The contemporary cool rooms offer all the trimmings, from LCD flat-screen televisions to stereos with CD players and WIFI. The restaurant, Seasons, blends French and American cuisines while the Café is a great casual alternative for all-day dining. The hotel is also known for its buffet lunches and afternoon teas, and offers kids’ menus too. Relax in the Seasons Lounge and Conservatory or make the most of the babysitting service and enjoy a cocktail in the Bar by the fireside! Another big plus? One can request a crib and borrow a stroller, while older kids will appreciate the in-room video games.
Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago (Courtesy Trump Hotel Collection)
Set Downtown, Trump International Hotel and Tower is a modern sleek iridescent-tinted glass and shiny stainless steel structure. The spacious and contemporary rooms start at over 500 sq ft, with useful kitchenettes, especially for families seeking a little independence! Even better, the impressive 10 foot floor to ceiling windows offer the finest Chicago views. In need of pampering? The 23,000 square foot Spa wont disappoint! There’s also a gym equipped with the latest cardiovascular and strength training equipment as well as a 75 foot long heated indoor pool. Free WIFI is also a nice addition, as are free local calls. Other amenities for kids include rollaway beds or cribs, babysitting services and a kid’s menu in the restaurant.
(MORE: Top 25 Reasons to Visit Chicago with Kids)
Omni Hotel Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Omni Hotel Chicago (Courtesy Omni Hotels)
At the heart of the Magnificent Mile, the all-suite Omni Hotel Chicago sits just a few blocks away from kid-friendly attractions such as the Lakefront, Lincoln Park Conservatory and the Lincoln Park Zoo, as well as the Shedd Aquarium and Wrigley Field. The plush rooms come with separate sitting areas, flat-screen high definition cable televisions, in-room movies and in-room internet for a perfect family-friendly set up. Parents will also find the refrigerators, microwaves, rollaway beds or cribs useful. Even better, the ‘kids stay free’ policy is a real bonus, not to mention the kids’ club and Omni Kids Program. In addition to the on-site restaurants and cocktail lounges, there’s a rooftop sun deck, an indoor swimming pool, a whirlpool spa and express checkout facility if you’re in a hurry!
Ritz Carlton Hotel Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Ritz Carlton Hotel Chicago (Courtesy Four Seasons)
In prestigious North Michigan Avenue, the Ritz Carlton Chicago sits on top of Water Tower Place. This classic luxury hotel offers 435 chic southern-facing rooms with great city views, swish marble bathrooms and all the top end amenities you could wish for. Grab a bite to eat in the casual cafe for breakfast, lunch or dinner (which also has its own children’s menu) or head to Executive Chef Mark Payne’s restaurant. His food is local and organic featuring grass fed beef, oysters and shellfish, artisanal cheeses and breads, as well as a fabulous wine list! Don’t miss Sunday brunch or the traditional English afternoon tea, and for the kids who have a sweet tooth, the Candy Man with his striped jacket and sweet trolley is also a must! Practical amenities for kids include rollaway beds or cribs, highchairs, babysitting and strollers available on demand.
Rowena Carr-Allinson contributed this to MiniTime. Since the arrival of her son in 2011, she has taken him everywhere from Bangkok to NYC, writing family friendly articles en route.
