The Waldorf Astoria Chicago is a historic 5-star hotel in the affluent and safe downtown Gold Coast district, surrounded by tree-lined streets, upscale eateries and couture shopping. As a frequent world traveler, I was excited for my first visit to the hotel. I’ve visited Chicago previously and this time I took my 21-year-old son who had never visited a big city before.
Writer was hosted for lodging, all opinions are my own.
Pros:
- Safety with 24/7 security and front door service or valet
- Concierge service with easy and warm interactions and texts to see if anything was needed
- Complimentary transportation within a 1-mile radius of the hotel
- Luxurious guest rooms that are surprisingly quiet
- Prime location in downtown Chicago
Cons:
- Parking can be challenging. There is a self-pay garage one block away, or you can pay for the hotel’s valet service.
- Ride-share services can have waits and steep prices during high traffic times.
- On-site dining is pricey and area restaurants require advance reservations. Book early and pack snacks!
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Unmatched Arrival Experience
Arriving at The Waldorf Chicago felt like we were transported to a royal welcome at a European hotel. Greeted by an expansive cobblestone courtyard with a flower-adorned fountain in the center, my nerves were immediately calmed at this oasis in the bustling city. The staff noticed our arrival and assisted with valet parking and admittance into the hotel lobby. The customer service here is unrivaled and we felt special and welcome in an entirely safe environment.
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Luxurious Common Spaces
The star of the grand lobby of The Waldorf Chicago is the incredible sparkling chandelier inspired by fashion icon Coco Chanel and her famed brooch pin. It dangles inside the front entry and is the focal point for all eyes – hanging over the rest of the hotel’s classic black and white interior, highlighted with glorious fresh flowers and the bright hues behind the front desk.
Adjacent to the main lobby is the Peacock Lounge, a sophisticated spot to read or wait for transportation. With rich hues and dark wood, the fireplace and comfortable seating are a nice place to commune outside of your hotel room.
Rooms and Suites
The Waldorf Astoria Chicago features 214 elegantly designed rooms and suites across 19 floors. With Parisian-inspired decor, a private courtyard entrance and terraces and fireplaces in select suites, the stay here is entirely worth it.
Glimpse Inside a Guest Room or Suite:
Deluxe two queen or king: We stayed in a deluxe two-queen room, which seemed more like a suite in a regular hotel. Featuring two luxurious queen beds with 400-thread-count sheets, this elegant room infused with French fashion-inspired décor, had many sophisticated touches.
Other room options:
- Terrace king: offers a private terrace with city vistas
- Junior suite: features a fireplace and an extra seating area
- One-bedroom terrace: available as a corner room with a fireplace
- Larger Astoria Suites: expansive living areas, separate bedrooms and often private terraces and fireplaces
- Presidential suite: At $9,000 per night, this ultimate indulgence is regularly frequented by celebrities and sports stars. Featuring a chef’s kitchen, multiple hospitality areas, a private bedroom with fireplace and terrace, and an oversized bath with views of the Gold Coast, this is a stylish splurge. The staff treated me to a private tour of this space since it was not reserved during my stay. It was fun to imagine how the rich and famous get to live!
Expect to pay at least $600 per night, depending on room category and dates.
All rooms include:
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Nespresso machine (I loved starting the day with a cappuccino without leaving my room)
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Stocked refrigerator, snack drawer and microwave
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Complimentary daily fresh fruit and bottled water
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Nightly turn-down service with bedside chocolate
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Bathrobe and bath slippers
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Black-out curtains
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Night light and digital scale in bathroom
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Work desk with adjustable lamp
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In-room safe
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High-speed WiFi and integrated charging ports
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Windows that crack to let in fresh air. This is not always available in high-rise hotels and was a nice surprise to be able to open a window and hear the city come to life in the morning!
Dining & Beverage
- The Brass Tack restaurant blends ambiance with traditional favorites for lunch, dinner and weekend bottomless brunch. A must-try is the signature Waldorf Salad, the classic nut and fruit salad on a bed of lettuce, created at The Waldorf New York City in 1890.
- Bernard’s offers refined cocktails surrounded by strapping décor for an intimate, stylish bar experience perfect for pre-dinner drinks or a quiet nightcap.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Nearby on Rush Street is The Bellevue, a casual yet upscale eatery with an ample outdoor patio. It’s great for weekend brunch and people watching (you might see an NBA star stroll by or several spoiled dogs with their owners) and offers a mix of good cocktails, brunch faves like eggs Benedict and omelets or lunch/dinner fare.
Amenities
Pool: A narrow indoor swimmer’s pool is housed in its own wing with chaise lounges and daybeds for relaxing with a book or magazine. There’s enough room to swim a few laps or simply take a refreshing dip.
Fitness: State-of-the-art equipment and personalized Pilates classes in a reformer studio. This is not your typical hotel fitness center. This fitness space is expansive with multiple cardio machines, free weights, strength training equipment and mat equipment. No other fitness classes were offered, and Pilates classes did have a fee.
The Spa
- Traditional therapeutic and body treatment services such as massage, facials, manicures and pedicures
- Customized services for men including facial shaves
- Private sun deck with drink service and a true urban sanctuary vibe on an upper floor with views of the cityscape and the Waldorf courtyard below
- The spa books well in advance, plan to schedule at least two weeks prior to a desired service. My reservation was last minute, so unfortunately I was not able to experience a treatment first-hand, but the staff was gracious and gave me a tour.
- Valet parking for hotel and spa guests is available for a fee or use the self-parking garage one block away
What’s Nearby
Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood is considered one of the city’s most affluent communities. The main streets are safe and easily walkable. It’s fun to stroll by the couture fashion boutiques. The side streets are lined with multimillion-dollar single-family homes and deluxe residential high-rises. In addition to stunning vintage architecture, the neighborhood has an abundance of towering trees, green foliage and landscaped sidewalk planters.
- Washington Square Park is one block from The Waldorf Chicago and is an entire block of green space with a towering fountain in the middle.
- Oak Street Beach is two blocks east of the hotel, making the Lake Michigan lakefront easily accessible to Waldorf Astoria guests.
- The Magnificent Mile and its many shops and attractions are a decent walk or an easy ride-share service away. The Willis Tower is one of the tallest buildings in the world and has the SkyDeck experience for a bird’s eye view of the city.
- The world-renowned Art Institute of Chicago has many custom pieces and something for everyone. Stay an hour or an entire day. Directly across the street from the main Michigan Avenue entrance and its lion statues is the origin of Route 66, marked by large signage. The summer of 2026 marks the 200th anniversary for this iconic American vehicle route, making this a great photo opportunity.
- Chicago tourist mainstays like Millennium Park and “ The Bean ” sculpture, Navy Pier, The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and the famed Chicago Riverwalk area are must-sees for first-time visitors to the city.
SheBuysTravel Tip: If you plan to visit at least three of the above attractions, consider purchasing a CityPass, with reduced admission prices and expedited entry to the SkyDeck at Willis Tower (a huge timesaver over waiting in line).
Getting There
There are two airports in the area, Chicago Midway and Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Midway is closer to downtown. A ride-share service will run around $50 before tip from O’Hare to The Waldorf Chicago.
Waldorf Astoria Chicago
11 E Walton St, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 646-1300
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