Hilton has completed renovations of the Waldorf Astoria Chicago, including updates to the hotel’s guestrooms, lobby and spa facilities.
The grand chateau-style property originally opened as the Elysian Hotel Chicago in 2009, before being rebranded under the Waldorf Astoria portfolio in 2012.
The hotel commissioned KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group (responsible for the hotel’s original concept and design) to oversee the renovations.
The design of the rooms has been inspired “by recent French Fashion Masters”, with the press release stating that “the vernacular of the fashion pinstripe can be found throughout the furniture detailing in the room and highlights the form of the monumental headboard with integral art”.
The hotel’s Presidential Suite has been redesigned and a new 1,800 square foot Astoria Suite has been created, with both “evoking the charm of a Parisian pied-à-terre”.
The new American brasserie Brass Tack as also now opened, with dishes including butter poached lobster with truffle scramble on Ciabatta with hollandaise; chicken confit with shaved vegetable slaw in a beet gastrique; and PorterHouse Steak for two with marrow butter; and whole roasted walleye with pea tendrils, sea salt and lemon oil.
Existing cocktail lounge Bernard’s has reopened following renovation, with new rippled smoked glass windows looking down into the lobby, and design “reflecting rich, dark colours, classic forms, tweeds from the Scottish Highlands and equestrian influences”.
Meanwhile the lobby area has been refreshed with new seating options and the Peacock Lounge (pictured above), which pays tribute to Peacock Alley at the brand’s flagship Waldorf Astoria New York property.
Finally the hotel’s spa facilities have been updated, with a new couple’s treatment room, and a partnership with Biologique Recherche.
There are currently around 30 Waldorf Astoria properties worldwide, with a further 20 in the pipeline in destinations including the Seychelles, Osaka and Sydney.
Recent additions include the Waldorf Astoria Lusail, Doha, and the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, a conversion of the former Trump International Hotel Washington DC.
This week it was announced that the long-awaited transformation of London’s Admiralty Arch into a luxury Waldorf Astoria hotel is now expected in 2025.
For our recent feature exploring post-pandemic Chicago, see:
