The first time I laid eyes on the Pendry Chicago was in 2018, when the forthcoming luxury property was the talk of the town. I got a hardhat-required tour of the iconic Carbide & Carbon Building, which at the time was undergoing a massive renovation to transform the onetime corporate regional headquarters into a 364-room boutique hotel. The excitement was palpable even then. Fast-forward to 2021, and the Pendry opened its doors to great fanfare (including being named one of the world’ best new hotels by Travel + Leisure). Five years later, the two-Michelin-key property continues to live up to the hype of its lavish landmark home in the Loop.
Photography provided by Pendry Chicago
Setting
Without a doubt the city’s most architecturally significant hotel, the Pendry is so effortlessly cool it’s not really fair. Erected in 1929 and designated a Chicago Landmark in 1996, the Carbide & Carbon Building is a wonder to behold from the street side along famed Michigan Avenue. The art deco marvel is adorned in polished black granite, green and gold terra cotta, and gold leaf with bronze trim — and capped with 24-karat gold. Its shape is reminiscent of a vintage green Champagne bottle, supposedly designed as a playful Prohibition-era statement. Today, the storied structure still pops (get it?) against the Windy City skyline.
Vibe
The Pendry marvelously merges past and present, evoking a nostalgia for the golden age of travel while delivering on all the expected modern-day luxuries. Inside, the design delights await. Not to be outdone by the exterior, the beautifully preserved lobby boasts floor-to-ceiling Belgian marble, bronze trim and original art deco details. Tucked around every corner are even more architectural treats, such as the historic gilded elevators. From the moment you set foot inside the Pendry, the message is loud and clear: You have arrived.
Amenities
If you’re a wellness fanatic like me, you’ll feel right at home here. Your self-care rituals don’t skip a beat thanks to in-room add-ons from the likes of Therabody (think compression Jetboots and a vibrating foam Wave Roller) and HigherDOSE (think an infrared sauna blanket and a red-light therapy mask). Meanwhile, the 24-hour fitness center offers Technogym equipment, Peloton bikes, free weights and more. For the fitness-obsessed, Tonal Wellness Guest Rooms come equipped with a private home gym. If a Lake Michigan shoreline picnic, an architectural walking tour or a river cruise is more your style, the Pendry team can arrange those experiences, too.
The Rooms
The masterful marriage of past and present continues in the property’s 364 guest rooms, including 81 suites. All boast luxurious Fili D’Oro linens, marble bathrooms, city views and art deco notes. If you’re looking for one-of-a-kind accommodations, you’ll be smitten with the Specialty Suites. For example, the Millennium Suite on the 23rd floor offers sweeping views of the nearby namesake park, while the Carbide Suite on the 34th floor resides in the building’s original executive offices. The best part? Your pampered pooch can join you for your swanky stay at this pet-friendly property, with a portion of your pet fee supporting PAWS Chicago.
Dining
Edging into the red-hot Chicago restaurant scene is no easy feat, yet Venteux — French for “windy” — holds its own among the city’s heavy hitters. This brasserie hits all the right notes, from the oysters to the caviar to the steak frites (obviously). By day, the adjacent cafe feels perfectly Parisian, serving up coffee, pastries and other light bites in a sun-soaked setting. Just off the lobby, Bar Pendry is a moody hang. Up on the rooftop, cocktail lounge Château Carbide pairs inventive libations with elevated (quite literally) bar snacks and DJ-spun tunes. As if you needed an excuse, Spritz Social Hour happens every Friday and Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. throughout the summer. See you up there.
