Best 5-Star Hotels in Illinois

Four Seasons Hotel Chicago has received a Forbes Five Star rating and the AAA Five Diamond Award for over two decades. Found beside the Magnificent Mile, it has 185 suites and 160 guest rooms, recently renovated by The Getty’s Group Inc. The spa is huge, incorporating a 50-foot roman style pool, while the expansive conference and banqueting spaces make it a popular choice for business events or private celebrations. Executive Chef Michael Zachman serves up contemporary American cuisine in Allium, with its adjoining bar frequented by Chicago’s well-heeled set.

Attracting the wealthy elite, this plush hotel offers a central location, wonderful views and a dreamy spa.  Elements of The Peninsula group’s Asian heritage are teased into the interior design, but the public areas mostly fall into a 1920s theme. 339 rooms are neutrally decorated, in teak wood and creams and each comes with its own tablet device. There are three places to eat including Chinese cuisine at the refined Shanghai Terrace. The Peninsula is family-friendly too with the convenience of a kids’ club, adjoining rooms and lots of activities for younger travellers (you needn’t pack a games console for a visit here, Playstations are supplied).

Located in River North and overlooking the Chicago River, is Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s Bauhaus style 1970s architectural triumph. Steel, expanses of glass and fine art create a trendy yet opulent airy feel. The Chuan Spa is a haven of tranquillity, with a peaceful pool area, saunas and steam room. Chef Ricardo Jarquin serves American-Italian dishes at Travelle Kitchen + Bar, while club level guests enjoy access to an exclusive 12th-floor lounge. Families are welcome and can even bring up to two dogs and a cat, making it one of the most pet-friendly places in the city.

The famed British brand occupies floors 15 to 30 on Water Tower Place, close to the lake. 434 rooms have massive picture windows and a warm colour scheme. Steaks, seafood and pasta are the specialities at The Ritz restaurant, Torali, but there’s also a cafe, lobby bar and cocktails on the roof (when the weather allows). It’s a great choice for those with children: Ritz Kids Club provides a ‘red wagon’ on arrival from which each child can choose a toy, a candy cart does the rounds, the restaurant has menus for younger diners and rooms come with mini-sized robes and slippers. And there’s a lovely spa for the grown-ups.

Built in the 1920s, the Viceroy’s terracotta and brick exterior has remained. But an entirely new 18 storey glass building has been erected behind, filled with mid-century furnishings, all imagined and created by Goettsch Partners and TAL Studio. It’s an arty design hotel, slightly high-brow – the grand lobby even sports a poetry wall. A rooftop pool offers summer swims, plus there’s a fitness centre, ample meeting facilities for business travellers and a rooftop lounge, Devereaux. A seasonally changing menu from chef Lee Wolen can be found at the in-house restaurant Somerset, with the option of sharing family meals, as well as fine cuisine.