The Viceroy Chicago is one of Chicago’s most luxurious 5-star properties. Set in a 120 year old building in the historic, easily walkable Gold Coast district, this 1920s Art Deco style hotel is completely unique from anywhere else we’ve ever stayed. Every aspect of our stay was absolutely sublime, and their attached restaurant, Somerset, was the perfect spot for brunch prior to heading out to explore the city. Here’s what we loved the most about Viceroy Chicago hotel.
Viceroy Chicago
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Address: 1118 N State St, Chicago, Illinois 60610
Rating: 5-Star Hotel
Staff Helpfulness & Friendliness: 5/5
Cleanliness: 5/5
Room size: 5/5
Room Amenities: 5/5
Room and Bed Comfort: 5/5
Pool: Yes, Seasonal Rooftop Pool
Spa: Partners with AIRE Ancient Baths
Valet Parking: Self-parking at nearby Newberry Plaza
(Use Spothero app for heavily discounted rates)
Proximity to Other Points of Interest: 5/5
Arrival at Viceroy Chicago
Upon our arrival at Viceroy Chicago, we were greeted by a doorman who directed us to the check-in area, and told us to leave our vehicle parked out front while we checked in. Checking in took only a moment, and was socially distanced, making it one of the fastest, smoothest experiences we’ve had in the city. Valet services are currently suspended at the hotel, but the front desk recommended that we park at nearby Newberry Plaza using the SpotHero app, which saved us about 80% on the listed parking fee, making it the cheapest overnight parking we’ve ever found at just over $10 per evening.
Viceroy Chicago’s Ambience
The hotel has a very regal, tranquil feel to it. I’m very partial to Art Deco décor as it is, so seeing this hotel in person was such a fun experience for me. I loved the use of neutrals, pops of metallic gold, and reflective black surfaces around the hotel, along with their use of crystals in light fixtures, like the selenite crystal wall sconces in our room and throughout the hotel.
Despite being right down town in the Gold Coast district, we felt like we were in our own private world, as the hotel was totally silent, and we never heard any sort of road noise up on the 7th floor.
Room & Amenities at Viceroy Chicago
Our room was very spacious, and had an entranceway, hallway, a bedroom and a sitting area, plus a large bathroom with a large soaking tub, standing stone shower, double vanity sinks, and a separate toilet area. Our room had everything we could need during our stay, from cell phone chargers and drinks to makeup remover wipes, vanity kits, embroidered hotel robes and slippers, and an alarm clock we could connect our phones to in order to play music or sync our alarms. The bathroom even had heated floors, which made getting out of the bath or shower a far more comfortable experience.
Somerset Restaurant Inside Viceroy Chicago
Our first brunch in the city was at Somerset, and it was a splendid meal in an equally pleasant atmosphere. The restaurant is decorated similarly to the rest of the hotel, making it a very cohesive branding experience. The ground floor is where most of the seating is located, along with the bar, and an outdoor patio area with private greenhouses and a miniature garden. On the 1st floor, we found a “game room” with dozens of vintage darts stuck in the wall, another more private and secluded bar, further dining seating, and a great view of the city and dining area below, centered around a massive bronze, Art Deco style chandelier.
Read my full recap of Somerset, and all of the delicious food we ate, here!
Pool & Spa at Viceroy Chicago
While the hotel does in fact have a gorgeous pool deck that’s open during the warmer months on the 18th floor, it was unfortunately closed during our visit. We tried to go up to see the pool deck, but it was locked, so we couldn’t see what the views might look like in the summer. If you’re curious, you can see what their pool deck looks like on their website – it’s really pretty! Hopefully one day we can visit again in the summertime to enjoy one of the best pools in the city.
Viceroy Chicago has a partnership with AIRE Ancient Baths, which we visited during our last trip to Chicago, and I can tell you without any hesitation that AIRE Ancient Baths is the best spa we’ve visited in Chicago. Modeled after the ancient baths enjoyed for centuries in Seville, Spain, the dark, relaxing ambience will wash away any visitor’s stress as guests move from bath to bath, each with a different temperature and restorative property, at their own pace. Read more about AIRE Ancient Baths in my Luxury Spa review, and watch the video tour I created at the spa, here.
Final Thoughts on Viceroy Chicago
Our overall experience here was simply excellent. From the staff’s top-notch friendliness and helpfulness and the delicious food at the hotel’s signature restaurant, to the comfort and peacefulness of our room and the convenient location, I can’t think of a better hotel to stay in during a visit to Chicago. If you’re looking for luxury, elegance, a prime location, delightful food, unique décor, a room so comfortable you won’t want to leave it, and proximity to Chicago’s most luxurious spa, Viceroy Chicago is the only hotel you need to consider.
Lio Afrah says
Such a unique and beautiful look!