Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago
Photo Courtesy of Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago
Chicago has no dearth of luxury hotels, but when you are looking for spaciousness and a VIP experience, Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago is hard to beat. Here are five things we love about this 92-story architectural marvel in the Windy City.
The views
Fun fact: Trump Chicago’s exterior is made of 30 miles of glass. What does this mean for you? Views. Seriously stunning, spectacularly crazy cityscapes are everywhere you turn. You’ll see them from your room, from the 14th-floor spa, the 16th-floor Sixteen restaurant, and even from the mezzanine level, which houses the Rebar cocktail lounge. The East-facing side of the tower is most impressive, with an unobstructed panoramic look encompassing the iconic Wrigley Building, the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.
The rooms
Hotel rooms in big cities like Hong Kong or New York can often be tiny, but you’ll never feel that way at Trump Chicago. The smallest of the property’s 339 rooms starts at 600 square feet, while Grand Deluxe Suites are as big as apartments, measuring from 1,663 to 3,876 square feet. Magnificent 10-foot floor-to-ceiling windows further add to the feeling of roominess, while remote-controlled window furnishings allow you to enjoy the view — or not — at the touch of a button.
Sixteen, Photo Courtesy of Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago
Everything else is top-of-the-line, too, from the 65-inch Samsung TVs and automated “do not disturb” signs to the plush beds that come complete with a pillow menu.
The bathrooms aren’t too shabby either. Made of limestone, the spaces feature a sunken tub, a separate shower and toilet, a small TV built into the mirror and, of course, a full set of Trump toiletries.
Sixteen
Naturally set on the 16th floor of the hotel, the Five-Star Sixteen is a destination unto itself. As you approach the dining room, you’ll feel the big reveal as the city of Chicago unfolds before your eyes. Soaring 30-foot floor-to-ceiling windows dramatically frame the famous skyline outside while a 14-foot Swarovski crystal chandelier, made of 19,000 individual crystals, adds glitter from the inside.
Helmed by executive chef Thomas Lents, the restaurant’s tasting menu is a wondrous journey through American cuisine, complemented by a 700-plus label wine menu.
The spa
The cool thing about visiting a Four-Star spa on the 14th floor of a building is being able to look at all the commotion below while sitting in optimum comfort. Plush carpeted hallways lead to a sumptuous locker area. After changing, you’re whisked away to one of the 11 treatment rooms.
The Spa at Trump Chicago, Photo Courtesy of Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago
Once there, the therapist will personalize your service in accordance with the Trump Personal Intention Scale: Do you want to calm, balance, purify, heal or revitalize? The signature gemstone massages, which incorporate sapphire, emerald and diamonds into the oils, are a worthwhile investment for the body. For the face, the Kate Somerville signature facial is a must.
Location
At Trump Chicago, you’re basically right in the center of all the action. Conveniently located right on the Riverwalk in the heart of River North, the hotel is adjacent to the Magnificent Mile, putting you in easy walking distance to countless shops and restaurants (like lauded The Purple Pig, which is just a couple of buildings away).
Approximately 10 blocks in the other direction is Millennium Park, Chicago’s famous sculpture The Bean and the Art Institute of Chicago. But the best thing about Trump Chicago’s address is that it offers the best possible vista of Lake Michigan. You can wake up each morning of your stay to the utterly enchanting view of the sun rising over the water.
