The Langham Hospitality Group can add another city to its roster today: Chicago. The brand-new Windy City hotel, housed in a landmark structure by 20th-century architect Mies van der Rohe and formally known as the IBM building, stands at an idyllic location just steps from the Chicago River and within walking distance to many of the city’s premier restaurants and shops. From a one-of-a-kind spa and unbeatable views to generously sized guest rooms, The Langham, Chicago is sure to be one of the hottest properties in town.
In keeping with The Langham brand’s undeniable elegance, the new hotel (from floors 2 to 12 in the building) feels contemporary, streamlined and chic. The 316 guest rooms are a soothing respite from the bustle outside, with travertine-swathed bathrooms (a nod to van der Rohe’s fondness for this particular form of limestone), vistas of downtown Chicago and the river, and modern amenities such as Bose stereos and 55-inch LCD TVs (according to sources, they’re the largest hotel TVs in the city). Wide hallways feel residential and comfortable, and feature different photographs from various artists such as William Wegman.
The Langham’s signature Chuan Spa — whose concept was created eight years ago in Hong Kong — will be a 16,000-square-foot space at the Chicago outpost complete with impressive features such as a Himalayan salt sauna, aromatherapy showers (mint or eucalyptus) and unique sensory loungers for post-treatment relaxation. The 25-minute lounge sessions will tap into your senses of sound (individualized music), touch (heat), sight (chromatherapy) and smell (scents), and are sure to be a highlight of your pampering experience. Signature services include Thalgo facials, herbal salt scrubs and Chinese medicine treatments such as acupuncture and cupping.
When it comes time to eat, head to the hotel’s second-floor signature restaurant, Travelle, which serves Mediterranean cuisine in an airy space filled with wood and metal touches as well as floor-to-ceiling windows. Order a Manhattan or martini served tableside on a bar cart — again, paying homage to the 1960s building — and dine on plates such as flaming chicken saganaki or Niçoise ahi crudo as you soak in the city scapes. Don’t forget to stop in the Pavilion Lounge — inspired by van der Rohe’s renowned 1929-built Barcelona Pavilion — for The Langham’s famous Tiffin tea that originated at the London property back in 1865.
Photos courtesy of Langham Hotels International Limited
