This summer we stayed at the Waldorf Astoria Chicago, perfectly located in the city’s lively Gold Coast neighborhood, one of the most charming and upscale areas in town.
The moment you arrive, the building’s stunning architecture and elegant courtyard instantly transport you to Paris. With its timeless design and refined atmosphere, this hotel perfectly combines classic European elegance with Chicago’s modern energy.
Just like many Waldorf Astorias, this one features its own Peacock – not an Alley this time, but a chic Lounge in the lobby area. The only thing still missing? The brand’s iconic clock. We asked about it during check-in, and were told that a locally inspired clock might be added in the future.
Booking and Value with Points
We booked one night using Hilton Honors Points at a rate of 100,000 points per night. Even after the recent Hilton Honors points devaluation, this hotel still starts at 95,000 points for standard room awards.
Cash rates vary significantly throughout the year, around $500 per night during the colder months, but climbing to over $1,000 per night in the summer. In our case, using points was definitely the smarter choice.
Alternatively, you can book through Hilton for Luxury on Gaja Dreams Hotels and enjoy extra benefits such as complimentary breakfast for two, a $100 hotel credit per stay, double Hilton Honors points, early check-in and late check-out (upon availability), and a room upgrade (upon availability).
Right now, Waldorf Astoria Chicago is offering a 25% discount starting from just one night, making a paid stay an excellent value alternative to using points. And if you’re a Hilton Honors elite member, you’ll still receive your daily food and beverage credit as usual.
Our Room: A Cozy Summer Surprise
We noticed a fantastic upgrade already a few days before check-in in Hilton App: from a standard room to a Junior Suite with Fireplace.
Sure, we didn’t need a fireplace in the middle of Chicago’s summer heat, but it made such a charming design feature. The funny part? We tried pressing the button just to see if it worked – and it did! The fireplace was fully ready, so you can cozy up to a crackling fire here all year long.
When we arrived early, our suite wasn’t ready yet due to a large event the night before, but the front desk team handled it perfectly. We had a great chat with the young gentleman at reception and decided to enjoy the beautiful weather with a walk through Lincoln Park and the Zoo.
By the time we returned, our suite was ready – and it was worth the wait! Spacious, elegant, and designed with smart touches throughout. We absolutely loved the layout – a large living and bedroom area divided by the fireplace, a bright marble bathroom with a tub and walk-in shower, and a walk-in closet connecting the two. The warm burgundy tones added a rich, elegant vibe without feeling heavy.
Dinner at Brass Tack
That evening, we dined at Brass Tack, and it turned out to be another highlight of our stay. The food was excellent, but what really stood out was the service, every staff member was friendly, attentive, and genuinely cared about creating a great experience.
Conclusion
After several stays at other Waldorf Astoria hotels around the world where the service didn’t always meet our expectations, Waldorf Astoria Chicago truly felt like the brand at its best.
From check-in to check-out, everything was flawless from start to finish – as we’d expect from every hotel in this iconic brand.
This kind of luxury, of course, comes with a high price tag, but here, the experience absolutely matches the cost. If you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply want to treat yourself in Chicago, Waldorf Astoria Chicago is worth every moment.
