My mother and I have taken trips to downtown Chicago since I can remember. When I look back, it didn’t matter what we did because downtown was fun and the epicenter of the world for me. Those visits shaped me in a way that prepared me to be a world traveler because Chicago is a world-class city.
I returned to Chicago for my annual summertime Chi fix to experience the city’s energy, spend time with family & friends, and most importantly, avoid Chicago winters. After years of taking trips downtown, we decided to do a staycation at the Four Seasons Hotel located on Michigan Avenue. The Four Seasons is in an absolutely perfect location, steps away from all the famous tourist spots, restaurants, and shopping locales. The hotel was recently renovated, and its modern, sleek design makes you feel like you just got drafted as the number one pick by the Chicago Bulls.
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The Room
We stayed in the deluxe one-bedroom suite on the 44th floor, and it was marvelous. The view from the room felt panoramic. There was a sweeping view of Lake Michigan from the dining room, and with my birds-eye view of Michigan Ave, I would reflect on the countless memories walking the Magnificent Mile. On the living room side, I could see as far as my eyes could stretching into the north side and back northwest to Ohare.
My mom is the queen, so she slept in the massive king bedroom, and the generous bathroom came with a marble bathtub and shower. The smart TV has Netflix on it to log in and watch movies in the evening. I took up the living room and dining room. The sleeper sofa was comfortable, and the chaise lounger was a great touch to read a book or daydream looking into the lake. There is a bathroom connected to the living room with a shower. The suite comes with a wet bar equipped with a Nespresso machine and microwave.
Lemon ricotta pancakes
Adorn Restaurant
In the lobby, the Adorn restaurant is where we kicked off our days on delicious breakfast meals. The menu is American breakfast, and they had a few unique items like lemon ricotta pancakes. The staff is friendly and thorough about everything. The view from the restaurant sets the tone for your day, and you can see the John Hancock Building from your seat, and it inspires you to conquer the world.
Gym
My mom and I are gym rats, and a 24-hour gym is right up our alley. Again, the views from the gym are spectacular. No matter where you are in the hotel, you don’t feel like you’re in a box. They did a great design job of bringing the city inside the hotel. The gym has everything you need to get the job done. We were able to work out every morning and stick to our routines.
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Pool
I love to swim, and a pool is always a great idea. My mother is relearning how to swim after putting it on hold in her 20s. She almost drowned in college but made sure my sister and I learned. The Four Seasons pool is 4ft deep, so there was nothing but positive vibes. She took to the lap and swim from one end to the other and was elated. It was touching to see how happy she was to swim without fear.
The Four Seasons Chicago was my first stay at one of their properties, and it is fitting to do it in Chicago. This city has given me so many of my firsts in life. I loved every moment of our stay, and it felt like I finally learned a Chicago secret, and I hope you get a chance to experience it one day!