Waldorf Astoria Chicago

The Waldorf Astoria Chicago is a solid choice in the heart of the Gold Coast, but it currently lacks the distinctive "wow" factor I expect at this price point. While it delivers the basics of a five-star stay, the value proposition feels a bit thin compared to the high cost of entry. The Space & Atmosphere One major disappointment was the removal of the original Peacock Alley. The replacement lounge is perfectly fine for a quiet moment, but it lacks the grand, iconic atmosphere that usually defines the Waldorf brand. Without it, the lobby feels more like a standard high-end hotel rather than a landmark destination. The Room I stayed in a high-floor corner room that was spacious, clean, and cozy. It felt exactly as a Waldorf should—reliable and high-quality—but the vibe was very similar to a standard Ritz-Carlton. It was comfortable, but there were no unique design elements that made it memorable. Dining at Brass Tack We had meals at Brass Tack. The ambiance is pleasant and the food was enjoyable, but the overall culinary experience felt fairly standard. It met my expectations for a luxury hotel restaurant, but nothing on the menu or in the service stood out as truly exceptional. Wellness & Spa The spa is undoubtedly the standout feature of this property. As a wellness traveler, I prioritize high-quality facilities, and this is one of the better ones I’ve encountered in a U.S. city hotel. A thoughtful highlight was their collaboration with Lululemon; I ended up purchasing a pair of co-branded pants as a souvenir, which is a great touch for guests who value fitness and recovery. The Verdict Stay here for the superior spa and the safe, walkable Gold Coast location. However, if you are looking for a hotel with a unique "soul" or grand character, you might find this property a bit underwhelming for the price.

Personal Concierge Logan Lawson-Parks warmly greeted me and helped make a memorable stay with great attention to detail. She is my go-to person and one of the reasons to stay at the Waldorf Astoria Chicago. She goes above and beyond for her guests. I love staying at the Waldorf, because I feel at home there. In fact, I'm planning my next visit .

From the moment we arrived into the court yard you can feel the magic. When we checked in we were greeted by Fernando who was extremely helpful. And helped us get into an amazing upgrade for our anniversary! When we got there Logan had arranged for a bottle to be waiting for us on ice. Which we loved so much. We had dinner at brass tack, the meat was cooked to perfection and the staff came and made sure we were having the best time possible. We had a corner suite so the views were spectacular. And of course shout out to the valet team who was very attentive when requesting our vehicle. Shout out to Oscar, Jorge, Johnathan, Francisco , and Morgan. The valet pm team was so helpful

The hotel indicated that they sent a driver from Empire to pick me up but the driver they instructed was not from Empire and had no idea where the hotel was. I never got there nor did I ever hear from the property which I find really surprising. I could have been dead yet they never followed up.

Why did the hotel not provide accurate information about the company they used for transportation nor follow up with me on my non-arrival?

This hotel is wonderful. It's so beautiful, clean and modern and the location could not be better. I took my son and 3 of his friends for my son's birthday. I had a whole day planned and needed the hotel's cooperation to make the logistics work. I called the week before and told Ramona that it was my son's birthday and that I really needed everything to go smoothly. I asked if she could do a few things to make that happen. She said she could not guaranty my requests but that the hotel would do its best. Ramona came through for me in every way. Not only did she make all my requests happen, she also made my son feel really special. I cannot say enough about the staff at this hotel. Fernando at the front desk also was so lovely. He also made me feel like he genuinely cared about how things went. The coolest thing was that when my son and his friends got back to their room after dinner, there was a small and delicious birthday cake waiting for them together with a birthday card that was signed by many of the staff members. How thoughtful. The night could not have gone better. I am so grateful to Ramona and all the staff at the hotel for making my son's birthday truly magical. Thank you all!!! We cannot wait to come back.

All the staff were extremely nice and helpful! Usually, there's one person who has an attitude but not at the Waldorf. We were treated like royalty by everyone. It was definitely a pleasant experience. We can't wait to come back!

Don't change a thing. Everything was perfect!

Everything was amazing!!! The staff went above and beyond for our stay! Would return just to stay here!

We stayed at the Waldorf for our short weekend visit in Chicago. We were given a free upgrade to a suite with our Amex benefits and the room had welcome snacks for us! We had two delicious meals at Brass Tacks (lobster toast was delicious). We also used the house car and our driver Luis was very attentive and warm -- our ride was smooth and so relaxing. We will definitely be visiting again!

I stayed in this hotel one night during December 2025. During my check-in process I was helped by D.A. (using his initials only in this review). Then on Sunday morning, as I was trying to get to my floor inside the elevator, I had a problem with my phone-key, it just was not working for me, but luckily for me, D.A. was inside the elevator (seems like he was going up for some breakfast delivery), so D.A. quickly stretched his arm and used his key to give me access to my floor. These are only two examples, but I was impressed by his professionalism, attention to detail and respectful interaction with his customers. It is people like D.A. that really make the difference, not just all the amenities and luxury that we enjoyed at this hotel.