Housed in one of Chicago’s historic landmarks — the McGraw-Hill Building — The Gwen opened in May. The Starwood Luxury Collection hotel’s 1930s-inspired Art Deco property sits in the heart of the Magnificent Mile. The hotel’s namesake Gwen Lux designed the iconic friezes depicting the zodiac on the building’s exterior.

Guests check in at the fifth-floor lobby. The glamorous space with crystal chandeliers, cobalt blue chairs, marble floors and curated art exudes a modern vibe. The boutique hotel has 300 guestrooms and 33 suites. For our weekend visit, we selected a king deluxe suite on the 12th floor.

Decorated in soothing neutrals, the suite’s open foyer invites you into the separate living room with impressive views of Chicago’s skyscrapers. A built-in bar contains a Keurig coffeemaker and a mini-fridge. A sofa sleeper converts to a queen-sized bed and faces a flat-screen television. Black-and-white photos of iconic city images decorate the wall in a spacious bedroom with a king-sized bed and a television. A Bose Lifestyle audio system enhances the viewing experience in both rooms. The huge bathroom with high-end finishes features a lighted makeup mirror, robe and Element bath products. WiFi is complimentary.

© Brandon Barré

For dinner, we dined at Upstairs at the Gwen — a terrace with fifth-floor rooftop views. Jim ordered the refreshing signature cocktail — the Urban Buzz made with Koval Bourbon, honey syrup and lemon juice. Keeping with the 1930s theme, many of the cocktails are classic drinks such as French 75, Mary Pickford, Tom Collins, Gin Rickey and Mint Julep. The menu is innovative American cuisine. I chose the Hickory-smoked chicken served with potato and parsnip purée and roasted rainbow carrots. Jim selected the Lux burger and truffle herb potato wedges. The locally sourced food was delicious and the outdoor dining relaxing.

We walked off a few calories shopping. An elevator in the hotel took us to The Shops at North Bridge, which encompasses Nordstrom, Eataly, 50 stores and numerous restaurants within six city blocks.

Our second day in the city, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast of yogurt parfaits at the hotel’s restaurant Circa, followed by a visit to The Chicago Field Museum. In the evening, we caught a new musical starring Patti LuPone at the Goodman Theatre, less than half a mile from the hotel. Our short return walk to The Gwen allowed us to observe the brilliant Chicago skyline reflected in the sparkling river. Back at the hotel, we celebrated with a glass of Champagne — the perfect ending to our luxurious stay in the Windy City.

The Gwen, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Chicago

521 N. Rush St.
Chicago, IL 60611
tel 312 645 1500