Find our Inspection team's official review of Pendry Chicago, here. Below, one MICHELIN contributing writer on what makes the Pendry the height of Chicago luxury.
Rising 37 stories above Michigan Avenue, I can see the Carbide & Carbon building — home to the Pendry Chicago — from my boat wafting through the Chicago River. I’m on the architecture boat tour, pretty much every local here’s top recommendation for out of towners. A 90-minute ride that navigates all three branches of river, it’s no surprise proud Chicagoans encourage it. Floating under building after building of glittering glass and steel, it is a total immersion into one of the most impressive skylines in the country. You disembark with a staggering appreciation for the Second City. I’m only at the Pendry Chicago for a weekend, but when the tour guide points to its gleaming gold crown, I can’t help sharing a hint of that pride.
Erected in 1929, the gold-leafed tower and vintage green terracotta of the lower flowers were allegedly designed to resemble a traditional Champagne bottle — a cheeky comment on the ongoing Prohibition. Designated a landmark in 1996, the Pendry moved in in 2021. Today, this Two MICHELIN Key hotel is perhaps Chicago’s most architecturally celebrated. Inside, the hotel lobby is outfitted with Belgian marble, polished black granite, and bronze trim.
It wears its history proudly while writing its own history into the walls of its 364 refurbished guestrooms, including 81 suites.
My experience began at Bar Pendry — one of the hotel’s signature restaurant concepts that flows off the lobby. A multi-dimensional face against an unframed scarlet background popped against the cognac leather sofas and oriental rugs.
As with the rest of Pendry’s portfolio (including Two-Key properties Pendry West Hollywood and Pendry Manhattan West) Pendry Chicago seeks to exist as a hub of hospitality, leaning into its destination city through local design, cuisine, art, and community events. This includes showcasing local talent throughout the common areas and guestrooms; Chicago-born and raised artist, Clarence James, created the face that greeted us above the focal fireplace of Bar Pendry. James is in good company with an impressive in-house art collection curated by Michael Fuerstman, Pendry co-founder and creative director, as he fuses international talent like Arnout Meijer’s lobby light sculpture with California surf photography from Tom Adler.
On the menu, destination-specific culinary staples immediately tantalized; like Pendry’s riff on the “Chicago Style” hot dog, elevated with Japanese milk bread, truffle gouda fondue, dill pickled green tomato and truffle mustard aioli. The Charcuterie & Cheese plate exhibited a local selection of cured meats and cheeses with in-house made mostrada and accoutrements. I came to learn that the bar periodically offers Boozy Tea, presenting diners with tiered plates of burgers and caviar-topped tarts alongside High Tea’s traditional finger sandwiches and tea-based cocktails.
On the other side of the lobby, prefaced by a wall of vintage mirrors, Venteux is Pendry Chicago’s French brasserie and oyster bar. Ruby banquettes and dim lighting evoke old-world dining in a casual setting where the likes of caviar, steak tartare, ratatouille, bouillabaisse, and moules frites are served in brasserie style.
Upstairs, Pendry Chicago further honors the city’s illustrious French connection with its absinthe-inspired cocktail bar, Château Carbide. The 24th floor lounge opens to a terrace that touts an epic view of Chicago’s skyline, where programming rotates to foster community beyond hotel guests, like their Absinthe cocktail classes and French Apéro Hour. The bounty of Old and New World absinthe available at Château Carbide presents an educational opportunity via an absinthe flight or a unique chance to veer from your go-to cocktail, opting for a botanical-driven libation instead.
When it comes to accommodations, Pendry Chicago presents doubles, kings, and a collection of suites that all combine modern interiors with preserved features of the historic building, like crown moldings and quad bay windows. The marble-clad bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and walk-in showers stocked with custom-amenities from MiN New York are certainly a reprieve for winding down after a day of walking the city. Other notable details include Fili D’Oro luxury bed linens, a Vittoria espresso machine, a Bluetooth speaker and, in select guestrooms, Tonal digital exercise equipment (though, they do have a 24-hour fitness center, too). The suites boast an open-floor plan starting from 472- to 1,033-square-feet, with the top category Pendry Suite decked out with a Kawai piano, guitar and record player, complete with a collection of vinyls.
But with a location as great as this you may not be in the room much. At the heart of The Loop, near the waterfront and Magnificent Mile, there’s more to explore than time allows for, from taco-stands on the river to rooftop bars and internationally acclaimed museums.
Still, if you only have time for one activity, I have to agree with the locals. Go with the architecture tour — and keep your eyes peeled for your temporary home.
Hero image: Pendry Chicago
