Marriott Luxury in The Windy City: A Stay at the St. Regis Chicago
by Krish Patel
Deep in the heart of Illinois’s largest city is a great luxury hotel bookable on points. Outfitted with spacious rooms and luxurious amenities, the St. Regis Chicago is the hotel to stay at when planning a trip to The Windy City.
St. Regis Chicago Location and Convenience
The St. Regis in Chicago is located in the development of Lakeshore East and about 45 minutes to an hour away from O’Hare Airport, depending on traffic. An Uber from ORD to the hotel will cost around $45, but it might be slightly difficult to find the hotel building because of the city’s multi-level streets. With nearby access to the Chicago River and Millenium Park (known for Cloud Gate a.k.a. “The Bean”), the St. Regis is close to several attractions.
St. Regis Chicago Vibe and Amenities
The property is already gorgeous from the outside, but the lobby boasts modern finishes and a swanky atmosphere that contributes to the St. Regis brand. The cozy furniture, elegant marble front desk, and eye-catching geometric artwork seamlessly blend luxury with sophistication. I love the understated gray sofas, velvety soft pillows, and textured walls that all take inspiration from Chicago’s industrial roots as a city.
St Regis Chicago covers all the basics in terms of amenities, including free Wi-Fi and high-speed internet access. Both are considered standard offerings at luxury Marriott hotels.
The 10th floor is where you’ll find the swimming pool, gym, and 12,000 square-foot spa. St. Regis Chicago’s pool is gorgeous, with plenty of poolside chairs for lounging and windows offering excellent views of the city.
The spa’s entrance feels well-decorated with soothing cream and golden shades that create a calming effect.
Meanwhile, St. Regis’s gym serves as the perfect spot for a morning or mid-day workout. You’ll find several weights and machines, as well as a few studios with yoga mats.
St. Regis Chicago Room
For my stay, I was booked into a standard city-view room with two queen-size beds. The rooms are carpeted with blue flooring and sport plush beds made of cozy cotton linens. Both beds are separated by a large nightstand composed of a flat marble surface.
During the day there’s a cozy sofa with an overhead reading lamp if you want to chill out or relax but don’t feel like sleeping yet.
Each of the rooms and suites at St. Regis Chicago has a television, desk, mini bar, and plenty of closet space for storing luggage. The bedroom is practically designed, making it easy to find all of the space's in-room features.
A well-sized bathroom complete with Ren soap products can be found right as you enter the room. It features a marble-clad shower and spacious bathtub surrounded by eye-catching gray and brown tones. The bright sconces give off an elevated and luxurious feel.
St. Regis Chicago Dining
The hotel has two restaurants on the property, Miru and Tre Dita. Miru serves as an all-day restaurant offering curated Japanese delectables, while Tre Dita is a Tuscan steakhouse helmed by chef Evan Funke.
Miru is a fantastic place for having both breakfast and dinner. The breakfast selection is very innovative and includes a breakfast bao bun, which was delicious. I also enjoyed the crispy rice with avocado and loved the beautiful presentation. The restaurant provides a great view of the Chicago River.
Booking the St. Regis Chicago
Entry-level rooms at the St. Regis Chicago start close to $500 or 55,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. Higher-tier rooms such as a Superior Guest Room or Deluxe River View Room cost 89,000 points and 107,000 points per night respectively. In cash, the price for the same rooms would be within the range of $600 and $1,000 at a nightly rate.
When using a Marriott Bonvoy credit card, members can earn points on their hotel purchase. For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card earns 6 points per dollar on qualifying purchases at hotels part of the Bonvoy program, as does the Bevy American Express Card. Using a credit card to book a stay can help maximize your purchase.
American Express Membership Rewards transfer to Marriott at a 1:1 ratio, with occasional transfer bonuses such as 20 or 30%. Marriott Bonvoy isn’t Amex’s best transfer partner if you’re looking to maximize, so it’s better to save your points for transferring them to one of the airlines instead. You can also transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to the Bonvoy program.
Overall Thoughts
St. Regis Chicago is a fabulous hotel that is surrounded by several water bodies and spacious parks. It allows easy access to several famous attractions in the city and also offers incredible service. Whether you book the St. Regis for its incredible rooms, good convenience, or fine dining, you’ll be treated to a relaxing stay within the hustle of a busy city.