The travel bug recently bit again during Labour Day weekend and this time the symptoms led my wife and I to celebrate our birthdays in the Windy City!
When traveling, there are two hefty requirements that seem to make our getaways memorable and fulfilling. One, a great hotel. Check. And two, amazing food. Double check! Add a Cubbies game at the infamous Wrigley Field, and I’m one heck of a happy camper!
We like to spoil ourselves for the hard work we put in back home. To say that The Peninsula, Chicago added to those spoils is quite the understatement. In fact, The Peninsula, just steps away from The Magnificent Mile, very well may be our overwhelming favourite accommodation to date.
Located perfectly on East Superior Street at North Michigan Avenue, we were steps away from some of the best shopping and food North America has to offer. You know what they say. When in Chicago….
With accolades as long as the proverbial arm, The Peninsula Chicago was named Travel & Leisure’s #1 facility in the US and Canada in their World’s Best Awards, as well as being named the Number One Hotel in Illinois on the Travel + Leisure’s ‘500 Best Awards’. The need-to-know and “I need to be THERE” list continues as Chi-town’s Peninsula was also named “Number One City Hotel in the World” by Andrew Harper (October 2011) and received the Forbes Five Star Award for 2012. This is the tenth consecutive year the hotel has received this award.
From the generous and friendly staff and management, to unbelievable rooms and suites, tourist and hot-spot assistance all the way to mouth watering fine dining and a world class spa – The Peninsula is, in one word – perfect.
When On The Road and your journey finds you in Chicago, check out The Peninsula and just a few of our must-dos:
- Wrigley Field – enough said, right boys?
- ChooseChicago.com – VERY useful website. They’ll send you a free magazine with tourism tips and are happy to help you in any way
- The Lobby & Shanghai Terrace – amazing, world-renowned and award-winning dining inside The Peninsula
- Millennium Park – featuring “The Bean”, food, drink and an unbelievable amphi-theatre with front row sound quality even while sitting in the grass relaxing and daydreaming
- Giordano’s Restaurant – featuring their famous (and amazing!) classic deep dish pizza and located immediately outside the main entrance of The Peninsula
- Architecture Boat Tour – even if you have absolutely no architecture knowledge or care, this is a must do, aboard Chicago’s First Lady and among what seems to be an endless skyline of skyscrapers. Absolutely awesome!
- Get comfortable with the Subway system and utilize it – much cheaper than taxi rides. You’ll be surprised how far you can travel and how much you can see with your own two feet up and down Michigan Avenue and surrounding areas.
- Grahamwich – sandwich deli owned by MasterChef’s Graham Elliott. WOW!
- John Hancock Centre – experience some of the Second City’s history and see it all from high above. Some breath-taking views!
- The Navy Pier – the number one tourist attraction in the state of Illinois, complete with awesome views, many restaurants to choose from, an old school ferris wheel ride, theatre, live music and more! Once again, you can walk there from The Peninsula.
- Sprinkles Cupcakes – with the famous Cupcake ATM machine
- The Magnificent Mile – never-ending shopping, food, dining and surprises. Great fun, clean, safe and family friendly!
- The Spa at Peninsula – our gift to you, ladies
- The Cheesecake Factory – a must stop for us and all cheesecake fanatics
- Endless theatre choices everywhere you look
- SkyDeck Chicago – discover the best of Chicago on your way to the 103rd floor Skydeck. Come up to the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower for an unforgettable experience.
A gracious and personal thank you goes to Susan Ellefson and Elmer Carbajal of The Peninsula for their assistance in our unforgettable stay. We’ll see you again. That much I can guarantee!
For more information on The Peninsula, Chicago, check out their website by clicking here.