The St. Regis Chicago

Rooms and decor

Picture a blue-green glass skyscraper that climbs in three stepped tiers like a glass waterfall, rising 101 floors above the Chicago River — that is Vista Tower, home to The St. Regis Chicago and the work of Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang, designed into the tallest building in the world created by a woman-led team. The hotel opened in 2020 and takes the first 11 or so floors of the tower, with 192 rooms and suites. Walk into a room and the first thing you notice is the full-wall window opening onto a panoramic view of the city or Lake Michigan. The decor is warm and modern in cream, brown and gold, with good materials throughout and beds that reviews call easy to sleep in. The marble bathroom is spacious, with a separate tub and a rain shower. Because the tower is so new, everything looks crisp and clean. Open the curtains in the morning to the Chicago skyline or sunrise over the lake — that is the thing reviews say is most worth it.

Food and amenities

The lifestyle heart of the place is the Japanese restaurant Miru, serving contemporary Japanese food in an upscale room with a city view — good for a special dinner or a get-together. Next to it is a lounge bar with a nice atmosphere for cocktails over the skyline at night. For downtime there is the full St. Regis kit: an indoor pool, a well-equipped fitness center and a spa. What sets St. Regis apart from the usual luxury hotel is the butler service on each floor, looking after guests from unpacking and pressing clothes to morning coffee, along with the brand's signature evening champagne sabering. Many reviews praise the overall feel as quiet, refined and carefully run, with common areas designed to match a building that is already a major piece of architecture.

Location and getting there

Location is another strong card here. The hotel sits in Lakeshore East, on the northeast corner of The Loop — a quiet, leafy pocket that is still connected to everything visitors want. Step out and you are on the Chicago Riverwalk, one of the prettiest riverside paths in the city. Walk on about 10 minutes and you reach Millennium Park, home to the famous Cloud Gate (The Bean), and Maggie Daley Park right beside it. Lake Michigan and Navy Pier are not far, an easy waterfront walk. If you prefer transit, the CTA elevated train (Brown/Orange/Pink/Purple Line at State/Lake) is about a 12-minute walk, and getting in by car from O'Hare or Midway is straightforward. If your idea of a trip is waking up to walk the river, take in the parks and soak up the Chicago skyline with barely a ride, this location fits well.

Things to know before booking

To help you decide, here is the straight talk. The thing reviews flag most often is the added cost — pricey valet parking and certain service fees that push the total higher than you might expect, so check these details when you book. If you are not driving, parking is a non-issue. The second point, in some reviews, is service that is not yet consistent with the price; check-in and check-out can run slow or get slightly crossed, partly because the hotel is still fairly new (opened 2020) and the team is still finding its rhythm. The third is the Lakeshore East location, which is lovely and calm but a little set apart from the restaurant and bar scene in the heart of The Loop and River North. The area is quiet at night, so a livelier meal or night out means a short walk or ride. If you like the quiet it is a plus; party-minded travelers may want to plan around it.

Our take

Having read through plenty of real guest reviews, The St. Regis Chicago sells "a stay inside a major piece of architecture, lake and skyline views, and a riverside spot in the middle of the city" with full confidence. If your mental picture of the trip is waking up to a Lake Michigan view from one of the loveliest towers in the city, walking the Riverwalk, then Millennium Park, and coming back for cocktails over the skyline at night, this is about as fitting a choice as it gets — and the St. Regis butler service adds to it. But if you are sensitive to hidden costs like valet parking, or you expect the polished, settled-in service of an older grande dame, keep your expectations in check because this place is still new. Overall we give it 9.0/10, best for couples and luxury travelers who put views, the design of the building, and a lakeside location at the heart of the trip.