There was something rather ‘magnificent’ (it had to be said!) about waking up in one of Chicago’s most historic architectural icons, pulling back the curtains, and being greeted not only by the grandeur of the Magnificent Mile but also by the faint hum of nearly a century of downtown life that seeps through the hotel’s heritage walls. The Pendry Chicago is a hotel that embraces the true duality of being both a glamorous nod to the city’s illustrious past and a sleek player in today’s hospitality scene.
Chicago is a city that wears its architecture on its sleeve. From Frank Lloyd Wright’s prairie styles to Mies van der Rohe’s glass-and-steel modernism to William Le Baron Jenney (who is often credited with designing the world’s first skyscraper, the Home Insurance Building, as early as 1885), the city is a veritable buffet of design.
The Pendry Chicago sits proudly in the Carbon and Carbide Building, a breathtaking 1929 Art Deco skyscraper that gleams with green terracotta and 24-karat gold leaf detailing. Designed by the Burnham Brothers and completed in 1929, it was originally commissioned as the regional headquarters for the Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation. Legend had it the tower was meant to resemble a champagne bottle – which felt just perfect for the OutThere traveller. This was surely a hotel, if any, that is always ready to bring the party. Over the decades, the tower has witnessed Chicago’s evolution from roaring twenties optimism to modern-day urban vibrancy, and today, the Pendry Chicago inhabits a space where history and contemporary luxury intersect seamlessly.
Pendry Hotels & Resorts, part of the Montage International family, has made a name for itself blending classic hospitality with a contemporary, art-forward ethos. Their Chicago outpost didn’t stray from this brief. Rather than stripping the building of its historic charm, they let the bones speak for themselves. Think grand gilded elevators, geometric tiling and an overall vibe that felt like we had stepped into a Jazz Age soirée – if, of course, that soirée had contemporary furnishings and a signature scent of absinthe and bergamot.
The hotel’s interiors exuded an unexpectedly calm, homely atmosphere. Instead of vying with the building’s ornate heritage, the Pendry Chicago’s designers opted for clean lines, neutral tones and pared-back décor, punctuated by beautifully curated lighting and bursts of greenery. At first glance, devotees of Art Deco might have found the restraint surprising, given the era’s penchant for extravagance. Yet on reflection, the understatement felt deliberate: a backdrop that allowed the building’s historic architecture to take centre stage.
Stepping into our Studio, the feeling was more bijou apartment than hotel. There was no kitchenette – so we didn’t expect to whip up a midnight snack (there was late-night deep pan pizza just around the corner after all) – but the sense of homeliness was undeniable. It was the kind of space where we could imagine moving in with a couple of well-chosen coffee table books and a houseplant. There were just three rooms per floor, which added a sense of privacy, like we had a little slice of this tower all to ourselves.
Admittedly, the walls didn’t quite block out the bustling soundtrack of the Magnificent Mile below. At night, the city’s energy sneaked in through the windows – honking horns, a siren or two, the low thrum of life. Some may have called it noise; we called it character. Still, if you are after hushed serenity, earplugs are a must.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Culturalist | ORD | GMT -6 |
| While you’re Out There |
| Be sure not to skip Pendry’s dining options, but if you’re craving something more local, there is deep-dish near the hotel. Giordano’s on Randolph Street is less than 10 minutes on foot and serves the stuffed pizzas Chicago is famous for: gooey cheese, rich tomato sauce, and a buttery crust that could double as a chair. For a local favourite with a slightly crispier edge, stroll over to Lou Malnati’s on State Street. Either way, go hungry – these aren’t places for a slice, but for a full-on culinary event. |
Lucky guests of one of Pendry Chicago’s signature suites are let in on some delicious secrets. The Carbon Suite is a front-row seat to the city’s glittering skyline, best enjoyed in a plush robe with a glass of something sparkling in hand. The Carbide Suite, also named for the building, had that corner-luxury-apartment allure: all sweeping views and with enviable square footage. And then there was the Pendry Suite, the showstopper – lofty, elegant, and just decadent enough that we seriously debated cancelling our plans, upgrading and spending the evening here instead, ordering champagne on repeat.
Tech was a ghost in the machine. On paper, the rooms came equipped with all the mod cons we’d expect of a luxury property: SMART TVs, mood lighting, and a phone to reach reception. In practice, though, things felt a bit more 1990s RadioShack than 21st-century luxury. The TV’s controls, albeit SMART, were clunky, the kind that made us long for the immediacy of our own laptop. The telephone might have survived the Nixon era, and we struggled for a while before managing to order in-room dining. And sometimes, the lights dimmed and brightened seemingly of their own volition – either a design quirk or perhaps the ghost of a prohibition-era reveller still roaming in the rafters.
Wellness was woven deep into our stay. The 24-hour fitness centre made it easy to keep our morning rituals or late-night resets intact, with gleaming Technogym equipment, Peloton bikes and free weights at the ready. In select guestrooms, Tonal digital trainers gave guests access to a very personal fitness studio, next to their minibars. And because Chicago begged to be explored on foot, the Concierge mapped us a neighbourhood running or walking route, from a breezy jog down to Lakeshore Drive to a more architectural wander through the city’s storied streets.
Pendry Chicago takes its wining and dining as seriously as its design pedigree. Château Carbide, perched on the rooftop, was the city’s glamorous secret garden, a French Riviera–inspired champagne bar where bubbles flowed as freely as the conversation, all set against knockout views of the skyline, some up close and personal. Sadly, timing wasn’t on our side to enjoy it. On the first evening, the restaurant was closed for a wedding, a clear reminder that this property was hot for nuptials.
The following day, Chicago put on a weather show that only it could deliver. Sheets of rain lashed down and we didn’t fancy being on a tower rooftop. Romantic, yes. Practical for enjoying dinner, less so.
Back at lobby level, Bar Pendry held its own with craft cocktails that nodded to the city’s history and its modern mixology scene. It was absolutely worth our grabbing a nightcap or two and imagining the stories these gilded walls could tell.
Venteux was the hotel’s chic brasserie, where French classics met Midwestern ingredients – perfect for a leisurely breakfast, a long boozy lunch, or oysters and bubbles that stretch well into the evening.
Pendry, as a brand, prides itself on offering contemporary luxury rooted in culture, art, design and cuisine, and its Chicago property ticked many of these boxes. It wasn’t about over-the-top extravagance; it was about creating a stylish, modern sanctuary within a landmark setting.
Where other hotels on the Magnificent Mile leaned into more of a business-travel sensibility, we felt the Pendry Chicago offered a more boutique, residential feel. And in a town where hotels are often vast and impersonal, that intimacy was refreshing.
That said, there were some little quirks to get over. But then again, perfection had never been Chicago’s brand. It’s a city that has long thrived on grit, reinvention, and character – and in that sense, the Pendry fits right in.
Photography courtesy of Pendry Chicago
