Review: Waldorf Astoria Chicago

To be honest, I don’t have an especially favorable perception of the Waldorf Astoria brand. While in theory it’s one of Hilton’s luxury brands, their New York property looks like it could be the set of Tower of Terror.

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That being said, I had heard rave reviews of the Waldorf Astoria Chicago, which opened just a few years ago. It was formerly The Elysian, also one of Chicago’s top hotels.

For the night I was staying, paid rates were hovering around $435. This is a Category 9 Honors property, making a free night redemption 80,000 Hilton points. That’s a bit rich for my blood. The good news was that Points And Money was also available, at the cost of 32,000 Honors points plus $150 per night. That’s a price I can stomach, both in terms of the cash outlay and points cost.

What’s amazing about this hotel is that a standard room is over 600 square feet. That’s insane.

I arrived at the Waldorf at around 4PM, and was impressed as soon as I pulled in — it’s in a massive 60 story building.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago exterior

The hotel’s driveway feels residential, given that it’s separated quite a bit from the street. You really feel more like you’re pulling up to a mansion in suburbia than a city hotel.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago driveway

The lobby felt equally residential, with a reception desk to the right and a large seating area to the left.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago lobby

Waldorf Astoria Chicago lobby

Waldorf Astoria Chicago lobby

Waldorf Astoria Chicago lobby

I was quickly welcomed at check-in, and the associate was extremely friendly and professional, if not a bit over the top.

He acknowledged my Diamond status, and while I hadn’t been pre-blocked for an upgrade, he proactively offered to take a look at their available inventory. He upgraded me to a one bedroom suite, which made that only my second suite upgrade as a Diamond elite member, other than my first stay at the Hilton Budapest.

I was also handed a welcome letter, as well as a 15% discount coupon for Balsan Restaurant, which is the hotel’s restaurant.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago welcome letter

Waldorf Astoria Chicago Honors elite discount

While I was thrilled at the proactive upgrade, it’s ridiculously frustrating that not all Hilton Honors benefits apply at Waldorf Astoria properties. At Waldorf Astoria properties you receive the following “My Way” benefits:

Waldorf Astoria™ Hotels & Resorts

• Space-available upgrade to a preferred room
• Choice of two among the following: 1,000 Honors Bonus Points per stay; one in-room movie⁵ per stay; or a spa, golf or restaurant discount, as designated by the property

So there’s no complimentary breakfast, unlike at all other Hilton family properties.

Anyway, I took the elevator up to the 14th floor, where my suite was located. The hallways were simply gorgeous.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago hallway

I was assigned room 1407, a suite at the far end of the hallway.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite entrance

The room featured a large entryway with the guest bathroom to the left, the living room straight ahead, and the bedroom and master bathroom to the right.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite entryway

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite entrance

The guest bathroom featured — as you’d expect — a sink and toilet.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite guest bathroom

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite guest bathroom

The living room was beautiful. There was a large couch with coffee table and a lounge chair.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite living room

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite living room

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite living room

Then in the corner was a dining table for two.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite living room table

Across from the dining table was the desk, which featured a more traditional chair (as opposed to an office chair).

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite living room desk

Next to the desk was a flat screen TV.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite living room TV

Then next to that was a sink and the minibar.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite living room bar

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite living room minibar

I loved that this room had a balcony, which is rare for city hotels.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite balcony

The views weren’t amazing, but it is nice to get some fresh air from a hotel room nonetheless.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite balcony view

Across from the guest bathroom was the entrance to the bedroom and master bathroom.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite bathroom

The master bathroom featured double sinks, a massive walk-in shower, soaking tub, and partitioned off toilet.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite double sinks

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite bathtub

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite shower

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite bathroom

My room had Salvatore Ferragamo toiletries, which I absolutely love, though rarely find in hotels.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite toiletries

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite bedroom

Then past the master bathroom was the bedroom, which featured a comfortable bed facing a flat screen TV.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite bedroom

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite bedroom

Next to the TV was a flat screen TV and side table.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago King Suite bedroom

All-in-all it was an extremely well designed and nicely appointed room. The in-room Wi-Fi was also fast.

The hotel also had a gorgeous gym and spa on the fifth floor.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago spa

The gym was huge, with plenty of modern equipment (regrettably I didn’t have a chance to use it during this stay).

Waldorf Astoria Chicago gym

Waldorf Astoria Chicago gym

Then there was a small lap pool, which is rare for Chicago.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago pool

Waldorf Astoria Chicago pool

Then there was also a hot tub and a sauna.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago hot tub

Waldorf Astoria Chicago sauna

While breakfast wasn’t included as a Hilton Diamond member, I did have breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant, Balsan, which is located on the third floor. Breakfast is served from 7AM till 11AM on weekdays, though I was still on Europe time so arrived right as they opened.

I more or less had the restaurant to myself, and service was excellent.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago Balsan Restaurant

The breakfast menu read as follows:

I ordered a nonfat cappuccino and water to drink.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago Balsan Restaurant cappuccino and water

And then had a veggie egg white omelet, fruit, and some wheat toast.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago Balsan Restaurant egg white omelet

The food and service were both excellent.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago Bottom Line

I totally get why people were raving about this hotel. It’s gorgeous, has great service, is great with elite recognition (in the context of being a Waldorf, given the suite upgrade I received), though with standard rooms that are 600+ square feet, that’s almost a moot point. I’d definitely return to this hotel if in town and the price is right.

I do still find it frustrating that not all Honors benefits apply at Waldorf Astoria properties. One of my favorite things about elite status at luxury hotels is enjoying a nice breakfast “on the house,” as I’ve had some great breakfast at Park Hyatts, for example. Not getting a similar benefit at Waldorf Astoria properties is kind of disappointing.

Still, this property changed my perception of the Waldorf Astoria brand in a positive way.