Latest news with #ThePendry
Courier-Mail
6 days ago
- Courier-Mail
Hotel Review: The Pendry, Chicago
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Luxury in inner-city Chicago doesn't have to come with old-world stuffiness if you opt to stay at a hotel that prefers you put your feet up and make it your home while enjoying some of the best views in town. The scene At check-in I'm offered a glass of the jasmine tea punch available beside reception and told to take into the lobby bar where I should tell the bartender the secret word for the day, then to 'make it dirty' (put liquor in it), for free). That should tell you everything about The Pendry. X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY It may be set in a glamorous century-old building from Chicago's Gilded Age, but there's a next-generation fun vibe about everything in here that's obvious from the moment I walk into the lobby. Set in a neighbourhood of old-world luxury hotels, the emphasis at the four-star property seems to be on everyone feeling comfortable and getting to know one another. Guests mill around a free coffee station talking, sit at a big open-plan bar or by a double-sided fireplace in the lobby bar (Bar Pendry). I have the impression they want us to feel right at home (home, that is, if you happened to be worth many millions of dollars). I'm at the edge of the Loop, Chicago's central business district, and barely a block from the Magnificent Mile. Picture: Supplied. Location I'm at the edge of the Loop – Chicago's central business district – and barely a block from the Magnificent Mile, the city's most popular tourist destination. More than 275 restaurants are on this strip, and 460 stores as well as some of America's most celebrated buildings and the country's best-loved art and museum attractions. It's not just tourists who come here either – locals flock too, for upscale department stores and the kinds of historic buildings that make me feel like I'm in Europe. My room's massive for an inner-city hotel. Picture: Supplied. The room My room's massive for an inner-city hotel. The smallest here are between 28 and 38sq m (which is the size of about two standard Paris hotel rooms), with comfortable sitting areas. Most feature double bay windows so there's lots of light. Mine has several, with amazing views of boats going down the Chicago River, which looks even better at night when the lights on all those bridges are sparkling. There's a minimalist vibe going on here, with a black and white colour scheme and lots of monochrome architecture prints on the walls. It's all very understated, which is in keeping with the Pendry brand – the newest, and hippest, division of America's uber-luxurious Montage Hotels & Resorts company. In the bathroom I lather on bathroom amenities custom made for me in a collaboration with New York perfumerie and apothecary label, Min New York. Take the lift to the roof where Château Carbide offers outside and inside small bites and drinks with ridiculous views. Picture: Supplied. Food and drinks There are numerous options on-site, with French brasserie Venteux the best bet. It's on the ground floor and takes my breath away when I walk in. It's all La Belle Epoque (the beautiful era) in here, with 12m floor-to-ceiling windows looking out across greenery to the dining space outside. Still, there's a very casual elegance about the place that puts me right at ease, dressed as I am in jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt. There are Happy Hour deals from Monday to Saturday offering $US10 ($15) cocktails and half a dozen oysters for $US12 ($18). There's also a bar menu available at Bar Pendry. Picture: Supplied. Or take the lift to the roof where Château Carbide offers outside and inside small bites and drinks with ridiculous views over everything including the river, the fancy tall buildings and Trump Tower. You can book a dining spot around your very own fireplace, or when it's warmer, just sit outside and admire the views as you eat French onion grilled cheese. There's also a bar menu available at Bar Pendry. This labyrinth of baths in a restored factory from 1902 makes me feels like I've left Chicago for Rome, circa 500BC. Picture: Supplied. Wellness The gym is fantastic, and if you find motivation a problem (even after the burger with gruyére and raclette you devoured at Venteux) there's a Tonal digital training system on hand, which is like a trainer, but one you can switch off when it tells you to do more push-ups. There's no spa on site, but the hotel offers priority booking and discounts plus free transport to Aire Ancient Baths. This labyrinth of baths decorated in the ancient Greek, Roman and Ottoman manner in a restored factory from 1902 makes me feels like I've left Chicago for Rome, circa 500BC. It may be set in a glamorous century-old building, but there's a next-generation fun vibe about everything in here that's obvious from the moment I walk into the lobby. Picture: Supplied. What's hot On a snowy night – or a balmy one – the rooftop surely has Chicago's finest views to eat and drink by. Magnifique! What's not The peanut M&Ms in the mini bar are $US12 ($18). That's about 50c an M&M. The Pendry has oodles of cool communal hangout options. Picture: Supplied. The verdict - 9.5/10 The Pendry feels like a home away from home, with oodles of cool communal hangout options. The writer was a guest of The Pendry Chicago. Rooms start from $370 a night. Originally published as I stayed at The Pendry, Chicago, a luxury hotel that feels like home
Axios
12-03-2025
- Axios
Charming cherry blossom afternoon teas around D.C.
Afternoon tea season is blooming for spring. Why it matters: Many of the city's popular tea services go all-out with cherry blossom-themed blends, bites and decor. State of play: Afternoon tea is increasingly popular in D.C., especially at luxury hotels — though more casual places are joining the fun (most require reservations regardless). Pinkies up! The St. Regis (Downtown): Dress up for this elegant cherry blossom tea near the White House, starring Dammann Frères blends and a tree full of sweet and savory bites in the luxe lobby. Reservations (through May 18), Weds-Sun, starting at $119. The Pendry (Wharf): The luxe waterfront hotel's boozy tea service gets a cherry blossom twist with offerings like sake-spiked sakura tea and lychee-liquor macarons — plus, you can see Hains Point blossoms from the rooftop. Saturday reservations are $80 through April 30. Cut by Wolfgang Puck (Georgetown): The chic Rosewood Hotel launches its tea service with a cherry blossom-themed lineup featuring luxe little bites (truffled egg salad, lobster rolls, fresh scones with accoutrements) and optional sparkling cocktails. Reservations (starting March 15), Sat-Sun, $85-$105 per person. Waldorf Astoria (Downtown): One of the more luxurious, Insta-worthy teas in town is set among faux cherry blossoms in the lobby. The menu includes Tealeaves' spring blends, cherry-filled bites and optional cherry blossom cocktails. Reservations are available Thursday through Sunday, $120 per person. Hillwood Estate (Upper Northwest): The elegant former home and gardens of socialite Marjorie Merriweather Post host cherry blossom tea, which you can follow with a stroll through a Japanese garden. Reservations (March 20-April 19), Thurs-Sun, $50 per person for 4-9 people. Quadrant at the Ritz Carlton (West End): The whimsical Seven Reasons Group, behind this sakura-themed cherry blossom tea, serves specialty "Fleur de Geisha" pots and bites like salmon and yuzu-cream cheese sandwiches and togarashi lobster tarts. Reservations (March 21-April 6), Fri-Sun, $88 per person. Park Hyatt (West End): Tea enthusiasts can head to the upscale hotel's Tea Cellar, which boasts over 30 rare and single-estate teas. The family-friendly cherry blossom service stars sweet and savory sakura-inspired confections, plus a glass of bubbles for adults. Reservations (starting March 22), Sat-Sun, starting at $90 for adults, $65 kids. The Salamander (Wharf): The newly remodeled Salamander is strolling and biking distance from the Tidal Basin blooms, and offers a lovely Asian-inspired tea in its lounge with bites like mini chicken bánh mì and matcha-strawberry rolls. Reservations (starting March 14), Weds-Sun, $115 per person.
