Latest news with #BarPendry
Courier-Mail
5 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
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Top Easter events and brunches around Chicago
Whether you'll be dining with family and friends, hunting for Easter eggs, snapping photos with the Easter Bunny, or sipping a cocktail, here's your guide to local Easter events worth checking out this weekend. 🥐 Brunch Ambar in River North: Unlimited Balkan-inspired brunch at one of River North's newest restaurants. 🎥 Watch Monica and I taste test the food. Avec River North: Mediterranean prix-fixe brunch buffet with housemade pastries and wine pairings. 10am–2pm. $50 for adults/$25 for kids. Bar Pendry in the Loop: An Easter themed-boozy tea brunch with sweet and savory small bites. 11am-3pm. $65. Big Star West Town: Snap a pic with the Easter bunny and decorate cookies while enjoying breakfast tacos and other brunch specials. 10am-2pm. $10–$20. The Graceful Ordinary in St. Charles: Experience a family-style Easter brunch featuring classics like steak and eggs and French toast. 10am–3pm. $65 per adult and $25 for kids. The Greggory in South Barrington: Try Mediterranean-inspired brunch specials. 11am-5pm. Reserve a table. Hawksmoor in River North: Indulge in a classic British Sunday roast with dry-aged beef, Yorkshire puddings and all the trimmings. Noon–5pm. $42. Heritage in Ukrainian Village: Stop by for brunch or dinner and take advantage of their Easter prix-fixe menu or a la carte. Noon-6pm. $85 per person. Il Mio in Clarendon Hills: Special brunch eats from Italian french toast to eggplant parmesan. 11am–3pm. Reserve a table. Lowcountry in Chinatown: A lunchtime special with snow crab clusters, shrimp, corn, potatoes and cornbread. Noon–3pm. $36. Somerset in Gold Coast: Capture selfies with the Easter Bunny after brunch buffet and sweets at Viceroy Hotel restaurant. 11am-3pm. $89 for adults and $25 for kids. 🥰 For the fam Whirlyball: Enjoy a buffet style breakfast with the Easter Bunny, followed by games. Saturday, 10am-12:30pm. $45 for adults and $40 for kids. South Loop Easter Egg Hunt: Gather the kids for an outdoor afternoon Easter egg hunt, sports and games, art and photo-ops. Saturday from noon-2pm at Chicago Women's Park and Gardens. Tickets start at $10. Easter Egg Hunt at Altgeld Park: Enjoy free food, a bouncy house, Easter bunny photos and egg hunt. Saturday, 3:30pm, and hunt starts at 4pm Free. 🥂 Sunday Funday Easter Bounce Brunch: Enjoy the skyline, music and small bites.
