Opened in 2022 in Chicago’s Financial District—in the lively downtown area—this has all the sleekness and elegance you’d expect from a recently opened Marriott pad. It sits across the top few floors of a neoclassical building that was the most expensive ever built in Chicago at the time, and it stays true to its roots: upscale and polished, with friendly service, big modern rooms, a gym, a stylish restaurant and a bar that hosts regular live jazz.
Why stay at The LaSalle Chicago?
There’s the grandeur of the architecture, firstly. The building was designed by acclaimed architect Daniel Burnham to house the Continental and Commercial National Bank, with giant honeyed columns and billowing flags to mark the entrance.
But for me, it was the accommodation that really stood out, with swish décor, glossy marble bathrooms, tons of space and all the latest mod-cons. The service was also excellent, with extra touches like a free chauffeur service within a two-mile radius on weekends, and the location is hard to beat, with Millennium Park, the Willis Tower, the Theatre District, the Art Institute of Chicago and other key attractions on the doorstep.
What are the rooms like at The LaSalle Chicago?
There are 232 rooms and suites here, and they’re all clean-cut, well-equipped and sleek, with an Art Deco vibe—think strokes of midnight blue, dark grey and white, with super-soft, squidgy Egyptian rugs sprawled on oak wood floors.
Every room has a Simmons ‘Beautyrest Black’ bed—I admit I didn’t know what this was until I Googled it, but suffice to say buying one is beyond my means. Bedding is by Italian brand Frette (equally as lavish), but the combination made for an exceptional sleep, helped along by proper curtains that barely let a sliver of light in and helped me stay in a slumber despite the jet lag.
All categories also feature modern, glitzy light fixtures, a Lavazzo espresso machine, a mini fridge, minibar, TV and marble-top table to work at. You’ll also get an hourglass—apparently to represent time (and making the most of it, or something).
Bathrooms are generously sized, marble-clad and sparklingly clean, with big, powerful walk-in showers and backlit mirrors. They also come with nicely scented shower amenities by luxury beauty brand laGaia UNEDITED, plus cosy robes and slippers.
I stayed in an Executive Suite, which meant I had a whole big lounge area with a separate king bedroom to myself; this is ideal if you’re travelling as a couple with a child in tow, as it comes with a sofa bed and lots of space to spread out in. Corner Suites come with skyline views, and the ginormous Presidential Suite takes it up several notches with a king bedroom, living room, dining room, study, kitchen, powder room and butler pantry.
However, even the lead-in rooms are quite spacious, with Superior King rooms measuring 31sq m and Superior 2 Queen or Deluxe options adding a few metres more. That said, you pay the price, with the cheapest rates hovering from around $300-$500+ per night depending on the time of year and day.
Also bear in mind that this is a high-up hotel in the heavens of a larger building, so you’ll need to take a lift (rooms are on the 18th floor upwards).
What’s the food and drink like at The LaSalle Chicago?
Grill on 21 is the hotel’s steakhouse-style restaurant, so named for its spot on the 21st floor. It’s dark and glossy, in keeping with the hotel’s Art Deco aesthetic—all velvet chairs in burgundy and royal blue, monochrome marble tables and chandelier-esque lights.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are à la carte; I tucked into the LaSalle Breakfast here under the recommendation of my waiter, and it was a pretty ideal antidote to my jet lag, with fluffy poached eggs, a healthy-tasting ‘7-grain toast’ and American-style hash browns (shredded, fried potato that was perfectly crispy and golden), served with light slabs of home-cured salmon gravlax. The lunch menu featured the likes of lobster & shrimp salad, filet mignon and ricotta ravioli, while oysters, beef wellington, dover sole and orecchiette pasta were among the contenders for dinner, and all menus put the emphasis on local sourcing.
The restaurant and next door Lobby Lounge & Bar meanwhile offered an excellent range of cocktails, including various novel versions of an old fashioned and several gin and vodka-based creations. I managed to catch a soulful performance while I was here; there’s live jazz every Friday and Saturday evening, which makes for a lively vibe.
What is the service like at The LaSalle Chicago?
In short, it was top-notch. I was immediately greeted by a smiling, friendly receptionist who went out of her way to help, and I was impressed by the complimentary chauffeur service; while I didn’t get to use it (there was a bit of a wait), it’s a nod to the type of personalised welcome you can expect here, in part owing to the small, intimate size of the hotel.
What are the wellness facilities like at The LaSalle Chicago?
There isn’t actually a spa or pool here, but the hotel offers in-room meditation sessions led by local yoga instructors, as well as twice-weekly classes on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Guests can also use the spa and pool at JW Chicago, which sits in the same building. There’s also a good-sized fitness centre, which is open 24/7 and decked out with modern Technogym equipment and Peloton bikes.
What’s the area like around The LaSalle Chicago?
The hotel sits in the city’s Financial District, in the heart of ‘The Loop’—Chicago’s lively downtown area that’s the beating heart of the city, a short stroll from the Theatre District.
There’s historical architecture all around—including the Rookery Building, which is right next door and was considered a masterpiece when it was completed in 1888 (now on the National Register of Historic Places). The hotel is also a five-minute walk from the Willis Tower, once the world’s tallest building and still the highest in the city at 1,450ft. This is the home of Skydeck Chicago and The Ledge, an all-glass observation deck where you can peer over from the 103rd floor to take in twinkling night-time views.
Also close by is the Art Institute of Chicago, home to works by the likes of Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh and many others; and it’s a few minutes’ stroll from Millennium Park, a big, buzzing green space that hosts regular free concerts in summer (stop by to snap a photo at the famous, Insta-friendly art installation, ‘The Bean’). You’ll also find lots of cool bars and restaurants in the area.
Why you should book a stay at The LaSalle Chicago
This is a suave, elegant stay in a central location, with friendly service and a lot to explore on the doorstep. It’s a great option for couples as much as it is for those coming to the city on business (children are also welcome), and although it’s not the cheapest option, it’s a worthy choice if you want to push the boat out a little.
DETAILS
Address: 208 LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60604
Price: Superior King rooms start from $313 per night.
Closest transport: Quincy is the closest ‘L’ train stop, a two-minute walk away; for the Blue line, Monroe station is just over five minutes away.
Book now: via Booking.com
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