Viceroy Chicago: Prime Location, Ultimate Relaxation & Timeless Style in the Midwest
Viceroy Chicago
Chicago, IL
Retro, $$ ($195)
Chicago is explosive. The culinary scene is world-class, record numbers of visitors are breathing new life into fabled neighborhoods, and the city is reconnecting with its storied architectural roots.
Now take all of these developments, put them into hotel form, and you have Viceroy Chicago. Located in the heart of Chicago’s ultra-affluent Gold Coast neighborhood, the hotel is in the thick of the posh restaurant scene — bolstered by Viceroy’s own restaurant and rooftop lounge — and was built on the former site of the historic Cedar Hotel (you can see the original 1920s brick and terracotta façade incorporated into the Viceroy’s design).
It’s official: The Second City is done playing second fiddle.
At a Glance
Style: A blend of Art Deco and mid-century modern decor lends each space a glamorous, retro vibe and captures the former glory of the 1920s-era Cedar Hotel, which closed in 2014 to make way for Viceroy Chicago. The Cedar Hotel’s original brick and terracotta façade was incorporated into the base of the Viceroy’s sleek, 18-story glass tower.
Standout Detail: Dining on-site at Somerset and Devereaux, the hotel’s highly-acclaimed restaurant and highly-Instagrammable rooftop bar/poolside lounge, respectively. Michelin-starred chef Lee Wolen oversees the culinary program, and in less than a year it’s already made serious waves.
This Place Is Perfect For: First-time visitors to Chicago, who will be within easy walking distance of the Magnificent Mile, River North, the Loop, and all the must-see sites, and a trendy, younger set with a keen eye for aesthetics.
Rooms: Las Vegas-based interior design firm TAL Studio designed the 180 guest rooms, including 18 suites, furnished with striking Deco-patterned wall laminate, a rich gold, black, and blue color palette, gilded accents, mid-century modern pendant lighting, retro seating, hardwood furniture, and large floor-to-ceiling windows. SMART TVs, custom linens, a Nespresso machine, and Natura Bissé and Roil bathroom amenities come standard.
On Site: Free WiFi, a private event space that can seat up to 120, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a rooftop deck with a seasonal pool, 24-hour in-room dining, pet-friendly amenity options, complimentary Saturday morning yoga, seasonal bicycle rentals, and complimentary transportation in the house Tesla Model X.
Food and Drink: Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz, the virtuosic culinary duo behind the Chicago-based Boka Restaurant Group, manage both of the hotel’s highly-acclaimed eateries, Somerset and Devereaux. Somerset, with its preppy, country clubby vibes, serves sophisticated, all-day, all-American fare, while Devereaux, the fashionable rooftop — and poolside — lounge on the 18th floor, is a trendy spot for craft cocktails and small bites. The menus at Somerset and Devereaux were all designed by Michelin-starred chef Lee Wolen (of El Bulli and Eleven Madison Park) and can hold their own against the city’s best restaurants.
Book It
Rates change seasonally and start at $195/night. Click here for reservations, or get in touch with the Fathom Travel Concierge, and we can plan your trip for you.
What to Do Nearby
No stay at the Viceroy would be complete without a proper deep dish initiation at Lou Malnati’s, the city’s most esteemed pizza joint that just so happens to be located right next door. You’ll probably need to wait half a day before eating again, but when you do, the ever-popular steakhouse Tavern on Rush and the Chicago outpost of trendy Mediterranean spot Fig & Olive are two nearby, no-fail options.
The upscale, fashionable boutiques of Oak Street, Chicago’s answer to Rodeo Drive, are a few blocks away, as are endless shopping options along North Michigan Avenue, more commonly known as the Magnificent Mile. Stride past the stately Gold Coast mansions on your way down to the Lakefront Trail that runs alongside Lake Michigan and be sure to check out Oak Street Beach if you’re visiting in the warmer months.
Keep Exploring Chicago
Fathom’s Chicago Guide
Chicago: How to Eat Like a Local
Chicago, One Neighborhood at a Time
