Chicago does luxury hotels exceptionally well. The city has historic grande dames, glossy new towers, and enough five-star addresses to make choosing one surprisingly difficult. Still, The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago remains one of the names travelers hear again and again. Does that reputation still carry the same weight in a city with so much competition?
By the end of my stay, the answer was yes. The hotel repeatedly proved that real luxury is about noticing what a guest needs before they have to ask.
The warm-towel test
The moment that ultimately defined my stay happened on the final day. My boyfriend and I were caught in one of Chicago’s sudden summer rainstorms and returned to the hotel completely drenched. We had barely made it through the door before staff appeared with warm towels.
It was a small gesture, but that is why it mattered. We did not have to ask or stand dripping in the entrance while someone figured out what to do. The team noticed us and responded immediately. The service was polished without feeling stiff or rehearsed.
That escape begins at check-in. The hotel sits above Water Tower Place, with its lobby on the 12th floor. Rising above the traffic creates an effective transition: Michigan Avenue is right outside, yet everything feels calmer upstairs. Check-in was seamless, and within minutes, the street felt far below us.
A suite made for slow mornings
We stayed in an Executive Suite overlooking Lake Michigan. The windows were its best feature. Each morning, we watched the sun rise over the water, turning the lake from dark blue to silver as the city came to life beneath us.
Our peaceful ritual was simple. Open the curtains, make coffee, and linger in the hotel’s wonderfully soft robes. The separate living space felt more like a quiet apartment above Chicago than a standard hotel room. After hours spent walking, coming back meant closing the door on the noise.
The fitness center, indoor pool, and full spa add to that refuge. I did not have time for a treatment, though the serene spa made me wish I had planned an extra afternoon indoors. In a city that keeps visitors moving, the Ritz makes a convincing argument for occasionally doing nothing.
Torali was the highlight of the stay
As lovely as the suite was, dinner at Torali, the hotel’s Italian-inspired steakhouse, became the standout experience. The restaurant pairs the precision of a modern steakhouse with the comfort of Italian dining.
The cocktails establish a sense of place before the food arrives. Michigan Avenue Garden, Lakefront Paris, and Crimson on the Mile playfully reference the city outside.
My favorite part of the meal, however, was the opening round of small plates. While describing the menu, our waiter mentioned the warm Asiago bread served with ’nduja butter and honeycomb. We must have looked particularly enthusiastic because when he returned to take our order, he told us, “I already put in the Asiago bread for you.”
He was right. The bread was warm and savory, with the spicy ’nduja butter cut by sweet honeycomb. Bigeye tuna crudo and Jonah crab crostini followed, making the starters my favorite part of dinner.
My boyfriend ordered the Fish Box, which changes with the fresh catch. I chose a comforting chicken dish with vegetables and potatoes. What elevated dinner was the service. The staff were attentive without hovering, confident when explaining the menu, and able to make a special-occasion restaurant feel relaxed.
Rooftop at Torali, the hotel’s outdoor lounge with city and lake views, is an easy place to settle in with a cocktail after a long day of walking.
An unbeatable Chicago address
Location is one of the hotel’s strongest advantages. Set just off Michigan Avenue in the Gold Coast, it is within easy walking distance of shopping, restaurants, Lake Michigan, and many of the sights first-time visitors come to see.
The hotel is also apparently a favorite among professional sports teams. The Cleveland Guardians were staying during our visit, an especially fun coincidence for me as an Ohio girl. Even with the activity, the hotel never stopped feeling composed.
Is the Ritz-Carlton still one of Chicago’s best hotels?
Yes. Newer hotels may offer trendier designs or flashier rooftops, but those things alone do not create a memorable stay. The Ritz’s strength is its consistency: a smooth arrival, a beautiful lake-view suite, an exceptional dinner, and staff who meet rain-soaked guests with warm towels before they can ask.
That is not old-fashioned luxury. It is timeless hospitality, and it is why this Chicago classic still deserves its place among the city’s best.
