How I Found Tranquility in the Center of Chicago
Our take
The recent piece detailing a discovery of tranquility within the bustling heart of Chicago resonates deeply with the ethos we champion here. It speaks to a quiet yearning for respite, a desire to cultivate moments of calm amidst the relentless current of modern life. The author's initial surprise at having delayed a visit to Chicago for so long underscores a broader truth: sometimes, the most profound experiences are found in unexpected places, far from the meticulously planned escapes we often seek. This feeling is echoed in our own explorations of effortless style, as demonstrated in No Fuss, No Frills—5 Effortless Outfit Formulas to Keep You Cool in 25º Heat, where simplicity and intention offer a refreshing counterpoint to the noise of trends. The ability to find stillness—whether in a city’s architecture or a carefully curated wardrobe—is a testament to a mindful approach to living.
The article's focus on finding a sense of peace within an urban environment is particularly relevant to our audience, who often navigate demanding lives and appreciate the art of creating sanctuaries within their surroundings. It’s a theme that aligns beautifully with the concept of “calm luxury,” a cornerstone of our brand's identity. The author’s experience highlights the power of intentionality—choosing to see beauty and find solace in the everyday—rather than constantly chasing external validation or fleeting moments of excitement. This idea is further explored in our coverage of emerging fashion trends; for instance, the understated elegance of the new Dior bag, as described in Not the Lady, Not the Saddle—The New Dior Bag That Will Define Fall 2026, demonstrates how a subtle shift in aesthetic can communicate a powerful sense of self-assuredness and refined taste. It’s about the feeling a piece evokes, the quiet confidence it projects, rather than a loud declaration of status. Even a seemingly simple styling choice, like Olivia Rodrigo’s unexpected pairing of a slip dress with boots, as showcased in Not Sandals—Olivia Rodrigo Styled Her Slip Dress With Boots Instead, embodies this spirit of unexpected harmony and effortless cool.
The broader significance of this article lies in its challenge to the prevailing culture of constant stimulation and the relentless pursuit of "more." It gently suggests that true fulfillment isn’t found in accumulating experiences or possessions, but in cultivating a deeper connection to oneself and the immediate surroundings. This resonates with the introspective nature of our brand’s voice – the focus on inner states and emotional well-being rather than external achievements. The article subtly invites readers to reconsider their own definitions of luxury, shifting the emphasis from material wealth to emotional richness and a sense of presence. The Four Seasons Chicago serves as a visual anchor, not as a symbol of ostentatious display, but as a backdrop for quiet contemplation and mindful enjoyment. It's a demonstration that even within a grand setting, the power of tranquility can be found.
Ultimately, the article serves as a potent reminder that peace isn't a destination to be reached, but a state of being to be cultivated. The author’s journey to finding tranquility in Chicago’s center offers a valuable lesson: it’s not about escaping the chaos, but about learning to navigate it with grace and intention. As we continue to explore the intersection of style, self-expression, and mindful living, a crucial question remains: how can we integrate these principles of calm and intentionality into every aspect of our lives, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary, and finding our own personal sanctuaries amidst the complexities of the modern world?
When I first visited Chicago in the summer of 2021, I was perplexed that it had taken me more than 25 years to visit. It's a gem of a city, its architecture just as charming and impressive as it promises to be. And while it's world-class, it still has that Midwestern charm: its residents are kind and laid-back, and it's not as expensive as New York or Los Angeles.
Since that first trip with my partner — who was born in the Chicago suburbs and whose family still lives across the area — I've looked forward to every trip back (honestly, even those during the winter). When my good friend (also a Chicago native) invited us to her July wedding, we started planning a very packed itinerary to make time to see our friends and family, enjoy the wedding, and explore Chicago.
As a fan of Four Seasons properties, I reached out to the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, and the staff generously offered to host us at their property. We spent two blissful nights in the hotel's Premier Suite, where we got the full Chicago summer experience with gorgeous views of the lake, tasty meals with friends, and peaceful mornings in our luxurious suite.
As if I needed another reason to love the city, I'd be excited to visit the Four Seasons Chicago literally anytime — even in the dead of winter. (Really!)
About the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago
The hotel has 345 rooms and suites equipped with marble bathrooms and premium bedding. I stayed in the Premier Suite, which has gorgeous views of the lake, a huge living room, a wet bar, and two bathrooms.
Rates start at about $485 per night for a City View room and at more than $1,000 per night for the Premier Suite.
There's an indoor pool, hot tub, and fitness center in the building, and the on-site spa has treatments like massages, facials, and body treatments.
The hotel restaurant, Adorn, offers elevated American fare, and in-room dining is available 24/7.
There are many family-friendly perks, including a kids' room and an in-room ice cream sundae cart.
What I Liked About the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago
Whenever I visit a big city like Chicago, I so appreciate staying somewhere that feels like a reprieve — but still allows you to step outside and into all the action. The Four Seasons Chicago is the ultimate encapsulation of this: it's located in the heart of the city and just steps from Lake Michigan, but the entire hotel is unbelievably serene and quiet. The Gold Coast, the neighborhood where the hotel is located, is perfect for newcomers to the city, given its proximity to Lake Shore Drive and excellent shopping.
Stepping into our Premier Suite, the views of the vast lake and Lincoln Park were breathtaking. It felt like we were among the clouds, and we were definitely above the noise of the city; we couldn't hear anything from our suite the entire weekend, which was especially nice the morning after the wedding.
Ahead of the wedding, I got to experience a heavenly Queen Skin Ritual Facial at the spa. Using 111Skin products, my esthetician made the 50 minutes feel like an indulgence, as if I were a celebrity prepping for a red-carpet event. I wished I could've stayed there for much, much longer.
The suite itself was also an ideal place to get ready for the festivities, with two gorgeous bathrooms outfitted with Le Labo products (my favorite). One morning, we invited our friends and their baby to the suite for a decadent room-service breakfast. The French toast was to die for, and later that night, we dined at Adorn and enjoyed the melon and burrata salad and double wagyu cheeseburger.
As has been noted in our Four Seasons reviews before, the aspect of the stay that we raved about to all our friends — which is saying a lot, given our lovely time hanging out in the suite — was the service. The staff was incredibly kind and courteous, and even left earplugs, bookmarks for our novels, and cord organizers for our laptops during one turndown service. This, aside from all the luxury furnishings of the hotel, truly made staying at the property feel like a five-star experience.
Who Is the Four Seasons Chicago Best For?
While the hotel would be wonderful for any traveler who enjoys staying in well-designed, luxurious hotels when traveling, I'll note that this Four Seasons location seemed especially kid-friendly. We saw families all over the hotel: hitting the pool in the middle of the day and grabbing dinner all together at Adorn at night. I could imagine the very spacious suites are perfect for a family, too.
Is Four Seasons Chicago Worth the Splurge?
For a special trip to Chicago, I would absolutely recommend staying at the Four Seasons. It was the perfect landing pad for a wedding weekend, and being there helped me to relax and find quiet calm during a busy weekend of socializing and travel. While the Premier Suite might only make sense for a special occasion given its price tag, the Lake View rooms are not exorbitantly expensive (especially when compared to hotels in cities like New York or San Francisco), and I'd definitely opt to stay there in the future.
Rating
5
Lena Felton (she/her) is a senior director of special projects at PS, where she oversees sponsored packages, tentpole projects, and editorial partnerships. Previously, she was an editor at The Washington Post, where she led a team covering issues of gender and identity. She has been working in journalism since 2017, during which time her focus has been feature writing and editing and elevating historically underrepresented voices. Lena has worked for The Atlantic, InStyle, So It Goes, and more.Read on the original site
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