Waldorf Astoria Chicago Tips

Thinking about booking a night away at The Waldorf Astoria Chicago? Great instinct. This is a serious couples-getaway hotel, and my husband and I spent a few gloriously kid-free nights here to find out whether the luxury price tag holds up. This Waldorf Astoria Chicago hotel review is based entirely on that stay.

Children are technically allowed. But the experience is wasted on them, and the single most important tip I can give you is to ditch the kids. A night in a hotel without them is cheaper than bail or divorce court, after all.

Quick verdict before you scroll: it’s a splurge, the rooms and bathrooms are spectacular, the service is borderline telepathic, and it’s far better suited to two adults than a family of four. If you want a romantic reset in the Gold Coast and your credit card can take the hit, it earns the price. If you’re traveling with kids and want value, you can do better.

The property sits at 11 East Walton in the upscale Gold Coast, and the location really is the easy win here. You’re a short walk from the Magnificent Mile, the boutiques on Oak Street, and a long list of restaurants. We spent an entire afternoon just wandering the neighborhood, popping into shops, and pretending this was our normal life. If you’re building out the rest of a Windy City trip, our what to pack for Chicago with kids guide pairs well with this one.

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

How Do You Book the Waldorf Astoria Chicago (And When Is It Cheapest)?

This is a luxury hotel, so rates run high. Recent bookings I’ve seen span roughly the high-$200s on a quiet night up past $1,000 when the city is busy, so the calendar matters a lot. As a rule, winter is your friend and a summer weekend is your enemy.

You can book directly through Hilton (check the property’s offers page to see whether a direct rate beats the rest) or compare on Booking.com. A Genius discount can bring the price down meaningfully. I personally lean toward Booking.com because you often don’t pay until a few days before arrival and you get a full cancellation window, which is handy when Chicago weather has other plans.

If you have Gold or Diamond status with Hilton Honors, you’ll get some genuinely useful perks:

Free breakfast
Room upgrades (we actually scored a better upgrade with Gold than with Diamond, which makes no sense and yet)
A daily food & beverage credit per person (the amount varies by status and changes periodically, so confirm the current value when you book)
Premium Wi-Fi (Diamond only)

New to the points game and wondering whether status is even worth chasing? Start with our beginner-friendly best miles and points credit cards for beginners rundown.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago Review: Service, Rooms, and the Bathroom of Your Dreams

First Impressions & Service

How Much Is Parking at the Waldorf Astoria Chicago?

Parking is steep, and there’s no self-parking on property. If you want to leave your car at the hotel, valet is the only option, and it runs in the high-$80s per night with in-and-out privileges. Confirm the current rate at booking, because it keeps creeping up. Hard pass for us.

Try SpotHero for nearby garages instead. We were able to find a spot less than 200 feet away for $24. The car was still intact when we picked it up, despite a fellow parker discovering an open beer can that was not in his vehicle when he left it.

Pro tip: Make sure your parking spot has in-and-out privileges if you want to use the car throughout your stay. Discounted parking isn’t going to help you if your car is held hostage.

Waldorf Astoria Shuttle Bus

During our stay, the hotel offered complimentary house-car transportation to spots within a couple of miles, which is a real perk downtown where most luxury hotels nickel-and-dime you for everything. It’s the kind of amenity that can change, so ask the concierge when you check in. There’s no airport shuttle, but the concierge can arrange a car for you.

From the moment we walked in, the service was impeccable. The staff greeted us by name (how do they do that?), and there’s a no-tipping policy that feels refreshingly civilized. Before we even arrived, the concierge emailed to ask about our preferences and arrival time. After check-in, we got a text asking whether the room was acceptable. That’s the level of attention you’re paying for.

What Are Check-In and Check-Out Times?

Check-in is 3:00 p.m. and check-out is noon. They’ll usually let you in early if you give the concierge a heads-up. Shortly after you settle into your room, expect that text asking whether everything’s acceptable, and on your way out you’ll be sent off with more complimentary water bottles for the road.

Concierge Service

Concierge service is offered to all guests. A few days before arrival, you’ll get an email asking whether you need anything for your stay. They also confirm your arrival time so your room is ready when you walk in.

The concierge can book restaurant and spa reservations, arrange transportation, and help you plan anything special you’ve got in mind.

The level of service is especially impressive given the no-tipping policy. One nuance worth knowing: guests report it generally doesn’t extend to the bar and restaurant, so keep some cash handy for cocktails.

What Are the Rooms Like?

For a lot of readers, the rooms are the whole decision, so let’s get specific about what you can expect.

All 215 rooms and suites are a big step up from your average hotel room. The smallest, the Deluxe Room, runs around 480 square feet, while the Presidential Suite tops out near 2,400. (Dimensions can shift with renovations, so treat these as ballpark figures.)

We splurged on a Junior Suite (roughly 600 square feet of pure luxury), and oh my goodness. It was bigger and more beautiful than some apartments I’ve actually lived in. I did not want to leave, and had to keep reminding myself I was supposed to be out enjoying Chicago.

The suite featured:

A gorgeous fireplace in the living area (so romantic)
A king-sized bed that was like sleeping on a cloud
The most incredible bathroom I’ve ever seen in a hotel
A deep soaking tub built for a glass of wine and zero responsibilities
A shower literally “the size of Brazil” (my husband’s words)
Separate toilet and shower stalls for privacy

Pro tip: small dogs are welcome. The pet fee is around $150 per stay, with a weight limit in the neighborhood of 30 to 35 pounds depending on the source, so confirm the current policy with the hotel. Pet supplies are delivered to the room, including a dog bed, food bowls, and treats.

The living area has a fireplace, a television, and a sitting area.

The wall housing the fireplace doubles as a divider, blocking the view of the bed for a little privacy.

There’s a king-sized bed and a second television in the bedroom area.

The bedroom connects to another hallway leading to the bathroom.

The bathrooms are the showstopper. Like, genuinely.

Both the toilet and the shower have their own stall doors, so two people can get ready at once without negotiating a peace treaty.

The shower is the size of Brazil.

There’s also a separate soaking tub.

I’m pretty sure the Sex and the City scenes in Mr. Big’s apartment were filmed in this room.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago Deluxe King Room

The Deluxe Room isn’t as exciting as the Junior Suite.

It’s a standard studio layout, but the bathroom is just as good as the one in the Junior Suite, which is really what you’re here for.

No review of this hotel would be complete without talking about the spa and health club.

Is the Spa & Health Club Worth It?

The Waldorf Astoria Chicago spa and health club is included with your stay. That gets you the fitness center, an indoor lap pool, and the wet areas: steam rooms, saunas, and whirlpools, with separate men’s and women’s facilities. You can also buy a spa membership without staying at the hotel, and even though it’s not guests-only, it never felt crowded when we were there.

The full spa menu covers a wide range of treatments, from massages and facials to body work. The concierge can pull up the current menu and pricing and book you in.

Pro tip: ask whether there are any spa packages or seasonal offers running before you book treatments à la carte. If you love a good spa weekend, our Abbey Resort and Avani Spa in Lake Geneva review is another adults-first pick worth a look.

Pool

The indoor pool is a lap pool, not a splash zone, and hours generally run from early morning into the evening (confirm the day’s schedule at the front desk). Unlike hotels that cater to families, you can do your laps without getting cannonballed. The flip side: your kid will feel deeply out of place here, which is rather the point.

There’s a small sitting area near the pool, seemingly visited only by adults in bathrobes with champagne.

Where Should You Eat (And What to Skip)?

Heads up: the dining lineup here has changed since this hotel first opened, so ignore any older reviews still describing Michael Mina’s Margeaux Brasserie and Petit Margeaux. Those are gone. Today the on-site options are Brass Tack, the main restaurant, and Bernard’s, a tucked-away speakeasy. There’s good food on property, but don’t feel obligated, because you can get better value at plenty of nearby restaurants.

Brass Tack (the Main Restaurant)

Brass Tack is the hotel’s main restaurant and bar, an American brasserie with a Chicago twist on the third floor. It opened in October 2022 and serves breakfast, weekday lunch, dinner, and a weekend brunch, so it covers basically every meal you might want without leaving the building.

It. Is. Fancy. And by fancy, I mean expensive.

The cocktails are ~~overpriced~~ creative, and they’re not cheap, so expect a downtown-Chicago-luxury-hotel bar tab. On one earlier visit, a signature drink (the Taffy Apple, pictured below) ran $18, and prices have only gone up since, so check the current menu before you order three.

It’s not really a kids’ scene, and there’s no dedicated children’s menu, so this is one more vote for leaving them home. On a past visit, two kids’ pancakes and a small orange juice rang up at $17, which is a lot of money to watch a four-year-old eat two bites and declare themselves full.

The crowd skews polished, too. The gentleman down the bar from us wore a dapper jacket and swirled and sniffed his wine before accepting it. This is slightly different from the way I choose my wine (prettiest label for under $15).

Pro tip: ask whether any happy-hour or off-peak drink pricing is running during your stay. It won’t be Taco Bell prices, but it’s better than nothing.

waldorf astoria chicago diamond breakfast

Bernard’s (the Speakeasy)

Bernard’s is a small, hidden cocktail lounge on the second floor, all equestrian-meets-Chanel styling and exactly the kind of grown-up, kids-aren’t-invited spot that fits a romantic getaway. It’s an evenings-only lounge, so it’s perfect for a nightcap after dinner. Snag a reservation through the concierge if you want a guaranteed seat.

Pro tip: if you have Hilton Honors status, you can use your daily dining credit at the hotel’s food & beverage outlets, which takes a little of the sting out of those prices.

Room Service

Room service is available, and it’s pricey. The menu ranges from light bites to expensive steaks. It’s a fine option if you genuinely don’t want to leave the room (no judgment, those beds), but there are plenty of better-value restaurants within walking distance.

Restaurants Nearby (Including Gluten-Free Options)

There are several restaurants close to the Waldorf Astoria Chicago across a wide range of prices.

If you don’t want to drop a small fortune, Doc B’s (or “Doctor Butt’s,” as my son insists on calling it) has gluten-free buns. Sprinkles Chicago, a couple of blocks away, sells gluten-free cupcakes and cookies, including from a 24/7 Cupcake ATM, which is exactly as magical and dangerous as it sounds.

Why Is This Hotel Perfect for Couples?

The most important tip I can share: leave the kids at home. They’re allowed, but this hotel is wasted on them. Everything about the place leans romantic adult getaway, from the hushed, sophisticated vibe to a lap pool that’s not designed for cannonballs and a speakeasy where toddlers are emphatically not the target demographic.

As I told my husband, “A night in a hotel without the kids is cheaper than bail or divorce court.” It gave us the reset we badly needed as a couple. If you’re shopping other adults-first Chicago options, our Four Seasons Chicago tips make a useful comparison.

Final Verdict: Is the Waldorf Astoria Chicago Worth It?

So, is it worth it? For the right trip, yes. The property is immaculate, the staff are genuinely exceptional, and the rooms (those bathrooms especially) are the kind of thing you’ll still be talking about months later. It’s absolutely a splurge, and parking and drinks will test your composure. But if you’re celebrating something or you just need to escape reality for a night with another adult, this is a fantastic place to do it.

Bringing the whole family and counting every dollar? This isn’t the most sensible value play in Chicago, and you’d be paying luxury rates for amenities your kids can’t really use. Save it for a couples trip.

Have you stayed at the Waldorf Astoria Chicago? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments.

Water bottles are free and handed out liberally. You do not need to pack these.
For the fancy among you, the rooms come with a laundry bag and info on complimentary shoeshine service. My husband’s gym shoes and my three-year-old boots from Kohl’s didn’t require shining, so we passed.
There’s typically a nightly turndown service. Slippers materialize where there were no slippers before.
Book in winter for the best rates, and check Hilton’s offers page for direct-booking deals before you commit.

You can get automatic Gold status with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass card (currently a $150 annual fee), which is well worth it for the breakfast, upgrades, and dining credit. New to all this? Our guide on earning travel points without (and with) a credit card is a good place to start.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago: Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Waldorf Astoria Chicago located?

It’s at 11 East Walton Street in Chicago’s Gold Coast, walking distance from the Magnificent Mile, Oak Street shopping, and a long list of restaurants. The location is one of the hotel’s biggest selling points.

Is the Waldorf Astoria Chicago good for kids?

Kids are allowed, but the hotel skews very adult. The pool is a quiet lap pool, the restaurant has no dedicated kids’ menu, and there’s a speakeasy on site. It’s far better as a couples getaway than a family base. For a family-friendly Chicago trip, you’ll get more value elsewhere.

How much does parking cost?

There’s no self-parking. Valet is the only on-site option and runs in the high-$80s per night with in-and-out privileges (confirm the current rate when you book). For a cheaper alternative, we found a nearby garage spot through SpotHero for $24.

What are the on-site restaurants?

The main restaurant is Brass Tack, an American brasserie on the third floor serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. There’s also Bernard’s, a hidden speakeasy cocktail lounge on the second floor for evening drinks. The older Margeaux Brasserie and Petit Margeaux outlets have closed.

Are pets allowed?

Yes, small dogs are welcome. Expect a pet fee in the ballpark of $150 per stay and a weight limit somewhere around 30 to 35 pounds, but policies change, so confirm the current details with the hotel. They provide a dog bed, bowls, and treats.