Looking to plan a luxurious Chicago experience for your group? The possibilities are endless, from stays at top-rated hotels, meals by Michelin-starred chefs, and VIP activities that include private sightseeing cruises and behind-the-scenes sports tours. We’ve got some great group ideas to get your Chicago planning started.
Luxury hotels
Be among the first guests to stay at the long-anticipated, newly opened The St. Regis Chicago. The city’s third-tallest building at 101 stories — designed by renowned architect Jeanne Gang — shimmers on the Chicago skyline. Inside, the 159 rooms and suites are luxurious, dining at the Japanese-inspired Miru is exquisite, and spaces to relax and regroup include a botanical garden and pool with a sunken terrace.
Five-star service and a chic design are signatures of The Langham, Chicago. The 52-story hotel’s floor-to-ceiling windows offer sweeping views of the city and the Chicago River. Dining and drinking options include seasonal American cuisine from Travelle, a chef’s experience dinner, traditional afternoon tea, and the elegant Pavilion lounge. The private Cinema Suite features a 111-inch screen, with seating for 12 and an optional movie night menu.
Step onto the Grand Terrace or Z Bar at The Peninsula Chicago for panoramic views of The Magnificent Mile. Top-tier service and spacious rooms and suites are hallmarks of a Peninsula stay. Dine on authentic Cantonese cuisine at the hotel’s Zagat-rated Shanghai Terrace, or opt for the European cafe fare at Pierrot Gourmet. Serene experiences await on the Sun Terrace, at The Spa, and in the 19th-floor swimming pool.
Michelin-starred restaurants
World-renowned chef Grant Achatz is known for the innovative modern cuisine served at his Lincoln Park restaurant, Alinea. Expect a one-of-a-kind dining experience at this critically acclaimed restaurant that has earned a coveted 3-Star rating from Michelin. The immersive, multicourse tasting experiences include intimate groups of six at the private Kitchen Table, or one of two seatings per night in The Gallery or The Salon’s three upstairs dining rooms. Plan ahead: Bookings are typically made two months in advance at this lauded establishment.
The husband-and-wife team of John and Karen Urie Shields created a special place with Smyth, their restaurant in the West Loop that has garnered a 2-Star Michelin rating. Their menu is focused on a farm-to-table concept that emphasizes using locally produced seasonal ingredients. A chef’s table experience with wine pairings is available. Smyth features an open kitchen on the ground floor, and sister restaurant The Loyalist is located at the garden level.
Michelin 2-Star restaurant BOKA celebrates 20 years of fine dining this year in Lincoln Park. Seasonal fare drives executive chef/partner Lee Wolen’s menus that change every day. Order from the traditional menu, or have your table try the seven-course tasting menu and wine pairing. Groups can reserve private dining for up to 30 on the glass-enclosed terrace.
Chef’s tables
Ten-time Michelin-starred executive chef Jared Wentworth presides over multicourse tasting menus featuring seasonal items in The Dining Room at Moody Tongue, his 28-seat restaurant in the South Loop. Brewmaster Jared Rouben selects specialty Moody Tongue beers to perfectly pair with the food at the Michelin 2-star restaurant. Reservations are required for this gastronomic adventure.
Seasonal flavors featured in everything from the cuisine to cocktails reign at Girl & the Goat on Restaurant Row in the West Loop. Celebrity chef Stephanie Izard’s menu is a high-end treat for the senses for those reserving the chef’s table. It’s a great vantage point from which to ask questions about the global menu and watch the chefs expertly prepare each dish.
Fresh ingredients sourced from both local farms and the on-site greenhouse at Eden are the base for every dish at the Avondale neighborhood eatery helmed by chef/partner Devon Quinn. Reserve one of the elegant private dining rooms and order items starring dishes of the day. Everything is crafted with green, clean eating in mind.
Unique VIP experiences
Set sail on a yacht cruise that includes dining to complement the gorgeous views of the Chicago River, Lake Michigan, and the city’s stunning architectural gems. Arrange for a private catered dinner aboard Chicago’s First Lady Cruises. See the sights from the open-air top deck or from the glass-enclosed main deck.
Watch as the sails unfurl and propel the four-masted Tall Ship Windy schooner on a private charter. You’ll have the run of three decks, a salon, and the bar. Ask the ship operator about preferred caterers and beverage services. Overnight cabins are an option for up to 36 people.
Sports fans can meet athletes and get behind-the-scenes tours at two iconic Chicago venues. The Chicago Bulls offer NBA experiences that include meeting the players and tickets to a basketball game. VIP packages can include front-row game seats, a 20-person suite rental, or tours of the United Center on a non-event day. The Chicago Cubs offer private 90-minute tours of historic Wrigley Field, built in 1914. Book a block of seats or opt for a suite with great views of the baseball action.
Make outings memorable by pairing a spectacular skyline view with a meal. Take a private tour of Skydeck Chicago on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower. Step inside The Ledge and be awed by the breathtaking views of the city and surrounding states. A VIP late-night dinner experience is offered on Thursdays and Fridays.
Take in bird’s-eye views from the former John Hancock Center at the 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck. Step onto its TILT thrill ride and hover above Michigan Avenue from 94 floors up. Follow a semi-private tour with drinks at the new CloudBar.
