Chicago’s newest luxury hotel, The Elysian, opened up late last year, and Gadling finally got the chance to stop by for a look.
The Elysian Fields, for those not familiar with classical mythology, were the ancient resting places for those virtuous in life and battle, a place for the finest Greeks to one day lie. So with a name like “Elysian,” the standard for this hotel is set pretty high.
And high they are kept. One could easily describe the Elysian as unpretentious luxury with clean lines, styling and detail supplemented by a high level of attention, class and quality. Nothing is overbearing, with quiet, articulate staff, minimalist appointments and spacious, pristine rooms. Indeed, designer Lucien Lagrange’s commitment to the legacies of Chanel and Dior has been well held.
The lobby sums up the property pretty well. With high ceilings and broad, open space, one enters from the grandiose, stone courtyard to be greeted by two solitary, massive Greek sculptures. The atrium is bordered by a phalanx of waiting attendants and a sitting room on the left, while the reception desk pleasantly waits on the right. There are no kiosks, pantries, night clubs or dance parties to blur the experience.
%Gallery-89729%In a similar vein, The Elysian’s rooms boast a classy silver, white and brown color scheme, with simple, luxurious appointments and stylish design. Average rooms are just over 850 feet square, while our one bedroom palace had a massive, white marble bathroom, living room and bedroom, all facing the bustling promenade of Rush St. below.
Of particular note, the technological features of each room are phenomenal. Flat screen LCD televisions tastefully appoint the bedrooms and living rooms while some rooms even have in-mirror screens that you can watch while brushing your teeth. iPod ready docks are sprinkled about the rooms and even the freezer is tastefully tucked into a cabinet drawer.
Those looking to dine on-property will find two outstanding restaurants, Balsan and Ria serving European bistro and upscale fare respectively.
But the best of The Elysian’s luxury offerings is its spa, a 14,000 square foot mecca complete with a gentlemen’s lounge, lap pool, saunas, steam rooms and an outdoor terrace. One could easily spend a lazy evening in these facilities recovering from a long day of shopping on the Magnificent Mile.
Tickle your fancy? Check out Elysianhotels.com for more info. Rooms start at just under $400 though there are currently some specials running.