Designed by Bill Rooney of Bill Rooney Studio, The Peninsula Chicago‘s innovative new guest rooms draw upon the city’s legacy of forward-thinking design and architecture.
Encompassing 331 of the hotel’s 339 guest rooms and suites, the project has introduced a host of technological solutions that allow guests to customise their experience.
“Our renovation re-launches The Peninsula Chicago as the heart – literally and metaphorically – of Chicago and will cement the hotel’s place firmly for the future,” explains Maria Razumich-Zec, The Peninsula Chicago’s general manager and regional vice president.
“Innovation is an attribute of The Peninsula Hotels, and the new guest rooms feature personalized technologies that elevate guest stays to a previously undefined level of bespoke and experiential luxury. These technological developments combined with our new ‘Keys to the City’ service experience firmly distinguish the hotel’s commitment to welcome travellers to Chicago.”
Fully customised interactive digital bedside and desk tablets are preset in one of 11 languages (English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Korean, Japanese, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese), and guests have full control of all in-room functions, including lighting, room temperature controls, access to restaurant menus, hotel services, city information and attractions and TV channels.
Designer Bill Rooney has opted for contemporary interiors with a cosmopolitan attitude, drawing influence from the French Deco style of the hotel’s public spaces. The interiors take cues from luxury yachts, with fine wood finishes, lush fabrics, rich leathers.
From coffee supplies and condiments in a nutrition center, to power outlets and a wireless printer, every object has been placed in a way that is both convenient and intutive for guest use.
Built-in desks and vanities in rich Macassar wood create a luxuriously functional and interactive experience, while an intimate dining table positioned at the window provides unrestrained, panoramic views of the Chicago skyline.
A handcrafted floral art design element created by artist David Qian anchors each guest room, featuring the chrysanthemum, the official flower of Chicago and also one of the four ‘noble flowers’ of Asia, further solidifying the marriage of the brand’s Asian heritage with Chicago influence.
Bespoke chinaware featuring the chrysanthemum has been designed by French heritage company Bernadaud, who have previously created china for The Peninsula Paris and Gaddi’s at The Peninsula Hong Kong.
Deep-blue textiles and custom-designed Pratesi linens complement the furnishings of rich wood and cream leather, while the signature blue and wave pattern on the linens are a nod to Chicago’s very important connection to Lake Michigan and the Chicago River – just steps from The Peninsula.
Another connection to the local community is the Chicago-based artist, Jean-Jacques Porret, who was commissioned to create bronze sculptures for the guest rooms displayed above the vanity.
The 74 newly redesigned suites at The Peninsula Chicago showcase unique art elements influenced by Chicago’s rich artistic culture. Each suite features a hand-embroidered silk art wall in the chrysanthemum theme, along with hand-painted artisan glass elements (in junior suites) that provide a decidedly chic yet residential feel.
The floral design for the glass wall, created by artist Michael Glickman, was inspired by the Orchid, which is also one of the four noble flowers of Asian Art. The nutrition center and coffee amenities in the suites are housed in a hand-painted Chinoiserie cabinet designed by David Qian, the same artist that produced the wall murals.
The hotel has made a concerted effort to incorporate sustainable aspects to the project. All of the furniture is produced within a 2,000 mile radius – more than 97% of which is from FFC or SFI-certified sources – while all lighting is LED-certified and the upholstery company is green-certified. The current guestroom furniture is being donated to two local charities to be re-used.
