Planning a Girls’ Trip? Consider the Langham Chicago

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The chaos of a girls’ weekend literally breathes new life into me. The makeup scattered on a desk. The rejected outfits strewn across the room. A rogue sticky boob on the bathroom counter next to a jar of edge control. One earring on the nightstand missing its partner. Empty champagne bottles dotting the table. I live for these scenes! These scents! These sounds! But now, my friends and I are at the point (and age) where this endearing disarray needs to be a little more…elevated, if you will. Gone are the days of enduring this while four-deep in a standard room with two full-size beds and sharing one sink in a barely ventilated bathroom. Comfort is the priority.

So when my girls and I planned a friend’s 35th birthday in Chicago, there was only one place we could think of that would exceed the vibe check: the exquisite Langham Chicago. I lived in Chicago for almost 10 years before I moved to NYC, so I knew this hotel would fit the bill and then some. Needless to say, the Langham Chicago lived up to all of our very high expectations.

THE QUICK HITS: THE LANGHAM CHICAGO EDITION

• Location: Chicago, Illinois

• Cost Per Night: Starting at $460

• Best For: Luxurious girls’ trip getaways

• While You’re Here, Visit: Travelle for bites and specialty cocktails

• One-Word Vibe Check: Opulent

• Most Iconic Photo Spot: The chaise lounge in the River View Suite

• Don’t Leave Without: Having afternoon tea!

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THE FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The Langham Chicago is tucked away on Wabash Avenue, a main street through Chicago’s downtown, and it’s truly an understated gem. It doesn’t have a boastful outside presence (like, say, the Trump Tower across the street from it), and it’s not somewhere that would catch your eye while driving past it. But this is fitting for the 5-star hotel as true luxury doesn’t have to do too much to prove it. After all, wealth does whisper, and you will, in fact, feel like a Rich B*tch from the moment the exceptionally hospitable bellmen meet you at your car door.

When you get inside, the posh vibes hit you right away. You have to take an elevator up to the lobby, and a serene scent blowing from the vents guides you upstairs. Once you’re there, you’re greeted by tailor-made furniture, dazzling overhead fixtures, and a showstopping 360-view of downtown Chicago.

THE ROOMS

One of the things that separates Chicago from other major cities in the U.S. is that it has a river (aptly named the Chicago River) running through the entire downtown. It is so lovely, and the only thing better than cruising down it in the summertime is having grand views of it from a sumptuous one-bedroom suite.

The River View Suite, where we stayed, gives you all of that and more. It’s basically an ultra-luxe palatial condo with one bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms, and endless floor-to-ceiling windows. Not only are you basically on top of the river, you also overlook the iconic State Street and get clear shots of The Wrigley Building, the “Corncob Towers,” and so much more of the city’s storied architecture. A chic lounge in the living area was perfectly situated in front of these glorious buildings, which made for the most opportune photo spot:

Space is always the biggest hangup on girls’ trips, especially for four very grown and very high-maintenance women (aka me and my friends) who love stuff! But having enough room was not a concern in this suite. It’s almost like it was made with girls’ trips and celebrations in mind. There was more than enough room for us to sprawl out comfortably—and we each felt so at ease and not like we were crammed on top of each other. Not tripping over a bra on the floor and having ample room for everyone to do their makeup? Bliss.

THE AMENITIES

The Langham Club at the Langham Chicago is absolutely top-tier. This swanky, exclusive lounge provides breakfast in the morning, light lunch bites and tea in the afternoon, and cocktails and canapés in the evening. Access is included for suite guests, but day passes are also available and are so worth it. It’s such a serene environment that doesn’t feel overly stuffy or pretentious. Oh, and there are even more fabulous river views here, but you can also sit and see the river dumping into Lake Michigan. It is a sight to behold:

You can order from a small menu or hit the buffet, which has an elevated but approachable selection of options during all meals. My friends and I were big fans of the fresh, cold-pressed juices at breakfast. Since this was a girls’ weekend, we, of course, topped our glasses off with a few splashes of champagne.

Before a night out, we hit up the cocktails and canapés, and it was the most sophisticated pre-game I’ve ever had. Think: gorgeous charcuterie boards with only the finest meats and cheeses, hearty finger sandwiches, and endless wine and champagne. Now that is how I like to kick off a party! And for all you sweet treat lovers like me: At night, there’s a delightful candy bar set up that will curb your cravings, and just so you can get the full Chicago experience, they even have freshly popped Garrett’s Popcorn on tap too (specifically the classic Chicago Mix, which is a blend of caramel- and cheddar-flavored popcorn).

THE FOOD AND BEV

The on-property restaurant and lounge Travelle is super vibey. Dinner is exclusively served in the lounge. The seats and tables are low, and the spacing can feel a bit awkward, so it might be a little uncomfortable for a typical dinner setting. But this does make it perfect for sultry drinks or an elegant little nightcap.

The cocktails are divine, and the food is mostly American fare. The menu’s real showstopper is their shrimp pasta. And if you’re feeling like having a night in and ordering room service (which we did our first night for elevated slumber party vibes), you have to get the BLT—the bread is flawlessly toasted, and the bacon is perfectly crisped. Thank me later.

This excellence was carried through into The Langham’s afternoon tea, which, at the time, was Alice in Wonderland–themed. There were five courses: It kicked off with a smoking “magic potion” tea, then went into the savory sandwiches, followed by decadent desserts, scones, and champagne. The teas were lovely, and they offered some of the most unique blends I’d ever tasted. And it all went down in such a dreamy setting, with views of the Chicago River and a live harpist playing in the background.

THE BOTTOM LINE

If you’re looking for a lavish girls’ getaway in one of this country’s top cities, you absolutely need to look into The Langham Chicago. It hits all the right notes of feeling grown and hot, but also playful and cozy—and that’s the only kind of girls’ trip I like to have these days. My friends and I are still talking about this stay, and when I head back to the Windy City in a few weeks, we’ve already decided we’re making another stop, whether it’s for cocktails, tea, or both.

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