The Peninsula is everything a 5 star hotel should be. The staff is professional, poised and very helpful. The rooms are well appointed, the counsel next to the bed is unique and fabulous. We finally found a hotel bed that's MORE comfortable than ours at home (not an easy task).

The spa is beautiful. Although we didn't have treatments, we enjoyed the facilies (workout room, steam room, pool, hot tub, outdoor patio). The spa had very thoughtful touches throughout - e.g. swim diapers for kids, various flavored water and tea, plush towels - all terrific.

Avenues (one of the three restaurants). Oh my. Fantastic food, unbelievably creative, delicious. The service was terrific. HOWEVER, the portions are pathetic. For $375 (for two), we should not leave hungry. The waitress explains that each course is 2-3 bites. So, the four course is 12 bites for $75. And, she was right. The 8 course is $115. One should not have to select the 15 course to fill their stomach. I understand that the new chef cut the portions which is a terrible mistake. I would go back in a heartbeat if the portions doubled. We have been to several other top Chicago restaurants (Tru, Trotters, Les Nomades, Everest, Moto), and we have never experienced anything like these miniscule portions.

Overall, our experience at the Peninsula was wonderful and I would highly recommend this hotel.

We booked a room, and were upgraded to a suite (rm 1816). However, the suite was located on the 18th floor, right below the pool and locker rooms. During the night, my wife (who suffers from allergies and asthma), woke up with terrible pain in her sinuses. We struggled to sleep for the rest of the night. In the morning, she had a nosebleed.

In the morning, we noticed paint "bubbles" on the wall near the ceiling in the living room. When I reached up and touched the bubbles, they were wet and slimy. Upon further inspection, it was clear that there had been a number of "repairs" in the past, but the problem had never been solved.

When we complained about this to the management, he acted very honorably. He explained that room was right below the locker rooms in the pool / spa area and there must have been a leak. He comped the room for the night and offered to move us to another room in the hotel.

However, the lost night of sleep really wrecked our vacation. We decided that if one room has mold, we couldn't trust any other room and found accommodations elsewhere.

Everything aspect of our stay from start to finish was excellent. The hotel is immaculate, rooms are a nice size, well appointed and quiet. Staff are really helpful and the concierges I worked with were *real* concierges: they were happy to answer questions, make bookings and their advice on Chicago was very good. Front desk staff was helpful, honest and friendly. Gym is beautifully equipped with plenty of machines and an excellent class/stretching room, all with big windows. Pool is a full 25 meters with windows right down to the floor, a great place for a swim! Apples and coffee to go at the gym and pool were a very nice touch in the morning.

I travel over 50% of the time and a hotel like this stands out for the comprehensive high quality of all services and facilities offered. I'll certainly stay here again when I'm in Chicago.

This hotel is the standard by which ALL hotels should be judged, not just Chicago, but anywhere. It is first-class in every way, from the doormen, to the bellhop, to the front desk staff, to the housekeeping.

The location is perfect for downtown shopping and sightseeing. The rooms are gorgeous. The food was outstanding. I did not visit the spa but heard only great things.

Obviously it is expensive, but this is the pinnacle of hotels.