Big news from the Windy City today, where Starwood has finally opened Le Méridien Chicago – Oakbrook Center, a Rockbridge Portfolio property, following a $25 million renovation.
What makes it buzzworthy? We hear the swank hotel has 172 guestrooms and suites, including a Presidential Suite and six Executive Suites. For corporate (or social) functions, there are also 3,500 square feet of event space, two spa suites and a Spanish restaurant (El Tapeo) that serves modern-day tapas and signature cocktails.
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| Le Méridien Chicago – Oakbrook Center General Manager Simon Fricker (left) cuts the ribbon with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Senior Vice President of Brand Management Dave Marr (right) at the opening of the hotel on July 31. They stand in front of the mural depicting the architecture of the city by contemporary artist Justus Roe of the Chicago Artists Coalition in the hotel’s Hub. Photo by Johnny Knight Photo. |
Art fans will get a kick out of the displays of artwork by local Chicago artists and abstract installations representing notable Chicago symbols (think bicycles and the Ferris wheel, which debuted at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893). Cool touch: Each floor of the hotel’s elevator lobbies showcases images taken from Chicago’s signature “L” train, including the mileage and direction from the hotel in relation to where each particular shot was taken. The Executive Club Lounge has eight photographs by Chicago native Satoki Nagata portraying Chicagoland locals caught in the rain.
The ninth floor of Le Méridien Chicago – Oakbrook Center has a 3,000 square foot Grand Salon Ballroom and Executive Club Lounge as well as the hotel’s new restaurant concept, El Tapeo, with floor-to-ceiling windows and breathtaking views of the city. The 58-seat restaurant serves authentic Spanish cuisine created by Chicago native Chef Franco Diaz. In the hotel’s 25-seat lounge and 12-seat bar, guests can try handcrafted cocktails and light tapas style appetizers.
Le Méridien Chicago – Oakbrook Center also has two modern Spa Suites complete with a stone-tiled rain shower steam room with a 32” heated mosaic tile bed with ten body sprayers, a soaking tub and a large relaxation lounge. Good to know: Spa treatment services were created in partnership with ESPA.
For more information or to book, visit www.lemeridien.com/chicagooakbrookcenter.