Stay in Style at Hyatt Regency Chicago and Treat Yourself to The Langham’s Chuan Spa
Author:Michelle KonstantinovskyWhat’s a West Coast girl to do for her first trip to the Windy City? Well, first thing’s first: schedule that trip during the mild month of October when the weather gods are kind enough to cooperate. Next, find a great place to stay.
While Chicago is surprisingly simple to navigate, even for the directionally challenged (a city built on a grid – what a concept!), it never hurts to station yourself in a central location. Luckily, the Hyatt Regency Chicago just happens to be a stone’s throw from some of the city’s biggest attractions including Millenium Park and the Magnificent Mile. But the hotel isn’t just convenient; it’s actually cool.
Walking through the Hyatt’s main entrance, you’re immediately greeted by a colorful wall of lights providing the lobby backdrop, and then struck by the eye-catching sight of the hotel’s BIG Bar. Believe it or not, the impressive open-air mezzanine-level lounge boasts the longest free-standing bar on the entire continent. And with 30 signature cocktails and over 50 imported and domestic beers, you might be tempted to scrap your other plans and stay onsite all night.
But the Hyatt has more to offer than fun evening entertainment. With over 2,000 guest rooms, a new 24-hour fitness center, a 24-hour market (Starbucks coffee any time of day? Yes please), and an array of restaurants, it’s an ideal place to stay whether you’re in town for a conference or exploring the city for fun (or, in my case, a little bit of both).
The one thing you may crave during your stay is a luxurious spa experience. Luckily, Chicago is home to some incredible relaxation havens, and one just happens to be located across the way from the Hyatt. The Chuan Spa at The Langham, Chicago is a serious 5-star experience. Every detail is meant to evoke a sense of peace and tranquility, and if it weren’t for the stunning river view from the front desk, you might forget you’re in the middle of a bustling city.
A signature piece of Chuan’s charm is the Tri-Bathing Ritual, intended to invigorate your senses w instill a deeper feeling of relaxation (spoiler alert: it really works). First, you enter an herbal sauna to loosen tight muscles. Next, the Himalayan salt stone sauna turns up the heat a notch to soothe stress. Then, it’s time to wake up: the aromatherapy shower is a refreshing break before you enter the Oriental steam room where the scent of eucalyptus is so intoxicating, you might linger longer than planned (it also helps that the ergonomically designed relaxation recliners embrace your entire body with a comfy, cozy blanket of warmth).
But of course, the main draw of any spa is the treatment menu, and Chuan’s services will definitely draw you in. The Chuan Harmony massage combines elements of acupressure and relaxation techniques to leave you feeling completely blissed out, and if you’re lucky enough to snag the exclusive VIP suite, you’ll have a hard time stepping back into reality. The private space features a healing liquid pool and oriental steam room that are separate from the rest of the facilities, and your treatment will be customized with a variety of soothing herbal extracts tailored to fit your needs. Good luck peeling yourself off the table.
If, after all that relaxation, you’re still set on hitting the town, stop by some of these fun spots:
Cindy’s Rooftop Bar at The Chicago Athletic Association Hotel
