New Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago
The Donald may have made his fortune as a real estate mogul but he made his fame through the pink marble lobby of his iconic, eponymous Manhattan skyscraper, for his very full head of hair and the line ‘You’re fired!’ did not have a hand in the simple décor and easy sophistication of this building.
But it is a new generation of Trump -- Trump 2.0, if you will, that gets most of the credit for creating Chicago’s newest luxury hotel. Daughter Ivanka gets the credit for being the Trump who most influenced the interior design of the hotel and condo project, as well as designing the staff uniforms, and overseeing
Don’t let the low key elegance of the surroundings fool you, however -- the Donald is definitely in the house. From the ‘T’ stamped into the end sheet of the toilet paper to the bottles of Trump Ice water in each of the guest rooms, the Trump brand and attitude is everywhere.
Overview
Entering the building, a bit of confusion ensues -- which lobby -- hotel or residential -- are you in? The answer is hotel, but the feel is residential -- that of a luxe condo, with no real indicators as to which desk is check-in, which is the concierge. But the confusion is temporary, as the staff waits to direct you.
The lobby’s footprint is small, the feeling cozy; the sweeping two-story windows undoubtedly designed as a visual reminder that while in the hotel, one is removed from the hectic pace of city life. An open ceiling reinforces a feeling of urban oasis, the almost-hidden staircase leading to the bar above promises the hint of more to come. The elevator lobby is private, behind closed doors -- dining, meeting and event guests are directed to public elevators.
Upstairs on the guest floors, the choice of another unfussy color scheme -- this time in muted tones of gray. A first walk into the most basic guest room -- called a deluxe -- may also make one think of being at home. Assuming, of course, that home has sleek, modern furnishings with a hint of classic taste, luxurious linens and the perfect little personal touches of framed photographs, coffee table books, and fresh flowers. Trays stand at the ready in the closet and in the room’s safe, for shoes which need to be shined and for storing jewelry or personal documents.
Generously oversized at 600-plus square feet, the deluxe rooms are kitted out with all the modern comforts imaginable, and then some: Sub-Zero refrigerator and other stainless appliances in the small, fully-equipped kitchen, limestone bathrooms with soaking tubs, in-mirror televisions and spa amenities, 10-foot windows offering city or lake views. A bedside control unit allows instant access to turn off (or on) every light in the apartment-like room; window coverings open and close with the touch of an electronic switch, and a Bose radio system includes MP3 jacks. All of the deluxe rooms also feature a cozy club chair and ottoman as well as a full-size sleeper sofa.
One, two and three-bedroom suites range in size from 1,000 to more than 3,800 square feet and include all the amenities featured in the deluxe guestrooms; luxurious touches are kicked up a notch with larger kitchens featuring stoves, dining tables that can accommodate a dinner party, and gas fireplaces.
The mini-bar -- in most cases, a standard sized Sub-Zero -- features those bottles of Trump Ice, as well as a variety of thirst quenchers including Coca-Cola products in small glass bottles, mineral waters and juices, power drinks and an upscale array of liquor miniatures. A selection of beer and wine, including champagne, are also chilled and ready to drink, while a quartet of unusual bottled water choices including a Swarovski crystal-bedecked vessel of ‘bling’ water ($25) await the discriminating palate.
Turn-down service is arranged at the convenience of the guest, and includes Trump-branded slippers (yours to take home) small bottles of an unusual New Zealand mineral water, and a bit of inspiration waiting on the night stand in the form of cards printed with motivational or thought-provoking quotes.
Spa
The 14th floor at the Trump is dedicated to health and fitness, with a spa, dedicated guest rooms for spa-goers, and a comprehensive fitness center.
The Spa at Trump featured 11 treatment rooms including a couples treatment rooms. Each of the rooms is an oversized 400-plus square feet; guests may choose from three types of robes to don before and between treatments, which range from massages with gem-infused oils to Kate Somerville skin care offerings and the only Vichy shower to be found in a downtown Chicago spa. Manicures, pedicures and make-up application services are also offered. Treatment prices range from $150 and up for massages and facials.
For guests whose main purpose is an urban spa retreat, there are 53 guestrooms on the spa floor. These rooms are slightly smaller in square footage than the hotel’s other rooms, and feature a more serene décor, with pickled oak furnishings, touches of ostrich leather and Sub-Zero mini refrigerators filled with healthy drinks.
Like the guest rooms, the fitness center features 10-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, affording views of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan for those working out on the variety of Technogym cardio equipment. Yoga, Pilates and spinning classes are offered; a well-equipped free weight room beckons the serious lifters and a lap pool offers a quiet retreat for exercising or simply relaxing.
Overview
Entering the building, a bit of confusion ensues -- which lobby -- hotel or residential -- are you in? The answer is hotel, but the feel is residential -- that of a luxe condo, with no real indicators as to which desk is check-in, which is the concierge. But the confusion is temporary, as the staff waits to direct you.
The lobby’s footprint is small, the feeling cozy; the sweeping two-story windows undoubtedly designed as a visual reminder that while in the hotel, one is removed from the hectic pace of city life. An open ceiling reinforces a feeling of urban oasis, the almost-hidden staircase leading to the bar above promises the hint of more to come. The elevator lobby is private, behind closed doors -- dining, meeting and event guests are directed to public elevators.
Upstairs on the guest floors, the choice of another unfussy color scheme -- this time in muted tones of gray. A first walk into the most basic guest room -- called a deluxe -- may also make one think of being at home. Assuming, of course, that home has sleek, modern furnishings with a hint of classic taste, luxurious linens and the perfect little personal touches of framed photographs, coffee table books, and fresh flowers. Trays stand at the ready in the closet and in the room’s safe, for shoes which need to be shined and for storing jewelry or personal documents.
Generously oversized at 600-plus square feet, the deluxe rooms are kitted out with all the modern comforts imaginable, and then some: Sub-Zero refrigerator and other stainless appliances in the small, fully-equipped kitchen, limestone bathrooms with soaking tubs, in-mirror televisions and spa amenities, 10-foot windows offering city or lake views. A bedside control unit allows instant access to turn off (or on) every light in the apartment-like room; window coverings open and close with the touch of an electronic switch, and a Bose radio system includes MP3 jacks. All of the deluxe rooms also feature a cozy club chair and ottoman as well as a full-size sleeper sofa.
One, two and three-bedroom suites range in size from 1,000 to more than 3,800 square feet and include all the amenities featured in the deluxe guestrooms; luxurious touches are kicked up a notch with larger kitchens featuring stoves, dining tables that can accommodate a dinner party, and gas fireplaces.
The mini-bar -- in most cases, a standard sized Sub-Zero -- features those bottles of Trump Ice, as well as a variety of thirst quenchers including Coca-Cola products in small glass bottles, mineral waters and juices, power drinks and an upscale array of liquor miniatures. A selection of beer and wine, including champagne, are also chilled and ready to drink, while a quartet of unusual bottled water choices including a Swarovski crystal-bedecked vessel of ‘bling’ water ($25) await the discriminating palate.
Turn-down service is arranged at the convenience of the guest, and includes Trump-branded slippers (yours to take home) small bottles of an unusual New Zealand mineral water, and a bit of inspiration waiting on the night stand in the form of cards printed with motivational or thought-provoking quotes.
The 14th floor at the Trump is dedicated to health and fitness, with a spa, dedicated guest rooms for spa-goers, and a comprehensive fitness center.
The Spa at Trump featured 11 treatment rooms including a couples treatment rooms. Each of the rooms is an oversized 400-plus square feet; guests may choose from three types of robes to don before and between treatments, which range from massages with gem-infused oils to Kate Somerville skin care offerings and the only Vichy shower to be found in a downtown Chicago spa. Manicures, pedicures and make-up application services are also offered. Treatment prices range from $150 and up for massages and facials.
For guests whose main purpose is an urban spa retreat, there are 53 guestrooms on the spa floor. These rooms are slightly smaller in square footage than the hotel’s other rooms, and feature a more serene décor, with pickled oak furnishings, touches of ostrich leather and Sub-Zero mini refrigerators filled with healthy drinks.
Like the guest rooms, the fitness center features 10-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, affording views of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan for those working out on the variety of Technogym cardio equipment. Yoga, Pilates and spinning classes are offered; a well-equipped free weight room beckons the serious lifters and a lap pool offers a quiet retreat for exercising or simply relaxing.
