Booking a staycation right after the new year has begun sounds kinda bad, doesn’t it? Then, allow me to rephrase: let’s set up a wellness retreat in Chicago at one of our favorite luxury hotels. After all, our new year’s resolutions included being more mindful and focusing more on ourselves, and an indoor pool, pampering spa, and a full-size gym all sound like a good way to stay on top of our 2023 wellness goals.
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk offers guests the ideal mix of activity and relaxation options for travelers’ well-being. Take advantage of the hotel’s onsite daily fitness class hosted by a trainer from RSTR, a boutique studio founded by Israel Idonije, a former Chicago Bear, that specializes in physical and mental transformation.
Post or pre-workout, swim a few rejuvenating laps in the indoor pool, or spend some time relaxing in the sauna. The hotel’s Fitness Center also features Peloton Bikes, so guests never have to miss their workout routine while traveling.
Kimpton Gray Hotel
At The Gray, all guests need to do is turn on the TV and scan the QR code to find guided instructions for meditation, yoga, and mobility exercises. Additionally, the partnership with Live Better includes access to private training sessions, priced at $125 for 60 minutes, or wellness consultation, priced at $11 for 30 minutes, for guests to book at the hotel or virtually. If guests forget their workout gear, there is no need to fret, the hotel provides a yoga mat in every room and even has lululemon apparel available upon request.
To help guests unwind after a long day or recover from an intense workout, The Gray’s wellness retreat spa in Chicago will curate a customized massage experience from Reflexology, Deep Tissue, Prenatal, Swedish, Neuromuscular, Stretching, and more. To support guests’ mental well-being, The Gray offers Somadome meditation pods which feature light therapy and binaural beats to facilitate deep relaxation as well as sound and vocally guided meditation programs.
Aloft Chicago Mag Mile
Centrally located right on the Magnificent Mile and near Navy Pier and the Riverfront, the team at Aloft created a special zero-proof cocktail menu for those doing the dry January challenge this year.
While visiting, stop by W XYZ, the hotel’s playful bar and lounge, and sip on a “Pretty in Pink” made with Seedlip Grove 42, sparkling pink grapefruit, pineapple puree, and ginger ale. If seeking a workout while staying, the hotel’s indoor pool features floor-to-ceiling windows, comfortable loungers, and unique art, and is perfect for an early morning energizing swim or afternoon splash with the family.
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel
Dive into the rich culture of downtown from the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel and enjoy not one, but three unique exercise options for everyone to keep their bodies moving while traveling. Feel like braving the winter cold? Run a few laps around the outdoor track and warm up post-run in the steam and sauna room. Spend the afternoon shooting hoops on the full-size basketball court or burn those calories in the indoor swimming pool. Don’t leave without stopping by the tranquil lifestyle garden that provides a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the day.
The Blackstone
Proudly situated on Chicago’s Cultural Mile, The Blackstone offers guests a stunning destination that features modern rooms that beckon with immaculate views of Lake Michigan and Grant Park and spacious marble baths. The historic hotel recently announced a new partnership with Leaf Spa featuring in-room wellness journeys.
Designed to focus on muscle and joint health, natural immunity, and stress relief, the treatments aim to deliver balance to guests’ energy and focus, allowing them to be more grounded during travels. Options include four revitalizing massage experiences, two unique face mask treatments, and more. Enhancements are optional to curate the journey to each individual’s needs.
The LaSalle Hotel
In partnership with LUXXE | HONOR and their team of top health practitioners, The LaSalle Hotel in Chicago offers guests a variety of uniquely curated wellness retreat offerings to feel renewed in body and mind. Guests can book a 60-minute, one-on-one reiki & chakra healing session. Participating in reiki and chakra healing can transform trauma and limits into abundance, freedom, and love, and balance people’s energy to feel refreshed and grounded.
Guests can also participate in complimentary instructor-guided meditation and breathing exercises as well as yoga classes in the privacy of their room or in group classes offered throughout the week. The LaSalle values how meditation and mindful movement can add purpose to a trip, ease travel-related stress and anxiety, and enhance the overall experience.
The InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile
Originally the city’s preeminent athletic club, the almost 100-year-old building houses one of the oldest pools in Chicago. Though the Medinah Athletic Club’s original facilities are long gone, some striking features remain, including its massive junior Olympic swimming pool that’s perfect for those who love to do laps. Complete with its original 1920s-era Spanish Majolica tiles, the hand-carved terracotta fountain of Neptune, and marble pillars, the historic pool area offers a true feeling of escaping to another time in history. The hotel also offers an expansive fitness facility for those looking to supplement their workouts while on the road.
Featured Image: Radisson Blu Aqua