Viceroy Chicago: 1920s Cedar Hotel facade with Somerset restaurant, 18th-floor rooftop pool, and Lake Michigan views

Reigning with striking 18-story glass-and-terracotta skyscraper architectural majesty designed by Goettsch Partners and Gold Coast grand palace nobility at the historic corner of Cedar and State Streets in the prestigious Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States (just steps from Oak Street Beach, Michigan Avenue Magnificent Mile luxury shopping, and the lakefront path, 30 minutes from Chicago O’Hare International Airport), Viceroy Chicago opened in 2017 behind the meticulously preserved 1920s brick-and-terracotta facade of the historic Cedar Hotel. Celebrating consecutive Forbes Four-Star ratings and Condé Nast Traveler awards, the 180-room luxury palace combines 1920s glamour with avant-garde modern design by TAL Studio. Centered around the acclaimed fine-dining institution Somerset (styled after a 1960s country club), an 18th-floor heated outdoor freshwater rooftop swimming pool framing Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline, the vibrant rooftop lounge Devereaux, and comprehensive wellness amenities, this property is the Windy City’s ultimate Gold Coast grand palace.

Arrival introduces travelers to unvarnished Chicago architectural glamour and Gold Coast historic splendour: liveried concierges greet guests beneath the historic 1920s terracotta archway on Cedar Street before entering TAL Studio’s glowing lobby salon featuring a monumental 30-foot poem by Marcel Proust hand-inscribed across an amber wall, mid-century brass fixtures, signature scent, and chilled local craft cider or Champagne with warm artisanal canapés. Day-one logistics focus on coordinating bespoke Chicago architectural, culinary, and lakefront pursuits: walking two minutes into the haute couture boutiques of Oak Street and Michigan Avenue (steps away), private chartered motor yacht cruises through the Chicago River architecture corridor and Lake Michigan (10 minutes away), private VIP museum tours through the masterpieces of the Art Institute of Chicago (10 minutes away), swimming across the 18th-floor rooftop pool overlooking the lake, indulging in customized in-room botanical wellness therapies, sipping craft cocktails on the open-air deck at Devereaux, and reserving a leather booth for dinner at Somerset.

Palace living balances active Chicago discovery with serene 18th-floor sky sanctuary wellness: Viceroy Chicago Wellness offerings feature in-room luxury spa therapies, a state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness center equipped with Peloton bikes, an 18th-floor heated outdoor rooftop swimming pool, and treatments utilizing organic botanicals and ESPA skincare. Dining is an extraordinary Modern American-Bistro culinary summit: elevated seasonal gastronomy at Somerset (celebrated for dry-aged steaks, handmade pasta, wood-roasted chicken, and sommelier Grand Crus), poolside cocktails and small plates at Devereaux on the 18th floor, and 24-hour in-room royal dining.

Accommodations comprise 180 rooms and luxury executive suites styled by TAL Studio in warm walnut boiserie, bespoke graphic houndstooth and teal velvet furnishings, deep freestanding soaking bathtubs, private dressing rooms, and massive floor-to-ceiling windows framing Lake Michigan or the Gold Coast mansions ranging from 35 to 110 square metres. Each residence features plush king beds with custom linens, and marble bathrooms with deep soaking bathtubs, embedded TV mirrors, and custom ROIL by Amanda George amenities.

Gold Coast purists, architecture buffs, and luxury travelers seeking Chicago State Street location, 18th-floor rooftop pool, and Somerset dining should book Viceroy Chicago without hesitation. Grounded review consensus confirms legendary standing with a 4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor across 7,200 reviews and a 4.9 out of 5 on Google across 11,400 reviews.