The Peninsula Chicago

Posted in Future on 18 September, 2015

A forward-thinking hotel for a forward-thinking City. The Peninsula Chicago’s latest redesign plans have been imagined with the luxury traveller in mind. Hamish Kilburn taps into the latest technology and writes about a more convenient and comfortable travelling experience…

Introducing advanced guestroom technology, the latest re-design plans showcase The Peninsula Chicago’s evolution, design of luxury and enhances the brand’s reputation of setting new standards in luxury accommodation.

Slated to complete in 2016, encompassing 331 of the 339 guest rooms and suites, the project’s aim is to redesign the rooms so that guests can experience a more convenient stay, featuring the most technologically advanced in the world.

Guestrooms

Designed by Bill Rooner of Bill Rooney Studio Inc., the rooms blend contemporary interiors with a cosmopolitan attitude. The fresh Art-Deco style of the hotel’s public space has been a key influence in the guestroom redesign. Fine-wood finishes, lush fabrics and rich leathers have been appropriately applied.

A hand-crafted floral art design element, created by artist David Qian, will anchor each guest room to reflect the brand’s Asian heritage. Bespoke Chinaware featuring the chrysanthemum is complimented well with deep-blue textiles and custom-made linens, which plays a subtle representation of Chicago’s important connection to Lake Michigan and the Chicago River.

Suites

Unique art elements will be influenced by Chicago’s rich artistic culture. The 74 new suites will each feature a hand-embroider silk art wall along with hand-painted design glass elements (in the junior suites) that provide a delicate and chic feel. The floral design for the glass wall, created by artist Michael Glickman, was inspired by the Orchid, which is also one of the four noble flowers of Asian Art.  The nutrition center and coffee amenities in the suites will be housed in a hand-painted Chinoiserie cabinet designed by David Qian, the same artist that produced the wall murals.

Keeping up to date with the latest technology to ensure that guests can relax at their own convenience, the rooms are set to feature fully customised interactive digital bedside and desk tablets, which are preset in one of the 11 languages. Providing a touch of convenience in a comfortable setting, guests will have full control of all in-room functions at a touch of a tablet. Guests checking in will have control of all guestroom lighting, room temperature, while having access to the restaurant menus, hotel services, city information and attractions, TV channels, in addition to LED touch-screen wall panels that feature weather details, language and privacy options.

“Our renovation re-launches The Peninsula Chicago as the heart—literally and metaphorically—of Chicago and will cement the hotel’s place firmly for the future,” said Maria Razumich-Zec, The Peninsula Chicago’s General Manager and Regional Vice President. “Innovation is an attribute of The Peninsula Hotels, and the new guest rooms feature personalised technologies that elevate guest stays to a previously undefined level of bespoke and experiential luxury. These technological developments combined with our new ‘Keys to the City’ service experience firmly distinguish the hotel’s commitment to welcome travellers to Chicago.”

www.chicago.peninsula.com