Embracing its locale where water, glass and concrete converge, Kimpton Hotel Monaco Chicago welcomes guests to experience its newly transformed 191 guest rooms and 22 suites, with the unveiling of its enhanced living-room lobby to come in June. The elevated redesign takes inspiration from Lake Michigan and the robust development along the Chicago Riverwalk, visible from the hotel’s famed window seats.
The renovation of the legacy property at 225 N. Wabash Ave. highlights the Monaco Chicago’s position as one of the city’s first true boutique hotels and a standard-bearer of the Kimpton Monaco brand, beloved by guests, locals and its long-serving and dedicated staff.
“We’re excited to share the Monaco Chicago’s next chapter with the city and our guests, whose spirit energizes us every day. We’re fortunate to have a front-row seat to the renaissance on the waterfront and throughout the Loop, and we welcome our loyal guests as well as new generations of travelers to experience it with us,” says Adam Gurgiolo, general manager of the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Chicago.
The “Lake Effect”-themed design reflects the physical attributes and atmospheric effects of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River and the vibrant cultural adventures that await guests. The experiential enhancements also allude to the city’s history as a 19th-century shipping hub and to the century-old building’s colorful past as headquarters of the D.B. Fisk & Co. hat company.
ROOMS & SUITES
The 191 newly renovated guest rooms have high ceilings and large bay windows, a Monaco Chicago signature. Redesigned bathrooms include tiled walk-in showers with marble accents, rain showerheads, detachable hand faucets and lighted mirrors framing a custom vanity. Twenty-two suites offer generous spaces for working and relaxing, with oversized bathrooms and a separate sitting area in each.
All rooms and suites have new 55-inch televisions with fully interactive streaming and casting capabilities and new Bluetooth-compatible alarm clocks. Faster, more robust Wi-Fi and phones with voicemail and speakerphone make it easy to meet deadlines.
The sophisticated decor mixes luxe materials with distinctive details such as tufted headboards and a hatbox honor bar, a nod to the century-old building’s history as a hat factory. Frette bed linens, Atelier Bloem bath products, cozy bathrobes and yoga mats tucked in the closet ensure an inviting stay for leisure guests.
Through “Knock and Drop,” the hotel’s room-service program, guests can order from Fisk & Co.’s full menus and satisfy their cravings whatever the hour. The nearly year-old restaurant offers a Belgian-inspired take on seafood and craft beer at lunch and dinner and American-with-a-twist breakfast and brunch favorites.
LIVING-ROOM LOBBY
This is the hub of the Monaco Chicago, where meeting, working and lingering happen naturally thanks to varied seating areas, numerous outlets, Wi-Fi and morning coffee and tea service.
A custom-built wine table, to be unveiled in late spring with the other lobby enhancements, will be a focal point for the hotel’s nightly wine hour from 5 to 6 p.m. and a new nightcap service. Curated by Fisk & Co., the nightcap hour is for guests and visitors, with cocktails and paired bites served tableside, plus live music on select nights.
PROGRAMS & PARTNERS
Guests can partake in unique programs and perks that highlight the hotel’s community partnerships:
• Library cart curated by Chicago’s esteemed Newberry Library: Guests are welcome to “check out” books on Chicago art, culture and history. When they visit the Newberry’s bookstore, they’ll receive a complimentary pen, pin and 10 percent discount on purchases
• Vintage-inspired hats for purchase in suites: Take home the handiwork of millinery 10th Street Hats
• Monaco-inspired tea service by Chicago’s Rare Tea Cellars: The rare-ingredient purveyor is developing a custom blend available only at the Monaco Chicago
• Wearable art by Columbia College fashion students: Student-designed hats and accessories—coursework from the school’s newly created millinery class—will be displayed and worn by hotel staff. The Monaco also will feature 1920s-era items on loan from Columbia’s Fashion Study Collection.