Best Spas in Downtown Chicago

"That this 60-story stunner in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood was modeled after a 1920s Parisian grand dame tells you all you need to know about the kind of romance you'll find here. (No wonder so many weddings are booked here year-round.) Talk about an entrance: cars pull up a brick-paved driveway and deposit guests at the entry of the chandelier-lit, velvet-couch-lined white marble lobby. Upstairs, guest rooms are even more glamorous—think pops of platinum and gold, furnished terraces, black granite fireplaces‚ and huge soaking tubs—as is the spa, where you can indulge in a lava-shell massage."

"The Waldorf Astoria is a luxury hotel located in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood which is just a block away from the Magnificent Mile. This premiere property exudes glamorous Parisian charm with a touch of exclusivity, making it the top choice for fashionable travelers in the city. The rooms and suites are some of the most spacious options in the city, with separate showers and hot tub."

"The Waldorf Astoria, Chicago stays true to the brand’s reputation with a hotel bursting with quintessential luxury. A shimmering chandelier, marbled walls and steel decoration welcomes guests into the opulent lobby. With a vast collection of art throughout the hotel, it sometimes feels as if you are walking through a contemporary art exhibition."

"While Donald Trump is making headlines, the real story is taking place at his international hotel. The Terrace sits in the shadow of the Wrigley Building, giving it a daunting view of the majesty around it, but also serves color-changing cocktails infused with odd fruits from around the world for a drinking experience that is downright transcendent."

"Featuring stunning views from every area of the hotel, this landmark building of stainless steel and tinted glass stands 92-stories above the Loop and North Michigan Avenue along the Chicago River...."

"Luxury spa services, fine dining and upscale amenities are among the unique services offered to guests at the hotel. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase iconic views of Lake Michigan, Chicago River ..."

"Located steps from chic North Michigan Avenue shops and minutes from Chicago’s business and financial centers, the Four Seasons Hotel is the perfect destination for elite business and leisure travelers alike. The luxury five-star hotel offers a fresh and contemporary ambiance with astounding views of Lake Michigan and the city’s magnificent skyline. Guests will also enjoy the hotel’s Health and Fitness Club with its 50-foot indoor pool surrounded by Roman-inspired columns and positioned under a domed glass ceiling."

"Steps from the Magnificent Mile and North Michigan Avenue's luxury shopping and dining, the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago offers a contemporary escape with 16 floors of 185 newly renovated suites and 160 guest rooms. Rooms boast views of Lake Michigan and the city skyline and come with a calming decor, modern amenities, and spacious bathrooms. Indulge at the lavish spa or sneak in a workout at the fitness center or the 50-foot indoor swimming pool."

"Serene and intimate, The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago provides a personal escape to relax and rejuvenate. Experience the spa’s traditional and innovative treatments such as a Harmony massage for couples, an Ayurvedic scalp massage or a Perles de Caviar facial to refresh and reinvigorate. Combining natural ingredients with the nurturing care of expert therapists the spa welcomes you on a journey of beauty and wellbeing."

"With an indoor swimming pool, hot tub, cozy lounge by the fireplace, fitness center, and yoga room, The Peninsula Spa offers a wide range of amenities. They even carry an extensive menu of both current and classic treatments, from Hot-Stone to Bamboo massages. And they’re highly skilled and attentive, making sure that you leave totally revived."

"The Peninsula Spa sits on the 19th and 20th floor of the Peninsula Hotel. This gem of a spa offers a blend of both modern and enduring Eastern treatments. We’re talking holistic Asian and Ayurvedic as well as modern result-driven massages and aromatherapy."

"The Peninsula Chicago has maintained its Forbes Five-Star rating for 17 years. Among the many perks for guests, the spa, spanning the 19th and 20th floors, is a 15,000 sq.ft. oasis in the middle of the Mag Mile."

"The view of the Chicago River is the crown jewel in the signature Chuan Spa, known for its serenity. The décor and treatments are based on an East-meets-West spa concept, with many of the services—massage, facials, and an array of well-known traditional Chinese medicine treatments, including cupping and acupuncture, designed to restore balance and increase overall energy."

"Chuan Spa – The restful setting stimulates consideration and introspection because you embark in a trip made to balance the mind, body and soul. Similar to opening a secret garden where you observes soul of care, your wellbeing venture promotes, heals and relieves. Prior to every treatment, set about an entirely pure water trip the Chuan Bathing Ritual."

"Helping you reach tranquility through the essence of water, Chuan Spa Chicago offers a water journey potent to your replenishment. Once you enter through their Moon Gate doors and secret garden, the excursion begins. Bathing rituals, saunas, a steam room, and utterly exquisite interior all join to create the utmost relaxation experience."

"If you’ve ever read the ingredients label on your lotion and felt slightly freaked out, head to this green boutique spa. For hair removal, they do sugaring. Their nail services use only 5- to 10-free polishes (meaning they’re free of harsh chemicals)."

"After all that walking, head back to your room at the Dana Hotel and Spa in the chic River North neighbourhood to freshen up ahead of the night portion of your Chicago itinerary. The design-forward property wows from the moment you walk through the multi-storey, airy foyer, which is accented with geometric seating and light fixtures that set the tone for the surrounding ultra luxe spaces. On-site amenities include an acclaimed spa and multiple restaurants, like the rooftop Apogee Lounge where the in-crowd comes to sip hand-crafted cocktails and soak in the views."

"Upton’s Breakroom is a casual café that serves light vegan fare in a bright, modern setting. Located next to Upton's Naturals seitan factory, the charming little restaurant offers a small menu with a variety of seitan-based dishes such as chick seitan Korean tacos, pastrami seitan sandwiches, bowls of rice, kale, warm seitan chunks, and bright-green nut pesto, and vegan soft serve. Blending natural textures and flavors to create an innovative and satisfying menu, Upton’s Breakroom is the ideal spot for a quick lunch or a languid dinner of exotic vegan fare."

"Restaurants Vegan River West/West Town. House-made seitan is the base for most menu items at Upton’s Breakroom, a bright little café attached to Upton’s Naturals, a company that makes seitan and sells it in stores across the country. The café has a plentiful menu, including a tofu-seitan banh mi, a BBQ jackfruit sandwich and Korean tacos with housemade kimchi."

"Head on down to Seitanville and grab some vegan comfort food and the famous soy-based ice-cream!. Upton’s Breakroom is an unassuming little shop where you can not only sit down for a bite, but you can shop their products as well. You’ve almost definitely seen their products as you wander the health food store – check out the packaging below!"

"And as always, you can find more photos of our adventures on Instagram @VoyagingHerbivore and to get updates straight to your inbox, enter your email below in the footer, or to the right on the sidebar. If you want to help us out even more, you can buy us a bit of fuel!. If you have any questions, comments, or other vegan restaurant recommendations for Chicago, be sure to comment below."

"Since its founding in 1987, the Catherine Edelman Gallery has established itself as one of the leading galleries in the US devoted to the exhibition of prominent living photographers, alongside new & young talent. To date the Catherine Edelman Gallery has hosted 245 public exhibitions, featuring more than 200 artists. The gallery is currently open by appointment only."

"The artists exhibited at the Catherine Edelman Gallery push the boundaries of what can be done with a camera. The gallery focuses exclusively on the medium of photography – from landscape and fashion editorial to street shots and socially conscious work – with shows by established names, including Sebastião Salgado and Annie Leibovitz, as well as up-and-comers."

"Contemporary photography is this gallery's trademark, and owner Catherine Edelman promotes the art of capturing a moment in time. She also offers gallery talks and book signings. A member of the Chicago Art Dealers' Association, the gallery has ties to a variety of artists, including Michael Kenna, Olivia Parker, Maria Martinez-Cnas, and O."

"Cutting-edge conceptual art is the basis of Jean Albano's success. The gallery features works by local talents Gladys Nilsson and Margaret Wharton and has exhibited items by Ellen Lanyon and Jim Waid. A member of the Chicago Art Dealers' Association, the gallery offers contemporary paintings, sculpture, and mixed media works."