Time Is The Ultimate Luxury At The LaSalle Chicago
The hotel offers a relaxed escape 21 floors above Chicago’s business district
(The lobby of The LaSalle Chicago)
Location: Chicago, IL
Perfect For: Business travelers in Chicago seeking a quiet escape close to work
The LaSalle Chicago, located in the center of the city’s Loop business district, offers no shortage of high end luxuries, from onsite yoga and meditation to a luxurious lobby high above the busy city streets and more. But the gift of time may be the hotel’s most valuable offering, as LaSalle General Manager Stefan Gruvberger tells A HOTEL PODCAST.
“So when we sat down and we talked about ‘What does luxury mean? And what is that? And what it's the most luxurious thing that you can think of?’ And what we figured out was the value of time. And there were a couple of different things, as well, that kind of tied into that here in the Loop. So right across the street in the Wintrust Building is the spot where (the) United States adopted Standard Time. So that was also one of those kind of neat things that kind of tied into our brand.”
(The LaSalle Chicago)
Opened in summer of 2022, The LaSalle was born out of Prime Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael W. Reschke recognizing the lack of luxury hotel offerings in the Chicago Loop, Gruvberger explains. “So he's like, ‘You know what? There's a place in the market for that. You have all these bankers, lawyers, etc. in the Loop. And they all travel north of (the Chicago River) to all the luxury hotels that are out there. And then they take a car back and forth, right? I want to build a luxury right here in the Loop.’”
"The LaSalle Chicago is all about the value of time. And how do we help our guests value their time when they're here with us?" - Stefan Gruvberger
Upon entering the property at 208 S LaSalle, guests are directed to the building’s 21st floor for the hotel’s lobby. It’s a calming retreat with multiple areas for socializing, work, or relaxing among the hotel’s upscale marble and hardwood design.
Guests can enjoy the privacy of the library, featuring hardwood floors, tables and chairs, as well as a fireplace. And the open areas around the check in desk and bar are ideal for groups with plenty of plush seating. Gruvberger’s favorite part of the lobby, however, is the Solarium, with the GM singling out the glass window views of the Willis Tower and “phenomenal sun exposure” as highlights of the space.
(The Library, part of the lobby at The LaSalle)
“We're trying to be this bit of an escape that's above it all. A little elevated, above the city din,” Gruvberger explains. “When you walk into our lobby, when you come up to the 21st floor, you walk in and it feels like this private club, but it's not a private club, it's a hotel. It's a small, intimate restaurant and bar, and your lobby is right next to it. So that's definitely something that we've tried to create.”
The lobby’s restaurant and bar, Grill On 21, offers a steakhouse menu with a focus on environmental responsibility and sustainability. Managed by Roanoke Hospitality, ingredients are sourced from local farms, fisheries, and ranches, and cooked on an open fireplace. Menu offerings include lobster pot pie, Chilean seabass, grilled lamb chops, and more.
(Lamb chops at Grill On 21)
Below the lobby on 21, The LaSalle’s guest rooms continue the hotel’s art deco design, with an emphasis on dark wood details as well as all-marble bathrooms. The gray, white, and navy blue color scheme of the guest rooms aligns with the hotel’s focus on offering a soothing escape.
(A corner suite bedroom)
The crown jewel of the LaSalle’s guest quarters, however, is the 1600-square-foot Presidential Suite. The suite offers a king sized bedroom with a spacious bathroom and dual vanities, as well as a porcelain soaking tub from Germany. (“It is a fantastic bathtub,” Gruvberger confirms.)
The Presidential Suite also boasts an inviting living room and dining room, both of which can easily accommodate company, as well as a designer kitchen with butler pantry and a separate room for a study.
(The Presidential Suite at the LaSalle Chicago)
All these touches demonstrate why The LaSalle was named Best New Hotel by CS Magazine in 2023. It’s a victory Gruvberger attributes to the entire LaSalle staff.
“That was such a wonderful feeling for the team here,” the GM states. “Obviously, a lot of hard work went in to (opening) this hotel. And to be recognized like that right off the bat by CS was just a brilliant feeling. And the team really appreciated that.”
For more from Gruvberger, check out his A HOTEL PODCAST interview below, where the GM delves into the hotel’s health and wellness initiatives, speaks on serving a diverse range of guests at the hotel beyond just business travelers, reveals the significance of an hourglass available in each guest room, and more.
Find more via The LaSalle Chicago. And subscribe for more from A Hotel Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Written by Jaime Black with Gaby Dupont.
Accommodations and dining for Jaime Black provided by The LaSalle Chicago, Grill On 21, and Kinship Company.