A hotel for those who work hard and play hard
Located in the River North neighbourhood, very close to Portillo’s, purveyors of the famous Chicago hot dog, The Godfrey stands out in an area not short on skyscrapers thanks to its Cubist-inspired facade and modern design.
Sleek and urban is the vibe here and that’s carried up from the elliptical marble lobby through to the silver, plum and grey colour palette in the 221 rooms. Though smaller than some of the other suites we stayed in during our time in Chicago, our Executive King Suite had a large bathroom with Malin & Goetz products; a living area with a sink and Keurig coffee machine, a flat-screen TV, a desk, a table, a sofa and a freestanding wardrobe; with a king bed and another TV in the bedroom, so it’s by no means poky.
The hotel boasts a small on-site spa offering massages, scrubs and facials, and a 24-hour gym but the real jewel in the crown of The Godfrey is the I|O Roofscape. Located on the fourth floor rather than the roof, it’s a sprawling indoor-outdoor terrace, which is open year-round thanks to its retractable glass covering. The indoor section with its richer colours and lower lighting feels moodier and more late-night whereas the terrace, with its white leather banquette seating, is brighter and much more Dubai beach club-adjacent.
We stopped by for a cocktail and a very fresh tuna tartare (the menu features Japanese dishes like maki rolls and sashimi as well as wagyu slides and shrimp tacos) in the early evening and the music was already turned up, so it’s easy to imagine that it gets very vibey up there once the sun goes down.
The Godfrey is definitely geared towards a younger, more sociable clientele – we stayed over on a Saturday night and there were a lot of people getting ready to hit the town – so if a buzzy atmosphere is what you want, this is the spot.
127 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
godfreyhotelchicago.com