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Are you looking to stay in Chicago for the weekend? We spent Saturday night on Michigan Avenue at Pendry Chicago for the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. Thanks to my American Express Platinum card, I maximized the following benefits: $200 hotel credit, $100 credit toward qualifying activities, and $60 breakfast credit. Pendry Chicago is part of the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts Collection. Read on for a rundown of our stay and festival highlights.
Pendry Chicago is perfectly positioned for easy access to festival activities. We parked nearby using SpotHero, snagging a spot in the Grant Park North Garage for just $26, and walked seven minutes to the hotel. Although we arrived early (12:45 PM), the friendly staff checked us in, assigning us to Room 2106. Pendry offers excellent amenities, including a full-service restaurant, café, and bar. Try the Jasmine Green Tea Welcome Drink—you can customize it with a shot of your favorite liquor at the bar using a secret password shared by the front desk. Complimentary cookies in the lobby and late checkout (4:00 PM) were a bonus.
We reserved the Queen Queen Room. Yes, we saw a condo resident strolling around in their underwear. Lesson learned: close the shades! If we could see them, they could see us. The room featured thoughtful touches like plush robes, a steamer, a tray with alcohol, snacks, and a phone charger kit. Before we left to watch the parade, a staff member delivered a box of complimentary chocolate to our room. Are you asking where to stay in Chicago? My answer is the Pendry.
The Pendry is at 230 N. Michigan, and Lights Festival Lane is at 401 N. Michigan. While the line for the Chicago Runs on Dunkin booth was long, we grabbed a complimentary slice of cheesecake from Eli’s and enjoyed the festive atmosphere. We posed for a photo and picked up a free ornament keychain with a built-in scratch-off tool at the Illinois Lottery booth—fun souvenirs to take home.
After exploring Lights Festival Lane, we headed to NoMI on the 7thfloor of the Park Hyatt Hotel (800 N. Michigan Avenue) for a memorable Hot Chocolate Experience. For $22, we enjoyed unlimited hot chocolate: Mexican, Dark, and White Chocolate. The toppings bar featured brownies, Oreos, peppermint and chocolate shavings, and adorable snowman marshmallows. Gourmet cookies and biscotti completed the indulgent experience. Hot chocolate > bottomless mimosas, any day. Boozy hot chocolate is available at an additional cost.
We wrapped up the night by sharing a chicken dish at Venteux. We used the breakfast credit before 11:00 AM. I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich while Kim enjoyed the Venteux Breakfast. After breakfast, we stopped by Marshall’s (630 N. Michigan Avenue) for their Members Only Weekend event. As TJX credit card holders, we entered a drawing and walked away with $10 gift cards. Retail therapy never hurts. However, if you wanted to attend a sporting event, there were two options. The Chicago Bulls played the Hawks at the United Center (17-minute ride) on Friday, and the Bears played the Vikings at Soldier Field (9-minute ride) on Sunday.
The Pendry Chicago exceeded expectations, combining luxury with unbeatable convenience. We never walked more than 10 minutes to any destination, making it a stress-free choice for festival-goers. While Pendry was not listed in the holiday guide, it remains my top pick for events along the Magnificent Mile. With the American Express Platinum card, I saved $360 during this stay, making the annual fee well worth it. If you travel often, consider this card for perks like hotel and airline credits and lounge access.
Having attended the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York twice, I had a different perspective on Chicago’s parade organization. While the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade was charming, I recommend reserving a hotel room with a view of the bridge for a more comfortable experience of the fireworks and floats. Though the weather was mild, the lag between floats made the procession feel a bit lengthy. If I attend again, I will plan for a cozier vantage point. Visit the official Magnificent Mile website to download the printable guide for tips, offers, and seasonal specials.