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Where to stay in Chicago for the weekend in November? We spent Saturday night at Pendry Chicago for the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. As an American Express Platinum cardholder, I utilized the following benefits: a $200 hotel credit, a $100 credit toward qualifying activities, and a $60 daily breakfast credit. Pendry Chicago is part of the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts Collection. Read on for a rundown of our stay.
Pendry Chicago is positioned perfectly 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 to the hotel in seven minutes. Although we arrived early, the friendly staff checked us into 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. We also enjoyed complimentary cookies in the lobby and a late checkout (4:00PM).
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 headed to the streets to watch the parade, a staff member delivered a box of chocolates to our room. Do you want to know 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 7th floor of the Park Hyatt Hotel (800 N. Michigan Avenue) for a memorable Hot Chocolate Experience. For $22, we enjoyed unlimited hot chocolate. The toppings bar featured brownies, Oreos, peppermint, chocolate shavings, and adorable snowman marshmallows for the Mexican, Dark, or White Chocolate. 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 11:00AM. 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. I did not see Pendry listed in the holiday guide, but it remains my top pick for events along the Magnificent Mile. Because I used the American Express Platinum card, I saved $360 during this stay.
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. Even 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.