6 Things To Know About the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago [Review]

On an all-too-brief return visit to Chicago, where I once lived, I traveled with my wife and grade-schooler. I wanted to make sure we did it in style — not hunched over stools with grape Nehis and dripping Harold’s quarter-white sandwiches, extra bread, on the South Side, but from a throne overlooking Lake Michigan from the Gold Coast.

I booked an executive suite at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago through Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) using The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express. With a promotion, I got a third night free when I booked 2 nights. A recent trip to a Four Seasons in Boston had made me an instant fan of the brand, so I saw it as a good opportunity to make sure that hadn’t been a fluke.

Here’s how it went down in Chi-town.

Booking the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago

I booked our stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago on my Amex Business Platinum card, which would have cost $2,450.01 for 2 nights, or $2,876.13 after taxes and fees.

I used 100,000 points at 1 cent per point to knock off $1,000, leaving my out-of-pocket cost at $1,876.13. It was under half of our valuation of Amex Membership Rewards points at 2.2 cents per point, but redeeming those points meant I could more easily meet the 2-night requirement for the hotel promotion that offered a third night for free.

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The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

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The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome Offer

As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.  

As High As 300,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $6,600

Annual Fee

$895

APR

17.74% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Amex Business Platinum Card is a premium travel rewards card tailored for business owners who are frequent travelers with high annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers, like the best airport lounge access at over 1,550 lounges and numerous annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on eligible travel purchases like flights, prepaid hotels, and prepaid short-term rentals booked through AmexTravel.com
• Access to over 1,550 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Earn 2x Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million per calendar year)
• Up to $200 annual airline fee credit on your selected qualifying airline
• Generous statement credits on select purchases with your card (including credits for airline incidentals, prepaid hotels, CLEAR, ChatGPT Business, Dell, and Hilton)
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• Access to Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts program
• Hotel elite status with Hilton, Marriott, and Leading Hotels of the World upon enrollment

 

Cons

• High annual fee of $895 (rates & fees)
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

 

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Card Highlights

• As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card company on the market as of 07/2025.
• See how you can unlock over $4,000 in business and travel value annually after meeting qualifying spend thresholds on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply.
• Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using the Business Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• No Preset Spending Limit: The spending limit on the Business Platinum Card is flexible, so unlike a traditional credit card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history.
• Make the Business Platinum Card^® work even harder for you. Hilton for Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Gift cards are not an eligible purchase. Benefit enrollment required.
• Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
• Use the Business Platinum Card and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR+ Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
• Maximize your time away with Fine Hotels + Resorts through Amex Travel™.
• Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
• Enroll and get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business* on the Business Platinum Card. *Subject to auto-renewal.
• Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
• Get up to $90 in statement credits quarterly for purchases with Indeed on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $360 back per year. Enrollment required.
• Get up to $10 in statement credits per month for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $120 back per year. Enrollment required.
• 2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com
• 1X points on other eligible purchases
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 17.74% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

 

Since this was a Fine Hotels + Resorts property, I got an $85 daily breakfast credit, a $100 hotel credit, and was able to apply a $300 semiannual hotel credit for prepaid bookings through AmexTravel.com for FHR or The Hotel Collection.

Hot Tip:

I enjoyed staying at the Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston, despite — or perhaps because of — having my young child in tow.

1. It’s in a Great Location

I knew we’d be in a prime location for much of what the city’s known for, especially for a first-timer like our son. We were right around the corner from the Magnificent Mile stretch of Michigan Avenue, with its high-end shopping, blocks from Rush Street restaurants, less than a 10-minute walk from Oak Street Beach, and about 2 blocks from the Water Tower.

On the Chicago L, it took us about an hour to get from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to the hotel, with a single transfer. Getting back to O’Hare by Uber took us over 2 hours because of standstill traffic on the Kennedy Expressway.

2. We Had a Gorgeous Suite

The executive suite was perfect for an extended weekend, and the rollaway bed was in the living room when we arrived.

We faced east toward the lake, which meant we had fantastic light and a close-up view of the John Hancock Center (now officially known as 875 N. Michigan Ave.), the Palmolive Building (formerly the Playboy Building), and its Lindbergh Beacon, which was added to the top of the Palmolive Building in 1930 to show pilots the way to Midway Airport (MDW). It shone northward in a single, fixed beam for our stay.

The living room was just big enough for 4 adults and 2 grade-schoolers for an ice cream party, and though we found a white-noise machine and earplugs there in case of lake wind, noise wasn’t an issue at all.

We discovered an unexpected fourth guest, a fat little spider that had made its web on the outside of a window in a Jeff Goldblum-in-Jurassic Park moment.

3. Attentive and Meticulous Service

The Four Seasons brand’s most valuable asset is its staff. In Boston, I found them to be proactively attentive without going overboard into cloying — a fine line that less experienced hotel employees can struggle with.

In Chicago, they kept the same standard. There were timing hiccups, particularly when anything had to be brought into the room. Staff members were apologetic, explaining that the weekend was unusually busy. But considering that the hotel was fully booked and the city abuzz with several notable events (end of the Chicago public school year, University of Chicago graduation, 10th-anniversary Pokémon GO Fest, and a final World Cup tune-up match between the U.S. and German national teams), they always made us feel seen and well cared for.

At check-in, the concierge brought our son a basket of goodies to choose from. He picked out a little white puppy stuffy over Slinky toys. Waiting for us in our room were macarons and other sweets.

Our Boston Four Seasons experience had turned me into a big fan of the Four Seasons app, which I found seamless. I put the Chicago staff through their paces via the app before we arrived. They responded quickly and knowledgeably every time.

Was there anywhere near the hotel where I could buy neon-green Chicago hot-dog relish? They gave me the names of 3 places I could walk to that definitely had it. Did the Peloton bikes require us to pack our specialized cycling shoes? No, their Pelotons had pedal cages.

The only “no” was when I asked if they could make Pokémon towel art. They said they couldn’t, which I understood — this wasn’t a cruise ship, after all — but on our third day, the concierge gave our son a Pikachu bath towel instead. That was going above and beyond to turn a no into a yes.

4. Amenities Included a Familiar Pool

The pool was warm and shallow but large enough for several families, the hot tub was relaxing and well-maintained, and the area was kept pristine. The highlight was the massive skylight that hovered over the pool like a benevolent UFO.

If the pool looks familiar, it’s probably because it was featured in “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.”

The fitness center was large and well-equipped, and we didn’t use the spa at all.

5. Food Was Solid, Especially Room Service

The Four Seasons Hotel Chicago has a single restaurant, Adorn Bar & Restaurant, on the seventh floor.

The weekday à la carte breakfast was not mind-blowing. I ordered the wagyu hash and found that — I can’t believe I’m complaining — there was too much wagyu (it was also somewhat soupy). The presentation was surprisingly lackluster for my wife’s bacon, eggs, and mushrooms, which had been simply tossed on one side of a too-large plate.

The weekend buffet was spectacular, one of my favorites so far ($49 for adults, $26 for kids 12 and under, and kids under 5 free). There was variety, beautifully presented fruits, a decent bagel spread with salmon and cream cheese, and more. I also appreciated that this Western hotel offered steamed pork buns without it being Chinese New Year or some kind of tacked-on theme.

Thanks to Amex’s FHR and The Hotel Collection and Chase’s The Edit, room service has become a tradition in our family.

Hot Tip:

The $85 FHR breakfast credit could be used at Adorn or via room service.

In contrast to the plating at Adorn on our first morning, the room service cart was picture-perfect. Most was tasty (though I don’t know why I keep ordering bagels outside of New York City or Montreal) and provided a solid start to our last day in town.

For favorite amenities, the pool was neck and neck with the ice cream cart ($30 per person, which we charged against our $100 FHR hotel credit), which a hotel staff member wheeled to our suite with a mess of fixings for ice cream made fresh daily in the hotel. My wife described the vanilla as merely “OK,” but I found the chocolate to be so rich and complex that I’m still thinking about it days later. I finished my whole bowl and wolfed down what my kid didn’t finish. (Our dad friend did the same with his kid’s, too.)

6. The Shower Was Tricky

I’m starting to think the bathrooms are the weakest part of a Four Seasons experience. The bathroom at this hotel was still miles better than 90% of the hotels I’ve stayed at, but there were a couple of nits to pick.

It always took a couple of minutes for the water pressure to build up enough for a shower, perhaps because we were on the 38th floor in a nearly 40-year-old building.

A quirk that this hotel shared with the One Dalton hotel was the unintuitive shower controls. This one required you to turn the control in one direction for the regular, fixed shower head. No problem. But to switch the water flow to the handheld shower head, we had to twist that same control in the opposite direction, not once or twice, but over 3 full rotations before we got the first trickle out of the wand.

Finally, perhaps related to the water pressure issue, we discovered that the toilet didn’t always flush fully, leaving occasional surprises for the next person.

Final Thoughts

I’ve always been mercenary about hotel brands — I never saw the point of owning a co-branded hotel credit card, since I never had strong feelings about where to stay beyond the best deal, the most interesting history, or the aesthetics. But after Four Seasons stays in Boston and Chicago, I may now be a Four Seasons loyalist, and my wife and son may be, too.

If you need a classic Chicago stay in a well-located hotel with amazing views and incredible service, the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago is a no-brainer. Say hello to the spider for me.