Hotel Indigo Chicago Gold Coast

I love early morning flights. The excitement the night before with the restless sleep, waiting in line far too long for the overpriced Starbucks coffee and impatiently waiting at the gate to board. 

It has been a long time since I boarded a plane. I have been to Chicago once before under the age of 12 and in my personal opinion, going to a place over 21 and under 21 are two completely different experiences. 

It had been so long since I had traveled I forgot that I was supposed to look up an easier way to get to my hotel than just a cab. But I ended up at the ride share lane waiting on my very enthusiastic Uber driver. Without asking he took me on a round-about way through the city to see all the sights on the way to my hotel. 

Keep in mind, it hasn’t even breached 10am yet. My Uber driver drops me off at the front door of the Hotel Indigo Downtown Chicago Gold Coast. I check in, hit the 8th floor on the elevetor, find my room and I open the doors to the brightly lit, beachy feel of the lobby. There is an oversized adorandac chair with brightly colored pillows in the corner. The front desk is round and I am greeted warmly by a lovely Chicago native who hands me my key and points me towards the elevator. 

I have said this before: there is nothing like coming home after a long trip, and Hotel Indigo was my home for the next few days and man, I could have laid in bed all weekend long, but then I wouldn’t have anything exciting to write about. 

I opened the door to four huge windows overlooking rooftops, bright green trees, and Lake Michigan, two plush queen beds calling my name, the most adorable sitting area with magazines all about Chicago food (they obviously knew their audience) and a huge closet. 

The room is naturally lit, decorated with blue and white striped comforters, calming blue walls, hard wood floors and white washed furniture holding to the tropical feels of the lobby. 

I ignored my suitcase calling to be unpacked, I could hear my dresses wrinkling, but I quickly opened all four windows letting in the cool Chicago morning air and took a deep breath in. There is nothing like the feeling of your first full deep breath in a new place. 

I had a few hours before I was supposed to meet up with some friends so I decided to explore my neighborhood. 

The Hotel Indigo is nestled in the Gold Coast just around the corner from amazing restaurants, an Urban Outfitters (yay) and a 24-hour Walgreens— this come in handy later but don’t worry we’ll get to that. 

I settled on an adorable little restaurant with patio seating called Edwardo’s Enotecca. Don’t freak out, but I have gone almost 90% plant based (I still eat fish and the occasional egg) but anyway, I got a beet burger with vegan horseradish sauce on a homemade gluten free bun. Holy Shit. It was so good! 

Just steps away from the front door of my hotel, I skipped back to explore the hotel, i paroozed the lobby menu, wished the bar to be open for a glass of wine while people bustled by on the busy Chicago streets then eventually made it back up stairs to my room. 

I have said this before but I like to think of myself has a hotel pillow connoisseur and I would give these pillows a 10 out of 10. Jet lag is hard to get over (Chicago is only one hour behind but still) a good pillow can cause all jet lag problems. 

I couldn’t have asked for a better home over my stay in Chicago. They made us feel welcome in a city we had never been too, lists of bars, restaurants, and an amazing view. 

Did I mention I was here for a bachelorette party? I just described day 1 in the Windy City and this party is just getting started.

I'm going to fast forward to the end of the weekend. After the bridal shower, Stephanie and I decided to explore Chicago even more. With recommendations from the front desk, we found ourself and Hub 51 with sushi, south west egg rolls, and pasta, oh and craft cocktails. I had a pomegranate margarita and Stephanie had the Hub 51 Mojito. 

Then, of course, we went to a few Chicago bars, ending up back at the hotel for a semi relaxing night in with a bottle of wine, room service and a movie. 

The next morning my hangover from Friday, Saturday, and Sunday hit me all at once. Luckily, the downstairs restaurant opens bright and early for me to order half the menu and sixteen liquids to bring me back to life. 

The Hotel Indigo set me up for a beautiful weekend and I couldn't have asked for a better view, staff, food, or location. Put it on your list.