Looking for an escape that isn’t a plane flight away? Look no further than downtown Chicago. The famed luxury hotel line, Pendry Hotels & Resorts, has opened the hippest new space in the historic Carbon & Carbide building—Pendry Chicago. Built in 1929, the Art Deco-style building is revered for its unique shape, reminiscent of a vintage green champagne bottle (reportedly symbolizing a response to the Prohibition era). Marrying historical significance with modern-day allure are Pendry Chicago’s all-new interiors and luxury amenities.

Upon arrival for a weekend stay, my husband and I were immediately enveloped in the moody, tranquil ambiance emanating from the chicly designed interiors. And yet the main over-arching feeling of our weekend stay was fun. A dynamic black-and-white striped floor leads arriving guests to the luminescent reception desk, where we were greeted with a welcome drink. Should you choose, you can take your drink to the bar to have spiked—only, of course, if you know the password of the day, which for us was “ferris wheel.”

With an ideal location on Michigan Avenue, on Friday night we chose to explore the great restaurants the city has to offer, starting first though with a fabulous cocktail at Bar Pendry. Perfect for an early cocktail or a late nightcap, the intimate space is grounded with a mesmerizing glow from the sumptuous espresso marble fireplace. As we enjoyed our classic drinks of a gin martini and Negroni, we took note of the exceptional design in every space. Starting with the textured backsplash behind the bar that looked like leather but was actually an etched mirror—the perfect backdrop for the incredible bartenders who are attentive to guests’ every needs. The dark brass and walnut clad bar exudes a rich and masculine vibe, one that will envelop you no matter the temperature outside. Feeling restless? Take your drink and head to the billiard gallery—a tucked away nook for billiards, cocktails, and conversation.

Our home away from home for the weekend was a beautiful penthouse corner suite, boasting stunning, sweeping views of the river and iconic Chicago buildings. The luxurious suite’s every detail embodied Pendry Chicago’s vision of modern-day luxury and style. It was the perfect space to relax in and launch our exploration of the city on Saturday. With the rare opportunity to be tourists in our own city, my husband and I decided to take advantage of Pendry Chicago’s phenomenal location. Popping first downstairs to the Venteux café for an espresso and basket of baguette and jam to start our day, we were taken in by the sunlight cascading through the soaring 40-foot windows. Drawing inspiration from the lively cafés of Southern France, the café’s whimsical color palette of sage green, cream, and terracotta are accented with delicate moldings and speckled gold antique mirrors throughout. Lush botanical murals cover the walls to create a romantic atmosphere for any time of day while soaking up the energy of the city al fresco on the picturesque patio. Our main decision of the day was where to start: the River Walk, Michigan Avenue shops, or all the museums close by. If feeling more adventurous, guests are welcome to take one of Pendry Chicago x State Bikes and pedal their way through the city. Choosing a smattering of it all, our day felt elongated and energizing, leaving us just enough time to scoot back to Pendry Chicago to enjoy sunset cocktails at the hotel’s Château Carbide. The CÔte D’Azur inspired seasonal outpost is perched on the rooftop of Pendry Chicago. Open May to October, the indoor-outdoor, summertime al fresco destination evokes the airy, effortless allure of the French countryside with a sun-drenched garden setting overlooking the city. Their menu offers cocktails, rosé, a special picnic basket menu, champagne, sushi, and more—all perfect accompaniments to the slices of blue water lake views guests can catch from various angles. For colder months, the indoor area offers a priceless vantage point for views of our favorite city.

The showstopper of our weekend was in no doubt our experience at Venteux. And I do mean experience. Opened by Michelin-starred chef Donald Young, Venteux is Chicago’s new brasserie, café, and shellfish bar serving classic French fare with a contemporary twist. Meaning “windy” in French, Venteux transports guests to the bustling brasseries that define the Parisian lifestyle, and we were no exception. A glowing brasserie anchors a space that is lit from within with cozy banquettes. The food was incredible—a comprehensive, creative twist on classic French food that amazed us with its originality and flavors. While everything on the menu captured our eye, we narrowed down our choices and started with two dishes whose flavors we’d never seen paired before. The Eggs 5 Ways dish had so many twists and turns on the basic egg. In a word, wow. Starting with an omelet, topped with caviar, and then Chef Young appeared tableside to shave copious amounts of black truffle over the dish. While always a fan of mussels, never before had we seen them paired with smoked ricotta, harissa, and fennel. We were not disappointed with this unique flavor pairing. Flown in from the coast daily, the oysters were delectable—laced with a mignotte comprised of rice vinegar, shiro dash, mirin, and blueberry. Also hosting a spirited champagne bar, Venteux is the perfect spot to indulge in champagne and caviar. And indulge we did, with a caviar bursting with flavor on delicate crepes with a petite dollop of crème fraiche and smoked egg yolk. Throughout the entire evening, Venteux’s robust wine program complemented each course. The 5 day braised short rib is incredible, tucked into a soubise, covered with black sesame and a sauce perigueux. Venteux’s cuisine definitely strikes a delicate balance between the classic and the unexpected, and the duck—some of the best we have ever enjoyed—was no exception. Our evening ended with a decadent chocolate souffle, the perfect sweet ending to a memorable evening.

After a weekend of pure indulgence and relaxation, it was a treat to simply retrieve our car from the valet and be home with our children in a short drive’s time. The ease of a no-travel holiday only served to up the luxury of the weekend. To inquire about your own perfect weekend respite, look no further than Pendry Chicago.

For more information, visit pendry.com/chicago and venteuxchicago.com.