The Hotel’s 15th Anniversary Rings in a New Era of Personalization and Service

Celebrating 15 years in one of America’s favorite cities, ThePeninsula Chicago today unveiled the final results of a year-long comprehensive guest room redesign that sets a new standard for luxury accommodations. The re-imagined rooms and suites introduce the brand’s advanced guest room technology to the United States, along with three new service initiatives: 24-hour check-in for web bookings, a Mobile Concierge service and Keys To The City – 15 programs offering special access to Chicago’s best destinations and experiences. Encompassing 331 guest rooms and suites, the project showcases The Peninsula’s evolution of luxury design and enhances every guest’s stay with ease, elegance and the ultimate in personalization.

“We are thrilled to introduce a completely new guest room product to the Chicago market,” said Maria Razumich-Zec, The Peninsula Chicago’s General Manager and Regional Vice President. “The guest feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are especially proud of the innovative new technology showcased throughout. These developments, combined with our Keys To The City experiences, offer visitors a truly multi-faceted way to immerse themselves in the best of Chicago.”

Pioneering Guest Room Design and Technology

Designer Bill Rooney of Bill Rooney Studio, Inc., conceived contemporary interiors with cosmopolitan attitude in keeping with The Peninsula’s prime location in the heart of Chicago. Mr. Rooney took design cues from luxury yachts: fine wood finishes, lush fabrics, rich leathers, and a sense of purpose where everything has its place.

The 74 newly redesigned suites at The Peninsula Chicago showcase custom artwork influenced by Chicago’s rich artistic culture. Each suite features a hand-embroidered silk chrysanthemum art wall, along with hand-painted artisan glass elements by artist Michael Glickman that provide a decidedly chic yet residential feel. Artist David Qian’s team spent over 320 hours to hand embroider each floral art piece in the suites.

Introducing Peninsula’s signature technology to the United States, the new rooms feature all essential functions, entertainment and guest services now available in 11 languages (English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Korean, Japanese, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese). All room functions are just a touch away using bespoke tablet technology, including lighting, temperature controls, restaurant menus, hotel services, city information and attractions and TV channels. LED touch-screen wall panels offer weather details and privacy options. In addition to the recently launched 24-hour check-in for web bookings, a new Mobile Concierge provides instant guest service support by text message, directly to cell phones. An added benefit for domestic and international travelers alike, all domestic and international calls made from the guest room phone are complimentary via VOIP.

All of this pioneering technology has been developed by The Peninsula Hotels’ Research and Technology Department. Based in Hong Kong, the group has been responsible for some of the most advanced, yet intuitive innovations in the global hotel industry since 1985. The team flew more than 250,000 miles during the installation of the new system to ensure a truly seamless experience for guests. Linking each guest room in the hotel is high tech cable stretching over 1 million feet, which equates to 191 miles of the fastest connection available.

The Peninsula Chicago announces completion of guest room redesign featuring world’s most advanced in-room technology and exclusive new guest experiences