New lobby of the Ritz-Carlton Chicago. (Handout)

By Julie Wernau |
The Ritz-Carlton Chicago is unveiling a $25 million renovation today at
its Four Seasons Hotel at Water Tower Place that includes a new
restaurant and bar, new presidential suite that includes daily in-room
massages and an updated promenade, ballroom and lobby.

The renovation included few structural changes and focused on updating
the decor of the 435-room hotel, which has been ranked one of the best
hotels in the world by Travel + Leisure.

The “deca Restaruant + Bar” — which had a soft opening last week — hosts a brasserie-influenced menu from Executive Chef Mark Payne as well as a wine list offering 40 wines by the glass — about half the wine list.

A new 2,900-square-foot Presidential Suite is two-stories, with a spiral staircase, floor-to-ceiling views of Lake Michigan, two bedrooms, a kitchen, living room, dining room, study and three full- and two half- baths.  The suite also has a media room, baby grand piano and Bose surround sound stereo system, a 24-hour personal assistant with in-room business center, transportation to and from the airport in a Rolls Royce Phantom and a daily in-room 90 minute massage.

The lobby — which features a sky-lit fountain — has been redesigned with upholstered wall-coverings, marble floorings, floor lamps and lounge chairs to give it a “living room” environment, Patrick Ghielmetti, regional vice-president and general manager said today in a press release.

The promenade that leads up to the hotel’s redesigned 9,000 square-foot ballroom, has also been updated and the ballroom redesign in a champagne palette, with traditional draperies and a carpet pattern designed to illuminate the room’s original 400,000-piece cascading crystal chandelier, the company said.

In addition, business guests are being offered the option of a Nintendo Wii package for “team building” as part of their corporate events.