In Chicago, the hotel industry defies the pandemic

The news may seem surprising but Chicago is going through a hotel boom. And this despite the devastating effect of the covid pandemic in 2020. According to the few figures available on the state of tourism in the city in 2020, the The number of international arrivals fell last year from 80.3%.

The top four European markets (UK, Germany, France and Spain) generated 45,000 arrivals last year. That's less than the French market alone in 2019 which reached 48,000 arrivals! In fact, these four countries accounted for more than 315,000 arrivals in 2019.

For 2021, the "Choose Chicago" tourist office was expecting 115,000 travellers from the four largest European markets. The persistence of closed borders with Europe certainly makes this forecast unrealistic.

Before the crisis, Chicago attracted more than 50 million travellers a year. A large part of which is for the business tourism. But in 2020, the exhibition centre McCormick Place cancels 100 eventsThis has undermined Chicago's pre-eminent role as a convention and trade fair centre.

This has obviously had repercussions on the city's hotel industry. Demand fell by 73.7% last year, with the occupancy rate plunging by almost 65%.. Hotel supply fell by more than 25%. According to Choose Chicago, supply in the CBD (Central Business District) totalled 135 hotels and 43,881 rooms.

And yet, the upturn in domestic tourism - particularly from neighbouring Illinois - is giving hope to hoteliers in the city. Optimism is the order of the day. And it's even translating into the opening or renovation of almost a dozen hotel establishments in the metropolis. Many of these establishments have taken over historic skyscrapers, converted after the relocation of offices and institutions.

For 2021, Choose Chicago has listed theopening of eight establishments. The most spectacular are the Sable on Navy Pier (managed by Hilton), the Pendry Hotel and the future St Regis.

Hotels, icons of architecture

Situated in a minimalist building, very low to the ground so as not to detract from the historic appearance of the pier, the Sable Hotel at Navy Pier has 223 rooms, a conference centre and two restaurants. Its Offshore Rooftop and Bar is the largest rooftop terrace in the United States at 2,000 m2.

This August, the Millennium Parka member of the Chicago Hotel Collection, is opening its doors. It is an apartment hotel comprising studios and suites with 2, 3 or 4 rooms. Another establishment will open in Wicker Park in September 2021.

In June, Pendry Hotels & Resorts inaugurated the Pendry Chicago. The five-star hotel is located in an icon of art deco architecture, the Carbide & Carbon Building. The hotel offers 364 rooms and suites, several restaurants and bars, including a rooftop, 1,300 m2 of conference space and a fitness club.

Marriott opened the SpringHill Suites Chicago ChinatownThis is the first international hotel in Chinatown. It offers 148 comfortable suites and a gym.

Also in September, the Canopy by Hilton Central Loop will open its doors. Located close to the Chicago Art Institute, it offers 192 rooms and 23 suites and includes a bistro-style restaurant, a business centre and a sports hall.

Another building of historic importance, the LaSalle Hotel is due to open in the autumn. It will be located on the floors above the current JW Marriott. It is therefore more of an extension by Marriott than a genuine new establishment. The LaSalle Hotel will offer 234 rooms

Finally, Chicago is eagerly awaiting its future five-star St Regis. Located in the heart of the business district, the hotel is part of a transparent structure that seems to undulate in the sky. Standing on the banks of the Chicago River, it is the third tallest building in the city at 101 storeys. Part of the building will house the 191 rooms and restaurants of the St Regis, while the other floors will house 390 residential flats. Scheduled to open before the end of the year...