On July 1, 2021, The Gale opened a hotel in the heart of downtown Chicago where the Raffaello Hotel used to be, just around the corner from Water Tower Place. The building opened in 1926 as the Hampshire House, a 16-story apartment building. 

It’s a lovely, comfortable hotel—a perfect place from which to launch adventures in the Windy City or even to hang out and work. Newly renovated, this boutique hotel offers luxurious and spacious guestrooms. The lobby is intimate with a two-person front desk at one end, a high-class coffee shop at the other, and cozy deep-cushioned couches in between. 

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The elevator is small—only large enough for four people—but it has security built in. You can only go up to a guestroom floor if you have a room key. Whenever there isn’t anyone at the front desk, there is a bell attendant between the two entry doors to monitor who comes in and out.

Accommodations

Their stylish rooms include the following types:

·       Signature King, 350 square feet, one king bed, work desk

·       Signature King ADA, 350 square feet, one king bed, work desk

·       Signature Two Double Beds, 375 square feet, two double beds, work desk

·       Classic King, 350 square feet, one king bed

·       Signature Two Double Beds ADA, 375 square feet, two double beds, work desk

·       Classic Two Double Beds, 375 square feet, two double beds

·       Signature One Bedroom Suite, 600 square feet, one king bed, work desk

·       Classic One Bedroom Suite, 600 square feet, one king bed

·       Signature One Bedroom Suite ADA, 600 square feet, one king bed, work desk

·       Classic One Bedroom Grand Suite, 700+ square feet, one king bed, work desk

·       Grand Suite One Bedroom, 700 square feet, one king bed

·       Grand Suite Two Bedrooms, 900 square feet, two king beds, two bathrooms

The rooms are beautiful and very comfortable. If you’re used to rooms where you have to squeeze by the beds or wait for one person to pass, this will be a real treat.

There is plenty of room to move, plenty of closet space, and lots of chairs and couches. There is even closet space in the main bathroom. The beds feature Egyptian cotton bedding with goose down duvets and a light blanket that is spread across the foot of the bed.

The rooms are delightfully designed with unique light fixtures throughout the room. Some are geometric and others are more traditional. Most of the room is designed in a very sharp, contemporary black and white, but there are spots of whimsical wallpaper around the bed done in browns with cream drawings. Many of the walls are decorated with a wide-brush stucco.

Clean and up-to-date, the Gale offers a lovely stay in downtown Chicago.

Why You’ll Love It

Not only is The Gale downtown smack in the center of Chicago’s famous shopping district, but it is close to such places as Navy Pier, the Hancock Observatory, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. It’s a great place to stay if you are doing the downtown tourist thing.

You’ll also love the rooms with their modernistic black and white design. They range in size from 350 square feet to 900 square feet with the bulk of their rooms at 600 square feet. We stayed in the Two Bedroom Grand Suite and I’ve never stayed in a room that felt so spacious. There were two bedrooms, two baths, two microwaves and a large shared living area between them. The only thing missing was a wet bar or refrigerator.

The beds are nearly as wide as they are long and when you make your reservation, you can request the type of pillows you want. The beds are super comfortable and provide a great night’s sleep.

What to Expect

The friendly staff is quick to help you with any questions or needs. They know the area and are able to direct you where you might want to go.

Because of the pandemic, they have reduced housekeeping services. You can have no service, a room refresh that includes fresh towels/amenities and trash removal, or a full cleaning every third day. Their bathroom amenities include shampoo, conditioner, soap, shower gel and body lotion. They use the GUYandGIRL brand.

Their website offers several packages, each with some sort of special offer. In the week before I arrived, I received an email with upgrade options. Mine was $60 for a late check-out.

A few things to know: There is self-parking around the corner at 875 North Michigan Avenue Garage. Check-in time is 3 p.m. and check-out time is 11 a.m. You cannot check luggage in the lobby before check-in or after check-out.

Key Features

With the new branding, all rooms have been redone. Standard room features include free Wi-Fi, microwave, a flat-screen television that is controlled by your smart phone, rainforest shower and an in-room safe. There is a fitness center and ice machines.

Insider’s Tip

The hotel is new, so some GPS devices don’t recognize the hotel name yet. If you are going to be taking Ubers or Lyfts, you might want to send your driver a text letting them know that The Gale is the former Raffaello building. We had drivers going to the Hilton and other neighboring locations. 

Spa Treatments

The hotel does not have its own spa, but it does partner with neighboring spas for discounted services. The Ritz Carlton’s K’Alma Spa is right around the corner. 

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Cuisine

You have three options when it comes to cuisine: a coffee shop, an Italian restaurant, and free delivery from neighboring restaurants.

Angora Coffee is open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is in the hotel lobby. This is where you can get your morning coffee crafted with Lavassa. They also have a dessert and breakfast menu. They were out the day I went down, but the menu teases with a tantalizing Nutella croissant. 

Pelago Ristorante is right next door. We were not able to visit, but it offers Italian seafood and cuisine and a wine list, all created by Michelin Star rated Chef and owner Mauro Mafrici and his wife, architect Kimberly Anguil Mafrici. You can have lunch or dinner either indoors or on their charming patio.

Take-Out & Eat Like a Local is a service The Gale offers in partnership with local restaurants. You can scan a QR code from your room, order whatever you desire and it will be delivered at no charge to the lobby. Food must be ordered while the front desk is open.

For more information and to book a stay, call 312-943-5000 or visit The Gale Chicago’s website and follow them on Instagram: @galehotels

The Gale Chicago, 201 East Delaware Place, Chicago, IL 60611

[Photos by Bridgette Redman]

Bridgette Redman, who is a second-generation journalist, fell in love with spas and travel while working as a writer and editor for 16 years at the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. As a freelancer for the International SPA Association, she co-wrote two textbooks, nine workbooks and numerous case studies on spas. Her freelance career began in the 80s and she has written for publications in Michigan, Arizona, California, and Texas along with several regional and national publications. She is a committed storyteller who loves sharing narratives which improve people's quality of life and build community. Born and raised in Michigan, she currently lives in Lansing with her husband and son. See more of her writing at www.bridgetteredman.com