Brad A. Johnson
  • Blog
  • About
  • Photography
    • Food Photography
    • Travel Photography
    • Restaurant Photography
    • Hotel & Resort Photography
  • Writing
  • Contact
Brad A. Johnson

Food & Travel

Brad A Johnson
  • Blog
  • About
  • Photography
    • Food Photography
    • Travel Photography
    • Restaurant Photography
    • Hotel & Resort Photography
  • Writing
  • Contact

Quick Review: Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago

  • December 15, 2011
  • Brad A. Johnson
Radisson Blu Chicago (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Radisson Blu Chicago (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Radisson Blu Chicago (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Radisson Blu Chicago (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Radisson Blu Chicago (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Radisson Blu Chicago (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Radisson Blu Chicago (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Radisson Blu Chicago (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Radisson Blu Chicago (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Radisson Blu Chicago (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Radisson Blu Chicago (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)

Radisson Blu isn’t your typical Radisson. In Europe, the Blu brand is well known and respected, and the outposts in Rome and Berlin are pretty damn cool. The first American location, Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, opened in Chicago last month inside the truly spectacular Aqua Tower designed by Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang Architects. At 82 stories, it’s the tallest building in America designed by a woman (and it’s expecting to receive LEED certification).

Location: The hotel occupies the first 18 floors of the Aqua Tower, which sits at the edge of Millennium Park in downtown’s Near East Side. The cityscape views from this vantage point are incredible. It’s an easy walk to the Art Institute of Chicago and State Street shopping.

Rooms: 334 rooms (of various sizes) are divided into two design styles: Light and airy with clean lines and hardwood floors (dubbed “Naturally Cool”); or dark and moody with plush carpeting and rich fabrics (“Mansion House”). I prefer the former. Most rooms have huge balconies, and all come with complimentary wifi. Nice robes, but no slippers (which should be taken into account before picking a room with hardwood floors in winter).

Dining: Filini serves excellent Italian cuisine—octopus salad, handmade pastas, tuna crudo, seared foie gras—by a chef who’s worked at Le Cirque and Le Bernardin in New York. Hot bar scene, too.

Lobby: This is a great gathering spot. The fireplace stretches the entire length of a very long living room—and it might have just set the Guinness World Record.

What I like least: No slippers in a room with hardwood floors.

What I like best: The balconies and the views. Also, the fitness center—it’s huge, with a basketball half-court and lap pool. There’s even a running trail in the hotel’s very own private park atop the parking garage.

Rates from $157; 221 N. Columbus Drive, 312-565-5258 

For more travel inspiration and photos, I invite you to follow me and join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

More from Chicago
    • Travel: Culinary
    • Travel: United States
Blackbird, Chicago 1997 – 2020 (RIP)
  • Brad A. Johnson
  • July 3, 2020
    • Travel: United States
Hotel Review: LondonHouse, Chicago
  • Brad A. Johnson
  • December 17, 2016
    • Travel: United States
72 Hours in Chicago, 27 photos
  • Brad A. Johnson
  • December 16, 2016
    • Travel: Culinary
    • Travel: United States
Hotel Review: The Robey, Chicago
  • Brad A. Johnson
  • December 10, 2016
    • Travel: Culinary
    • Travel: United States
Alinea, Chicago: 3 hours, 28 photos
  • Brad A. Johnson
  • December 9, 2016
    • Travel: United States
Quick Review: Public Hotel Chicago
  • Brad A. Johnson
  • December 15, 2011
Share
Tweet
Brad A. Johnson

Brad A. Johnson is a writer and photographer specializing in food and travel. His work has been honored by the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards, James Beard Awards, World Food Media Awards, Food Photographer of the Year Awards, Society of Features Journalism Awards and others. Based in Southern California, Brad currently serves as Editorial Director of the new luxury consumer travel magazine of the Global Travel Collection (launching Spring 2023).

Previous Article

Quick Review: NoMi, Chicago

  • December 15, 2011
  • Brad A. Johnson
View Post
Next Article

Quick Review: Public Hotel Chicago

  • December 15, 2011
  • Brad A. Johnson
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • Travel: United States

First Look: Upper Stories at Thompson Central Park, NYC

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • October 1, 2022
View Post
  • California Hotels
  • Travel: United States

Motel Review: White Water, Cambria CA

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • February 6, 2022
View Post
  • Travel: Adventure
  • Travel: United States

Photo of the Week: Rocky Creek Bridge, Big Sur, California

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • December 14, 2021
View Post
  • California Hotels
  • Travel: Culinary
  • Travel: Mexico
  • Travel: United States
  • Uncategorized

Best Travel Blog! Best Culinary Travel! Best Travel Photography! And this just in: Finalist, Food Photographer of the Year

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • April 1, 2021
View Post
  • California Restaurants
  • Travel: Culinary
  • Travel: United States

Quick Look: Niner Wine Estates, Paso Robles

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • August 15, 2020
View Post
  • California Restaurants
  • Travel: United States

Quick Look: Presqu’ile Winery, Santa Maria

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • July 18, 2020
View Post
  • California Hotels
  • Travel: United States

Motel Review: Skyview Los Alamos

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • July 12, 2020
View Post
  • Travel: Culinary
  • Travel: United States

Blackbird, Chicago 1997 – 2020 (RIP)

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • July 3, 2020
Hey, OC. FYI in case you missed it, @ryegoods has opened a new location on Red Hill in Tustin, just down the street from Flight/Mess Hall. Same incredible breads and pastries as the original on the peninsula. No lines here, plus a huge seating area. #sourdough #pastries #coffee #orangecounty 322 9
One more post from our lovely stay at @fstokyo. Delicious lunch at @maisonmarunouchi, the casual sibling to @sezannetokyo. Excellent all around. And clearly popular with Tokyo's ladies who lunch: the clientele during our visit, almost entirely women. Quite the see-and-be-seen crowd. 57 1
I’m not sure which I liked better about the @fstokyo, the valet greeter and escort from the train station, the view of the trains from our room, or the super comfy pajamas. Excellent service all around. #Tokyo #Japan #hoteljunkie 79 3
I think @sezannetokyo ⁠has a #footfetish, and I’m ok with that. Truly fantastic lunch. Impeccable service. ⁠ 63 1
We had a really fun "Lost in Translation" moment at @meatman_roppongi. Google Translate failed hilariously. Delicious meat/fat overload anyway. Great staff, charming hospitality. Lots of sake. Thank you, @fstokyo for securing the reservation! #Tokyo #Roppongi #sake 76 1
Well, that was interesting.  A toast to 2022. And looking forward to ‘23. Cheers, and safe travels to all. 81 1
Brad A. Johnson
  • Blog
  • About
  • Photography
  • Writing
  • Contact
Writer. Photographer. Traveler. Restaurant Critic.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.