The Gale is Chicago’s newest luxury boutique hotel having just opened in July 2021. It has taken over the once Raffaello hotel on Delaware Place, a block from Michigan Avenue. While there are still a few updates to come to the hotel, we had an overall very pleasant stay!
Rooms With the hotel just opening, all of the rooms are newly furnished with modern decor for a clean look. We stayed in a grande two-bedroom suite and it was lovely. The bedrooms are very spacious, both with ensuite bathrooms and super comfy king beds. The living area is complete with a kitchenette, a small table for dining and a couch + TV area. The master bedroom and living area have a beautiful view of the John Hancock building and Michigan Avenue.
The bathroom in the master bedroom has double sinks and a walk in shower. The secondary bedroom’s bathroom is a bit smaller with only one sink and a smaller shower.
Amenities This is probably not a hotel that you would spend a lot of time at. If you’re only looking for a home base that you’ll basically just be using to sleep at night, the Gale is perfect. If you plan on spending a lot of time around the hotel, I wouldn’t recommend the Gale. It has a small fitness center and a cafe in the lobby but other than that, there are no amenities or unique features. Their rooftop bar is permanently closed and from what I learned when visiting the hotel, there are no plans to reopen.
When I travel, I like to be out exploring as much as possible so I barely spend any time at the hotel. As long as the room is clean and it’s in a good location, I consider it a success. A good view from the room is always a plus 😉
Angora Cafe in their lobby is true gem. This adorably decorated small cafe serves anything from espresso martinis to Turkish coffee and tiramisu. Everything is prepared to order right in front of you, we learned so much about the processes for making each different type of coffee.
Location For me, location is really important when choosing the perfect accommodation for a trip. Gale Chicago pretty much nails this. The hotel’s location could not be more perfect if you’re traveling to Chicago as a tourist. It’s close to all of the shopping on Michigan Ave, within walking distance of tons of restaurants and it’s near the lake. Being from Chicago, I don’t really spend much time in the Magnificent Mile area but my favorite area in the whole city, known as the Viagra Triangle, is just a few blocks away from the Gale. If you’re looking to get out of the super touristy areas of the city, this is a great place for some upscale shopping and a good meal.
Hotel Staff & Cleanliness As soon as we arrived at the Gale, we felt very welcomed as we were kindly greeted by the receptionist who was excited to check us in. She was quick to offer assistance if needed. Soon after getting up to the room I called down to the front desk with some questions to which she happily answered.
With a luxury hotel, cleanliness should be a given but this can be tricky in an older building. Gale does a great job making this older building feel clean and updated with the modern decor.
In the Area Aside from the obvious exploration of Michigan Avenue, there is plenty else to do in the area. As I mentioned, the restaurants on Rush Street (Viagra Triangle) are just a few blocks away. The lakefront trail is a short walk from the hotel; this trail gives you access to a beautiful walk/bike ride, beaches and lake front restaurants. The John Hancock building is home to 360 Chicago, an observatory deck on the 94th floor with a tilting glass lookout. The Signature Room on the 95th floor of the building offers upscale dining with an unbeatable view of the water and skyline.
