A joint venture that includes investor Sam Zell and Hilton Worldwide has acquired the Elysian Hotel Chicago with plans to rebrand it as a Waldorf Astoria. The luxury property, which opened in late 2009, features 188 spacious guestrooms and suites boasting elegant furnishings, fireplaces, and marble bathrooms with soaking tubs. Guests have access to distinct F&B venues such as Balsan, a contemporary bistro; RIA, a two-Michelin-star French restaurant; and the hotel bar, Bernard’s, reminiscent of a plush private club. Spanning more than 14,000 square feet, the spa and health club offers a nail spa, barber suite, relaxation areas, fitness facility, a mosaic-tiled lap pool, whirlpools, saunas, and steam rooms.
