The Peninsula Spa & Wellness Center - Chicago, Illinois

Ryan G.

Went here last week to use a gift card I had been saving for years (traveling a lot got the best of me, so I was very excited to finally use it!). I was told the facilities were under renovation but that they still had the same level of experience for my massage. Booking was super easy and quick!

Just to preface - this service was January 13, so thing might change by the time you read this. When I got off the elevator, I was met with the receptionist sitting at two very crowded folding tables with a cheap table cloth on it. She didn’t even have enough room to prep the clipboard she needed me to fill out. It was all set up in the hallway of a floor of regular hotel rooms.

I then moved to the “relaxation room” which was just a hotel room that they took out the bed and put a few chairs and tea maker in. It was embarrassing. The bathroom was in the hallway and you could hear EVERYTHING happening in there. There was no music or sound to ambient the room. And no snacks like trail mix that others had posted about. Just a dead quiet room with chairs where you could have tea and hear people in the bathroom.

I was then taken to my treatment room, which again was a regular hotel room that they took the bed out of. The table was super comfortable and the massage was ok. My therapist was a bit too deep in most places - even when I asked him to lighten up. He never asked how the pressure was or checked in along the way, which was disappointing. “Spa music” was playing from his phone. No speaker, just a phone turned up.

At the end - I at least expected to be offered to use the shower if I wanted. I was told to get dressed and meet him in the hallway.

At check out I asked if the pricing was discounted considering they didn’t have any of the normal spa amenities. The receptionist smiled and nervously said “no” as she fumbled with the clipboard again.

Very disappointed in this service and the environment. If their spa is under renovation, they should not offer services. If I wanted to walk into a room and receive a decent massage, I would have gone to massage envy. Stay away from the peninsula while they are under renovation. They should be embarrassed to change the prices for what they are currently offering.

LaTonya F.

I have always enjoyed my services at the Peninsula. And this time was no exception, Chanel, Nona and the rest of the team as they made this time even great after a scheduling issue happened at the last minute, they accommodated their error and rectified the situation with kindness. I totally recommend this spa and this team, will definitely be back!

Sarah R.

The spa was not my favorite part of staying at the peninsula. Of course the facility was immaculate (true to the hotel) and the lap pool is stunning. All the usual accoutrements (they have these really good granola squares) and I love that the sole of the slides have a nubby surface. I had a couple of issues. One was the relaxation room with electric beds (Wonderful) but it was right next to the lobby, which was loud, and there was an annoying beeping chime that would ring periodically. I had 2 massages and a facial. The massages were good (one great, one ok) but the facial was not great and at these prices it should be. And I didn’t have the best experience at the front desk. Overall it was good but not 5 stars good.

Cheryl L.

I booked a 90 minute massage and a foot massage. The 90 minutes was to include a facial. Not only did I not get a facial, my masseuse told me he would not be massaging the lower part of my legs or feet because he saw that I had a foot massage right after his service and that would cover the same thing. I also did not have my left arm massaged, only the right one-maybe he lost track of things? The foot massage was not a massage at all - it was some technique to connect different parts of your feet/legs with your stomach, heart, etc. and lymph glands. I thought I was signing up for a massage but when I asked the woman if she could apply more pressure, she told me that different body parts connected to the foot/leg have different pressure points. I felt like this was some new age “massage” and not the traditional massage I thought I was signing up for. I have tried 3 times to contact the spa but each time I call the Peninsula I am put through to voicemail and no one has returned my calls. Finally, my foot massage started 30 minutes late and there were groups of women together making seating non existent in the waiting area. Don’t waste your time and money on this place. They took my money but refuse to return my calls.

Mary W.

We just had an amazing spa day at the Peninsula! We did a full day package as part of a birthday weekend, and it was everything we hoped for. The amenities like the pool and steam room were just so luxurious. We did a full day of services, and every single one was magical. The techs were all clearly knowledgeable and professional but also very kind and personable. Lunch was also delicious and delivered poolside. We had such an amazing time, we’re already scheming to get back to the Peninsula as soon as possible!

Misty B.

Our experience at The Peninsula Spa was excellent. We went for my birthday and called to book about a week in advance. My mom and I both got the half-day destress package with massage and facial. They weren’t able to do both services for each of us back to back but said we could do one each in the morning then the other for each of us at 1 pm. That worked out perfectly because we were able to spend those 3 hours in between in the relaxation room and by the indoor pool. They brought us a glass of champagne to celebrate my birthday. We ordered lunch by the pool and the food was really good. The massages and facials were also great. I wish I could remember the name of who did our facials, but Veronica did my massage and it was AWESOME. It was the BEST day and we will definitely be back next time we visit Chicago.

Tricia W.

Very odd experience using a gift for a spa day . Apparently the gift included a 90 min massage with nails and a facial and lunch . They didn't have availability for the 90 min massage and only had time for a 60 min massage . I said that was fine because I had waited awhile to use gift and just wanted to use it . Apparently , if you DONT get the 90 min massage you don't get a lunch . It didn't make any sense to me to get less service and no meal but it was fine . However, when I got there the nice lady who did my nails asked if I had been given a meal and I explained situation . She then tried to advocate for me . The lunch thing kept coming up , it wasn't very relaxing hearing about it all the time . Finally a manager came and gave me a meal and was kind , but the place seems very poorly organized . I'd say the front desk staff was very unorganized both on the phone and in person . The prices one pays for the services one would expect much better staff .

Also the facility itself wasn’t as nice as one would expect. The pool is open to hotel guests as well and was full of children running around (it’s the holidays so I get it -and like children , just thought there would be a spa only whirlpool or something ). No one waits in you at the pool or elsewhere . Locker rooms were fine but my local gym has nicer locker rooms .

Lauren T.

The spa is under construction through February, significantly impacting the experience despite its premium pricing. We were informed of construction when booking but only notified 24 hours prior that key amenities—including the sauna, steam room, and locker facilities—would be unavailable. While we requested a discount, the 20% reduction didn’t adequately reflect the diminished experience.

Check-in was at a makeshift folding table near the elevators, and the “relaxation room” was just a repurposed hotel suite with standard seating, shared with other guests. There was no spa ambiance—no music, no robes—just tea, water, and basic snacks.

The facial itself was underwhelming. My esthetician skipped the steam, immediately started extractions, and frequently left the room to retrieve supplies, cutting into service time. While I did receive an incredible neck massage as part of the service, the overall experience felt rushed and disjointed.

Even after renovations, I’d likely choose the Waldorf or Langham instead, as they provide superior service and full amenities at a comparable price.