The Peninsula Chicago Welcomes Guests To Honor The Season of Togetherness

Inspiring holiday moments bring us together in joy and harmony. For almost a century, The Peninsula Hotels have combined timeless elegance and unparalleled service to redefine the spirit of sharing during this enchanting season. This year, creating treasured memories together is more meaningful than ever after the challenges we have all experienced. Each Peninsula hotel invites guests to discover traditional festive stories and enjoy seasonal meals and delicacies prepared in style. Together, we also extend a helping hand to elevate those in our local communities who are most in need.

The Peninsula Hotels is taking particular care to ensure that its festive experiences highlight the most important aspect of the season: togetherness. By inviting guests to share delightful holiday-themed pursuits among friends and family, each Peninsula hotel provides a safe, relaxed, and joyful haven of kinship and good cheer.

Enchanting Experiences to Share

Among the many delightful events and activities holiday-season guests can enjoy together are the following:

Stories from the Tree

As per time-honored custom, each of the ten Peninsula hotels around the world will light a magnificently decorated Christmas tree in its grand lobby. The illuminated tree will set the stage for “Stories from the Tree,” a beloved series of tales created by The Peninsula Hotels especially for festive-season guests and their children. The tales’ six lively characters, including the Nutcracker, Gingerbread Man, Red Robin, Reindeer, Santa, and Pageboy, will adorn each hotel’s Christmas tree in the form of ornaments and other decorative displays. This year’s story, the fourth and final tale in the series, features the Reindeer as the main character, who journeys around the world to see (and taste) different Christmas traditions.

Storybook and Children’s Storytelling

Each year since 2018, The Peninsula Hotels has created a specially written children’s story highlighting a different “Stories from the Tree” character. This year’s story, The Reindeer’s Travels, will be released as an e-storybook for free download on peninsula.com, along with stories from the previous three years (The Nutcracker’s Adventure, The Gingerbread Man’s Tale, and The Robin’s Journey). A printed box set of the complete collection will also be available for purchase, with a donation from each sale going to The Chicago Public Library Foundation. This year, Santa Claus is reading The Reindeer’s Travels. Santa’s storytelling is available for guests to view in their hotel room or online.

Opportunities for Giving

To honor the spirit of generosity that accompanies the holidays, The Peninsula Hotels will continue its tradition of contributing to local organizations to support children’s welfare in each of its hotels’ home cities.  The Peninsula Chicago has identified The Chicago Public Library Foundation, which supports children’s welfare through literacy efforts and youth empowerment programs as the beneficiary. For every festive season Afternoon Tea, a donation of US$ 5 will be made to the Library Foundation. In addition, Peninsula properties will donate US$ 5 from each sale of holiday pins to the local charity as well as US$ 10 from the sale of each of the box set of books. Additionally, guests are invited to bring a new or gently used children’s book for the Book Drive which will be donated to the organization.

The Peninsula Sky Rink

Returning for its ninth season, The Peninsula Sky Rink opens Saturday, November 20, coinciding with the annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. The 2,100 sq ft (200 sq m) hybrid rink is the only hotel skating rink in Chicago. Located above Chicago’s bustling Michigan Avenue, The Terrace is the ideal setting for the hotel’s seasonal skating rink. Surrounded by Chicago’s skyscrapers and twinkling lights, the rink is tucked into a pine tree winter wonderland and bathed in festive music and snowflake lighting. The skating rink’s outdoor menu features a selection of hot beverages and snacks including hot chocolate, hot cider, and other treats, and is available for groups to rent or for private events (such as marriage proposals). All monies collected include skate rental (US$ 20 for adults and US$ 10 for children 12 and under) and are donated to two Chicago children’s charities: Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, and Hephzibah Children’s Association.

Thanksgiving Brunch

Elaborate holiday brunches have been a signature of The Peninsula Chicago for many years. Guests can usher in the festive fall harvest season with The Lobby’s annual Thanksgiving Brunch, which will feature a four-course menu with à la carte plated options and buffet items served via the following stations: a carving station of heirloom turkey, prime rib roast and rack of lamb; a seafood station with Gulf shrimp, crab, oysters and imported and domestic caviar; a global cheese and charcuterie station, with local and global cheeses, sliced house cured charcuterie; Shanghai Terrace station, features Peking Duck, handmade dim sum and stir-fried favorites. A decadent dessert buffet rounds out the brunch selections. Entertainment features a string quartet and a balloon artist and magician for children. Brunch seatings are from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Brunch is priced at US$ 275 per adult and US$ 75 per child (five to 12 years). Prices exclude tax and gratuity.

Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Travel Tuesday Offerings

For six days, The Peninsula Chicago is offering special pricing for a Cyber sale commencing Thanksgiving Day through Travel Tuesday for 20% off rooms and suites, and special pricing on gift cards. The offers will only be available on the hotel’s website, or by calling the hotel direct.

The following offers will be available for purchase Thursday, November 25 through Tuesday, November 30, 2021 for stay dates between December 1, 2021 through April 30, 2022:

• 20% off best available rate on guestrooms and suites
• 10% off gift card purchases of US$ 350 or more
• Terms & Conditions:

• Sale is valid November 25, 2021 through November 30, 2021; For stay dates December 1, 2021 through April 30, 2022
• Printed gift cards incur a cost for shipping; Digital gift cards are available
• Validity date is provided on gift card 
• Blackout dates apply

Festive Holiday Afternoon Tea

The Lobby is nothing short of spectacular during the holiday season. Festive Afternoon Tea enjoyed beneath the 20-foot Christmas tree has become a holiday tradition for many families. The menu features a traditional English tea menu, including a variety of finger sandwiches: smoked salmon, organic egg salad, classic English cucumber, and cranberry chicken salad sandwich; fruit and plain scones with house made preserves, Devonshire clotted cream. Petite seasonal pastries with choux, chocolate, and winter fruit creations. Vegan and gluten-free options are available. Festive Afternoon Tea is offered November 26 to January 9, 2022, daily with seatings at 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm for US$ 125 for adults Monday through Thursday, including a glass of Champagne and US$ 135 for adults Friday through Sunday, including a glass of Champagne; and US$ 55 for children. Prices exclude tax and gratuity. 

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party at Z Bar

It’s not officially the holiday season until guests have donned an ugly Christmas sweater. Ring in the season in one’s best (or worst!) style by making a memorable fashion statement with the most over-the-top, extravagant Christmas sweater at Z Bar’s third annual ugly sweater soirée on Saturday December 11, 2021.  Festive cocktails and ugly dancing are requirements—a DJ will ensure to get the party started in style at 8:00 pm. Prizes will be awarded for various categories of Best Ugly Christmas Sweater. US$ 25 per person, includes one beverage. Reservations are accepted via TOCK. Guests must be 21 years or older to attend. The party concludes at 1:00 am.

Christmas Eve

A very special menu is planned in The Lobby in honor of this auspicious holiday. Guests will savor a five-course prix fixe dinner featuring Wagyu, Maine Lobster, Scallops and Peking Duck followed by The Lobby’s lush dessert buffet. A trio band will provide the entertainment. Christmas Eve dinner is US$ 205 per person, with an option to add wine pairings for US$ 65 per person. Children 12 years and under may order from The Lobby’s children’s menu. Prices exclude tax and gratuity. Shanghai Terrace will feature the à la carte menu on Christmas Eve. Z Bar is open on Christmas Eve for holiday cocktails, elegant Champagne options by the glass and a variety of festive bites.

Christmas Day

Brunch in The Lobby features an American four-course menu with à la carte options combined with buffet items served from the following stations: A carving station with prime beef Wellington, heirloom turkey, Ora king salmon en croûte; A seafood station with Gulf shrimp, Alaskan king crab, east and west coast oysters and imported and domestic caviar; A global cheese and Iberian ham station, with a variety of local and global cheeses, and sliced to order acorn fed ham. A decadent dessert buffet with live action station completes the festive meal. A string quartet will provide the entertainment as well as a balloon artist and magician to entertain children. Brunch seatings are from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. US$ 275 per adult, includes a glass of Champagne; US$ 75 per child, five to 12 years. Prices exclude tax and gratuity. Z Bar is open on Christmas Day and serves holiday cocktails, elegant Champagne options by the glass and a variety of festive bites.

New Year’s Eve

Celebrate the momentous occasion of ringing in 2022 in Peninsula style at The Lobby’s New Year’s Eve Gala. Guests will be greeted with a welcome cocktail at 6:00 pm, followed by five-course prix-fixe dinner and dancing at 7:00 pm. Entertainment will be provided by a band. A midnight countdown and party favors are included. The event is black tie optional and is priced at US$ 205 per person. An additional US$ 95 can be added for guests interested in wine pairings. Price excludes tax, gratuity, and alcoholic beverages. Must be 21 years or older to attend. Z Bar rings in 2022 with a ticketed soirée starting at 8:00 pm with an open bar and abundant passed hors d’oeuvres. A DJ will keep the celebration lively, and guests can say goodbye to 2021 and hello to 2022 with a Champagne toast at midnight. The party concludes at 1:00 am. Tickets for this event are US$ 195 per person, excluding tax and gratuity.  Guests must be 21 years or older to attend. The supper-club setting of Shanghai Terrace is the perfect backdrop to celebrate the arrival of 2022. The à la carte menu will be served.

Holiday Rates and Winter Packages

An array of special rates and packages featuring seasonal themed amenities has been created for guests looking to enjoy all that Chicago has to offer this holiday season:

• Holly Jolly Family Holiday Package includes the following:
• In-room holiday tree or Menorah
• Holiday welcome amenity
• Access to a library of holiday themed movies, books, and games
• Daily Peninsula breakfast for four (two adults and two children)
• Daily valet parking

Rates start at US$ 1,300 for a Michigan Avenue suite. Prices exclude tax. This package is offered for stay dates between November 26, through December 30, 2021.

• Merry and Bright Couple’s Holiday Package includes the following:

• In-room holiday tree or Menorah
• Bottle of red or white wine or Champagne upon arrival
• Holiday shopping US$ 100 gift certificate from Neiman Marcus to use at the Michigan Avenue store
• Daily Peninsula breakfast for two adults
• Daily valet parking

Rates start at US$ 1,250 for a Michigan Avenue suite. Prices exclude tax.  This package is offered for stay dates between November 26, through December 30, 2021.

To make room reservations or for more information and additional packages, please call direct at +1 (312) 337 2888, toll-free at +1 (866) 288 8889, visit peninsula.com/chicago or e-mail reservationPCH@peninsula.com. Terms and conditions apply.

To make festive season dining reservations or for more information, please call the hotel direct at +1 (312) 337 2888, e-mail diningPCH@peninsula.com or visit TOCK. Ongoing restaurant reservations for The Lobby and Shanghai Terrace may be made via OpenTable.