What no one tells you about running a marathon is that it doesn’t end at the finish line. It ends with the walk back to your transportation, home, or in my case, a hotel. After I crossed the finish line at the Chicago Marathon, all I could think about was how much I wanted to get back to my hotel. Sure, there was a post-race party, where the euphoria of a collective runner’s high was sure to be contagious. But the sensory overload of running hours through the iconic neighborhoods of Chicago made me crave a quiet retreat.
I hobbled a half-mile to return to the Pendry Chicago. My legs felt heavy with each step, but my feet felt surprisingly good in my Nike Vomero Plus shoes. I reminded myself that my room was stocked with a couple of recovery devices to alleviate the impact of the 26.2 miles. As I entered the art deco lobby, I congratulated a few fellow marathoners. With each step into the hotel, the vibe got more calm. While training for a marathon, I frequently doubted my decisions. Was I following the right training plan? Was I fueling adequately? What would happen if I got injured? As I made my way up to the room and found my body starting to relax, I realized I’d made one great decision: staying at a wellness-focused hotel.
About Pendry Chicago
- This hotel has 364 newly redesigned rooms, including 81 suites.
- Nightly rates average $152.
- Onsite dining options include Venteux, which is a Parisian-inspired restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; Bar Pendry, a classic hotel bar that offers small plates; and Château Carbide, a rooftop dining option available to guests 21 and older.
- Valet parking is $79+ tax per vehicle, per night.
What I Like About the Pendry Chicago
My goal as a runner is to complete all six of the Abbot World Major Marathons and be awarded a Six Star Medal. The Chicago Marathon was my third marathon on this journey. After traveling to Berlin and Boston to earn my stars, I realized that where you stay for a marathon sets the tone for an event that you’ve invested months of training in. With Chicago, I was determined to put my best foot forward, and the Pendry proved to be the perfect environment.
My first thoughts as I arrived at the Chicago airport and found myself packed into an overcrowded subway was that it was going to be an intense weekend: my many solo training runs were now culminating in an event that rivals a Taylor Swift concert in attendance.
But when I arrived at the Pendry Hotel, located in the Carbide and Carbon Building, it was busy but not overly crowded. Small groups were enjoying happy hour at Bar Pendry, and there were a few runners carrying their race kits. During marathon weekends, it’s common for hotel lobbies to be as busy as an airport, so I was grateful that the Pendry felt spacious.
While the hotel is known for its iconic views, I requested a room on a low floor. When I ran the Boston Marathon, I stayed at a hotel with more than 1,000 rooms and endured wait times of more than 20 minutes for an elevator. Staying on a low floor allowed me the option to take the stairs, but I was put at ease when the elevators at the Pendry came promptly.
The room was modern, clean, and luxurious.The standout feature was the bed; it was a perfect balance of cozy and firm. I usually barely sleep leading up to a race, but I managed to capture a decent Oura ring sleep score this time around.
One of the pinnacle moments of running a marathon is the carb load dinner, where a carb-heavy meal will give you the extra fuel you need to complete a long-distance run. I opted for Venteux, the hotel’s Parisian-style restaurant. I noshed on a warm baguette and primavera pasta. Both were exactly what I needed: carb-loaded without too much spice and fat. The restaurant also offered a few marathon promotions: 50 percent off food and beverage on race day for finishers and a free half dozen oysters for participants. As someone with a sensitive stomach, the offer of oysters before a marathon was terrifying, but I saw many runners indulging in them after the race.
When deciding on a hotel for a race, the proximity to the start line is the first criteria I look at. I wanted to get to the marathon at 6:20 a.m. to check in, so every minute of extra transit time would cost me sleep. The Pendry was about a 10-15 minute walk down Michigan Avenue and I got to see an epic sunrise as I made my way to Grant Park.
The energy of the marathon was electric. With 1.7 million spectators across 29 neighborhoods, it was a party from start to finish (though I did politely decline several exhuberant spectators’ offers for Fireball shots). As I made my way to the finish line, my legs were fatigued. This was my third marathon in six months and it felt like my quads were fighting for their life. I tried my best to focus on the moment and not get sidetracked with worry that I may not be able to walk tomorrow.
Thankfully, the energy of the crowd got me to the finish line. After more than 26 miles of being surrounded by celebration, I was ready for some calm. After a slow-but-as-fast-I-could-move walk back to the hotel, I unwinded with a few items I’d rented from the Pendry’s wellness menu, a selection of products designed to help with recovery, sleep, and relaxation. I started with the Therabody RecoveryAir JetBoots, which were better than having a massage. They combine compression therapy with vibration and infrared LED light for a truly restorative experience. They restored my legs and I was able to walk with reduced discomfort after using them. Next, I wrapped myself in a Higher Dose Infrared Sauna Blanket. After running, your body cools, and the warmth of the infrared was like a comforting hug.
What to Consider Before Booking the Pendry Chicago
There are a few considerations if you’re looking at booking the Pendry. First off, because it’s located on Michigan Avenue, the traffic and city noise can get loud, but my white noise machine drowned out the sounds well. If you’re someone who lives in an urban environment, you may not be fazed by the noise.
Parking in Chicago is known for being costly, and the $79+ tax nightly for valet is pretty steep. But public transportation is easily accessible from the hotel.
Finally, while the Pendry Chicago does not have a spa, it has a partnership with Aire Ancient Bath, where guests receive priority booking and special perks for the spa experience. Aire is a spa featuring thermal baths, massages, and body treatment. I tried a 30-minute massage the day after the marathon and it helped melt away the lingering tension in my legs.
Who Is the Pendry Chicago Best For?
This is the perfect hotel for runners toeing the line at the Chicago Marathon. The proximity to the start line is unbeatable, and the calm environment will set them up for success. In general, the hotel is ideal for a trip to Chicago if you’re seeking a balance of urban adventure with a touch of luxury.
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Genevieve Farrell Roston (she/her) is an award-winning filmmaker and the director of video at PS. She oversees the Webby-nominated PS Fit video series, which makes fitness fun and accessible. She has more than 10 years of experience in the entertainment industry. A certified personal trainer, she loves running, Pilates, and rest days. As a mom of two, she is an avid reviewer of children’s gear and products.
