The St. Jane Hotel is Chicago’s newest, and arguably trendiest, place to stay in downtown Chi-town. Opened in the summer of 2018, the boutique accommodations are situated in the historic Carbide and Carbon Building. The hotel, best known for its Art Deco gold tower, was previously home to the Hard Rock Hotel. St. Jane completely redesigned the Hard Rock’s music theme for a much more elegant, 4.5-star space. A room on the first 23 floors is relatively affordable, or you can splurge for the truly luxe experience—one of 33 rooms situated on floors 24 and above in the gold Tower at St. Jane.
St. Jane Hotel –Best for…
Design aficionados
If you have an affection for architecture, nothing beats a stay in the iconic St. James Hotel. Designed to eschew prohibition, the Carbide and Carbon building was built in 1929 by the Burnham Brothers. Today, the building resembling a champagne bottle houses the luxury accommodations, which are decorated in the same playful spirit of the original architects. Rooms are decorated in Art Deco style with a modern flair and accented with unique artworks that pay homage to the city. Bathrooms are finished with marble countertops, a favored material of the original building.
To really take in the architecture of the building and the city, splurge on a room housed in the “neck” of the champagne bottle—The Tower at St. Jane. These rooms and suites offer some pretty stunning views as well as access to a private rooftop bar.
St. Jane Hotel Amenities
The new boutique hotel on the block, St. Jane offers some pretty luxe amenities to justify its higher price point. There are multiple layouts, including deluxe king and double rooms, as well as city view rooms on higher floors and accessible options. There are also junior- and one-bedroom suites with extras like pull-out sofas and soaking tubs in the master bathroom. All rooms feature the hotel’s unique crown molding, and bathrooms are outfitted with lustrous marble. High ceilings and large windows let in the city’s energy and views.
Rooms also have a seating area, come with free WiFi, and have a complimentary in-room Nespresso machine. LED Smart TVs have streaming capabilities, and beds are outfitted with premium grade linens. Guests can also take advantage of the St. Jane’s fitness facility.
For a more premium experience, opt for a room in The Tower at St. Jane, situated on floors 24 through 36. Tower rooms are meticulously curated and come with a customized private bar, bespoke welcome gift, and a Bluetooth Oliver Hemming Speaker. Other perks include two garments pressed upon arrival, 24-hour check-in/check-out, a personal curator for special request, and complimentary shoeshine. Those exclusive extras also come with access to The Nobel, a private rooftop bar on the 24th floor. The indoor/outdoor space boasts stunning views of the city.
If you don’t splurge on a fancy tower room, you can still dine in style at Free Rein, the on-site French brasserie. Fused with new American style, the restaurant serves up breakfast, brunch, and dinner as well as a popular happy hour.
St. Jane Hotel Location
The Carbide and Carbon building is situated just one block south of the Chicago River and two blocks north of Millennium Park. In the heart of downtown, the hotel is walkable to many popular locations, like the American Writers Museum just one block south. The Chicago Theatre is just steps to the west in the adjacent Theatre District. Head north for the Chicago Riverwalk and Magnificent Mile just across the bridge.
Nearby accommodations include the Hilton Garden Inn Chicago/North Loop, Virgin Hotels Chicago, Kimpton Hotel Monaco, and Comfort Suites Michigan Avenue. The St. Jane is in the same price range as these nearby competitors.
St. Jane Hotel – The Verdict
There’s no arguing that the St. Jane’s historical significance is second to none in the Art Deco Carbon and Carbide building. The location is lovely as well, but you’ll have to pay extra for a room with a view. If you can appreciate good design, the St. Jane offers some of the best in downtown Chicago. But, you have to splurge on an expensive Tower room to enjoy the hotel’s best perks.