Beyond Expectation: A grateful shout-out to The Peninsula Hotels!
Just left The Peninsula Chicago, and wow. Every single detail, from the moment I walked in, felt utterly and thoughtfully anticipated. It's rare to encounter service that truly thinks of everything before you even realize you need it, but The Peninsula delivers on that promise and then some.
What truly set this stay apart, however, was their refreshingly discreet approach to gratuity. In an industry where tipping often feels obligatory and sometimes awkward when the service just wasn't what was expected, The Peninsula empowers you to recognize truly exceptional service on your own terms. I thought it was a subtle but powerful statement that reinforces their confidence in their team's dedication, and believe me, it was well-earned.
At checkout, I realized I didn’t have enough cash to leave for the housekeeping staff. So, I asked if I could add a tip to my bill. I watched as the front desk attendant took cash, placed it in a sealed envelope, and wrote a handwritten note on it. I asked her to include: “Thank you for making my birthday so much better.”
Thank you, Maria Razumich-Zec and all the great folks at The Peninsula Chicago, for a providing a genuinely luxurious experience.