The Ritz-Carlton Chicago Unveils a New Look (But It's Still Standard Ritz Decor)

Perhaps to compete with all the new competition in town, The Ritz-Carlton Chicago will unveil the the biggest revamp since opening in 1977. We told you about the updated guest rooms, but the hotel's newly gussied-up public spaces will debut the first week of May.

We got a sneak peek at the new lobby, restaurant and bar, promenade and presidential suite, all of which were a part of the $25 million project. See the new public spaces after the jump.

The 12th-floor lobby goes for a more natural look with deep woods and rich earth tones. The hotel tried to modernize its look with upholstered walls, large graphic-patterned carpeting in gold, champagne, caramel and chocolate brown, and marble floors. In the middle of it all are a sky-lit fountain, sofas, antique bronze hammered coffee tables, glass floor lamps, pedestal rosewood tables with marble insets and Parisian-looking chairs.

Also set to open in the first week of May is deca Restaurant + Bar. The casual restaurant will feature locally sourced ingredients for dishes like crispy boneless half chicken with fingerling potatoes, Mediterranean roasted sea bass and trofie pasta with clams, parsley, lemon, chili and broccoli rabe.

If you have a lot of money to burn, you can check out the new presidential suite which is the only truly modern-looking space inside the hotel. A spiral staircase winds through the 2,900-square-foot suite, and there are floor-to-ceiling two-story window views of Lake Michigan. The two-bedroom suite includes a kitchen; living, dining and study rooms; three full and two half baths; and a media room. in case the Bose surround sound stereo system doesn't do it for you, a baby grand piano will be there as well.

[Photos: Ritz-Carlton Chicago]

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