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11 Extravagant Travel Experiences for 2019 Curated by The Blackstone

11 Extravagant Travel Experiences for 2019 Curated by The Blackstone

Luxe Beat focuses on the most luxurious experiences. We wanted to share with our readers The Blackstone hotel’s extravagant guide. It features 11 exclusive experiences ranging from $1,800 to $25,000 for the most astute traveler throughout Chicago and one in Iceland, such as:

  • Guests can start their trip at The Blackstone and end at Iceland’s famed black sand beaches (package starts at $4,700)
  • The hotel will recreate The Untouchables set filmed in its Crystal Ballroom with a lavish feast and more (package starts at $25,000)
  • Work with KOVAL Distillery to create a one-of-a-kind barrel of bourbon (package starts at $10,000)

Guests can purchase any of the extravagant offers through January 31, 2019 and book travel through November 2019. If you’re looking for a some of the top trips to take in 2019 or some once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences, check out the list below.

This holiday season, guests of The Blackstone (636 S. Michigan Ave.) can revel in the most exclusive, culturally- and historically-rich experiences curated by the hotel with its holiday gift guide: An Extravagant Holiday. The over-the-top gift guide includes a range of experiences for the most astute traveler such as an original work of art from The Blackstone’s Art Hall and artist studio tour (package starts at $3,500); a proprietary barrel of KOVAL Distillery bourbon (package starts at $10,000); a private dinner on the former set of The Untouchables (package starts at $25,000), and more. Guests can purchase any of the extravagant offers through January 31, 2019 and book travel through November 30, 2019.

The Extravagant Holiday gift guide includes the following 11 experiences curated by The Blackstone:

A French Connection (Starting at $1,800)

The Blackstone, Autograph Collection_Lake View King

Check into the historic Beaux-Arts designed Blackstone Hotel located on Chicago’s Cultural Mile with a welcome amenity and discover the city by boat as you would along the Seine in Paris. Board the new Odyssey Chicago River cruise and take in the architectural splendor with 360-degree city views in this glass-enclosed vessel. You and a guest will enjoy the ultimate European-inspired experience, including a VIP table window-side, a fresh floral arrangement, and a mouth-watering three-course dinner with a bottle of champagne. Guests will be transported to and from the boat in a luxury-SUV.

*Must book a minimum of two weeks prior to arrival. Based on one Deluxe Lake View room, double occupancy. 

Deck The Paws: A Luxury Dog Package (Starting at $2,600) 

The Blackstone, Autograph Collection_Exterior

Dress to impress this holiday season with matching, smoking-style jackets for you and your pup. Lavish in a one-night stay in the hotel’s historic Smoke-Filled Suite, receive a chocolate cigar amenity, and a Dog Lover’s Gift Box. While your pup relaxes in room with its luxe cigar stogie toy and a dog sitter, access the members-only smoking lounge and the hotel’s exclusive locker at Iwan Ries & Co., which includes a fresh supply of cigars and our hand-selected batch of KOVAL Distillery bourbon.

 

*Must book a minimum of two weeks prior to arrival. Based on one Smoked-Filled Suite, double occupancy. Dog sitter will be booked for three hours while guests enjoy Iwan Ries & Co. Guests will be connected directly with Smoky Joe’s Clothing to pick out smoking jackets. The smoking jackets are yours to keep. The Blackstone Hotel is a non-smoking facility. An Uber gift card is also included in the package to provide transportation to and from Iwan Ries & Co.

A Gentleman’s Smoke-Filled Poker Night (Starting at $3,200)

The Blackstone, Autograph Collection_Lobby - Timothy's Hutch

Raise the stakes at your next poker night with a professional dealer, private bartender, and array of snacks and beverages in the hotel’s historic Smoke-Filled Suite for six guests. After the game, head over to Iwan Ries & Co. to access the members-only smoking lounge and the hotel’s exclusive locker, which includes a fresh supply of cigars and our hand-selected batch of KOVAL Distillery bourbon. The experience includes an overnight stay in the Smoke-Filled Suite for two.

*Must book a minimum of two weeks prior to arrival. Based on one Smoke-Filled Suite, double occupancy. Supplementary guest rooms available at an additional cost. The Blackstone Hotel is a non-smoking facility. An Uber gift card is also included in the package to provide transportation to and from Iwan Ries & Co. 

An Enchanted Evening (Starting at $3,200)

Crystal Ballroom SocialThe night will be filled with romance from the moment of arrival, as you enjoy champagne and fresh flowers in the Sky Suite. Surrounded by the beauty of The Blackstone’s English Room, twirl through the evening with a private dance class for two – hosted by Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Transition from dance to dinner while marveling at the stained glass, mahogany walls, and ornate ceiling – all imported from an 18th century English manor and reconstructed at the hotel in 1908. Serenaded by your private violinist, feast upon a four-course meal with wine pairings to conclude this romantic experience.

*Must book three weeks in advance. Package is only available for a Saturday or Sunday night stay. Based on one Sky Suite, double occupancy. 

The Blackstone’s Private Collection (Starting at $3,500)

The Blackstone’s Art Hall, which has been preserved since 1910

The Blackstone, Autograph Collection_Art Hall

Spend the night in a Deluxe Lake View room and explore an impressive collection, comprised of 1,600 contemporary art pieces – rivaling Chicago’s most prestigious museums. Meet the curator from the local Elephant Room Gallery and learn about a select number of artworks displayed in the historic Art Hall. With the help of the curator, choose a work of art to take home as a treasured memento from your stay. Continue your artistic adventure outside The Blackstone’s doors with a guided tour of an artist’s studio and pick a second piece of artwork to take home from their own private collection.

*Must book a minimum of three weeks prior to arrival. Based on one Deluxe Lake View room, double occupancy. Art can only be chosen from a pre-selected number of pieces. Shipping costs and insurance for art pieces is not included. An Uber gift card is also included in the package to provide transportation to and from artist’s studio. 

Stay In Style Like a President (Starting at $3,600)

The Blackstone’s Suite of Presidents

As host to twelve U.S. Presidents, The Blackstone is an expert on presidential treatment. The package includes an overnight stay in the Suite of Presidents for two, an in-room champagne amenity, and a luxury-SUV with driver at your disposal for cruising around the city. Discover Chicago from up above on a private helicopter tour and relish in a five-course, wine pairing dinner at the Michelin-star restaurant Sepia, tucked in the Ex-Libris, their semi-private dining room.

*Must book a minimum of three weeks prior to arrival. Based on one Suite of Presidents, double occupancy. Luxury-SUV and driver is for eight hours. Helicopter tour is for one hour. 

From The Blackstone to The Black Sand (Starting at $4,700)

The Blackstone, Autograph Collection_Bathroom

Take your travels from The Blackstone to the black sand beaches of Iceland as you experience two of the world’s finest destinations. Commence your travels at the heart of Chicago’s Cultural Mile as you enjoy a Blackstone Deluxe Lake View room to relax before the next leg of your adventure in Iceland, where you’ll enjoy a different water view. The Blackstone will provide transportation from the hotel to the airport where you will fly Icelandair to touch down in Reykjavik. Stay in a pre-selected Marriott property for three nights that will serve as home base for exploring Iceland’s cultural and natural wonders, including the famed black sand beaches.

*Must book a minimum of ninety days prior to arrival. Based on one Deluxe Lake View room, double occupancy. Trips within Iceland and all travel identification documents are the responsibility of the traveling guests. An Uber gift card is included in the package to provide transportation to and from O’Hare Airport. 

The Blackstone’s Artist in Residence (Starting at $4,800)

With a rich artistic legacy and private art collection that rivals any museum, The Blackstone is a source of inspiration for artists of all mediums. Find your muse with the ultimate cultural immersion experience, including a four-night stay in the hotel’s Sky Suite, which is brilliantly lit by skylights, and your personal in-room canvas to paint your own masterpiece. Continue the inspiration with individually-curated, private tours for two people at three cultural institutions: Driehaus Museum, The Art Institute of Chicago, and Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art.

*Must book a minimum of ten days prior to arrival. Based on one Sky Suite, double occupancy for four nights. An Uber gift card is also included in the package to provide transportation to and from each of the three museums.

Blackstone By Train: On the Rocks and On the Tracks (Starting at $7,800)

The Blackstone_Champagne in Guest Room

See Chicago like Timothy Blackstone from the comfort of your private CTA rail car, this VIP package allows you to create a custom itinerary of stops across the city for 20 people. Prior to departure, relax in the hotel’s most illustrious suite – the Suite of Presidents. Toast with our hand-selected bourbon from KOVAL Distillery and receive Blackstone-branded flasks for all guests during a private in-suite reception, including craft cocktails and small bites. Continue the celebration and board your private CTA rail car for the ultimate Chicago crawl across the city’s skyline.

*Must book a minimum of three weeks prior to arrival. Based on one Suite of Presidents, double occupancy. Supplementary guest rooms available at an additional cost. Private event in the Suite of Presidents is for two hours and start time will be specified upon booking. Requested stops must be noted upon booking. Guests are welcome to bring food, non-alcoholic beverages, and music on the CTA rail car. CTA rail car experience is for four hours. The itinerary for the CTA rail car experience will be set-up with the CTA directly.

Timothy’s Revelers Weekend with KOVAL (Starting at $10,000)

Party like its 1910 with your closest friends and indulge in Chicago’s favorite craft spirits from KOVAL Distillery. Begin your stay in the hotel’s Deluxe Lake View rooms. Step on a private trolley to take you to KOVAL Distillery for a private tour and tasting. As part of this exclusive VIP tasting experience, select your very own barrel of KOVAL bourbon. Jump back on the trolley and revel through the evening at the hotel as you take over Timothy’s Hutch for a two-hour small bites and spirits soiree, including a private bartender to mix curated cocktails for your group.

*Must book a minimum of three weeks prior to arrival. Includes five Deluxe Lake View rooms, double occupancy. Timothy’s Hutch takeover is for two hours. Start time for tour and soiree will be specified upon booking. Bourbon must be delivered within the state of Illinois and deliver y will be coordinated directly with KOVAL. For guests interested in shipping outside of the state of Illinois, please contact The Blackstone for laws and restrictions – additional fees will apply.

Champagne and Crystal: Feast Like the Untouchables (Starting at $25,000)

The Blackstone’s Crystal Ballroom 

The Blackstone, Autograph Collection_Lobby - Front Desk

Fans of The Untouchables can spend an evening in one of the movie’s most iconic set locations, The Blackstone’s Crystal Ballroom, where the infamous baseball bat dinner scene took place. Just as Al Capone gathered twenty-four of his associates around a table in the ballroom for dinner, you can enjoy a lavish, five-course meal for twenty-four guests complete with extravagant décor from the era to set the mood. Following dinner, guests will head down to Al Capone’s Barbershop to watch a screening of The Untouchables with late-night snacks and beverages. The package also includes a stay in the hotel’s historic Smoke-Filled Suite for two guests.

*Must book a minimum of three weeks prior to arrival. Based on one Smoked-Filled Suite, double occupancy. Supplementary guest rooms available at an additional cost. Start time for dinner will be specified upon booking. Barbershop experience for three hours. 

Disclaimers and rules for the above packages are as follows:

  • All packages include VIP access to the 1600 Club and one complimentary valet parking per room.
  • All packages must be purchased and paid in full by January 31st, 2019 for bookings until November 30th, 2019.
  • All packages must meet minimum booking window listed for each package.
  • Dates are subject to availability and will be coordinated with all partners involved in the package.
  • Some prices are subject to taxes and additional fees, which will be calculated prior to payment in full.
  • The Blackstone reserves the right to change, amend or cancel any and all packages at any time. For bookings already completed and paid to the hotel, the guest will be contacted directly.
  • All guests participating in any of these packages must be 21 at the time of booking and will be asked to present an official proof of identity.

For more information on The Blackstone, call 312.542.3432 or contact info@theblackstonehotel.com. Guests can also visit the hotel’s website at www.theblackstonehotel.com. 

About The Blackstone, Autograph Collection

Located in the heart of the city’s Cultural Mile and adjacent to the world class Millennium Park, The Blackstone, Autograph Collection, features 335 stylish downtown Chicago hotel rooms and suites, including the famed Suite of Presidents and Smoke-Filled Suite, 19,670 square feet of event space, including the lavishly restored Crystal Ballroom, and upgraded fitness club. The hotel also features an innovative collection of over 1,600 original artworks, primarily by Chicago artists, on permanent display throughout the guest rooms, Art Hall, and public spaces lending a decidedly contemporary twist to the ambiance of the hotel. A street-level market with outdoor seating serves hotel guests, the local business community, and neighborhood residents. Sage Restaurant Group operates the popular independent Spanish restaurant at the Michigan Avenue entrance, Mercat a la Planxa, offering modern Catalan cuisine. New to the hotel with the completion of the 2017 renovation, Timothy’s Hutch anchors a nostalgic cocktail program in the hotel’s lobby. The 1600 CLUB, The Blackstone’s concierge lounge, is unveiled just steps down from the first-floor lobby featuring artwork and décor which gives a nod to the property’s former name “The Hotel of Presidents”. For more information or to make a reservation, call 312.447.0955 or visit www.theblackstonehotel.com.

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