Accommodations start at 530 square feet, with room for sleeping and lounging as well as an executive desk. Marble bathrooms have a separate walk-in shower and bathtub. Bedside controls handle lighting and temperature, while tablets provide room controls in 11 languages.

The Executive Suite occupies a west-facing corner. Its 793 square feet include a king bedroom and living room, with windows looking toward Superior and Rush Streets or Rush and Chicago Avenue. A deep soaking tub sits beside a large picture window, and the bathroom has two individual vanities. The suite also has a dressing closet, a separate luggage area and an illuminated vanity mirror. A Nespresso machine and executive desk are among its fittings. For guests traveling together, this category can connect to a Deluxe King Room. Custom Fili D'oro linens dress the bed, while commissioned artwork and sculpture furnish the interior. Separate televisions serve the bedroom and parlor, with a docking system for streaming content from a phone or tablet.

At the signature end of the collection, The Peninsula Suite has a baby grand piano and views of Lake Michigan. Its private terrace measures 2,000 square feet, extending the accommodation outdoors above the city. Airport transfers, valet parking, laundry and round-the-clock in-room dining are available through the hotel.

Pierrot Gourmet meets the neighborhood at the corner of Rush and Superior Streets. This European-style cafe serves pastries and desserts alongside tartines and its signature rotisserie chicken. Espresso and a pastry make a simple morning stop, while the savory menu gives it substance for lunch. Service runs on selected days, and the kitchen finishes before the cafe closes. Confirm meal availability before visiting; pastries, desserts and beverages continue after kitchen service. A children's menu is also available.

Bill Rooney's design brings white walls, pale wood-look tiles and marble patterned in white and gray to the cafe. Kelly-green accents give the room its color. That lighter interior sets Pierrot apart from the hotel's more formal dining rooms upstairs, with Rush Street immediately outside.

On the fifth floor, The Lobby has 20-foot floor-to-ceiling windows looking onto the terrace. Contemporary American cooking is served at breakfast and lunch, with dinner offered on selected evenings. The room is used by Chicago residents as well as hotel guests, particularly for morning gatherings and business lunches. Seasonal Afternoon Tea has its own schedule, so confirm sittings when reserving. Children's breakfast and main dining menus sit alongside the regular menus, and the dining program also includes a separate dessert selection.

Shanghai Terrace brings Chinese cooking to the fourth floor under chef Elmo Han. The menu combines traditional Cantonese dishes with contemporary interpretations and dim sum. Inside, Chinese screens and wood detailing frame an intimate dining room. There is also a semi-private dining area for a group meal. The outdoor terrace opens seasonally, with planting and city lights around the tables. In warm weather, guests can dine outside by candlelight with the skyline beyond.

Z Bar is the rooftop lounge above Michigan Avenue, with a terrace facing the city. Its cocktail list mixes seasonal creations with established classics and spirits from around the world. Food takes the form of shareable bites and small plates, drawing on Asian, European and American influences. The lounge suits drinks with a light meal; check service times when planning an afternoon visit.

The bar's namesake Z cocktail combines gin with Japanese cucumber, mint, lime and bergamot liqueur. Bangkok Jam uses tequila with makrut lime leaf, lemongrass, ginger and Thai chili. There is also a dedicated spirit-free selection: Fade Out Lines blends a hibiscus tea infusion with berries, elderflower and lemon. These sit alongside familiar drinks such as an Old Fashioned, Espresso Martini and Mojito, with an extensive wine and spirits list.

The hotel's 25-meter pool is indoors on the nineteenth floor, framed by floor-to-ceiling windows. From the water and poolside seating, you look across the skyline rather than onto a garden. An indoor hot tub sits within the pool facilities, while the separate outdoor Sun Terrace provides open-air space. The pool is heated, with a depth of roughly three and a half to four feet. Families have recommended swimming periods from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.; these are recommended family hours, not the only times children may swim.

The Peninsula Spa occupies the nineteenth and twentieth floors. Its facilities include a fireplace relaxation lounge, fitness center and yoga studio. Hotel guests have access to the pool, fitness center and Sun Terrace. Access to the spa's locker rooms, steam rooms and relaxation areas requires a body service lasting at least one hour. Body treatments and spa access are for guests aged 18 and over, while facials are available from age 16. Nail services have no minimum age, though children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. The treatment menu includes massage and facial options.

The hotel's family details include children's robes and slippers, together with an on-site scavenger hunt available through the front desk. Cribs and linens can be placed in a room before arrival with advance notice. Board games are available on request, and the concierge has children's maps of Chicago for trips out into the city. Babysitting services can also be arranged in advance through the concierge. A visit from the hotel's Pen Bear mascot requires at least 48 hours' notice and is offered at selected times. Families can share their children's ages and interests when reserving so that the team can prepare age-appropriate amenities.

Pets are welcome, too. A pet-walking service can be arranged, and an in-room dining menu is available for dogs and cats. Outside, the hotel's East Superior Street entrance opens onto downtown Chicago, with the historic Water Tower nearby.