Alas, you’ve found a space that has scraped the depths of your fantasy-filled imagination and brought your wishful thinking to life. What you see before your eyes is The Thompson Chicago, an elegantly decorated hotel in dark wood, lavish velvet, polished leather, and modern art. It’s got the sort of unassuming opulence that you dream about while at your day job; the embodiment of the kind of casual splendor that you absolutely need to have a glass of Barolo in. Did someone mention wine? Enter, THE STAYCATIONERS’ joyous jaunt at The Thompson Chicago.

THE SPOT: The Thompson Hotel | 21 E Bellevue Pl, Chicago, IL 60611

THE STATS: 247 suites for 24/7 luxury, ridiculously fine-yet-approachable dining at Nico Osteria, and a chic gym to work off that stuffed pappardelle and black truffle.

PERFECT FOR: Waking up in a sun-filled room outlined in floor-to-ceiling windows, through which the views of Chicago look even more breathtaking than usual.

The scene: a cool and collected color scheme of white, gray, and blue engulfing a cloud dressed in 400-thread count Sferra linens. A minimalist, black and white bathroom with a rainshower so alluring it makes you want to take off even the silkiest of negligées. Heaven, is that you? Though adorned in Calvin Klein, Kendall + Kylie, Flora Nikrooz, and—our personal favorite—La Perla, the STAYCATIONERS couldn’t wait to strip down and robe up.

Between being beautified by Lisa App and styled by Big Hair Big City, the STAYCATIONERS looked ready to break some hearts. We settled on a shoot inside of Salone Nico that would break the Internet instead.

You don’t even have to leave the comfort of the hotel to eat at one of the city’s best restaurants. Our fave. Chef de Cuisine Bill Montagne mixes exceptionally fresh crudo, house-made pastas, and towers of seafood to bring diners an absolutely inventive experience; inspired by Puglia, the restaurant shares the same euphoric vibes that you’d feel basking under the sweet southern Italian sole.

Keep up with THE STAYCATIONERS as they take over new hotels in new cities each month. This installment made possible by The Thompson Hotel and Nico Osteria; sending love to our guest staycationers Julia Daoud, Angelene Sun, and Maria Unwala.

Styling by Elizabeth Margulis of Big Hair Big City; hair and makeup by Hannah Colby and Natasa Mijatovic of Lisa App.

Photography by Sam Grant for THE STAYCATIONERS. Follow him on Instagram here.

Written and produced by Staycationer-at-Large Nika Sagalchik.