The Godfrey Hotel Chicago embraces the Windy City’s below-freezing temperatures in Winter by attracting visitors to its unique rooftop experience: ultra-chic igloos.
“Chicago is a city that loves to have fun,” says Sandi Robinson, director of sales at The Godfrey Hotel Chicago. “For us, it was about how can we have guests not only come for a party but to take it a step further. And that’s really how we think about all of our events. The same thing with Winter Wonderland, no one has done it the way that we have.”
From mid-November through February, the hotel's rooftop portico is home to individually heated, clear-domed igloos, located adjacent to the retractable, heated year-round rooftop bar and lounge, I|O Godfrey. Up to 10 attendees per igloo can enjoy panoramic views of the Chicago skyline while munching on shareable bites and sipping signature cocktails, like the frozen spice-icle—a rum-infused horchata blended with pumpkin spice.
Winter Wonderland has evolved since its inception four years ago when The Godfrey became the first hotel in Chicago to offer urban igloos. The winter-long instillation now features a snow machine (when Mother Nature doesn’t provide), robes, firepits, s’mores and igloos fitted with couches, plush pillows, throws, rugs, heaters and personalized bottle service.
“We don’t want people to think we’re closed during the winter time,” says Robinson. “For us, it’s educating our consumers that we’re open all year round.”
What could have been unused patio space during the winter has now transformed into a hot spot for groups looking for a unique seasonal experience. Igloos can be booked individually for small gatherings, as well as reserved in conjunction with an onsite event or meeting, making it an ideal location for VIPs and executives.
“The thing about this boutique hotel, and boutique hotels in general, is that it really makes you think outside of the box,” says Robinson. “I’ve been in boutiques for nine years. You can look at a space and think, ‘Oh, this is what I have’ or you can go above and beyond that.”
The Godfrey Hotel Chicago—By The Numbers:
- 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space at I|O Godfrey rooftop.
- 8,500 square feet of additional meeting space when a retractable roof is aavailable during the off-season.
- 10-85: Ideal group size in the Truss meeting room
- 221 contemporary hotel guest rooms and suites
