Sable at Navy Pier Chicago: Hotel Review

Sable at Navy Pier Review

Recently, we had an opportunity to visit Chicago both for business and leisure. Since it was our second time in the second city – we were in the mood to change things up. 

We felt like we needed an experience. 

This time, we didn’t need to rush to every single major tourist spot since we’ve done most of them. Now, we had time to linger and savor the views a bit longer.

Thankfully, with a city as dynamic as Chicago, there is no shortage of unique experiences.

Our hotel research pointed us to one such unique surprise – a brand-new hotel within downtown Chicago – The Sable at Navy Pier.

With an enviable waterfront location and unmatched views of the Chicago skyline, the Sable at Navy Pier seemed perfect for what we needed. A reservation was quickly made and off we went for our second sojourn to the Windy City.

Sable at Navy Pier: The Basics

As the first and only hotel in one of Chicago’s most iconic landmarks, Sable at Navy Pier is already in a class all its own. Located at 900 East Grand Avenue in Chicago, Sable at Navy Pier offers guests stylish rooms with elegance and comfort in mind. 

Sable Hotel also operates under the Curio Collection by Hilton brand. This brand consists of an exclusive portfolio of properties catering to travelers seeking authentic experiences and one-of-a-kind discoveries. That sounds like exactly what we were looking for!

This also means good news for Hilton Honors members, who can use and earn points on stays at this property!

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Style and Ambiance

The moment we stepped inside, we were instantly impressed by the design, service, and decor.

The hotel has a subtle nautical theme that permeates throughout the property. In fact, even the hotel’s name is a reference to the USS Sable, a Navy training ship that docked frequently at the port during WWII.

The interior design ingeniously pays tribute to various aspects of the pier and the city’s rich maritime history. 

From the hotel’s common areas to their guest rooms – they’ve incorporated elements such as weathered brass, curvy bent wood, and various shipbuilding materials. Their color palette consists of earth tones and various shades of blue to pay homage to the lake that surrounds it. 

Themed hotels can sometimes be hit or miss, but we found that this one is done so well. 

It’s subtle enough that we didn’t feel like you’re drowning (pun intended) in a pirate ship or something like that. Nothing is over the top. 

At Sable at Navy Pier, the interiors strike the perfect balance between its high-tech modern comforts and vintage nautical nods to the past. Everything is done with style, but nothing looks too precious or stuffy, the whole place feels inviting and cozy.

 

Rooms

The first thing we noticed upon entering our hotel room is THE VIEW! It seriously deserves to be in all caps because of how stunningly spectacular this view is. 

What’s more is that we didn’t have to pay more to get that view – each of the hotels’ impeccably stylish rooms and suites offer views of both Lake Michigan and the stunning Chicago skyline. 

Yup, you read that right. Every single room has breathtaking views! 

The floor-to-ceiling windows perfectly framed the gorgeous water surrounding us. At times, the infinite waterfront views even made us feel like we were on a cruise ship! Also, we’re not usually fond of colored or printed carpets, but we loved the tranquil wavy water-inspired design on the floor. It was our favorite thing in that room. It made the place feel like a huge work of art.

We slept comfortably in the beds, which boasts of mattresses and beddings from the exclusive Hilton Serenity Collection.

Each room has a Serenity Bed, which includes a mattress topper and custom mattress with extra coils for motion absorption and spine support. The bed also comes with down-filled comforters, down pillows, 250 thread-count sheets, and duvet cover. We feel the mattress topper made such a difference — it’s definitely one of the comfiest beds we’ve ever slept in within the US!

In addition, everything from the bed to the bathroom was spotless! 

We’re not usually fussy about decor, but we can be particular when it comes to cleanliness in hotels. So we were impressed that our room was clean, tidy, smelled amazing, and was marked with their Hilton CleanStay guarantee. Also, we appreciated the personalized touch in the form of a cute little welcome note the staff prepared for us in the room, along with a box of truffles and complimentary bottles of water.

 

For more impressive views and more space, you can opt for the corner rooms or the even more spacious suites. You can also get connecting rooms upon request. As for us, we had a King guest room, which was more than enough for the two of us. Rooms are 350 – 430 sq ft. Suites are up 700 sq ft in size.

Each guest room also has a 55-inch Smart TV, Hilton Alarm Clock Radio with MP3 connection, window seating alcove, work desk, two-line phones with voicemail, coffee maker, in-room safe, minifridge, iron, ironing board, an ion hair dryer and a complete set of toiletries. 

We didn’t try the TV for ourselves, but we’ve read that some guests were able to Chromecast and easily connect their laptops to them, too. The room did not have a microwave, but luckily, there are numerous dining options within the hotel and around Navy Pier.

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Dining

With this hotel being on Navy Pier, we were spoiled for choice when it came to dining.

We found it so convenient though that Sable had its own on-site options. This came in so handy for us, especially as there were times when we had to dine much later in the evening. 

Their on-site options include a full-service restaurant, a rooftop bar, and a coffee shop.

Their main restaurant, Lirica, serves up a modern take on Latin-inspired cuisine. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Offshore is their large rooftop bar, which offers drinks and cocktails alongside unmatched skyline views. Their gourmet coffee shop, Kisbi Coffee, is located in the main lobby.

Lirica Restaurant

We dined twice at Lirica, and at both times it was fantastic. 

We had the cheeseburger (with cheddar and chipotle aioli) and the sizzling jumbo shrimp (in a garlic and white wine sauce.) The cheeseburger was juicy and had enough of a kick without being too spicy. Also, the white wine shrimp was perfectly balanced – very flavorful without being too heavy. Our server at the restaurant, Brienne, was cheerful, attentive, and accommodating to some of our special food requests.

 

Offshore Bar

We also visited the Offshore Bar, which Guinness World Records has officially named the largest rooftop venue in the world.

With a total area of 36,000 feet with 20,000 feet terrace, the bar felt incredibly spacious and looked like the perfect venue for special events. Inside, they had pool tables and lounge areas. Outside, the panoramic views are to die for! Basically, the bar views are elevated versions of the views from inside the rooms. We visited at the end of the winter so there wasn’t as much happening on the terrace. But it looks like the perfect place to hang out, with its multiple entertainment areas and fire pits. Offshore can be accessed via a separate entrance from the hotel.

 

Service

The service was also top-notch. Each staff member was helpful, attentive, and kind.

Check-in was a breeze. Even though we checked in a few hours early, they let us go right up to our room. This was such a welcome surprise and relief, given that we were tired and needed to recharge a bit after just coming off of a delayed flight.

As we were checking in, we ran into the General Manager, Laurent, who graciously gave us a warm welcome to his new hotel. He even gave us some good tips for restaurants in the area. Also, David, the bellman, was awesome and knowledgeable. A proud Chicago native, he gave us some fun insider tips–from tourist attractions to restaurants to directions. 

Overall, we all felt they genuinely wanted to help us have a great vacation and that made a world of difference. 

Upon check-in, take note that we were informed that housekeeping is by request only – so they gave us the option to either schedule daily housekeeping or not. However, they said they are flexible though, so guests can call the front desk to adjust housekeeping schedules as needed.

 

Amenities

Sable at Navy Pier offers these additional amenities: 

• GYM — The gym here is one of the most high-tech we’ve ever seen in a hotel. It’s filled with the latest models of top-quality Life Fitness treadmills, elliptical machines, pro-quality weights, and even a Peloton bike. We didn’t try the gym ourselves, but it’s great to know that this was available onsite.
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• EVENT SPACES — They’ve also got event and conference spaces with the best views in Navy Pier. The hotel doesn’t have a pool, but the nearest beach, Ohio Beach, is only steps away.
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• PARKING — Self-parking and valet parking are both available for a fee. It was around $50-60 at the time of our visit. Like most of downtown Chicago, parking can be fairly expensive. Luckily, we didn’t have a car and just relied on Uber rides and public transportation. Though thanks to the hotel’s central location, most of the time, we just found ourselves walking to the main tourist attractions.
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• Other amenities:
  • • Free WiFi
    • Digital Key
    • Non-smoking rooms
    • Connecting Rooms
    • On-site restaurant
    • Meeting rooms
    • Event halls
    • Fitness center
    • Pets not allowed
      .

Location

This hotel is right in the middle of it all in Chicago, making it perfect for tourists, business travelers, and even local staycationers.

It’s a short walk from the Navy Pier Centennial Wheel and other attractions. The Millenium Park and Magnificent Mile shopping district is a quick bus ride away or a 20-minute walk.

Getting around:

• Sable has easy access to public transportation at the end of the pier. There is a major bus stop servicing Navy Pier that connects to the rest of Chicago’s city transport, about a 15-minute walk from the hotel lobby. Check here for Navy Pier public transport options.
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• In the summer, there are even more transport options. We heard that there’s an all-day trolley from Navy Pier to major sites such as Millenium Park and the Magnificent Mile. There’s also a water taxi from Navy Pier to the Museum Campus. Note though that these didn’t run during the 2020-2021 pandemic period, so be on the lookout for whether these services will resume in the next few months.
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• Personally, we found it easier to walk to attractions on our own. Click here for walking directions to Sable. We’ll be honest — the pier itself is a bit long, it’s around a 10- to 15-minute walk just from the hotel lobby to the end of the pier. We are huge walkers though, so this served as our light exercise in the morning. The walk can be done either outdoors or indoors within the Navy Pier complex. If you’re looking to jog too, it’s super scenic. We saw numerous joggers around even in the chilly weather.
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• For those who aren’t into walking too much — you could take an Uber to directly drop you off and pick you up at the hotel lobby. Click here for driving directions to Sable. Since the hotel is new, a lot of Uber drivers still aren’t familiar with where it is. GPS usually points drivers in the general direction of the hotel. However, since the entrance is located past an industrial delivery area at the end of the pier, it is not immediately visible to drivers. Our advice is just to drive to the end of E Grand Ave and follow the signs that point to the hotel. It is approximately a $16-30+ Uber ride from Navy Pier to most parts of downtown Chicago, without surge pricing. 

 

Pricing

The pricing at Sable At Navy Pier Chicago, Curio Collection By Hilton varies depending on the season, the dates of your stay, and other factors. Expect peak prices in the summer and major holidays, but you can book early to get the best deals.

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Our Tips

Here are a few tips on how to make the most out of your stay here:

1. Check the Sable Hotel website for Special Offers and Promotions

Don’t forget to check their website for their current offers and packages. They often have limited-time packages which may include complimentary parking, meal vouchers, discounted tickets to attractions, and many other perks!

2. Visit the Offshore Bar at least once

We know we’ve mentioned the view from the hotel a million times, but we’ll emphasize it again. Remember to get a drink or even just pop in for a few minutes at the hotel rooftop bar, Offshore Bar. You will be glad you did! The panoramic view here is jaw-dropping. 

3. Keep an eye out for Navy Pier’s year-round activities

With Sable Hotel being located right at the Navy Pier, hotel guests can easily take part in the area’s numerous events and public programs. They have something for everyone — from live performances, cultural festivities, lake cruises, and kids’ activities.

Check out Navy Pier’s website for their latest event calendar. Also, don’t miss their legendary fireworks displays every Wednesday and Saturday night in the summer and on special occasions during the rest of the year.

4. Here’s what else you can visit nearby:

• Chicago Shakespeare Theater – 0.3 miles
• Chicago Children’s Museum – 0.3 miles
• Chicago River – 0.5 miles
• Millennium Park, The Bean, Pritzker Pavilion – 1.2 miles
• Art Institute of Chicago – 1.3 miles
• 360 Chicago Observation Deck – 1.9 miles
• Willis Tower – 2.0 miles
• Union Station – 2.1 miles
• Lincoln Park Zoo – 2.5 miles
• Guaranteed Rate Field – 4.5 miles
• Wrigley Field – 4.7 miles
• Midway International Airport – 10.1 miles
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport – 16.5 miles

 

Sable at Navy Pier: The Bottomline

Sable at Navy Pier is truly a Chicago gem and the perfect place to stay when you want to experience the city’s best offerings in comfort and style. 

We were looking for an extraordinary experience in this city, and the Sable gave us the perfect unique getaway. Nothing compares to waking up to those sweeping views every morning. We only wish we could go back in the summertime when the Navy Pier has more events and activities!

It is truly a one-stop shop for everything that travelers need–amazing location, gorgeous skyline views, numerous entertainment options,  and unparalleled service.

PROS: Love the stunning views, prime location, stylish room, cozy beds, and warm service

CONS: Prepare for expensive parking and added walking from the pier to the city

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Disclaimer: We were invited by the Sable at Navy Pier team for a hosted stay as media guests. However, all opinions are our own and based on our honest personal experience.

Featured headline photo 1 & 2 courtesy of Sable at Navy Pier. Other photos are by Rob & Joli.