It is no secret that I have an obsession with New Year’s Eve. I usually start planning at least six months in advance where and how I will be celebrating the beloved holiday, however this past year was unique since now I would be planning for two instead of one and I was not sure if my new husband would have his Green Card in time to leave the country or not. Thus, when the Hyatt Regency Chicago invited us to their glamorous NYE Ballroom Blitz we accepted immediately.
We decided to arrive in Chicago a few days earlier than the party, just in case there was bad weather and we would have flight issues — a definite possibility for that part of the United States in December. Our first hotel stay was at the Elysian Chicago, which was introduced to me via Kiwi Collection.
From the facade of the hotel alone I knew it was going to be special. I love hotels that give you the feeling that you have walked into another world once you have passed through their front doors.
After we unpacked and spent some time luxuriating in our Deluxe Suite, we dined at the hotel’s casual restaurant Balsan. The meal was destined to be delicious, since they serve baguettes as their bread option.
Instead of water, my husband and I chose to celebrate our trip to Chicago with fruit-infused caipirinhas. We could not be more excited to finally, after six and a half years, be in the same place together for New Year’s Eve!
Lunch consisted of a creamed cauliflower soup and a goat cheese salad. We decided to eat light, as later in the evening we had reservations at the Argentinean restaurant Folklore and we knew that we would be eating as though it was our last meal ever, because we both have a strong affinity for Argentinean food (especially since my husband is Argentinean). Also, we had two dear friends joining us, one of them being the amazing Traveling Ted.
Our first day in Chicago could not have been more perfect (or so we thought). Thanks to the Hyatt Regency Chicago, I was about to cross something huge off of my Bucket List!
“Join the Mile High Club?” 😉
Hahahahahahahaha, no but good guess! 😉
Design and good food, can’t beat that!
Couldn’t agree more!
Even your pre-NYE celebrations put my actual NYE to shame! Well done, lady! This looks all kinds of fancy!
(And clearly I am all kinds of jealous.)
Awww, what did you do for NYE???
Sounds like a great start. Looking forward to reading more of your upcoming posts!
It was such an awesome start, thanks! Can’t wait to write more.
You do great job to plan a trip well in advance. Chicago is full of fun and natural beauty!
It was definitely full of fun!
Gotta go for luxury on New Years. Looks like you chose the right place!
Right!?! Especially since it was our 1st NYE together EVER!!! Had to be perfect. 🙂
Umm wow! The light fixtures. The food. The statue in the lobby. Definitely my type of place. So fun!
GORGEOUS right!?! I wish I could live there!
Looks like you had a great time. I’v never been to Chicago so i am looking forward to your next posts 🙂
I had never been either!!! Wait until you see the trip that I had there! 🙂
Chicago is on my list of places to go, so close to Toronto but I haven’t made the leap yet. Now I know where to stay.
I can’t believe that I traveled the world and had yet to visit Chicago — shame on me! You’ll love the Hyatt! GREAT location!!!
Those pics make me so hungry. I loooooooove Chicago, it’s definitely one of my favorite cities in the US. Glad you got to spend NYE there.
I’m SO glad too! I hope we can return ASAP.
Wow! Looks like you had an amazing time!
Such an amazing time! 🙂
The soup is BEAUTIFUL!! (I’ve found myself commenting on everyone’s food this week…not surprising but wow… O:-))
And from Kyle’s post, I know you two met up again…looking forward to more Chicago posts!
I’ve seriously fallen in love with food over the last year. I think it’s SO beautiful!!! And yes, my Kyle posts are up next wahoooooooo!!!
Yei for Chicago! Definitely one of my favorite cities, specially food wise, SO many ethnic restaurants and delicious goodies!
I can’t believe how good the food is in Chicago! Seriously, it’s a food paradise! Every single meal I had was spectacular!!!
It is an honor to be referred to as amazing on your beautiful blog. It was great to meet you and Lucas. Hope to see you somewhere in the world soon.
And it was such an honor to meet someone so wonderful such as yourself! We will definitely meet again my friend!!!!!
WOW – that lobby is insanely gorgeous – love the hanging fixture! And lunch looks delish! Looking forward to reading more about your time in a city I’ve spent so much time in
Isn’t the lobby perfection? It’s like the white Faena haha! Can’t wait to write more — the best has yet to come!
Pingback: Chicago: Day 1 | iWannaGo Travel Network
Have I mentioned recently how incredibly awesome it was that you chose CHICAGO as your NYE destination?!?!? I love the Chicago posts and can’t wait to see more. I agree, Chicago has some absolutely delicious food. The dinners we had were unforgettable (though that was from a combo of the food AND the company for sure)! Love and miss you! xo
I wanted to mention you in my post, because you were SUCH an important and special part of our trip, but I wasn’t sure how you would feel about it. But, meeting you was extraordinary. You’re and incredible person and your friendship means sooo much to me!!! Our dinners were sensational. I can’t wait to see you again. Lots of love back!!!
Ohh cant wait to see what comes next!! Anticipation!!!
It’s goooooooood! 🙂
wow! Love this! Amazing blog & u r a stunning lady too! Awesome combination! : )
EL
Awww thank you so so so much for super kind words, I’m SO touched! Glad you stopped by!!! XO
Ok, i’m sold with just that bread, lol, it looks dee-lish! the place looks very nice as well 🙂
Hugs from NYC!
TravelDesignery.com
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Haha my thoughts exactly! Thanks for stopping by, love your blog!!!
Wow, the food and drinks look amazing! That’s a proper place to celebrate NYE!
I never thought about celebrating NYE in Chicago, but I’m SO glad we did. It was incredible!
You’re making me hungry!
I wish we could eat lunch there together. 🙁
I went to Chicago this past summer after a long time. I really enjoyed the city very much! I hope to return soon!
Me too! We totally fell in love and it was cold, I can only imagine returning when the weather is beautiful!
That cauliflower soup looks sooooo good! I was just reading a recipe the other day, and now this, I need to make some I guess:-) Hugs, Terra
Yes you must make it!!! It was perfect for the winter season.
Loved this post!
That’s so lovely to hear!
Awesome post!!!
Thanks Steven!
Fabulous way to spend New Year’s! I can’t wait to read on.
It was SO fabulous!