The Peninsula, Chicago, USA

At just 20 storeys, The Peninsula in Chicago might not be one of the city’s loftier hotels, but what it lacks in height, is more than made up for with its near faultless location just off the main shopping drag, Michigan Avenue- otherwise known as the Magnificent Mile.

Now, 15 years since it first opened, the property has re-emerged fresh-faced and radiant after a skilful nip and tuck by New York-based designer Bill Rooney, who was tasked to spruce up 331 of the 339 guest rooms. Wisely replacing the lacklustre oatmeal colour scheme with deep blues and molten creams, Rooney’s inspiration from luxury yachts is evident with the abundance of fine wood finishes, plush fabrics and rich leathers.

It is however, the group’s in-house technology team that got to shine; each room is equipped with a number of easy-access state-of-the-art tablets that can control everything from the lighting and temperature to hotel services with a single tap.  Available in 11 different languages, it seems The Peninsula is fast achieving its goal to offer the most technologically advanced rooms in the world.