Not too long ago, I took my girlfriends to dine at the Loews Chicago Hotel’s Rural Society restaurant. The ambiance, the food, the wine, and of course with the sharing of laughter with my friends turned out to be a successful night. We walked away knowing that we will have to do another round of that one day.
This time around, I invited to take my #ChicagonistaLIVE co-host, and WGN anchor/reporter girlfriend Nancy Loo to a treatment at the Spa at Loews Chicago and then some cocktails at Streeterville Social, both of which are in the #LoewsChicago Hotel. We have been both traveling a lot lately and of course juggling work and family with that, we needed this quick get-a-away even for just a couple of hours.
As I first looked to book our spa services, every muscle in my body tensed up with the excitement of getting them soothe out with some glorious choices. I opted for the 80 minutes HEART OF AMERICA SIGNATURE massage for each of us. A massage that will also focus on nourishing dry or dehydrated skin with the power of hydropeptides and antioxidants. After a few minutes of relaxing in the Spa waiting lounge, we were greeted by our friendly massage therapists and then followed them to our assigned rooms.
My therapist was Stan. He first started asking questions on my problem areas and asked what part of my body I would like to concentrate on most. Right away, I told him that I am no stranger to really firm and deep massages. Coincidentally, his specialty was on Eastern modalities. I was really excited because Asian massage techniques can be hard to find in the city, or if and when I do find it, the business or space seems questionable. The experience was the exact opposite.
The massage came with a glorious warm oil treatment on my scalp as well as a lip and eye treatment. Stan also combined a couple of the Eastern massage techniques we discussed. I recognized the smooth and almost martial arts movement of the Thai massage, the intensity and firm finger pressure of a Shiatsu massage, and with Stan seemed to also practice a bit of his QiGong breathing. I’m not a master of these techniques, but I’m a big connoisseur of the Eastern massages and have gone to places like the Wat Pho Temple in Bangkok, Thailand that was built in the 16th century and still houses a Traditional Thai Massage school. So I guess you can say that I’m pretty discriminating when it comes to my Eastern massages and Stan really lived up to my expectations.
Stan customized my needs along with what the Spa at Loews Chicago has to offer and that really made me happy. Nancy also seem to walk out with a smile after her massage. We were both relaxed and ready for some eats and sips at the Streeterville Social, Loews Chicago’s new urban oasis!
Feeling all relaxed, we settled on a table near the bar area. The beautiful skyline served as a background to our first Streeterville Social toast together and to really just enjoy the sights and sounds. From the menu, we ordered a modern twist of the Bahn Mi, a Vietnamese sandwich and a very traditional Grass Fed Ground Beef Burger. The Bahn Mi’s grilled chicken with cucumber salad and spicy mayo simply hit the spot. I am pleasantly surprised that the portions were so big. As much as we would have liked to try more from the menu and the new Dim Sum carts going around, we were stuffed from what we ordered and finished.
These past few months I’ve shown you all the different experiences I’ve had at the Loews Chicago as the First Lady of this hotel. This time, I would love for you to experience it yourself.
I’m giving away a one night stay for two, in one of the Loews Chicago’s luxurious guest rooms!*
To win:
Share a link of this blog post on FACEBOOK
Tag http://Facebook.com/Chicagonista
Tag #LoewsChicago
Tell why you would like to win the prize!
OR
Share a link of this blog post on TWITTER
Tweet me @mjtam along
Tag #LoewsChicago
Tell me why you would like to win the prize!
Deadline:
I will be announcing the winner on Twitter (@mjtam) & Facebook (Chicagonista) by August 27th, 9am CDT so make sure that you are following me on Twitter and Facebook. You have exactly 24 hours to acknowledge by responding within the same thread on Twitter or Facebook where the winner is announced.
*Prize includes a 1 (one)-night overnight accommodation in a standard guest room at Loews Chicago Hotel, for maximum of 2 (two) people. Prize will be presented in the form of a gift certificate and mailed to prize winner. To claim prize, winner must provide first and last name along with home or work address to MJ Tam no later than August 28, 2015. To redeem, prize winner must contact Loews Chicago Hotel Reservations directly and relay gift certificate details at time of booking. Gift certificate must be utilized by August 28, 2016. Date of stay is subject to availability. Cannot be combined with any other offer.
Disclosure: I am the official #LoewsChicago Hotel First Lady, assigned as the ambassador of the new build property. For more information on Loews Chicago, visit their website, here.