What to pack for a stay at The Langham, Chicago
Pack smart for a downtown Chicago stay: bring layered clothing for variable weather, business-casual outfits for dining at Pavilion/Travelle, swimwear and gym clothes for the Level 4 pool and Health Club, and standard travel documents plus chargers. Rooms include minibars and laptop-compatible safes, so bring any specialty snacks or valuables you prefer to lock away.
In this guide
Arrival, check‑in and what to have ready
Standard check-in begins at 3:00 PM and the check-in window runs until midnight; early arrivals or late departures are subject to availability and may incur fees. Have the credit card you used to book and a government-issued photo ID ready at the front desk.
The hotel requires a credit-card pre-authorization on arrival that covers the value of the stay plus an incidental hold (the dossier lists $150 per day up to a $600 maximum). If you prefer contactless handling, ask about express check-in/express check-out at the 24-hour front desk.
- Government photo ID (21+ required to check in)
- Card used for reservation and a backup card if possible
- Printed or digital reservation confirmation
- Emergency contact info and any membership cards (e.g., Chuan Horizon)
| Document | Why |
|---|---|
| Photo ID | Required to check in (guests must be 21+ to reserve) |
| Credit card | Used for pre-authorization and incidental charges |
| Reservation confirmation | Speeds up check-in and room requests |
What to pack for your room and toiletries
Guest rooms include minibars and laptop-compatible safes; pack any medications, valuables, or preferred snacks accordingly. The Langham provides bath amenities and high-quality bathroom fixtures in many rooms and suites (many rooms show marble vanities and freestanding tubs).
If you plan to use bathtub or spa features in-room, bring any preferred bath oils or hair tools—some electrical styling tools may require a voltage adapter depending on your country of origin.
- Medications and prescriptions (keep in carry-on)
- Small travel lock or luggage lock for luggage
- Electrical plug adapter and power strip if you have multiple devices
- Personal toiletries if you prefer a specific brand (hotel provides amenities)
| Item | Where it's useful |
|---|---|
| Laptop/tablet + charger | Work from the room or junior suites with desks |
| Noise-cancelling headphones | City-center rooms can have traffic/river noise |
| Slip-on shoes | Hotel corridors, spa and when using valet service |
Swim, spa and fitness — what to bring
The Langham, Chicago has a 67-foot indoor pool on Level 4 with a hydrotherapy hot tub, Oriental steam room, Himalayan salt sauna and herbal sauna; pool hours are 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Bring swimwear, a cover-up, and flip-flops or pool shoes.
Chuan Spa operates daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM and offers treatments rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine. If you have a specific treatment booked, pack any required forms, comfortable clothing for after a massage, and flip-flops for transit through the spa areas.
- Swimsuit and quick-dry towel (hotel provides towels at the pool but you may prefer your own)
- Flip-flops or pool sandals
- Light robe for spa transitions (the spa may provide robes in treatment areas)
- Any prescriptions or medical notes relevant for spa treatments
| Facility | Hours / notes |
|---|---|
| Indoor pool (Level 4) | Open daily 6:00 AM–8:00 PM |
| Chuan Spa | Open daily 8:00 AM–8:00 PM; book treatments in advance |
| Health Club | Open daily 6:00 AM–8:00 PM; Peloton and Life Fitness equipment available |
Clothing and dining — dress and packing for meals
Pavilion lists a business-casual dress code for afternoon tea; Travelle and the Travelle Lounge are described as casual-elegant. Pack one business-casual outfit for Pavilion or dinner at Travelle and a comfortable daytime wardrobe for exploring the Magnificent Mile and riverwalk.
Chicago weather can change quickly by season—layering is the best approach. In colder months bring a warm coat, gloves, and a hat; spring/fall often require a light jacket and summer can be humid.
- Business-casual outfit for Pavilion afternoon tea
- Smart-casual shoes for dining and walking
- Weather-appropriate outerwear (coat or light jacket)
- Umbrella for sudden rain or wind by the river
| Season | Packing tip |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Layers and a light waterproof jacket |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Light clothes, but include a sweater for indoor AC |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Warm coat, hat, gloves; boots for snow/ice |
Active travel and business gear
The Health Club is a 2,260 sq ft fitness studio with Life Fitness equipment and Peloton bikes; bring workout clothes, sneakers and any heart-rate monitors or apps you use. Towels and basic gym equipment are provided in the fitness area.
If you’re traveling for work, rooms offer wired and wireless complimentary Internet and a laptop-compatible safe. Bring chargers, HDMI adapters if you need to connect to presentation screens, and any meeting materials for the hotel's meeting rooms or business center.
- Workout kit: sneakers, socks, breathable clothing
- Device chargers, portable battery, HDMI or USB-C adapters
- Lightweight briefcase or backpack for meetings
- Printed copies of itineraries or client contact info
| Item | Why bring it |
|---|---|
| Peloton account info | To use in-room Peloton bike sessions or at Health Club |
| Presentation dongles (HDMI/VGA) | Some meeting rooms require wired connections |
| Portable battery pack | Long days out exploring Chicago need extra power |
Pets, parking and other useful extras to pack
The Langham accepts dogs and cats with a 35 lb weight limit and up to two pets per room (sources show different fee structures). Because fees and deposits vary by booking channel, contact the hotel directly before you travel to confirm the current pet fee and any paperwork required.
Valet parking is available on-site (parking is valet-only). If you plan to drive, bring your driver's license and the credit card you will use for parking charges; public transit and walking are convenient alternatives from this downtown location.
- Pet travel items: leash, travel bowls, bed or blanket (if bringing a pet)
- Driver’s license and payment card for valet parking
- List of emergency contacts and hotel phone numbers
- Small daypack for walking the Magnificent Mile or river cruises
| Thing | Note |
|---|---|
| Pet fees | Fee amounts vary by source; confirm with the hotel |
| Valet parking | On-site valet only; check current rates and in/out privileges |
| River cruise reservations | Architecture river cruises depart close to the hotel; book in advance |
