Guest
The location was perfect! We really enjoyed our stay and beautiful views.

The Penthouse at Grand Plaza
The elevator climbs past fifty floors before the doors open, and what greets you is not a hotel lobby or a corridor but a private world suspended in the sky. This is the 51/52nd Floor Penthouse, a duplex residence perched at the top of a high-rise tower, where floor-to-ceiling windows wrap the living spaces in an unbroken panorama that shifts from dawn gold to city glitter across the hours. The scale is immediate and arresting. You are not simply high up. You are above the skyline itself, looking out and down at a world that feels quietly distant.
The penthouse spans two full floors connected by an internal staircase, offering the proportions of a private home rather than a conventional rental. The main living area anchors the lower level, where a working fireplace provides a focal point against the drama of the views. Furnishings are modern and comfortable, designed for gathering or for solitude, with seating arranged to face the glass. The kitchen is fully equipped for those who prefer to cook at altitude, and the dining space seats a group with ease. Bedrooms are generous and private, each benefiting from the same wall-to-wall windows that define the rest of the residence. The effect throughout is one of openness and light, with the city panorama acting as a living backdrop that no interior design could replicate.
Access to a pool adds a rare dimension to the stay. Whether used for morning laps or evening swims with the skyline reflected in the water, it transforms what might otherwise be a beautiful apartment into something closer to a resort experience, all without leaving the building. The fireplace, too, sets this residence apart from the typical high-rise rental. There is something grounding about real flame at this elevation, a warmth that counterbalances the cool expanse of glass and sky.
Days here take on their own rhythm. Mornings begin slowly, coffee in hand, watching weather systems move across the horizon. Afternoons might pull you out into the surrounding city, but evenings tend to draw you back. The penthouse becomes its own destination after dark, when the views shift from architectural detail to pure light. You find yourself staying in more than you planned, not out of inertia but because the space earns it. The 51/52nd Floor Penthouse is not a place you pass through. It is a place that holds you, gently, two floors above the world.
The elevator climbs past fifty floors before the doors open, and what greets you is not a hotel lobby or a corridor but a private world suspended in the sky. This is the 51/52nd Floor Penthouse, a duplex residence perched at the top of a high-rise tower, where floor-to-ceiling windows wrap the living spaces in an unbroken panorama that shifts from dawn gold to city glitter across the hours. The scale is immediate and arresting. You are not simply high up. You are above the skyline itself, looking out and down at a world that feels quietly distant.
The penthouse spans two full floors connected by an internal staircase, offering the proportions of a private home rather than a conventional rental. The main living area anchors the lower level, where a working fireplace provides a focal point against the drama of the views. Furnishings are modern and comfortable, designed for gathering or for solitude, with seating arranged to face the glass. The kitchen is fully equipped for those who prefer to cook at altitude, and the dining space seats a group with ease. Bedrooms are generous and private, each benefiting from the same wall-to-wall windows that define the rest of the residence. The effect throughout is one of openness and light, with the city panorama acting as a living backdrop that no interior design could replicate.
Access to a pool adds a rare dimension to the stay. Whether used for morning laps or evening swims with the skyline reflected in the water, it transforms what might otherwise be a beautiful apartment into something closer to a resort experience, all without leaving the building. The fireplace, too, sets this residence apart from the typical high-rise rental. There is something grounding about real flame at this elevation, a warmth that counterbalances the cool expanse of glass and sky.

There's something about being on the 51st floor that shifts your relationship with a city—Chicago stops being something you move through and becomes something you look across, quietly, with a drink in your hand and nowhere particular to be. This two-story penthouse earns its drama honestly: soaring ceilings, a fireplace that anchors the room, and floor-to-ceiling glass that gives Lake Michigan and the skyline equal billing. It doesn't feel like a hotel so much as a private residence that happens to float above everything. The open layout lets conversations drift naturally from kitchen to living space, and the private terraces remind you that fresh air at this altitude feels different—sharper, more yours. It suits the kind of traveler who wants the city close but not loud, and who understands that the best evenings sometimes happen at home.
Member rates
51/52nd Floor Penthouse-VIEWS, Fireplace, Pool in Chicago, IL is a whole-home stay, not a hotel room list. The public rate is the live cash price anyone can see. Journey publishes an entry-tier member rate for this stay — a catalog offer, not a personalized quote. Journey members get member-only rates and unique custom benefits at Alliance properties. Join on journey.com to unlock the published member rate, then check dates to book.
Guest
The location was perfect! We really enjoyed our stay and beautiful views.
Guest
A group of 5 had a great weekend in the penthouse. The views are obviously a highlight and you can't beat the location in River North. Plenty of space for us all to sleep comfortably and enjoy time by the fireplace. Host's provided lots of details and guidance before check-in that will answer any questions you may have.
Guest
This was a great place for our family to hang out at for the weekend. It was preferred over multiple hotel rooms. The amenities were great and the view spectacular. Thank you, hosts!!
Guest
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in the Penthouse. The location couldn't have been better. An added bonus was the Amenity Floor with outdoor seating, pool and gym. Be warned of Chicago city taxes which added 27% to the rental. That, plus the 15% service fee, can add a hefty amount to the base price. Still worth it for the location!
Guest
This was a lovely spacious apartment in a great location - an easy walk to magnificent mile, the lake, and all the attractions. We did find it very hot (October) but owners sent us advice to prop door open to get a breeze, and as some others commented sometimes the wait for a lift felt forever. Delivery of take out was a disaster but lots of good stuff an easy walk away so we just collected ourselves. 9th floor gym was well equipped. Highly recommend the architectural tour!
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