Gym and spa collide at Balance Spa and Fitness, a life-enhancement destination outfitted with a 10,000 square foot fitness center, an indoor pool and hot tub, and 12 private treatment rooms offering a full array of spa services. Inside these latter spaces, skincare is paramount. After they purify faces, staffers can knead away stress with Eastern and Western massage styles.

To reach Balance Spa and Fitness, guests must first sweep through the candelabra-studded lobby of the historic Palmer House Hilton. Originally built in 1871, the hotel fell victim to the Chicago Fire just 13 days after its grand opening, but all was not lost. The renovation that followed allowed designers to make the hotel a Golden Age sanctuary of frescos, impressionist art, and monocle-wearing ghosts. Golden elevators transport clients to the fifth floor, where they can relax in the spa lobby. While the licensed estheticians purify and brighten faces, they also use relaxation massage techniques to ensure you are relaxed.