In celebration of the hotelÕs intrinsically Chicago history and identity, The Blackstone, Autograph Collection has announced the launch of a new partnership with Iwan Ries & Co., offering hotel guests exclusive access to The Iwan Ries Lounge, downtown ChicagoÕs only smoking lounge.
Through this partnership, The Blackstone, a Chicago Landmark on the cityÕs Cultural Mile along Michigan Avenue, becomes the first hotel to hold a member locker in The Iwan Ries Lounge through the shopÕs 160 year history.
As of August 8, 2017, The BlackstoneÕs guests are afforded the opportunity to visit the members-only Iwan Ries Lounge, including The Board Room, The Front Room, and the luxurious Landmark Room, with access to The BlackstoneÕs private locker, filled with The BlackstoneÕs hand-selected, single barrel batch of KOVAL Distillery whiskey and the hotelÕs custom-made whiskey stones. The exclusive offer is available for all guests of The Blackstone to enjoy as well as advanced bookings for small groups, wedding parties, and more. The BlackstoneÕs exclusive partnership with Iwan Ries & Co. is the first of its kind between the hotel and this world-renowned cigar institution.
The partnership forged between these iconic Chicago landmarks represents an organic continuation of The BlackstoneÕs storied past surrounding the cigar industry and its symbolic patrons. In 1920, The Blackstone became known for the ÒSmoked-Filled Suite,Ó following the Republican Party leadersÕ secret Ð and smoked-filled Ð meeting to nominate Warren G. Harding as their candidate for president.
Iwan Ries & Co. has long been a cigar institution in Chicago, and in the U.S. In 1857, just 20 years after the incorporation of Chicago, and four years before the Civil War, German immigrant Edward Hoffman established a small tobacco shop, E. Hoffman & Co., in ChicagoÕs famous Sherman House hotel.ÊForty-one years later, HoffmanÕs nephew Iwan Ries took the reins of the shop, renaming the establishment Iwan Ries & Co. in 1898. Today, Iwan Ries & Co. serves as the oldest tobacco shop in the country under the leadership of the current owner and President Chuck Levi along with his wife Susie Levi and their son Kevin Levi.
Iwan Ries & Co.Õs success following ChicagoÕs indoor smoking ban is attributed to the Levi familyÕs commitment to exceptional hospitality, a value shared by The Blackstone as the epitome of contemporary hospitality in Chicago. With a shared legacy of service in the Windy City, it was only fitting that Chuck and Susie chose to exchange wedding vows at The Blackstone in 1961. Now, 56 years later, two of ChicagoÕs oldest icons are remaking history to bring the craft of the cigar industry to life once more and deliver an unrivaled, exclusive experience.
Reservations for The Iwan Ries Lounge can be made by calling the hotel concierge at (312) 447-0955 in advance of arrival. For more information on The Blackstone or to make a hotel reservation, call 312-447-0955 or visitÊwww.theblackstonehotel.com, and follow The Blackstone on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Want to keep up to date with industry news? Click here to subscribe toÊeHotelierÕs dailyÊe-newsletter.
