Ditch Windy City's Winter Freeze at This Action-Packed Chicago Casino Resort

The location’s hotel portion opened slightly later in 2025 with more than 255 guest rooms and 40-plus suites, each outfitted with top-of-the-line amenities and a glittering ambiance for those who want to make their time at the casino a true getaway. With views of downtown Chicago in the distance, countless games, divine dining experiences, a full-service spa, and more, Wind Creek Chicago Southland is a high-energy winter hideaway near Chicago — or an exciting stay any time of year.

The rooms at Wind Creek Chicago Southland

After my flight into Chicago, I stepped into the entrance of Wind Creek Chicago Southland and headed straight to the hotel lobby. After check-in, I went to my room on the 11th floor of the hotel. My Deluxe King Room was coated in jewel-tone greens and gold. At 312 square feet, the room had more than enough space for me to stretch out. At the center was an ultra-comfy king bed topped with a cloud-like mattress. There was also plenty of seating, with a leather-bound bench in one corner, two chairs near the massive window, and a desk and chair area for those who need to complete a few tasks before indulging in some fun.

An armoire easily held all of my clothing and shoes on one side, while the other side housed a coffee machine with various beverages, as well as a mini-fridge that came in particularly handy for the numerous leftovers I ended up stashing there.

​However, my favorite part of the room was the bathroom. Not only was there a full-length mirror conveniently located on the outside of the door, but the mirror above the sink and the makeup mirror also had LED lighting for optimal skincare and makeup. The glass-enclosed shower was a spa-like experience with both overhead and handheld shower nozzles.

​In addition to the Deluxe King and Deluxe Queen rooms, which range from $179 to $219 per night, the Wind Creek Chicago Southland hotel has three types of suites (Junior, Executive, and Ultra) that range from $319 to $779 a night.

​Wind Creek Chicago also welcomes travelers with diverse accessibility needs, delivering ADA-accessible options across all room and suite types.

The amenities at Wind Creek Chicago Southland

Casinos can feel garish and overwhelming, but the opposite was true at Wind Creek Chicago Southland. To start, the entire casino is smoke-free (although there’s a secluded smoking lounge available just beyond the casino floor), and there are beverage stations throughout the casino floor to keep players hydrated. Also found throughout the casino are beautifully designed micro-environments that can host photo shoots, birthday soirees, mixers, and comedy shows. The casino was handing out gas cards to its VIPs when I arrived.

​If you grow tired of the slots, head to the Poker Room or the Sportsbook Bar. At different bars, you’ll find drinks served by either bartenders or robots, and you don’t have to go far to find food. The Ivory Noodle Bar is located on the casino floor, featuring a menu that encompasses diverse Asian cuisine (though you have to be 21 or older to grab a table).

​For those, like me, who prefer to relax in other ways, the 24/7 fitness center allows guests to get a nice workout, and the indoor pool and hot tub let visitors indulge in the water year-round. Adult swimming hours are also provided every evening from 8 PM until closing at 10 PM. However, it was the Spa at Wind Creek that really stole my heart.

At 11,000 square feet, the spa takes up an entire floor of the hotel, and the moment you step out of the elevator, it feels like you’re in a different world. I arrived at the spa an hour before my 50-minute Elemis Aroma Stone Therapy Massage. I was able to see the full range of spa amenities, including a full-service salon, a hot tub, aromatherapy showers, a sauna, and a steam room.

The massage itself was a decadent experience, which included traditional massage therapy and heated Pink Himalayan salt stones. After the rejuvenating experience, I changed into my swimsuit and spent the rest of the afternoon dipping in and out of the hot tub and languishing in the sauna and steam rooms.

Dining at Wind Creek Chicago Southland

In partnership with celebrity chef and restaurateur Fabio Viviani, Wind Creek Chicago Southland has several dining venues. From the Food Bazaar (which includes six all-you-can-eat restaurant stations at one price) to The Spot (which specializes in quick-service American classics) to Shuck It the Oyster Bar and the casino’s steakhouse, Alto, which occupies the entire top floor of the hotel, there are plenty of options on the property to make sure you never need to brave Chicago’s icy winter temperatures to get a good meal.

I began my food adventure at Wind Creek with a quick stop at its Starbucks for a caffeine fix before heading over to The Spot for a chicken salad wrap and a side of chips. That evening, my true dining indulgences began.

For my first dinner at Wind Creek, I headed to Shuck It and began my meal with a Dark Tides cocktail, a luxurious take on the espresso martini. From there, I snacked on an Old Bay biscuit before trying both the East Coast and West Coast oysters (I regret to say the West Coast flavor was my favorite). The Caesar salad was one of the best I’ve had anywhere, but my entree was the star of the show. I had the Poarch Style gumbo, named for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians who own Wind Creek Hospitality. The massive bowl of Creole stew included shrimp, crab, and lobster, along with andouille sausage and okra, and was served with steamed rice. By the end of my meal, I was too full to order dessert, though I was determined to sink my teeth into something sweet the next day.

I’m not really a breakfast person, so besides my morning cup of joe from Starbucks, meals on my second day began at lunchtime. Taking a break from work, I ventured down to the Food Bazaar, which encompasses Abuela Cocina’s Latin fare, Italian cuisine at Bottega, gourmet burgers and sandwiches at Burgers’n Wiches, fresh seafood at Salt and Sea, authentic Southern BBQ at Southern District, and decadent treats and desserts at SugarLips.

​After circling the area several times, I finally honed in on Bottega, where I grabbed a Caesar salad (yes, I am obsessed) and the Bear Down Pizza with classic Chicago Italian sausage. After, I scurried over to Sugarlips for a banana chocolate chip muffin and a peanut butter cookie, choosing among everything from cakes and cake pops to custards and pies.

​Later that evening, I ended my food experience at Wind Creek Chicago Southland with the property’s foremost high-end dining experience at the Alto Signature Steakhouse, which is exquisitely decorated in a speakeasy style.

I began my meal with the Velvet Unicorn cocktail, a juicy rum drink served in a unicorn cup. ​For my appetizer, I had the Spanish octopus — an absolute must that’s served over crispy charred potatoes. For my main course, I had king salmon served over corn and pesto, with sides of mac and cheese and crispy Brussels sprouts with truffle honey. ​This time, I made sure not to skip dessert and had the carrot cake cheesecake, which was absolutely drizzled in caramel, adding a decadent flourish to a memorable dining experience.

Getting to Wind Creek Chicago Southland

Just 30 minutes outside of Chicago’s city center, Wind Creek Chicago Southland is easily reachable by car. If you’re flying into Chicago, the property is about 25 minutes from Midway International Airport (MDW) on the city’s southwest side and about 45 minutes from O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Once at the property, on-site parking includes 1,850 spaces and spaces specifically designated for guests of the hotel and for the casino’s VIPs. There are also valet options for those who’d prefer not to park themselves, as well as easy ride-sharing pick-up and drop-off points for guests who don’t want to drive at all.

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