Housed in a landmark tower with stunning views and even butler-drawn baths, you'll want for nothing at the Chicago hotel voted the best in the US by TripAdvisor

From the windows of my suite at the Chicago Langham I can see large sheets of ice just about starting to thaw in the Chicago River.

Freezing cold temperatures may have engulfed the city at the peak of winter, but my welcome at the Langham could not have been warmer.

And as I stepped into my suite and looked around at my surroundings for the next couple of nights, I knew the cold wouldn’t bother me one bit. After all, I'm in the hotel voted the best in the US by TripAdvisor users.

Never mind the domineering (and slightly gaudy) Trump hotel located a stone’s throw away, the Langham, which opened in 2013, is the only hotel in the world set in a skyscraper designed by legendary modern architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe - an absolute delight for the architecture geek in me.

It’s located on the lower floors of the IBM building, Mies van der Rohe’s final commission. The tower was declared an official landmark in 2008.

Room with a view: Khaleda's river view suite at the Langham Chicago was simply spectacular with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city

Spacious: The bedroom features a king-sized bed with plentiful pillows and cushions as well as a white leather recliner by the window

The centerpiece of the spa is a 67-foot swimming pool with its shimmering spotlights reflecting off the water from above and below

Chicago is widely considered the founding city of modern architecture and the IBM building, simple and iconic on the outside, is an example of 20th century building at its finest.

The interior is just as impressive - a beautiful and towering Travertine marble lobby welcomes guests arriving to check-in - but Langham Club guests (which I was) receive extra perks, including private arrival and departure services on the hotel's uppermost floor. 

So fresh off a flight from New York, I was ushered up to the 12th floor, where I was quickly checked-in by one of the hotel's many butlers and offered breakfast in the lavish Club Lounge.

A latte and plentiful (not to mention delicious) pastries was exactly what I needed after my very early morning flight after a night shift and a traffic-filled journey from the airport.

The club lounge, as well as offering stunning panoramic views over the city, serves a breakfast buffet, afternoon tea, refreshments throughout the day and in the evening, cocktails and canapés.

Even with the plentiful snacks and beverages on display and a self-serve environment, the hotel's butlers are on hand to cater to every request.

The lounge also features a nook known as the Writer’s Corner - with a reading library and computer workstations - as well as a somewhat distracting view over the city. 

I could have easily spent hours in the lounge, but I headed to my room to unpack. But actually, 'room' is an understatement to describe my accommodation. I stayed in the Chicago River View suite - and in a word, it was spectacular.

Simple: There’s also a stocked working desk and a separate seating area with a dining table - and a powder room

Classic: The living room features hardwood floors, bespoke furnishings, and a chic color palette of silver, white and purple

Convenient: As well as a 55-inch television in the living room, there was another in the bedroom fixed to the wall

Modern: The Langham Chicago is located in a Ludwig Mies van der Rohe tower (right) which was made an official landmark in 2008

Incredible: From her room, there was a majestic view of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan on the horizon (left). The domineering (and a little gaudy) Trump hotel is located next door, but the Langham is the only hotel in the world set in a landmark Ludwig Mies van der Rohe tower

A mix of classic and contemporary style, the one-bedroom suite I stayed in suited me to a tee - the fact that the style is billed as 'British' may have had something to do with it! 

It reflected the simplicity of the building itself, with hardwood floors and accent rugs, as well as bespoke furnishings in a subtle color palette of creams, silvers and purples for added elegance.

In the living room, incredibly comfortable armchairs and a sofa sit opposite a 55-inch LCD television. There’s also a working desk and a separate seating area with a dining table, and a powder room.

The bedroom features a king-sized bed with plentiful pillows and cushions as well as a gorgeous vanity table and mirror (with excellent lighting!), a walk-in dressing parlor and another 55-inch television fixed to the wall.

That's not to mention the floor-to-ceiling windows in both rooms that boast a majestic view over the Chicago River, with Lake Michigan visible on the horizon.

Meanwhile, the bathroom was an absolute dream. A marvel of marble, it featured an oversized (and I mean oversized) soaking tub and separate glass rain shower - and two sinks with an absolutely massive mirror.

And I was glad to see there were plentiful, and again oversized, toiletries provided by the hotel’s Chuan Spa by the sinks, bath and in the shower, along with an abundance of super-soft towels.

As a guest of the Langham Club, I was informed that another extra perk included a butler-drawn bath. I imagined it the height of laziness to be unable to turn on a tap. Nevertheless, dressed in a delightfully plush robe, I called the concierge for one - and I am so glad I did.

Everything you need: The bathroom also had plentiful amenities from the Langham's Chuan Spa as well as an abundance of soft towels

Inviting: Langham Club guests can indulge in butler-drawn baths, which feature bubbles, rose petals, soft music and champagne

Bath with a view: Floor-to-ceiling windows boast stunning cityscapes for guests to admire while they soak in the oversized tub

I felt like I knew how to draw a bath - but it turns out I do not. This was something else.

Bubbles, rose petals and soft music playing from a screen hidden in the mirror (and champagne for yourself an an extra occupant, should you choose!) created a very inviting atmosphere - considering I'm someone who rarely has the patience for baths.

It was a delightfully relaxing experience, so much so that I was pretty hesitant to vacate the tub as the water started to cool.

Another place to relax and rejuvenate on the premises is at the Langham’s Chuan spa - the only five-star spa in the city.

In Chinese, Chuan means ‘flowing water’ - something that is considered the source of life in the culture. Therefore, water is at the heart of the spa’s ideology and it aims to create a 'secret garden' in which to relax.

And walking through the spa’s Moon Gate was like stepping a million miles away from the bustle of the city. 

Guests are encouraged to embark on a water journey, known as the Chuan Bathing Ritual, to simulate their senses before a spa treatment. There's a series of rooms - each designed to 'reinvigorate the body's reaction to hot and cold stimuli to create deeper dimensions of relaxation, health and well-being'.

You can begin with an aromatic steam in the herbal sauna, before moving on to more intense heat in the salt stone sauna, where blocks of pure Himalayan salt stone line the wall with the aim to creating a calm space, improve the skin and reduce stress.

Delicious: The club lounge, on the hotel's top floor, serves a breakfast buffet, afternoon tea and in the evening, cocktails and canapés

Extra: Langham Club guest privileges including private arrival and departure services on the hotel's uppermost floor and use of the club lounge (pictured)

There's also an aromatherapy shower and an Oriental Steam Room, filled with the scene of chamomile, where you recline on ergonomically-designed recliners that radiate warmth.

My treatment is billed as Chuan's Chicago Signature Escape - a two-hour experience consisting of the five traditional Chinese elements - wood, fire, earth, metal and water - that begins with a bit of an aromatherapy session. We establish my preferred scent - and what do you know, it matched the result of my questionnaire!

Then, slowly, my entire body (bar the face!) was enveloped in some very fancy mud, which I cleaned off in a shower conveniently located just off the treatment room. 

Another thing I'm not usually a huge fan of is massages - finding most masseuses rarely hit the sweet spot between pleasurable and painful.

But I found the environment at the Chuan Spa incredibly relaxing and almost drifted off to sleep as my masseuse kneaded away at me, using tingling hot and cold stones - symbolizing Yin and Yang to balance energy. 

Fine dining: There are also some excellent dining options at The Langham including seasonal American cuisine at Traveller Kitchen + Bar

Stunning: During the day, visitors can take afternoon tea at Pavilion located on the hotel's second floor

More-ish: The menu includes excellent starters, including garlic black polenta featuring royal trumpet mushrooms and parmesan (left) and Meyer lemon cured yellowtail (right)

As well as places to rest and recuperate, there are also some excellent dining options at The Langham - from afternoon tea at Pavilion to seasonal American cuisine at Travelle Kitchen + Bar.

The restaurant's mission is to deliver dishes inspired by America's rich culinary history, but they are presented with a simple and modern twist using ingredients sourced from the best farms and ranches across the country.

I can say with conviction: no matter what you order, you just can't go wrong. 

For starters, garlic black polenta (which the waiter described to me as being inspired by grits, a staple dish in the South) featuring royal trumpet mushrooms and parmesan stood out as an incredibly moreish appetizer. 

It's not what I would have chosen from the selection, especially considering it also offers dishes such as Meyer lemon cured yellowtail and a smoked trout brandade with potato chips (both delicious) but the polenta stood out as a comforting dish with plenty of flavour. It also changed my feelings towards polenta in general, which is no easy feat.

Another world: Guests walk through a Moon Gate (pictured) to reach the hotel's Chuan Spa, the only five-star spa in Chicago

Luxurious: Khaleda enjoyed the Chuan's Chicago Signature Escape, a two-hour experience consisting of the five traditional Chinese elements

Relax: There's also an aromatherapy shower and an Oriental Steam Room, filled with the scene of chamomile, where you recline on ergonomically-designed recliners that radiate warmth

Personally, I love a plate of fries for the table - but a great (and slightly healthier) alternative are the black bean fries with charred scallion dip on Travelle's menu. Crispy on the outside, a bite reveals a much creamier texture within and the slightly spicy dip goes great with it. I was told they're vegan, too.

There are many great entrees to choose from but as a seafood lover, I heartily enjoyed the striped bass with romanesco broccoli and a buttermilk poppyseed sauce. There's plenty to satisfy carnivores, too, with dishes including grilled beef tenderloin, chili short rib and spiced venison loin.

The space is nicely designed to show off Mies van der Rohe's modern style with wood and metal finishes and diagonally placed tables. In the restaurant's adjoining bar and lounge, guests can enjoy a cocktail on comfy leather couches while gazing at a captivating digital art installation that spans 30 feet across one wall, or enjoy the panoramic views over the Chicago River.

Convenient: There are plenty of sights and attractions within walking distance – including the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture (above)  in Millennium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago

Don't look down! Another iconic Chicago skyscraper, the Willis Tower, is also nearby. It’s a terrifying - but exhilarating - feeling to step out onto the glass-bottomed deck on the 103rd floor and stare down at the city below your feet

The hotel is conveniently located with plenty of sights and attractions all within walking distance – including the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago (it's one of the places President Barack Obama took First Lady Michelle on their first date).

Also a short walk or car ride away is the touristy Navy Pier, on the edge of Lake Michigan. Much of the water had frozen solid thanks to the sub-zero temperatures Chicago faces in the winter. It was slightly warmer than usual during my visit – although still freezing – and the frozen lake was only just beginning to thaw.

Another iconic Chicago skyscraper, the Willis Tower, is also nearby. It’s a terrifying - but exhilarating - feeling to step out onto the glass-bottomed deck on the 103rd floor and stare down at the city below your feet, but I did it!

There's definitely plenty to occupy your time while exploring the Windy City, but I found staying at The Langham made my trip absolutely unforgettable.

You'll want for absolutely nothing. It looks like TripAdvisor's users are absolutely spot on.

Welcoming: The hotel's ground floor lobby (like the rest of the hotel) boasts some incredible art and sculptures