This Angeleno recently discovered that Wind Creek Chicago Southland delivers a full-blown resort experience in the suburbs. This four-dimensional escape combines gaming, gastronomy, wellness, and comfort, all within easy reach for Chicagoans seeking a staycation that feels like a getaway or business travelers in need of a relaxing break after a busy week. Since the entire hotel and spa opened in April 2025, Wind Creek has quickly become a standout destination property in the Chicago Southland region. Whether you’re plotting a weekend escape with close friends, a date night elevated by skyline views, or a business trip dovetailing into restful spa time and inventive dining, here are the reasons UPTOWN highly recommends Wind Creek Chicago Southland.
A Glance at What Wind Creek Chicago Southland Offers
Since its debut, Wind Creek has offered a complete resort experience in the Windy City. The hotel boasts more than 255 rooms, which includes 43 high-end suites. The 16th floor spa offers sweeping views of the Chicago skyline, as well as a comprehensive menu of facials, mani-pedis, and body wraps utilizing Elemis products. The thermal suite contains a whirlpool tub, a sauna, swinging chairs, and a multi-sensory shower experience. I personally enjoyed a relaxing 50-minute Signature Massage before a much needed 50-minute Nourish Facial.
At the heart of the property is a 70,000-square-foot casino featuring more than 1,400 slot machines, 56 table games, a poker room, and high-limit salon. In addition, a sportsbook is slated to open soon. For those drawn to gaming, this means you can roll dice or bet on slots, then retreat into the tranquility of the spa or a restaurant without ever leaving the property. This seamless integration of excitement and repose makes Wind Creek Southland a full-scale retreat where you can play hard, rest fast, and eat exquisitely.
A Culinary Destination in Its Own Right
What truly elevates Wind Creek Southland beyond a “casino hotel” is the collaboration with Fabio Viviani and his hospitality group. His culinary vision brings Chicago-caliber dining to the suburbs.
Located on the 17th floor, Alto is a rooftop steakhouse with a sleek, contemporary atmosphere and sweeping panoramic views. It’s the property’s signature steakhouse and has a refined menu that blends bold Italian flavors and high-end steakhouse fare. Think dry-aged and wet-aged steaks, handmade pastas, fresh seafood, and inventive dishes like Squid Ink Lumache with Frutti di Mare, Pistachio-Crusted Lamb Chops, or Shrimp Fra Diavolo.
My dinner at Alto started with Bank Rolls ( or elevated Parker Rolls) and blue crab cakes. For the main course, I dined on a 16-ounce New York Strip steak, grilled asparagus with Hollandaise sauce, and whipped yukon potatoes. I paired my dinner with a delightful glass of Sangiovese.
Food-hall variety and quick casual flair:
For a more relaxed, come-as-you-are vibe, Wind Creek Southland offers an aptly-named Food Bazaar that is a modern reimagining of the classic casino buffet. Viviani’s team thoughtfully curated the fast-casual dining menus that offer diverse chef-driven options. Within this food hall, you’ll find six distinct venues catering to different cravings, from Latin-inspired fare at Abuela Cocina, to classic Italian at Bottega, to southern-style barbecue at Southern District, to seafood at Salt and Sea, to burgers and sandwiches at Burgers ’n Wiches, and decadent desserts at Sugar Lips. Stay on the lookout for the Letia, one of the hostesses at Food Bazaar, as she will keep you laughing with her banter and interactions with coworkers.
Adjacent to Food Bazaar is The Spot, a grab-and-go American eatery that’s open 24 hours per day and also serves as the property’s breakfast spot.
Shuck It is true to its catchy name and offers freshly shucked oysters. But diners will also enjoy gumbo, pan roast, and a plethora of other house specialties. My favorite – and soon to be yours, I’m sure – is the Creole chicken linguine. Prepared in one of Shuck It’s live-action kettles, this dish bursts with flavor from Creole spices, okra, and trinity. Add shrimp to make it extra special.
Ivory Noodle Bar, which isn’t under the Fabio Viviani banner, delivers contemporary takes on familiar flavors with seasonal ingredients. When visiting, be sure to experience Chef Sam’s Black Pepper Short Ribs and combination fried rice. Here, the portions are generous and the flavors are sublime!
Wind Creek Chicago Southland isn’t just a win for vacationers and gamblers, it’s part of a broader shift for Chicago’s Southland region. For Chicagoans, especially, that means staying closer to home without sacrificing quality or sophistication. No airport hassle. No road-trip fatigue. Just a refined, restful, richly-layered experience – one that blends the comfort of “getting away” with the convenience of proximity.
