The Chicago Hotel Thread

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So there have been a few of these in the past, I figured that the reviews should be compiled into one thread.

Dana Hotel

dana hotel[/B]
excellent hotel and spa - a little bit more reasonable than the james; just dont get tricked into going to vertigo (the rooftop bar/lounge). centrally located close to michigan avenue/nightlife/restaurants

Drake

The Drake was very comfortable . . .

Four Seasons / Ritz Carlton
- this hotel is not a Ritz Carlton, the Four Seasons won it in a law suit.

The four seasons/ritz crashed my car and have refused to do anything about it. The entire management staff at that place is incompetent,
I highly suggest going to a different hotel.

Nick

Hard Rock Hotel

. . . that 2 miles is going to be a long trip by cab, not an eternity by any means but not a couple of minutes either. I'd estimate it at 20 mins or so . . .

I stayed there with my wife a few weekends ago, Mortens Steak House downstairs, the rooms were great. . . .

I have stayed there before. I would definately go back. Great location on Michigan Ave, 1 block from Millenium Park; a stone's throw. The cab ride is not that far, but I live in NYC so everything is a cab ride away. There are not a lot of hotels near McCormick (Hyatt and Hilton), but if you stay there, you're not near anything and you have to take a cab back in to town. Chicago's transportation system has it pretty together.

This hotel is in a restored Art-Deco hotel. Staff is great. If you are a guitar player, they have a very cool (free) program where you can borrow a 1 of 17 Gibson guitars for as long as you like. The catch is you have to plug the guitar in to this red "pod" thing along with a set of headphones so that it contains the noise and your neighbors don't hear you. Pretty clever.

Go to Hub 51 for lunch or dinner

I've stayed at Hard Rock many times since my old work place was across the street. Avoid China or whatever they renamed it (the chinese restaurant downstairs). However, that bar is pretty cool and has some tasty asian-themed drinks.

Palmer House Hilton

palmer house hilton
most reasonable in terms of price (under $110 for weekends). the entire hotel was recently (within the past 6 months) redone but the rooms are "european style" like most historic chicago properties. lockwood steak house and the chakra spa in the hotel = awesome!

Park Hyatt

i only stay at park hyatt, its near everything . . .

Penninsula

Sofitel

Fantastically comfortable beds, spacious rooms. off-michigan ave. so doesnt provide much in terms of views and cabs but centrally located in the viagra triangle for all the 20 somethings looking for 50 somethign sugardaddy's usually reasonably priced rack rate and always offering really good rates on travel sites (priceline, hotwire, etc.)

cafe des architects is fair at best and could use the same update the rest of the hotel received a few years ago. Brunch and lunch are good, but there is far better dining to be had in the city (even just half a block away)

Renaissance

The Renaissance Hotel was very comfortable. . .

The James

The James looked nice when we ate at David Burkes; however I don't suggest eating there.

my personal favorite : the james
very reasonable summer/weekend packages available right now and awesome rooms - amazing suites if you choose to splurge a little. and david burke's primehouse = possibly one of the greatest steaks i've EVER had

Trump

got a nice suite this weekend (1,000 sf)
great hotel!!!
awesome amenities, wonderful bars/restaurants
Limousine service all included (mercedes S500)
23rd floor good stuff!

great hotel... great amenities. cant wait to see the condos!

W

. . .I prefer the W when I am in Chicago . . .

I stay at W's a lot and like them. I don't care for the ones in Chicago. The one by the lake is overrated. It used to be a Days Inn and the drop ceilings in the rooms remind me of it. The other one downtown has rooms that are way too small and next to the elevated train.

Please feel free to add any experiences at the aforementioned hotels and add any hotels not listed.

Nick

[token]

slow day at work?

thought id fill in the Sofitel:
fantastically comfortable beds, spacious rooms. off-michigan ave. so doesnt provide much in terms of views and cabs but centrally located in the viagra triangle for all the 20 somethings looking for 50 somethign sugardaddy's usually reasonably priced rack rate and always offering really good rates on travel sites (priceline, hotwire, etc.)

cafe des architects is fair at best and could use the same update the rest of the hotel received a few years ago. Brunch and lunch are good, but there is far better dining to be had in the city (even just half a block away)

would love to hear any reviews on the Elyssian if anyone has stayed there yet

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slow day at work?

Very slow day & toying with the idea of Chicago for Valentine's day.

Nick

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oooo....do it! so many romantic restaurants in chicago!

[Forfend]

Swissotel:
Great place. One of the better hotels I have stayed in, no idea how it isn't a 5-star. Only problem was my room safe was locked when I checked in. They upgraded my room (During NYE) to one overlooking Navy Pier was absolutely breathtaking.

[StreetPreacher]

Hard Rock Hotel:



And go for a Tower room if you want to be guaranteed a decent view. Mine was a regular room..




And the bathroom decor was a bit odd. This picture was hung righ over the toilet, and it felt like Bowie was checking out my package!

[MTK]

and i say it again PARK HYATT,
and although while arguably the Peninsula has a tad better service, the hotel itself is out dated and frankly the women at PH are hotter. . .

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I just made a reservation at the Dana, talked with Mario, the manager. He is making arrangements for my car (I stated Viper or H1) to be parked by either the garage manager or myself in an executive spot. Both of which are very comforting to me.

I also spoke with Mike, the manager of the Ritz/Four Seasons and he still will do nothing to either repair or compensate for the $250 worth of damage to my bumper (not including 3M clear bra damage or wheel damage).

Nick

[Marca]

I just made a reservation at the Dana, talked with Mario, the manager. He is making arrangements for my car (I stated Viper or H1) to be parked by either the garage manager or myself in an executive spot. Both of which are very comforting to me.

That's how it's supposed to be done.

I also spoke with Mike, the manager of the Ritz/Four Seasons and he still will do nothing to either repair or compensate for the $250 worth of damage to my bumper (not including 3M clear bra damage or wheel damage).
Nick

Ultra-lame. That how it's NOT supposed to be done.

[apenti]

Hard Rock