Hello.
I'm wondering if anyone who's stayed at the "Swissotel" could reply and tell me about the place, how convenient is its location, is it a good place to stay with your parents when they come to visit from the UK.
Any feed-back would be much appreciated ^

Thanks ,Tattikat2

The Swissotel is about half a mile from Michigan Avenue. It is along the south side of the Chicago river. It is equadistant from the loop and the Michigan Avenue shopping areas. Rooms are standard "luxury" type. My Firm puts a lot of guests there. The Palm restaurant in the lobby is good, but fairly expensive. there is a breakfast room but not a "coffee shop." The nearby Hyatt Regency Hotel can be reached without going outside and has several casual restaurants. There is no "atmosphere," just modern and professional.

Haven't stayed there but have been inside many times for meetings in various suites, etc. The hotel is very nice and the location is good - views of the lakefront can be spectatular. I don't think you'd be disappointed.

Hello
Many thanks to ORDflyer and milepig for your thoughts ^

Looking forward to "living it up!"

It is a very nice hotel. My wife and I stayed there last November. The fitness center (which is not free) is very good. But for location, I prefer something a little bit closer to Michigan Avenue like the Westin. I also thing the parking charges are insane.

TripAdvisor has more reviews (http://chicago-hotels.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g35805-d114581-r3694721-Swissotel-Chicago_Illinois.html).

It is a very nice hotel. My wife and I stayed there last November. The fitness center (which is not free) is very good. But for location, I prefer something a little bit closer to Michigan Avenue like the Westin. I also thing the parking charges are insane.

TripAdvisor has more reviews (http://chicago-hotels.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g35805-d114581-r3694721-Swissotel-Chicago_Illinois.html).

Unfortunately, parking charges will be "insane," regardless of which downtown or near north hotel one chooses. Granted, being on Michigan Avenue may be preferable, but the Swishotel is right near the Sheraton, Fairmont, and Hyatt Regency and an easy walk if the weather is nice.

Any other thoughts? Going in June...

Was considering Hilton Chicago and Towers (great rate), Conrad (points), or Westin Michigan Ave, but then found some great rates for Swissotel...

Any other thoughts? Going in June...

Was considering Hilton Chicago and Towers (great rate), Conrad (points), or Westin Michigan Ave, but then found some great rates for Swissotel...

If you can do without the frequent stay points, Hotwire often has some killer deals for downtown Chicago. Stick to 4*, in these areas to be close to the action:

1. Magnificent Mile area
2. Loop
3. North Michigan Ave. area

Be sure you don't accidentally include ORD or MDW in the search.

By studying the amenity list and researching at biddingfortravel.com and betterbidding.com, you can often uniquely ID the property, or narrow it down to one of two.

By including the Museum Campus area, you will often get the Hilton and Towers, but could get the Hyatt McCormick Place, a couple miles away and a cab or Metra commuter train ride from the action; the savings may be worth it, though.

There will be some great festivals going on in June.

The Westin Michigan Ave is a bit of a dive. The Swiss is nice. The Conrad would also do the trick, IMO

Tell me more about the Swissotel...pretty please...what to like and what not to?

I also am not a fan of the Westin Michigan Ave.

Westin needs the wrecking ball. Swissotel is a nice property, but frankly...location is the pits especially if you're going as a tourist.

Conrad is the best bet from your list -- rooms are better than Swissotel, and location is 100x better.

Westin needs the wrecking ball. Swissotel is a nice property, but frankly...location is the pits especially if you're going as a tourist.

Conrad is the best bet from your list -- rooms are better than Swissotel, and location is 100x better.

I wouldn't call the locatoin "the pits". That would be Schaumberg. The Swissotel is only a 5 minute saunter away from the Michigan avenue bridge which puts you equidistant from the South Michigan and North Michigan attractions.

I wouldn't call the locatoin "the pits". That would be Schaumberg. The Swissotel is only a 5 minute saunter away from the Michigan avenue bridge which puts you equidistant from the South Michigan and North Michigan attractions.

It would depend on how important a view would be the the OP. You will have much nicer river and lake views at the Swiss. While it is about 4 blocks off of the mile and across the river; being the OP is looking to stay in summer, the walk would be very pleasant. The Conrad does have some nicer bars and restaurants nearby.

I have put friends/relatives up at the Swissotel, usually through Priceline.

I think it is an excellent hotel. The location is probably a 4+ (out of 5), only because it is a little walk to Michigan Avenue and nothing but some other hotels in a few block radius.

The rooms are great. It is a newer hotel compared to some 4-stars ones on PL and the staff/service is great. The standard rooms are your typically-sized one that you would get whether you were at the Ritz. Westin or Hiltons. Whether you get it via a discounter or have to pay, you will not be disappointed. I am thrilled to "win" this hotel when doing Priceline.

If you like steak and seafood, the Palm Restaurant is off the lobby. Very good place to eat and drink.

Tell me more about the Swissotel...pretty please...what to like and what not to?

I might look at the Renaissance on the river which has fantastic service, great location, in loop, accross from Trump, etc. Very clean. Another one I would consider is the Sofitel Water Tower, very good food.

I've stayed at the Swissotel and was very pleased. The walk to Michigan Avenue is not very long. If the weather is lousy, you can access the underground pedway system from the hotel. If you want to catch a CTA bus, the #6 stops on Wacker just steps away. Try to get a room with a view of the lake.

So had 2 rooms booked at the property for a weekend via orbitz. got a good price hence why we stayed. Overall the room was fine, the service was a bit lacking and well, just not impressed to stay there again.

We got there early 9 AM, wasn't expecting to have a room available. Offered a 2 double bed, or a upgrade corner room for a fee. came back after my meeting and the room was ready. Wasn't offered a Welcome Amenity. Asked about it later and said rooms booked via other sources didn't count. Seemed very European cheap and therefore rude. A bottle or water or two wouldn't have cost much but been much more gracious.

The elevators were having lots of maintenence issues so on checkout took 30 minutes to get down. Most of the others that didn't have baggage walked down the 21 flights of stairs.

Rooms were fine, nothing different than most. Very Westin like, comfy beds.

Mediocre stay overall, wouldn't go back, given all the great hotels in chicago.

Stayed there 2 years ago on a TZoo special. I remember being specifically unimpressed by it. Bathroom fixtures were dated and the hotel as a whole had a "cold" feel to it. Staff was not warm and while there was nothing "wrong" with the stay, there are much better options in Chi-town. The location is pretty good, though.