Hilton HHonors - Conrad Chicago versus The Wit

Hello all,

I'm planning a one-night stay in downtown Chicago next February; we've got a show on a Saturday evening and I'm planning a rewards stay at either the Wit or the Conrad. I'm currently HH Gold (Diamond unlikely between now and then), and I'm booking two rooms: one for my wife and I, one for some friends joining us. The Wit is a bit closer and the reviews in this forum seem satisfactory for either, but does anyone care to tilt the field in one direction or the other?

Either hotel should provide the breakfast for my room and neither is obligated to do so for the other room (I don't think our friends have any HH status), but has anyone had any experience where the FD gave out breakfast coupons for all rooms in a circumstance like that?

Thanks very much.

-p

I have gotten free breakfasts at both when I had to stay the night downtown for company meetings. The big plus to me about The Wit is the rooftop. In Feb, I would suppose that it is quite a non-factor!
My vote for would be Conrad - seems a little more comfy and my colleagues who stay there (Gold or Diamond) always say they get decent upgrades.

I have stayed at both the Wit and Conrad. I would go with the Wit, without any doubt.

I have stayed at both and would take the WIT unless there is a big price difference.

I don't think either hotel will give you extra breakfast vouchers, but at the Wit,it's a voucher for a certain $ amount so that would offset the other couples cost by a little. And I think the free breakfast at the WIT is much better than conrad.

WIT has given me some great upgrades and the fitness center is 24/7 if you want to use that.

And if it's cold in February, you will appreciate being a little closer to the theater as well.

Hello again,

Thank you all for your input; I greatly appreciate it. In looking at the Hilton site for the night we're planning to be there, the Conrad has significantly reduced point costs for their premium rooms (e.g., city views, suites) than the base room at the WIT (i.e., just under 40k points at the Conrad vs. 50k points for the Wit).

For everyone that recommends the WIT, do you see a stark difference between the two, or are these comparatively minor differences?

Thanks again!

-p

I absolutely love theWit. You get Hilton perks, but it's not the cookie cutter Hilton hotel. The rooms are a little quirky, in a good way. The staff are friendly. The location is good. And the bird noises in the hallways crack me up (and they change to owl noises at night).

That being said, if the Conrad has a better deal in regards to points, I would definitely choose it. All things being the same, go for theWit...but it appears all things are not quite the same.

I will say that, in my 3-4 stays at theWit, I have been upgraded every time.

Time crunch, no time to research.

DH and me, two nights in Chicago, 27-28 years old. Interested in dining and drinking (not "club" scene drinking, but any bars from upscale to neighborhood are cool).

I've been to Chicago, but not enough, so the areas are blurry. theWit's closer to the Loop area, and Conrad's more Magnificent Mile (as best as I can tell from google maps).

Just looking for a safe haven from an unbearable (but required) wedding. No time to explore the city; want the place that has the most accessible restaurant/bar entertainment within a few blocks.

Sorry to beg for advice in my panicked late booking. If either brand stands out as better or either Chicago-location is a better choice, your opinion is appreciated.

TheWIT being downtown will have less of a scene than the Magnificent Mile. Honestly its close enough to walk across the bridge or take the L and you're right in the heart of Chicago nightlife. Plus theWIT has its acclaimed rooftop lounge. It's a stunning hotel but if you want plenty of nightlife at just steps away gotta go with Conrad.

Just my opinion. 24 yrs old and recently stayed downtown.

Had a great weekend night at the Conrad last month. theWit was a little closer to the theater district, but that may not be relevant to you. Good nightlife on Rush Street, where the Conrad is. Nice property; if you're a Gold or Diamond, the breakfast amenity is very nice, even if it's from a subset of the menu.

Myself (35), my wife and my two year old have a date with the WIT in thier top tier suite over Easter holdiay weekend. I picked the WIT b/c of it's location in Chicago, modern boutique hotel and it has a supposed incredible rooftop barthat turns into a mini club over th weekend and a amaizng breakfast for Gold and Diamond members. I'm pretty much done with the nightclub scene as well but it is alway nice to be on top of a incredible building overlooking the city with a great Mojito looking at beautiful people.

I have stayed at the Hilton Mag Mile and it was close to many great dining areas and old bars like Jilly's (think Rat Pack). More downtown, the Palmer House is always a charmer! Have a good time!

Agreed on the Conrad reco. The wit is nice, trendy and younger crowd - someone mentioned great rooftop bar, but if you're coming soon you had better pack a parka to go out there. In all honesty, as long as you are downtown you can hop an el or take a cab for less than ten bucks to anywhere worth going to.

Trendy? The bar on top of theWit is so dark, packed and noisy on a Friday/Sat, you cannot have a decent conversation. And its all under a proper roof as well as a retractable roof. Maybe I am just too old for bars like this.

Chose the Wit for the location. Found the location so much better than the Conrad for museums, theatre, restaurants, etc. Was not impressed by the shops on the Magnificent Mile. Its the same as any big city. Took a suite which was like a one bedroom apartment with kitchen, dining area, living area with sofa bed. Massive bathroom. Its just big.

Got a souvenir hotel branded cow-bell during the stay.