SkiAdcock
Aug 27, 12, 12:35 pm
I stayed here on August 25th for 1-night using a Cat 1-4 cert. I had a nice stay & will certainly stay here again. Previously I've stayed at the Springhill Suites (which is across the freeway from the Ren) when near ORD.
PARKING:
The hotel has on-site parking at $24/day. Some FTers have mentioned in the generic ORD-area hotels thread that they've parked in the office outdoor parking lots directly across from the front of the hotel/entry to hotel parking lot. I saw some hotel guests do this during my stay. I think there's probably less of a problem using the outdoor lot if you're parking in the evening/out before work hours or if you're parking on the weekend.
I actually found parking on the street directly behind the hotel (ie, go past the entrance to the hotel on Bryn Mawr to the next street/light, Delphia) & turn right. There's a short block w/ parking on one side only. While other streets surrounding the hotel are permit only, this small street (which is also next to an office building parking lot) is not, so no worries on parking on it if you can find a space.
Please note the large office building parking lot next to this street says violators will be towed. However, I didn't notice that sign on the office parking lot in front of the Renaissance.
CHECK-IN:
Check-in was fast and friendly. They asked if I wanted points or the amenity gift. Since I was going to be there for less than 24 hours I took the points. They mentioned the exec lounge was closed, but that I would get 2 free breakfasts in the restaurant, plus 1 free appetizer in the bar.
LOBBY/MISC:
Next to the check-in desk is a "Fresh To Go" which has snacks/sodas you can buy. To the left of that is a Starbucks counter, with coffee/food.
The lobby is quite large, recently renovated, and quite modern in decor. There are many seating areas.
BAR:
The bar area is off of the lobby, and is also quite large. It's modern and has a number of seating areas, along w/ one flat screen tv at the end (sound off).
I was meeting an FTer for a quick lunch, but because it was later in the afternoon the restaurant was closed. The FDC mentioned that they did serve food in the bar.
So we went there, and I asked the bartender about the free appetizer. She said it applied to anything on the menu, so I ordered a turkey club sandwich. They ask for your room number to confirm you're elite/take the appetizer off the bill. So I only had to pay for the glass of wine. I left a tip based on what the bill would have been if the item hadn't been taken off.
Later in the evening, after an FT event, I had a drink in the bar w/ 2 other FTers. The bar was actually quite busy, but not noisy. Again, there are many seating areas.
RESTAURANT:
The restaurant is called 'FRESH'. I had breakfast there the next morning before check-out.
The free breakfast for elites is the buffet. It has made to order omelettes & waffles. There was oatmeal & cream of wheat. Granola, cereal, yogurt, fresh cut fruit, whole fruit, muffins, bagels, eggs, potatoes, sausage, bacon.
The server brings you juice, water, coffee/tea, toast/english muffins.
You don't have to sign a check. The server just asks for your room number & checks it against a list. I left a tip because the server was very helpful & friendly.
There appears to be a room near the back of the restaurant that has doors so if you wanted to have a private breakfast or dinner meeting you could do so.
ROOM:
This hotel is all suites. I was in room 1522, which is an exec level room. You need to insert your key in the elevator to access the exec level rooms.
While the lobby is renovated, the room decor doesn't seem to be. It was ok.
The main room had a desk, sofa and coffee table. There were some a/v hook-ups to the tv for those who might want to hook up their computers I guess. There was also a coffee pot/tea maker, and a small bottled water.
There is both wifi & ethernet internet in the room. You have to accept the charge, but it's taken off the bill for Gold/Plats.
I don't know if it was my room or all rooms, but the bathroom did not have a bathtub. However, it had a huge walk-in shower that would fit 2-3 people! Plus the shower head was set up quite high, so it would be good for taller people. The bathroom is a good size.
The bathroom toiletries were Aveda, and there was also a tube of toothpaste. It also had a toothbrush stand, in addition to the usual toilet paper container & soap stand. There are a lot of towels. The blow-dryer is on an open shelf underneath the sink.
The bedroom in my room wasn't huge. Enough room for bed, end tables & tv; a tad tight. I don't know if this is the norm or other suite rooms are larger. Because it's a suite & there's the main room, it didn't bother me.
Both the main room & the bedroom have sheer curtains. They also have black-out curtains which work really well. I love black-out curtains.
* Trivia - the office building I looked out at from my room is one I worked at when I used to live in Chicago!
MISC:
I looked at a few weekends & it appears the weekend rate is often $99; AAA rate is $89. Obviously it's a bit higher during the week, but still less than the FS Marriott, etc. A FTer said that he's stayed at this property on a park-n-fly rate that's pretty good.
On previous weekend stays I stayed at the Springhill Suites, but if the rates are the same in future, this would be the property I'd stay at as the SHS is one of the old configurations (although the staff there are really nice & it would be my back-up).
If you want to eat outside the hotel, there is a Bennigan's in the office complex in front of the hotel.
The "Blue Line" public transport into the city is a 2-3 minute walk from the hotel. You can see the stop (Cumberland) from the hotel. You walk out the front door, make a left & go to the sidewalk, make a right & follow the sidewalk to the entrance to the skywalk over the freeway to the train stop.
PICTURES:
I took a # of pictures of the property & will post them in the next few days. The reason I can't post them now is I forgot my digital camera. So I bought a disposable one for the FT event I was attending/take pics of the property. Now I have to get them developed/burned to a CD, so I can upload them to my photo website. Once I've done that I'll come back & post a link.
Cheers.
PARKING:
The hotel has on-site parking at $24/day. Some FTers have mentioned in the generic ORD-area hotels thread that they've parked in the office outdoor parking lots directly across from the front of the hotel/entry to hotel parking lot. I saw some hotel guests do this during my stay. I think there's probably less of a problem using the outdoor lot if you're parking in the evening/out before work hours or if you're parking on the weekend.
I actually found parking on the street directly behind the hotel (ie, go past the entrance to the hotel on Bryn Mawr to the next street/light, Delphia) & turn right. There's a short block w/ parking on one side only. While other streets surrounding the hotel are permit only, this small street (which is also next to an office building parking lot) is not, so no worries on parking on it if you can find a space.
Please note the large office building parking lot next to this street says violators will be towed. However, I didn't notice that sign on the office parking lot in front of the Renaissance.
CHECK-IN:
Check-in was fast and friendly. They asked if I wanted points or the amenity gift. Since I was going to be there for less than 24 hours I took the points. They mentioned the exec lounge was closed, but that I would get 2 free breakfasts in the restaurant, plus 1 free appetizer in the bar.
LOBBY/MISC:
Next to the check-in desk is a "Fresh To Go" which has snacks/sodas you can buy. To the left of that is a Starbucks counter, with coffee/food.
The lobby is quite large, recently renovated, and quite modern in decor. There are many seating areas.
BAR:
The bar area is off of the lobby, and is also quite large. It's modern and has a number of seating areas, along w/ one flat screen tv at the end (sound off).
I was meeting an FTer for a quick lunch, but because it was later in the afternoon the restaurant was closed. The FDC mentioned that they did serve food in the bar.
So we went there, and I asked the bartender about the free appetizer. She said it applied to anything on the menu, so I ordered a turkey club sandwich. They ask for your room number to confirm you're elite/take the appetizer off the bill. So I only had to pay for the glass of wine. I left a tip based on what the bill would have been if the item hadn't been taken off.
Later in the evening, after an FT event, I had a drink in the bar w/ 2 other FTers. The bar was actually quite busy, but not noisy. Again, there are many seating areas.
RESTAURANT:
The restaurant is called 'FRESH'. I had breakfast there the next morning before check-out.
The free breakfast for elites is the buffet. It has made to order omelettes & waffles. There was oatmeal & cream of wheat. Granola, cereal, yogurt, fresh cut fruit, whole fruit, muffins, bagels, eggs, potatoes, sausage, bacon.
The server brings you juice, water, coffee/tea, toast/english muffins.
You don't have to sign a check. The server just asks for your room number & checks it against a list. I left a tip because the server was very helpful & friendly.
There appears to be a room near the back of the restaurant that has doors so if you wanted to have a private breakfast or dinner meeting you could do so.
ROOM:
This hotel is all suites. I was in room 1522, which is an exec level room. You need to insert your key in the elevator to access the exec level rooms.
While the lobby is renovated, the room decor doesn't seem to be. It was ok.
The main room had a desk, sofa and coffee table. There were some a/v hook-ups to the tv for those who might want to hook up their computers I guess. There was also a coffee pot/tea maker, and a small bottled water.
There is both wifi & ethernet internet in the room. You have to accept the charge, but it's taken off the bill for Gold/Plats.
I don't know if it was my room or all rooms, but the bathroom did not have a bathtub. However, it had a huge walk-in shower that would fit 2-3 people! Plus the shower head was set up quite high, so it would be good for taller people. The bathroom is a good size.
The bathroom toiletries were Aveda, and there was also a tube of toothpaste. It also had a toothbrush stand, in addition to the usual toilet paper container & soap stand. There are a lot of towels. The blow-dryer is on an open shelf underneath the sink.
The bedroom in my room wasn't huge. Enough room for bed, end tables & tv; a tad tight. I don't know if this is the norm or other suite rooms are larger. Because it's a suite & there's the main room, it didn't bother me.
Both the main room & the bedroom have sheer curtains. They also have black-out curtains which work really well. I love black-out curtains.
* Trivia - the office building I looked out at from my room is one I worked at when I used to live in Chicago!
MISC:
I looked at a few weekends & it appears the weekend rate is often $99; AAA rate is $89. Obviously it's a bit higher during the week, but still less than the FS Marriott, etc. A FTer said that he's stayed at this property on a park-n-fly rate that's pretty good.
On previous weekend stays I stayed at the Springhill Suites, but if the rates are the same in future, this would be the property I'd stay at as the SHS is one of the old configurations (although the staff there are really nice & it would be my back-up).
If you want to eat outside the hotel, there is a Bennigan's in the office complex in front of the hotel.
The "Blue Line" public transport into the city is a 2-3 minute walk from the hotel. You can see the stop (Cumberland) from the hotel. You walk out the front door, make a left & go to the sidewalk, make a right & follow the sidewalk to the entrance to the skywalk over the freeway to the train stop.
PICTURES:
I took a # of pictures of the property & will post them in the next few days. The reason I can't post them now is I forgot my digital camera. So I bought a disposable one for the FT event I was attending/take pics of the property. Now I have to get them developed/burned to a CD, so I can upload them to my photo website. Once I've done that I'll come back & post a link.
Cheers.