Starwood Preferred Guest - Wstins in Chicago, any reviews?

I've decided to use one of my free weekends in Chicago on the final weekend for redeeming nights earned from the promotion. There is always quite a bit to do in this fascinating city and it's been two years since my last visit.

My preference is for Westin over Sheraton, and the new W apparently is not open or not available for this weekend. Rooms were available, however, at both city centre Westins: the Michigan Avenue and the newer River North. I have stayed at the Michigan Avenue Westin a few times, and had no complaints. But I have not been to the newer one by the Merchandise Mart. As they feature the Heavenly Bed and were the only Westin to offer a non-smoking King versusa smoking room with two double beds, I have booked into the River North.

Can anyone tell me what to expect? I am sure someone has stayed at both and can offer an assessment.

Thanks.

I've stayed at both and the River North is OK-there is no lounge, and all you can expect for an upgrade is possibly a corner room with a river or full city view. The rooms are average size, and (when they remember) they deliver up the usual water/health bar Platinum amentiy box. There are a lot of good restaurants nearby.
The Michigan Ave location was going through some renovations the last two times I was there and the check in area can seem very crowded. They gave me a nice room with a river view on an upper level (again no club floor). In both cases be careful of opening up the mini bar, anything you 'touch', even to just move it aside, gets charged to your room automatically. Also there is a note on the coffee maker, anymore than one pot, gets an additional charge! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif So aside from the 'heavenly bed', I found nothing extraordinary about either Westin.

I wasn't especially impressed with the Westin Michigan Avenue, either, when I stayed there a month ago. Front desk usually seemed very busy. I checked in off-peak, so it wasn't too bad, but on checkout, I had to go with Express Checkout (i.e., drop it in the box) because of the long line, even at the SPG counter.

On checkin, I was given the choice between a remodeled room with a Heavenly Bed, or older room with a lake view. I went with the Heavenly Bed (any time I can). The room was okay, and had a view of the lovely alley and building next door.

I also got hit with a $9+ charge for minibar items I didn't take. Would've challenged it if I hadn't been in a hurry to leave.

Bottom line: Although it didn't suck, I have no compelling reason to go back. And I regret having changed my reservation to stay at the Westin. I had originally booked at the Marriott, but changed to the Westin to save $50 per night. Sounded good at the time, until I found out that the Travelocity special rate that I had booked at the Westin didn't qualify for Starpoints. Or the Free Weekend Nights promotion. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Although I prefer its location, I thought service at the Michigan Ave Westin was atrocious. I much prefer the River North.

blackfur, it is interesting you mention the situation with booking a reduced rate via Expedia. I'm staying at the Four Points Charlotte next week, and my company's rate was $110, Expedia's was $60. I did book Expedia, but I think I will double check about the points, since you mentioned it! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

PS--turns out $60 was a govt rate. That fact was not mentioned on the Expedia website, but when checking my confirm I noticed it.

[This message has been edited by mauld (edited 08-29-2000).]

Just a quick note about the Westin Michigan Avenue... many, many of their rooms still don't have Heavenly Beds, so make sure you lock one in with your reservation. Also, set low expectations for the service-- it's awful. Sorry I couldn't be more positive... on one good note, it's got a great location!

Thanks for the comments, folks. Seems not to make much difference, but I should not be disappointed by the River North, at least. And I will be assured one of those Heavenly Beds!

Good choice. The Westin Michigan only has Heavenly Beds on the Starwood floor and none of the suites have one. I stayed there many times this year.

I am at the River North location this week and I have a huge suite that could fit 20 for dinner around the table, a Heavenly Bed, and a bathroom that seems the size of my apartment. Closer to food as well.

[This message has been edited by auh2o (edited 08-28-2000).]

Since I'll be taking the subway in from O'Hare, I suspect that the Clark/Lake stop on the Blue (Douglas) line [and walking across the river), or the Merchandise Mart on the Brown (Ravenwswood) and Pink (Evanston) lines are the closet stop to the River North. Is this correct?

Don't write off the Sheraton Chicago. It's probably the nicest one in the U.S. Pluto prefers it to the Westins and he's normally a Westin man.

I agree with QL. The Sheraton shouldn't be overlooked, esp. in comparison with the unusually inferior Westin properties in Chicago.

Sorry QL, I don’t agree with you. How can Chicago Sheraton possibly the nicest one in the US? I think I have five stays this year and the only one time I am happy with this property was when I upgraded to a corner room with a heavenly bed like bedding. Otherwise, Westins would be my choice.

Shareholder: You're right about the "L" stops but it's the "Purple (Evanston) Line" rather than pink.

auh20: Closer to some food, perhaps, but there are plenty of great places to eat very near the Michigan Avenue Westin. Spiaggia, Cafe Luciano, McCormick & Schmick's, Seasons (at the Four Seasons), Tavern on Rush, Gibson's, Bistro 110 and Le Colonial are several that come to mind.

Yeah, Le Colonial and Vong are my favorite.

Shareholder, since you are coming in from O'Hare on the Blue line, your most direct route would be getting off at Clark/Lake. Just cross under the 'El', and head one block to the river. You can go through the Quaker Oats building to get into the Westin River North.

Thanks for the advice on the hotels and the "L" stops. (The web map I printed out of the subway/L system showed up that line to be Pink rather than Purple.) I suppose I prefer Westins to Sheratons generally because the latter can still be quite variable except at the top end and most often outside North America. Most of my trips this years, business or liesure, have taken me to places with Sheratons rather than Westins (Imagine Montreal without a Westin. It used to have one. Why, even Edmonton has a Westin!) So you can appreciate that I really would like a change in Starwood brands. And to try that "Heavenly Bed"!

I have not found a consistently good Starwood property in Chicago. I like the club lounge at the Sheraton quite a bit (as QuietLion will attest). The Westin River North has been good on occasion.

My preferred hotel in Chicago is actually The Drake, which is a Hilton. They've given me more suite upgrades (as a Gold) than any of the Chicago Starwoods have ever done (as a Platinum).

Yes, yes, Drake is the best I have by far in Chicago. Wonder why I never get an upgrade to a suite (but did get a complementary wine with cracker & cheese). http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif BTW, being platinum, never ever got an suite upgrade from starwoods in Chicago.

[This message has been edited by OnePassLover (edited 08-29-2000).]

[This message has been edited by OnePassLover (edited 08-29-2000).]

Just to re-state, I was upgraded to a HUGE suite at The Westin River North. The staff was terrific and the service, even from trainees whom were out in full force, was great. I personally dislike the Drake. Just MHO.

auh2o

Stayed at the Westin River North over Labor Day weekend. WE were upgraded to a lovely suite on the 19th floor......no river view, but still pretty nice accomodations with huge bathroom, separate bath and shower.

My only compaint......

While the 2 queen beds were made up to appear to be Heavenly Beds ( with down quilts and extra pillows), 3 nights of sleeping on them left us with stiff backs and fairly restless nights from the uncomfortable stiff beds. We'd stayed at the same hotel just 5 weeks ago, had a Heavenly King, and found it so comfortable that we didn't want to get out of it. This was quite different this time. I didn't get a chance to ask the hotel about this but I find it a bit disconcerting.

Fortunately, Chicago is a great place to spend the weekend....so our memory of the weekend was still great.