Starwood Preferred Guest - Nicest hotel in chicago?

Which hotel in chicago is nicest in terms of customer service, amenities, rooms, location, etc..
I will be there the 2nd week of march and need some recommendations. Also, I will have a car, how much does parking typically cost for the hotel? I expect the Westins near Michigan ave would cost more?

Off topic here, not related to hotels, but I was in chicago couple of years ago, and I went to this outlet mall near by, I think I drove about 1 hour, it was great shopping, me being from Canada. But I forgot the town it was in...Does anyone know which one I am talking about?

I think if you check the seach function you will get more info than you need about the area hotels. In my opinion it depends on what you are looking for, the Sheraton Towers is nice, newer, with a Club floor & great views of the Lake & the Chicago river, the River North Westin doesn't have a Club, but does have the 'heavenly beds', the Westin Michigan Ave is older, but centrally located. I'm not sure about parking rates (as I use the L when in the city) but I'm sure its expensive.
I think the outlet center you are referring to is Gurnsee Mills (?), located north of O'Hare, right on the main highway to Wisconsin. There may be others, but that would be the easiest to get to. I'm sure someone on FT can give better directions.
Good Luck & enjoy Chicago

Unless they have done a major overhaul recently, stay away from the Westin, the Chicago Sheraton hotel and Towers is much nicer although IMHO not as well located, However Chicago is a pretty good Taxi town, so that shouldn't make much difference.

I guess you are looking for Gurnee Mall, about 30 miles north of downtown Chicago. There is another good one at the Indiana near the IL/IN border.
I strongly recommend not to drive around downtown Chicago. Parking is a big problem. Take taxi or subway.

The information provided so far is correct. There are 3 Starwood's in the dowtown Chicago area.

(1) Westin Michigan Ave. - near the shopping district and the oldest. I would skip this hotel.

(2) Sheraton & Towers - located near Wacker/Michicagan Avenues. This is a very nice hotel (actually Clinton stayed there for the DNC in '92). It is located in what I would call the hotel district (lots of hotels nearby)

(3) Westin River North - right across the river from downtown/business district. They have heavenly beds and it is a quiet hotel. It used to be a Hotel Nikko, so it's very nice.

Of course their are also airport and suburban locations as well.

Parking rates would be probably about 15 - 20 dollars but I don't know for sure. All three hotels probably charge about the same as the rates are probably more about which parking company operates the lot and the valet charges rather than location.

About the mall: You are probably thinking of the quasi-outlet mall called Gurnee Mills. It is located on I-94 North of Chicago in Gurnee. It's about a 45 mile trip taking about an hour or so depending on traffic. The way the (via Kennedy and Edens Expressways) is one of the most (if not the) busiest expressway in the city.

If you are thinking of a traditional mall, it's probably Woodfield (in Schaumburg). Woodfield less than 10 miles from O'Hare on I-90 (the East-West Tollway). It takes about 30 minutes with no traffic from downtown.

Both shopping centers require cars and are located in areas with lots of resturants, bars and other shopping (and of course hotels).

Hopes this helps. Feel free to email me for more specific information or directions.

Enjoy!

Like the others have said, u probably dont want to stay at the Westin. I stayed there this New Years eve with my girlfriend and in fact I work just 2 blocks away from that hotel on Michigan Ave. The problem with the Westin is that it is surrounded on all sides by highrises. You can barely see the lake thru the surrounding buildings. Why is this important? Coz im a Starwood Gold and they gave me a "better view" upgrade when I checked in. In fact they told me that we hvae one of the best views in the hotel all the way on the 14th floor. I was pretty disappointed to find out that the "best view" was of the concrete buildings all around. Kinda sucked. The other thing was that this hotel is annoyingly expensive. I mean, I dont mind spending $$$ when on vacation but this place has like $7 peanuts and $1.50 for local calls per 60 minutes. That just annoys me coz this didnt feel like an upscale hotel except for the darn prices! Anyway, parking there is $35 per night and you can check your car in/out at anytime. However when we were ready to leave the hotel, we had to wait 30 minutes in line for the valet to get our car. Maybe that was just coz of new years day...but still...not a pleasant experience overall. Oh yeah the heavenly bed was awesome though. Dont know what it was made of but man....all I can say is that my girlfriend and me had a blast!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

The Sheraton is a really nice place. I havent stayed there yet but its more spacious and looks "grander" if you know what i mean. Since you have a vehicle, you might consider staying sorta far from downtown. There's a Sheraton by O'Hare which has all suites and the rates there are usually VERY GOOD! I got a $49 suite there last year on a saturday...plus it has free parking and only about 25 minutes drive to downtown. If I were you, I'd prefer to stay at one of the several Starwood's near O'Hare and just take it from there. If you need directions and stuff, let me know. Have a great stay @ my sweet home chicago!

I have to agree with the above comments about the Westin Michigan Ave. and the Sheraton Towers. I would say go with the Westin River North. I stayed there 2 weeks for the first time and it was an awesome hotel. The area by the checkin desk and the hotel floors are very "W" like in the sense that they have funky paintings, low lighting, and black tables. The hotel reception was extremely friendly upon checkin, the doorman were great on directions and holding doors, and the suite was breathtaking. It had the larges shower I have ever seen. You could lie down on the bench in the shower and just let the water drizzle down and it was extremely soothing. Parking was 32 nightly but I parked at the parking lot beside the hotel for 18 nightly ....the lot isn't affliated with the hotel but I have come to hate valet at hotels and will not use them unless it is a last option. Overall, I would say the Westin River North is the best option and right now the rates are very good...I got my weekend rate for 103 as a Hot Rate.

I always bid on Priceline for Michigan Avenue area properties, and with only one exception, have stayed at the Westin River North during 11 different visits since 3.00.

I thouroughly enjoy this property's location, staff and amenities, and don't mind paying the extra pennies for phone calls, etc. when I snatch the room for between $40 and $80 per night.

The only time that I stayed at a different property in the same 'hood was The Monaco, a Kimpton property, which I also enjoyed very much.

Cheers.

I think that the Westin River North has the best mix of location and amenities. The WRN is spitting distance to some fantastic restaurants, including Frontera Grill for Mexican food. Figure on $30 to park at any downtown hotel with in/out ability.

Gurnee Mills is huge, and then there are some older outlet malls just over the border in Wisconsin. These are the original outlet malls, and are not as busy. Many vendors are at both locations.

I would have to disagree. I like the Westin Mich. Ave. (north end) Great location to the shops and Water Tower there. Hancock Tower next door. Good restaurants near by. Close to Ghiradelhi (sp?) for a snack. I had a great room (large suite)with Heavenly bed, robes, clean and nice. Turn down service with box of chocl. (Platinum may have helped for my Free Friday stay. Parking is steep (I think $30 a day) But in and out as often as you wish and my car was always waiting for me when I got there (called from room 2 minute before leaving).

I do agree that the view can be limited depending on the room. I could see the Lake and Navy Pier (but lower rooms will be looking at the Hancock building.

But what amazed me most was the friendly attitude. I expected a snobbish welcome, but got the opposite.

Best of all -- it was FREE (except for parking). They did have a weekend Winter rate for $128 - not sure still exists.

I'm sure others are very good also. Sort of depends what you want.

Parking at the Sheraton Towers is relatively cheap across the street.

I love the Westin Michigan due to the crowd at the hotel. This is where all the visiting sports teams stay and I rarely fail to have fun in the bar late at night. I usually get upgraded to a nice room too. One time I was there when the entire Women's NBA was in town for summer tryouts and the Detroit Red Wings were there too. That was fun. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Next month we will be staying at The Drake, which is one of my most favorite Chicago hotels and the Westin, for the first time, so I have no opinion.

I most dearly love the Chicago Hilton and Towers and have very fond childhood memories (including ladies in white gloves and hats and the fanciest of dining) of The Palmer House.

The Sheraton is a very nice hotel and is very well located to Navy Pier.

The Hyatt has only one redeeming quality: It is the site of my first glass ceiling, www.www.com (http://www.www.com) Flyer Talk meeting with AnnaS, Mauld and Comicwoman, all of whom have proven to be true treasures over the years.

The Marriott is fine and is well located for shopping fans on Michigan Ave.

All in all Chicago is a great city with many fine hotels, restaurants and even quite a few good dancing places. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif