Report: Trump Chicago
Nov 7, 2010, 6:15 pm
#1
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: Hilton*D, Marriott*LG, Hyatt*G
Posts: 6,268
Report: Trump Chicago
Live from Chicago... it's Sunday night and I am now checked in to the Trump International Hotel and Towers. I will be adding my observations over the next little while -- but first, some dinner.
Nov 7, 2010, 6:15 pm
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: Hilton*D, Marriott*LG, Hyatt*G
Posts: 6,268
I just completed a stay on a Travel Industry rate at the Trump International Hotel and Towers Chicago which Travel and Leisure ranked as the World's Best Hotel for 2010. Below will be my frank assessment of the hotel
Arrival
Due to the traffic I saw on the Highway as we approached O'Hare I took an Airport Shuttle from the airport to the hotel. I was welcomed at the Front Door with a smile and was not made to feel "inferior" arriving by airport shuttle. Luggage was handled quickly and efficiently and was escorted to the Front Desk for check-in.
The Front Door is oddly configured as one must enter the building first and then through another set of revolving doors to enter the Lobby. Perhaps this is to due to the wind in Chicago.
Check-in
Check-in was swift and efficient and I was warmly welcomed by the Staff. I was offered a bottle of water (chilled or room temperature) and the Front Desk agent had the asian sensibility to hand me my credit card back with both hands. I was shown to my room by a Bellman who explained some of the features of the hotel and eventually my room.
The Room
I was booked into a City View Deluxe room and this was the room category I received. The room is quite large -- about 500 sq ft -- as compared to the 600 sq ft as mentioned on the Trump Chicago website. My room did not have a sofa bed so I believe it was cut a little smaller than the other rooms.
As you enter the room, the massive bathroom is to the right and the kitchenette spans the wall to the left. Beyond that is the bedroom with a work desk, large TV, king bed and an arm chair with ottoman. It is very comfortable for single travellers and perhaps two travellers for shorter visits. The room is in soothing palates of grey, tan, taupe and beige -- very tasteful if not maybe a little bland.
http://www.trumpchicagohotel.com/Acc...loor_plans.asp
Well equipped the room had a kitchenette with dishwasher, two burner Miele cooktop, a mini-bar fridge with its on ice maker, microwave oven with all the plates and utensils one would need. Complimentary Nespresso machine with complimentary coffee refills by calling Housekeeping are also available.
The bathroom is quite large with the shower and tub in one large "wet" zone. Single vanity with the now popular TV in mirror. Toiletries are Trump brand and were disappointing.
The Air Conditioning worked well and was quite quiet -- amongst the quietest I have experienced and kept the room at the desired temperature without getting too warm or too cold.
The King bed was quite comfortable but found the bed to be a little soft. There is a complimentary pillow menu to help guests achieve optimal sleep.
The minibar prices are a little expensive as expected not necessarily in price but what you get for that. $5 for a Diet Coke or bottle of water is not bad until you see you get 250 mL bottle for that price. There is a water bar in the room with a variety of expensive waters - from $10 and up for 750 mL bottles with the most expensive at $25 for 500mL bottle with Swarovski crystals on the bottle itself.
Arrival
Due to the traffic I saw on the Highway as we approached O'Hare I took an Airport Shuttle from the airport to the hotel. I was welcomed at the Front Door with a smile and was not made to feel "inferior" arriving by airport shuttle. Luggage was handled quickly and efficiently and was escorted to the Front Desk for check-in.
The Front Door is oddly configured as one must enter the building first and then through another set of revolving doors to enter the Lobby. Perhaps this is to due to the wind in Chicago.
Check-in
Check-in was swift and efficient and I was warmly welcomed by the Staff. I was offered a bottle of water (chilled or room temperature) and the Front Desk agent had the asian sensibility to hand me my credit card back with both hands. I was shown to my room by a Bellman who explained some of the features of the hotel and eventually my room.
The Room
I was booked into a City View Deluxe room and this was the room category I received. The room is quite large -- about 500 sq ft -- as compared to the 600 sq ft as mentioned on the Trump Chicago website. My room did not have a sofa bed so I believe it was cut a little smaller than the other rooms.
As you enter the room, the massive bathroom is to the right and the kitchenette spans the wall to the left. Beyond that is the bedroom with a work desk, large TV, king bed and an arm chair with ottoman. It is very comfortable for single travellers and perhaps two travellers for shorter visits. The room is in soothing palates of grey, tan, taupe and beige -- very tasteful if not maybe a little bland.
http://www.trumpchicagohotel.com/Acc...loor_plans.asp
Well equipped the room had a kitchenette with dishwasher, two burner Miele cooktop, a mini-bar fridge with its on ice maker, microwave oven with all the plates and utensils one would need. Complimentary Nespresso machine with complimentary coffee refills by calling Housekeeping are also available.
The bathroom is quite large with the shower and tub in one large "wet" zone. Single vanity with the now popular TV in mirror. Toiletries are Trump brand and were disappointing.
The Air Conditioning worked well and was quite quiet -- amongst the quietest I have experienced and kept the room at the desired temperature without getting too warm or too cold.
The King bed was quite comfortable but found the bed to be a little soft. There is a complimentary pillow menu to help guests achieve optimal sleep.
The minibar prices are a little expensive as expected not necessarily in price but what you get for that. $5 for a Diet Coke or bottle of water is not bad until you see you get 250 mL bottle for that price. There is a water bar in the room with a variety of expensive waters - from $10 and up for 750 mL bottles with the most expensive at $25 for 500mL bottle with Swarovski crystals on the bottle itself.
Last edited by luxury; Nov 8, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Nov 8, 2010, 12:44 pm
#6
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Depends on the day!
Programs: Marriott/Lifetime Titanium Hyatt/Explorist, Hilton/Silver, IHG Spire,UA Gold
Posts: 17,832
Ditto. We are considering staying at both of these properties in December...love to get your feedback.
Nov 8, 2010, 7:28 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: Hilton*D, Marriott*LG, Hyatt*G
Posts: 6,268
Food and Beverage:
I only had a chance to eat breakfast at Sixteen, the hotel restaurant which is a very high ceilinged space with panoramic views of the Chicago skyline. In summer, there is an expansive terrace for al fresco dining. Breakfast options are a la carte with a full american breakfast with two eggs, choice of breakfast meats, potatoes, toast, coffee or tea, and juice running $31. The quality is high and the service efficient and cordial. The restaurant serves Julius Meinl coffee which is a big plus!!
Sixteen is the hotels all purpose restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the evening, Rebar, which features a "liquid kitchen" with custom made cocktails and sushi is available for guests and feature a nice vista of the River and the Michigan Avenue bridge.
Service:
I thought the service was very good -- the hotel got the 80% of what makes a very good hotel. However, I felt that they were missing the final 20%, that polish and the small details which make for a true luxury hotel experience. For example, I requested for an extension cord which they did not have. The hotel did send up Engineering to install a power surge protector with additional outlets. The Engineer was in the room installing it as I returned from dinner. I asked if the plug I needed to plug in would easily fit, he simply replied yes and left the room. At a true luxury hotel, the Engineer would have offered to plug it in for me.
Communication problems -- as I was changing at 10pm at night, housekeeping rang the doorbell once and practically barged into the room. While the housekeeper was apologetic he did mention that the list he has shows the room as unoccupied which was clearly not the case.
Otherwise, the Front Of House staff are all professional and courteous; I did encounter some staff who would walk past without a greeting.
Other impressions:
I was pleasantly surprised by the Trump -- the hotel is very understated and has a fantastic location. However, there are some oddities: the restaurant serves Julius Meinl coffee but the tea is from Harney & Sons, which is what The Venetian and Palazzo in Las Vegas serve. There are Miele cooktops in the rooms and suites but only Trump branded toiletries in the bathrooms.
I think this is a solid choice in Chicago but well behind the standby's of the Four Seasons, the Ritz Carlton (A Four Seasons Hotel), the Peninsula, and the new Elysian.
Virtuoso:
The Trump is a Virtuoso property and Virtuoso guests receive:
Upgrade upon availability at check-in
Daily continental breakfast for 2
$100 USD Spa credit once per stay valid towards any 90 minute spa treatment and is not applicable to retail products
I only had a chance to eat breakfast at Sixteen, the hotel restaurant which is a very high ceilinged space with panoramic views of the Chicago skyline. In summer, there is an expansive terrace for al fresco dining. Breakfast options are a la carte with a full american breakfast with two eggs, choice of breakfast meats, potatoes, toast, coffee or tea, and juice running $31. The quality is high and the service efficient and cordial. The restaurant serves Julius Meinl coffee which is a big plus!!
Sixteen is the hotels all purpose restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the evening, Rebar, which features a "liquid kitchen" with custom made cocktails and sushi is available for guests and feature a nice vista of the River and the Michigan Avenue bridge.
Service:
I thought the service was very good -- the hotel got the 80% of what makes a very good hotel. However, I felt that they were missing the final 20%, that polish and the small details which make for a true luxury hotel experience. For example, I requested for an extension cord which they did not have. The hotel did send up Engineering to install a power surge protector with additional outlets. The Engineer was in the room installing it as I returned from dinner. I asked if the plug I needed to plug in would easily fit, he simply replied yes and left the room. At a true luxury hotel, the Engineer would have offered to plug it in for me.
Communication problems -- as I was changing at 10pm at night, housekeeping rang the doorbell once and practically barged into the room. While the housekeeper was apologetic he did mention that the list he has shows the room as unoccupied which was clearly not the case.
Otherwise, the Front Of House staff are all professional and courteous; I did encounter some staff who would walk past without a greeting.
Other impressions:
I was pleasantly surprised by the Trump -- the hotel is very understated and has a fantastic location. However, there are some oddities: the restaurant serves Julius Meinl coffee but the tea is from Harney & Sons, which is what The Venetian and Palazzo in Las Vegas serve. There are Miele cooktops in the rooms and suites but only Trump branded toiletries in the bathrooms.
I think this is a solid choice in Chicago but well behind the standby's of the Four Seasons, the Ritz Carlton (A Four Seasons Hotel), the Peninsula, and the new Elysian.
Virtuoso:
The Trump is a Virtuoso property and Virtuoso guests receive:
Upgrade upon availability at check-in
Daily continental breakfast for 2
$100 USD Spa credit once per stay valid towards any 90 minute spa treatment and is not applicable to retail products
Nov 9, 2010, 7:02 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: Hilton*D, Marriott*LG, Hyatt*G
Posts: 6,268
A couple additional things from my notes:
The Sales Manager with whom I toured the hotel with mentioned that Virtuoso clients get the highest upgrade priority and that a majority of the time Virtuoso guests DO get upgraded.
The hotel is also running a pay 2, stay 3 promotion inclusive of Virtuoso amenities through 31 March 2011.
The Sales Manager with whom I toured the hotel with mentioned that Virtuoso clients get the highest upgrade priority and that a majority of the time Virtuoso guests DO get upgraded.
The hotel is also running a pay 2, stay 3 promotion inclusive of Virtuoso amenities through 31 March 2011.
Nov 10, 2010, 5:25 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
looking at the floorplans, one of the 2BRs (unit 00) connects to an executive (unit 04) on floors 18>27, so thats 10 3BRs. the destination club Exclusive Resorts owns 7 of the "00" units, so only 3 are bookable. reminiscent of RC FLL where they own all 8 3BRs. good for members, bad for everyone else.
current "offer" is only $25 F&B credit
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...p-chicago.html
Jan 17, 2011, 1:03 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 2P
Posts: 93
I stayed in rm 2000 in November, 2010 and rm1900 this month. Both through Exclusive Resorts. I would agree with much of everything that is here. It is a fantastic property, but little things around the edges bothered me.
If someone came by with something for the room, or if something was brought up and we forgot or chose not to tip for something very minor we always got a call asking if we received what we asked for. When we tipped this never happened.
Overall, very nice hotel and very helpful staff.
If someone came by with something for the room, or if something was brought up and we forgot or chose not to tip for something very minor we always got a call asking if we received what we asked for. When we tipped this never happened.
Overall, very nice hotel and very helpful staff.
Mar 21, 2011, 10:33 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 983
Just completed a very recent one night stay at the Trump. I'd echo what's been said here and what I've always believed about the hotel--the hard product is stunning, and the service is very, very good, with a couple of small but irritating issues.
I was in a Grand Deluxe Lake View room. To put it simply, it's just gorgeous. For the price ($400 through FHR), you get about twice the space as you would at any other top-tier Chicago hotel, the kitchen, and the full-front lake view. My critiques are the same as I believe I've written before on here. The bath, while good, is not quite as deep or wide as it should be for the overall quality of the hotel. Same goes for the Trump toiletries. They're actually quite nice, but they really should be Asprey or Bvlgari, in keeping with trends at other really great hotels.
The spa and fitness facility is unsurpassed.
The service is very good, but not great. I would personally take a room double the size with a proper bathroom at the Trump over what, say, half the room at the Ritz with marginally better service. Obviously this is personal preference, but we were so comfortable in our room that the little service flaws--the desk not communicating a specific cleaning time to housekeeping, the less than overly friendly bellmen--weren't a big enough deal to deter me from the phenomenal product they're able to offer.
I was in a Grand Deluxe Lake View room. To put it simply, it's just gorgeous. For the price ($400 through FHR), you get about twice the space as you would at any other top-tier Chicago hotel, the kitchen, and the full-front lake view. My critiques are the same as I believe I've written before on here. The bath, while good, is not quite as deep or wide as it should be for the overall quality of the hotel. Same goes for the Trump toiletries. They're actually quite nice, but they really should be Asprey or Bvlgari, in keeping with trends at other really great hotels.
The spa and fitness facility is unsurpassed.
The service is very good, but not great. I would personally take a room double the size with a proper bathroom at the Trump over what, say, half the room at the Ritz with marginally better service. Obviously this is personal preference, but we were so comfortable in our room that the little service flaws--the desk not communicating a specific cleaning time to housekeeping, the less than overly friendly bellmen--weren't a big enough deal to deter me from the phenomenal product they're able to offer.
Mar 2, 2015, 4:33 pm
#14
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
At the Trump now. I know this is an old thread but it's on point [no reason to create a new thread]....
Initial observations: solid hotel but it screams 'business stay'...I'd be hard-pressed to recommend this place for someone coming to Chicago on vacation. Fine for a quick trip, as the location is on-point, but I'm left scratching my head a bit about all the 'luxury' comments/tags I've been seeing about this place. The plastic/vinyl shower curtain is a no-go as far as I'm concerned. The bedding reminds is 100% Hilton-esque. Worst hotel sleep I've had in awhile [maybe I'm getting spoiled].
I will say the service is really good, as is the food [so far]. The 2 Michelin star restaurant in-house is also a welcome addition!
Worth noting that the Sofitel, Waldorf, Trump, Langham, Ritz-Carlton, FS, Park Hyatt, etc --> are ALL within 1.1 miles of each other. So, location on all of them is a wash...
Long story short, I'm not really understanding the "hard product is stunning" line of thinking....maybe it was a mistake booking a "spa level room"??
One more thing [sorry, this is kind of rambling]: the spa has a lot of potential, but sheesh, it was DIRTY. Dirty is in all caps for a reason. The steam room had four towels balled up in a corner and cups that had been sitting in there so long they started melting. The steam room, while a good temperature, really smelled bad. The sauna wasn't even hot. And, to make matters weirder, there were some people who [for lack of a better term: didn't look like they belonged] trying the combo locks on ever locker in the room!
Initial observations: solid hotel but it screams 'business stay'...I'd be hard-pressed to recommend this place for someone coming to Chicago on vacation. Fine for a quick trip, as the location is on-point, but I'm left scratching my head a bit about all the 'luxury' comments/tags I've been seeing about this place. The plastic/vinyl shower curtain is a no-go as far as I'm concerned. The bedding reminds is 100% Hilton-esque. Worst hotel sleep I've had in awhile [maybe I'm getting spoiled].
I will say the service is really good, as is the food [so far]. The 2 Michelin star restaurant in-house is also a welcome addition!
Worth noting that the Sofitel, Waldorf, Trump, Langham, Ritz-Carlton, FS, Park Hyatt, etc --> are ALL within 1.1 miles of each other. So, location on all of them is a wash...
Long story short, I'm not really understanding the "hard product is stunning" line of thinking....maybe it was a mistake booking a "spa level room"??
One more thing [sorry, this is kind of rambling]: the spa has a lot of potential, but sheesh, it was DIRTY. Dirty is in all caps for a reason. The steam room had four towels balled up in a corner and cups that had been sitting in there so long they started melting. The steam room, while a good temperature, really smelled bad. The sauna wasn't even hot. And, to make matters weirder, there were some people who [for lack of a better term: didn't look like they belonged] trying the combo locks on ever locker in the room!
Last edited by pricesquire; Mar 2, 2015 at 4:40 pm
Mar 17, 2015, 6:41 am
#15
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
A Visit to the Trump Chicago: First Week in March, 2015
(Pictures on the blog, too many to post here...)
Coming in at over 1,300 feet - the second tallest building in Chicago & the 13th tallest in the world - you can't miss the Trump International Hotel & Tower. While the building is nothing short of enormous [would you expect anything less from a Trump hotel?], the actual hotel only occupies just under 30 floors of the hotel. So, despite the size, there is a level of intimacy that makes the hotel a bit more comfortable.
The hotel is something of an enigma to me. Objectively speaking, there is no doubt that this is an upper echelon hotel - by most people's standards. It's got what it takes to call itself a luxury hotel: hot towel service on arrival, complimentary house car, Michelin star restaurant, expansive spa & fitness center, and an unparalleled location.
That said, I can't say I was bowled over by the property. Nothing about it really 'sang' to me, and I left scratching my head a bit thinking: what's the big deal? Am I that much of a hotel snob that I couldn't appreciate what Trump had to offer? Or, conversely, was this just a so-so upscale hotel? After looking at the pictures & reading this review, you tell me.
Virtuoso
The Virtuoso amenities associated with a stay here include:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Continental breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests
$100 USD Resort or Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay
Additional Seasonal Amenity (Virtuoso Guests, welcome amenity)
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Location
Chicago has a plethora of luxury hotels. That said, it's worth noting that all of Chicago's luxe options are within 1.1 miles of each other [including non-Virtuoso properties like the Langham & Conrad]. For that reason, I'd be hard-pressed to say location should be a deciding factor in anyone's Chicago stay - unless, of course, riverfront views/access are of some importance to you...
If you're gunning for that river-view and/or river-access, the Trump has the rest of the pack beat.
Lobby
The hotel has a solid, upscale lobby that is inundated with glass, mahogany, and marble [everything you'd expect at a place named Trump!]. There isn't a negative thing you could say about the space - but it's definitely not a lobby you find yourself wanting to lounge in. It's a serious, business lobby, nothing more.
Accommodations
Overall, the hotel has 339 guest rooms, made up of the following room categories:
165 Deluxe Tower Guest Rooms
121 One-, Two- & Three-Bedroom Suites
53 Spa Guest Suite
For my stay I went with one of the spa rooms, under the [incorrect] assumption that these rooms offered something above & beyond your typical entry level room. I was wrong.
The only amenities offered to a spa room that aren't offered to a regular room are: (1) a "deeper" soaking tub & (2) a room on 14 or 14M [the spa floor]. Other than those two things, I couldn't find a distinction between these rooms and deluxe rooms. *If there are more distinctions between spa vs. deluxe that I'm somehow missing - Trump isn't doing a good job of explaining them.
Something else to remember when picking a room category: upgrades are done based on views first; meaning, if you booked a Deluxe City View room and Trump were to upgrade you, you'd be placed in the same category room with a better view [a Deluxe River View]. If you'd rather move up a category instead of move to a better view, let your Virtuoso advisor know your preference before booking.
Lastly, Trump is undergoing a refurbishment this coming year, and bedrooms will be affected [good!]. New bedding and new drapes are en route. There will be other soft-enhancements, but these are the big changes.
MY BEDROOM [DELUXE SPA ROOM]
Frankly, I wasn't blown away by my room. There wasn't anything bad about it - it just didn't scream luxury. It felt like a Hilton [a good Hilton, but a Hilton nonetheless]. Color scheme was pretty blasé, bordering on drab. Bedding was average. It was comfortable but it didn't exude that "I never want to leave" feeling I get from a lot of other luxury hotels.
MY BATHROOM:
The bathroom was alright. Like the room, it's not that there was anything bad about it - it just didn't elicit many "oohs" and "aahs." My main issue? The vinyl/plastic shower curtain & some pretty horrific wallpaper. I will say: I did make use of the in-mirror television, and I suspect you would too. Awesome edition to an otherwise so-so bathroom.
I can't stress this enough: this isn't a bad entry level room by any standards. My indifference probably speaks more to me being an outright hotel whore [who is spoiled beyond recognition]. In other words: I'm exceptionally biased, so please judge the room according to your own needs & standards.
Wondering why the rooms look more residential than hotel? It's because they are residential. Trump Hotel doubles as a time-share property ["time-share" isn't the word they use, but in fact, that's exactly what they are], and many of the rooms - most, really - were meant to be sold as condos.
In summary:
I would not recommend entry level rooms to anybody but business travelers, those who will be outside their room most of their stay, or those who are a bit less-discerning when it comes to upscale vs. luxury
The lowest category room I'd recommend to a more discerning traveler: River View Studio
Avoid spa level rooms, even if you're spa-addicted
Refurbishment is coming in 2015, so look for updates in decor and bedding
Overall: solid, upscale rooms that simply miss the 'luxury' mark.
Dining
Sixteen
Trump's premier dining option is a two-star Michelin restaurant: Sixteen. I had two meals there: breakfast and dinner.
The inevitable question regarding Sixteen is: how was it & is it worthy of two Michelin stars. My answer is: I don't know.
I've eaten at a good number of Michelin starred restaurants, and usually I can tell right off the bat why the place is so renowned. Sixteen: not so much. I enjoyed my food but wasn't blown away by any of it.
In good news, the decor is on-point & the outdoor patio - the Terrace at Trump [summer only] - is an amazing attribute to the hotel. I'd come here - good weather permitting - just to dine outside.
REBAR
I didn't get a chance to check it out, but Trump's Rebar is supposed to be a killer hotel bar. I heard lots of positive feedback from some of my colleagues who had time to visit, so I'd recommend at least a cursory glance if you're at the hotel.
ROOM SERVICE
There is quite an extensive menu for in-room dining, ranging from your ubiquitous club sandwich to a dim sum menu & Indian specialties like paneer masala. Options are definitely their strong suit.
That said, my experience with room service was quite disappointing. The kitchen was out of the first item I ordered, yet didn't manage to tell me until a half hour had elapsed. That said, my second option - kung pao chicken - came quickly. Unfortunately, it was overbearingly salty. So salty I couldn't finish it. Salt aside, the meal was average at best, and came in at over $40 USD.
I will say that the kitchen did remedy the situation - knocking 10% off the bill & sending a free dessert my way. Personally, I think an inedible meal should be comped, but I wasn't in the mood to push it.
For what it's worth, others I spoke to had very favorable in-room dining experiences. Quite a few people were raving about breakfast, too. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing and/or the kitchen was having an 'off' night. Regardless: not impressed!
Spa & Wellness
Pre-arrival, I had heard a lot of positive feedback regarding Trump's spa. I'm not kidding when I say that "best in Chicago" was a common utterance in reference to the spa. Unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations.
Disclosure: (1) I did not get any treatments; (2) I only saw "common area" spaces, i.e., sauna, steam, deluge, heated pool, locker room, corridors, etc...
Nothing about this spa felt exclusive or luxurious. In fact, there were numerous aspects that turned me off to the whole experience, and by day five I was completely uninterested in visiting.
For example, cleanliness was an issue: the steam room was actually dirty; plastic cups were all over the place & some had been in there so long the plastic had melted. Furthermore, there was a moldy smell in the steam room [the worst!]. There was a piece of paper towel/toilet paper that was in the steam room four days in a row.
Upon leaving the steam room, I went for the sauna. The sauna wasn't hot - at all.
Sadly, this spa - which I heard so many good things about - ended up feeling like an average health club.
Service & Soft-Product
Minus the room service hiccup, I thought the soft product was very good, as was the staff. Employees were amiable, accommodating, and knew many of their clientele by name.
Conclusion
As I said in the Introduction: Am I that much of a hotel snob that I couldn't appreciate what Trump had to offer? Or, conversely, was this just a so-so upscale hotel?
I'm leaning towards the latter statement.
That's not to say there aren't a lot of good things about Trump. A good number of the room categories are luxurious enough for the discerning traveler. The location is incredible. Staff goes above and beyond constantly. There is a Michelin star restaurant on property, a killer deck for summertime, a house car, and lovely views from every room.
That said, this place just didn't do it for me. For others, this may be a perfectly serviceable hotel. I think it all really depends on your reason for being in Chicago, how much time you'll spend in the room, and what you look for in a hotel. To each his/her own, right?
(Pictures on the blog, too many to post here...)
Coming in at over 1,300 feet - the second tallest building in Chicago & the 13th tallest in the world - you can't miss the Trump International Hotel & Tower. While the building is nothing short of enormous [would you expect anything less from a Trump hotel?], the actual hotel only occupies just under 30 floors of the hotel. So, despite the size, there is a level of intimacy that makes the hotel a bit more comfortable.
The hotel is something of an enigma to me. Objectively speaking, there is no doubt that this is an upper echelon hotel - by most people's standards. It's got what it takes to call itself a luxury hotel: hot towel service on arrival, complimentary house car, Michelin star restaurant, expansive spa & fitness center, and an unparalleled location.
That said, I can't say I was bowled over by the property. Nothing about it really 'sang' to me, and I left scratching my head a bit thinking: what's the big deal? Am I that much of a hotel snob that I couldn't appreciate what Trump had to offer? Or, conversely, was this just a so-so upscale hotel? After looking at the pictures & reading this review, you tell me.
Virtuoso
The Virtuoso amenities associated with a stay here include:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Continental breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests
$100 USD Resort or Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay
Additional Seasonal Amenity (Virtuoso Guests, welcome amenity)
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Location
Chicago has a plethora of luxury hotels. That said, it's worth noting that all of Chicago's luxe options are within 1.1 miles of each other [including non-Virtuoso properties like the Langham & Conrad]. For that reason, I'd be hard-pressed to say location should be a deciding factor in anyone's Chicago stay - unless, of course, riverfront views/access are of some importance to you...
If you're gunning for that river-view and/or river-access, the Trump has the rest of the pack beat.
Lobby
The hotel has a solid, upscale lobby that is inundated with glass, mahogany, and marble [everything you'd expect at a place named Trump!]. There isn't a negative thing you could say about the space - but it's definitely not a lobby you find yourself wanting to lounge in. It's a serious, business lobby, nothing more.
Accommodations
Overall, the hotel has 339 guest rooms, made up of the following room categories:
165 Deluxe Tower Guest Rooms
121 One-, Two- & Three-Bedroom Suites
53 Spa Guest Suite
For my stay I went with one of the spa rooms, under the [incorrect] assumption that these rooms offered something above & beyond your typical entry level room. I was wrong.
The only amenities offered to a spa room that aren't offered to a regular room are: (1) a "deeper" soaking tub & (2) a room on 14 or 14M [the spa floor]. Other than those two things, I couldn't find a distinction between these rooms and deluxe rooms. *If there are more distinctions between spa vs. deluxe that I'm somehow missing - Trump isn't doing a good job of explaining them.
Something else to remember when picking a room category: upgrades are done based on views first; meaning, if you booked a Deluxe City View room and Trump were to upgrade you, you'd be placed in the same category room with a better view [a Deluxe River View]. If you'd rather move up a category instead of move to a better view, let your Virtuoso advisor know your preference before booking.
Lastly, Trump is undergoing a refurbishment this coming year, and bedrooms will be affected [good!]. New bedding and new drapes are en route. There will be other soft-enhancements, but these are the big changes.
MY BEDROOM [DELUXE SPA ROOM]
Frankly, I wasn't blown away by my room. There wasn't anything bad about it - it just didn't scream luxury. It felt like a Hilton [a good Hilton, but a Hilton nonetheless]. Color scheme was pretty blasé, bordering on drab. Bedding was average. It was comfortable but it didn't exude that "I never want to leave" feeling I get from a lot of other luxury hotels.
MY BATHROOM:
The bathroom was alright. Like the room, it's not that there was anything bad about it - it just didn't elicit many "oohs" and "aahs." My main issue? The vinyl/plastic shower curtain & some pretty horrific wallpaper. I will say: I did make use of the in-mirror television, and I suspect you would too. Awesome edition to an otherwise so-so bathroom.
I can't stress this enough: this isn't a bad entry level room by any standards. My indifference probably speaks more to me being an outright hotel whore [who is spoiled beyond recognition]. In other words: I'm exceptionally biased, so please judge the room according to your own needs & standards.
Wondering why the rooms look more residential than hotel? It's because they are residential. Trump Hotel doubles as a time-share property ["time-share" isn't the word they use, but in fact, that's exactly what they are], and many of the rooms - most, really - were meant to be sold as condos.
In summary:
I would not recommend entry level rooms to anybody but business travelers, those who will be outside their room most of their stay, or those who are a bit less-discerning when it comes to upscale vs. luxury
The lowest category room I'd recommend to a more discerning traveler: River View Studio
Avoid spa level rooms, even if you're spa-addicted
Refurbishment is coming in 2015, so look for updates in decor and bedding
Overall: solid, upscale rooms that simply miss the 'luxury' mark.
Dining
Sixteen
Trump's premier dining option is a two-star Michelin restaurant: Sixteen. I had two meals there: breakfast and dinner.
The inevitable question regarding Sixteen is: how was it & is it worthy of two Michelin stars. My answer is: I don't know.
I've eaten at a good number of Michelin starred restaurants, and usually I can tell right off the bat why the place is so renowned. Sixteen: not so much. I enjoyed my food but wasn't blown away by any of it.
In good news, the decor is on-point & the outdoor patio - the Terrace at Trump [summer only] - is an amazing attribute to the hotel. I'd come here - good weather permitting - just to dine outside.
REBAR
I didn't get a chance to check it out, but Trump's Rebar is supposed to be a killer hotel bar. I heard lots of positive feedback from some of my colleagues who had time to visit, so I'd recommend at least a cursory glance if you're at the hotel.
ROOM SERVICE
There is quite an extensive menu for in-room dining, ranging from your ubiquitous club sandwich to a dim sum menu & Indian specialties like paneer masala. Options are definitely their strong suit.
That said, my experience with room service was quite disappointing. The kitchen was out of the first item I ordered, yet didn't manage to tell me until a half hour had elapsed. That said, my second option - kung pao chicken - came quickly. Unfortunately, it was overbearingly salty. So salty I couldn't finish it. Salt aside, the meal was average at best, and came in at over $40 USD.
I will say that the kitchen did remedy the situation - knocking 10% off the bill & sending a free dessert my way. Personally, I think an inedible meal should be comped, but I wasn't in the mood to push it.
For what it's worth, others I spoke to had very favorable in-room dining experiences. Quite a few people were raving about breakfast, too. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing and/or the kitchen was having an 'off' night. Regardless: not impressed!
Spa & Wellness
Pre-arrival, I had heard a lot of positive feedback regarding Trump's spa. I'm not kidding when I say that "best in Chicago" was a common utterance in reference to the spa. Unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations.
Disclosure: (1) I did not get any treatments; (2) I only saw "common area" spaces, i.e., sauna, steam, deluge, heated pool, locker room, corridors, etc...
Nothing about this spa felt exclusive or luxurious. In fact, there were numerous aspects that turned me off to the whole experience, and by day five I was completely uninterested in visiting.
For example, cleanliness was an issue: the steam room was actually dirty; plastic cups were all over the place & some had been in there so long the plastic had melted. Furthermore, there was a moldy smell in the steam room [the worst!]. There was a piece of paper towel/toilet paper that was in the steam room four days in a row.
Upon leaving the steam room, I went for the sauna. The sauna wasn't hot - at all.
Sadly, this spa - which I heard so many good things about - ended up feeling like an average health club.
Service & Soft-Product
Minus the room service hiccup, I thought the soft product was very good, as was the staff. Employees were amiable, accommodating, and knew many of their clientele by name.
Conclusion
As I said in the Introduction: Am I that much of a hotel snob that I couldn't appreciate what Trump had to offer? Or, conversely, was this just a so-so upscale hotel?
I'm leaning towards the latter statement.
That's not to say there aren't a lot of good things about Trump. A good number of the room categories are luxurious enough for the discerning traveler. The location is incredible. Staff goes above and beyond constantly. There is a Michelin star restaurant on property, a killer deck for summertime, a house car, and lovely views from every room.
That said, this place just didn't do it for me. For others, this may be a perfectly serviceable hotel. I think it all really depends on your reason for being in Chicago, how much time you'll spend in the room, and what you look for in a hotel. To each his/her own, right?