I am going to Chicago on September and I am trying to decide between the Four Seasons or Trump. For those of you who have been to Chicago, which one do you recommend and which one seems more opulent and luxurious with respect to public areas. Any other comment is welcome.
Trump usually doesnt enter the discussion of top tier Chicago hotels; that may be deserved or it may be an oversight if none of us have stayed there. I know I havent. I havent even visited it.
The top tier is generally considered to be; FS, RC (an FS), Pen and Park Hyatt.
I have stayed at all of these properties. RE: the FS. I like the old-style health club and pool there. Although recently renovated a little, the standard suites are very ho-hum. Only 1 bath, no double sinks, sort of non-descript styling, etc. The bar is a nice spot for a drink. The Ritz is a 1/2 step down from there as its is more worn (likely to see carpets tattered, etc.) and the main restaurant closed a couple years ago. All we're left with is the lobby lounge/cafe.
The Pen is still the best IMO. My last stay there was about a year ago. Although it's not new anymore, it's still the newest of the lot. The public areas are gorgeous with a great setting for breakfast & tea, a good bar, and plush rooms with the usual Pen lighting/TV gadgetry.
PH is also a good bet as it has better rooms than either FS, but a 1/2 step down in service. The PH has the best restaurant among the group.
By far and away, the Peninsula in Chicago has the best food, service, rooms and public areas. Gorgeous lobby and flawless service. Drinks or dinner on the terrace is nice. The Four Seasons is also well done, but the rooms are a bit on the plain side for me and the food not as good as the Pen (though they do have a nice Sunday brunch). Third place I would give to give to Park Hyatt. After this it falls off to the Nice but not top tier properties.
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This is a timely thread as I am currently doing some research for an early-November conference trip.
While the Conference itself is being held at a Starwood hotel, and I intend to stay at the conference hotel for convenience, I have added the weekends on either side of the conference for touristy stuff.
I have been considering the Trump as well as the usual suspects: FS, RC, PH and Pen. I have been reading some mixed reviews on the PH on the Hyatt board and I know the Pen is the most loved here.
However, the Pen does not seem to have any deals on for November yet and I feel, if judging by website pictures are any indication, the refurbished FS or RC offer spiffier rooms than the Pen. The Pen feels remarkably underwhelming, and fairly expensive, in relation.
I too would appreciate any additional thoughts.... for me, the RC is currently the front-runner for the first weekend (3 nights, Sat-Mon). The second weekend, Fri and Sat are up for grabs and I am not too inclined to do 2 one night stays anymore..... (but I may since I am a FTer)
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I too would appreciate any additional thoughts.... for me, the RC is currently the front-runner for the first weekend (3 nights, Sat-Mon). The second weekend, Fri and Sat are up for grabs and I am not too inclined to do 2 one night stays anymore..... (but I may since I am a FTer)
Hi Lux,
You in particular are treated like royalty at any FS, so I wouldnt hesitate to go in that direction if I were you!!!
All things being equal though, the Pen is tops in almost every category.
Im really down on the RC these days. I just stepped in a month or two ago and got a drink at the lobby on a Friday evening. It was dead. So sad. I also peaked into the old Dining Room. The door was open and I just strolled through the various conference-style tables and folding chairs scattered in there. All of the wood walls and mirrors of the space were still in place. It made me a little sad wishing for the days when a venue like that thrived. It embodied what I think of as old Chicago.
The Water Tower itself is losing it luster IMO...but that may just be a personal bias against the stores in there. It certainly is no competition for the other leading vertical mall in the U.S. (which has it own set of critics!); that being the Time Warner Center.
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Indeed, I am treated very well at FS around the world. Part of the issue is that I am trying to convince myself to try the PEN to see what the fuss is all about.
I had heard that the RC SFO was fantastic so I went to try it for myself and ended up with one of the most lacklustre stays ever in a luxury hotel. When one is spending several hundred dollars a night, that kind of experience does make me, at least, proceed with some caution and trepidation.
I do, however, think, the 2 FS properties will get my money this time around.
On the Dining Room at the RC, this situation reminds me much of Chartwell at the FS Vancouver. I practically grew up in that dining room and when it closed I was very sad. I am happy to say that YEW is an excellent successor but I do still miss the classic venue.
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Never stayed at Trump, but have had drinks at the bar, and had a poke around the place....VERY NICE! The view up the river is spectacular and supposedly the rooms (according to a friend of mine who has stayed there) are spectacular, and equipped with a lot of high tech goodies!
I'm not a fan of the RC/FS, but like the other properties quite a bit. Location is good, but not quite as good as the other lux properties in Chicago if you want to be on the Mag. mile.
If it were my decision, I would definitely try Trump! (assuming you've tried the others...if not, definitely the Pen.)
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My son has made frequent trips to Chicago in the last couple of months for business. Prior to his last several trips, he stayed at the Park Hyatt and was satisfied.
On the last 3 trips, his client booked him at the 4S. He was extremely impressed with the 4S. Moreover, they upgraded him to fantastic suite (no doubt, due to his prior recent visits). His feeling is that the 4S is the best hotel in Chicago...to be fair, he has not stayed at Trump, but he has stayed at the Pen. He loves the 4S.
This is a timely thread as I am currently doing some research for an early-November conference trip.
Me too! Trump is closer to where I need to be than any of the other properties so I am seriously considering it. Would love a first-hand report from a seasoned FTer.
However, the Pen does not seem to have any deals on for November yet and I feel, if judging by website pictures are any indication, the refurbished FS or RC offer spiffier rooms than the Pen. The Pen feels remarkably underwhelming, and fairly expensive, in relation.
The pen's deluxe suites are nice,not huge but nice,we've stayed in one on one of the higher floors.There was free wifi too.
I'd also recommend the food and service in their aisan cuisine restaurant.
It was snowing when we were there so I can't comment on the outdoor terrace
I haven't stayed at the RC, so I can't comment on the property -- other than to say that the only rooms I would consider there are Premier rooms and there must be very few of them because they are never available when I check dates.
I wasn't impressed with the Trump. I stayed there not long after they opened, so there were some kinks to iron out. The location is beautiful, but only if you need to be on or near the river. The rooms are large, but monochromatic, and the layout is typical hotel room (although the kitchenette is certainly NOT typical). Sterile is the word that comes to mind.
The Park Hyatt is lovely, although there are almost no public areas. The service is not up to FS standards, but the rates are often a good deal less than the FS or Pen, and you can earn/use Hyatt points.
I stayed at the Four Seasons before renovations, and I was upgraded to a suite, so I don't know what other rooms are like. The service was top notch (of course) and the spa, eateries, and public areas are fantastic.
I have to give the edge to the Pen. Despite a few minor complaints (an unfriendly receptionist, a smoky smell in the lobby due to a cigar bar close by -- I wonder if that is gone now with no-smoking regulations?), everything else was outstanding. The rooms are spacious, comfortable, and warm (really nice color scheme) and the bathroom is one of the best I've ever seen. The location is right in the middle of the N Michigan Ave. action. Superb spa and restaurants as well. In this case, you get what you pay for -- even if there aren't any specials available.
Hi Lux,
You in particular are treated like royalty at any FS, so I wouldnt hesitate to go in that direction if I were you!!!
All things being equal though, the Pen is tops in almost every category.
Im really down on the RC these days. I just stepped in a month or two ago and got a drink at the lobby on a Friday evening. It was dead. So sad. I also peaked into the old Dining Room. The door was open and I just strolled through the various conference-style tables and folding chairs scattered in there. All of the wood walls and mirrors of the space were still in place. It made me a little sad wishing for the days when a venue like that thrived. It embodied what I think of as old Chicago.
The Water Tower itself is losing it luster IMO...but that may just be a personal bias against the stores in there. It certainly is no competition for the other leading vertical mall in the U.S. (which has it own set of critics!); that being the Time Warner Center.
Living in Chicago, I have seen the rise and fall of Water Tower over the years. Similarly the Ritz Carlton was once the absolute top of the Chicago market, particularly in the 70s and 80s, but has not kept up as the competition from the FS, Pen and others has intensified. The mall is really sad now, most of the upper end stores have migrated to 900 North (attached to the Four Seasons) or to Oak Street with the highest end places.
So I am a big fan of the Peninsula and like the chocholate bar they have on Friday and Saturday evenings (I dont even like chocholate), the Bar, the terrace, the rooftop pool and spa, the quality of the rooms.
In addition to the Pen, I do like the Four Seasons very well and with the recent renovations, I think that most would be delighted to stay there as well. I would however, skip the Ritz Carlton unless it is a much better deal.
On a final note, my firm has numerous clients and colleauges in town all the time and I often hear feedback from them. The Pen gets the most raves, particularly the bar which I also enjoy. FS is always well thought of and particular note is given to their concierge. At a slightly lower price point I hear great things about the Sofitel and their restaurant, rooms and location. The jury is still out on Trump, but its location and views us the river offer promise. The bar is OK, but a little too uptight for me, which I dont feel is the case at the Four Seasons or Pen Bar.
As a final but seperate note, I am glad to recommend restaurants, etc. fellow FTs visiting. Chicago has a lot of great food options.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mktozd
As a final but seperate note, I am glad to recommend restaurants, etc. fellow FTs visiting. Chicago has a lot of great food options.
I will be sure to take you up on this offer -- I will switch focus to dining once accomm has been taken care of. I am VERY intrigued by Laurent Gras' L2O....
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I will be sure to take you up on this offer -- I will switch focus to dining once accomm has been taken care of. I am VERY intrigued by Laurent Gras' L2O....
L2O is very interesting and a lovely setting, good food, etc. Similar in some ways to Tru, but not as unique (or crazy) as Moto. One my our favorites continues to be MK Chicago in river north. MK takes simple foods and does them exceptionally well, while paring them with some inventive twists. Of all the clients and friends from out of town, we have had more rave reviews from MK than from any other. Dinner is about $45-60 without drinks, but well worth it.
I haven't stayed at the Pen, but I'll be more than happy to sing the praises of the Four Seasons Chicago. Stayed there last month in a renovated Executive Suite with a beautiful view of the lake and the Hancock Tower. The bed was fabulous (as were the sheets), and the front desk and concierge staff were excellent. Also, Sunday brunch is a must -- I started and ended with dessert .
since I am a FTer)
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