jcm55a

I'm Hilton Diamond and SPG/Marriott Gold and will be in town at the end of the year,from the 26th until the 30th. I've been searching for various TripAdvisor reviews of both types of properties but I haven't been able to decide on a property. I would like to take advantage of my status but obviously there are no guarantees. That being said, if you had to pick Hilton vs. SPG/M, which would you pick and why?
It would be nice if it was near the blue line to get to ORD, but it's not a must. I know my way around the city so I can figure all that out.
Thanks!

DavidDTW

I have not stayed at any of the SPG properties, but my favorite Marriott is the Renaissance on State at the river. Great location and only a couple blocks from the blue line. Also, the JW is quite nice.

As for Hilton, I have only stayed at the Palmer House. Another great location, but some rooms are kind of small.

goodeats21

I have not stayed at any of the SPG properties, but would recommend a look at the Hotel Chicago Downtown (Autograph Collection).

If you are willing to go the Advanced Purchase rate, $524 for the 4 nights. Nice lounge, stylish rooms. Central location. Good staff.

You can typically find really good rates for Downtown Chicago during holiday weeks...

cheltzel

If you want to be in the city center and convenient to the Blue Line, you have the following options:

Westin Chicago River North (3 - 4 blocks from Clark/Lake)
W Chicago City Center (2 blocks from Monroe/Dearborn or 3 blocks from Jackson/Dearborn Blue Line)
Renaissance Hotel Chicago (2 blocks from Clark/Lake)
JW Marriott Chicago (3 blocks Jackson/Dearborn)

There are other very nice hotels in the Michigan Avenue are but these are really not convenient for the Blue Line. You would need to take a cab from the Blue Line to the hotel (unless you don't mind hauling your bags on a 6 - 9 block trek from the nearest Blue Line station in the middle of a Chicago winter).

If you want to a convenient location for the River North and Michigan Avenue areas then you would look at either the Westin River North or the Renaissance Hotel Chicago. If you are more interested in the Loop area then you might focus on the other two.

I have not stayed at any of the SPG or Marriott properties downtown but have been at meetings and/or events at most and they all seem very nice. I think your are going down the right path by digging in to the reviews for the properties. Just narrow the field down by your geographic requirements and don't waste time on ones that don't match your requirements.

SkiAdcock

If you want to take advantage of your elite perks & the hotels you're considering have exec lounges, check to see if the lounges will be open during the 26th-30th. Some properties close their lounges during the Xmas holidays because bookings are down/less biz travelers. That might not apply in Chicago, as it's a pretty popular destination, but definitely something to consider.

If closed you would still be entitled to breakfast (don't forget to link your SPG/MAR accounts if you haven't done so, as SPG doesn't provide brekkie to Golds but MAR does).

Cheers.

jcm55a

Thanks for the tip about the SPG gold versus MAR gold, I didn't know that! I'll keep searching around. Like you all know there's no guarantees for anything even with status but I'm just hoping to put myself in the best position. [and thanks to everyone else that responded so far]

washingtonian_2017

I have elite status with Marriott and IHG. However, the last time we were in Chicago, we stayed at Kimpton Gray. It is very conveniently located (very close to PrivateBank Theater) and the staff was outstanding.

jcm55a

You mentioned the theatre, did you go watch Hamilton ?

JBord

I would actually restate this as: a great hotel, except for the rooms.

DavidDTW

Not to veer off on a tangent from the main topic, but the show is great! I wasn't thrilled with Wayne Brady as Burr on my second visit, but definitely worth seeing!!

jcm55a

Yea I saw the reviews/pictures, that hotel is def not on my radar at the moment.

Right now I'm considering theWit or the Renaissance...

washingtonian_2017

yes, that was the reason for our visit. it was raining and the staff were kind enough to provide umbrellas for my family. We walked to the theater.

Hamilton tickets in NYC were too expensive. The Chicago version was fantastic.

MissJ

I've stayed at a good many of the Hiltons and a few Marriotts. The Wit is fantastic. We usually go there or the WA. Loved the old Conrad as well.

jcm55a

What did you like about the Wit? I randomly came across it and am currently booked with them.

JBord

As just a local who hasn't stayed there, the biggest advantage is you get direct access to the fantastic, open-air rooftop lounge, while those not staying at the hotel have to wait in a long line on weekends.

It's also a great location for just about anything you want to do within the city.