Chicago hotels ?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 148
Chicago hotels ?
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!
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!
#2
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Motown
Programs: DL, WN, AA, IHG Diamond, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,407
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.
As for Hilton, I have only stayed at the Palmer House. Another great location, but some rooms are kind of small.
#3
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
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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!
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!
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...
#4
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,121
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.
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.
Last edited by cheltzel; Aug 9, 2017 at 3:55 am
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,093
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.
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.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 148
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.
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.
#7
formerly gantid
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: IAD
Programs: UA Mileage Plus Platinum, Marriott Platinum elite, *G, Hilton Gold
Posts: 198
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.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 148
#9
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
#10
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Motown
Programs: DL, WN, AA, IHG Diamond, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,407
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 148
#12
formerly gantid
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: IAD
Programs: UA Mileage Plus Platinum, Marriott Platinum elite, *G, Hilton Gold
Posts: 198
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.
Hamilton tickets in NYC were too expensive. The Chicago version was fantastic.
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 148
#15
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
It's also a great location for just about anything you want to do within the city.