Well I just checked out of the new W Chicago City Center, and I have to say 'the jury's still out'! Here are my initial impressions:
Check In: The lobby is small, dark, very mod looking & very crowded. The main bar area is the lobby, so after entering the wide doorway, you are faced with an assortment of comfy looking couches filled with people. I got there about 4pm, and the place was packed!! At the front desk there was only one guy working and from the looks of it, this was not his regular job. He was having enormous problems in calling someone on his 2-way radio. He then turned to me & had stricken look on his face. He quickly called in one of the regular agents who proceeded to take my Platinum card & visa and tried to run my SPG card through the computer...it didn't work. He then took my visa & checked me in. I mentioned my Platinum status & asked for an upgrade--all I got was a blank look, and a vague "OK". He handed me my key card and proceeded walk back to the office. I had to call him & ask where the elevators were. He pointed across the hall and went back to the office. I only had one carry on, so didn't need help--which was good, since none was offered.
ROOMS: My room 414, was small, facing the inner courtyard and about level with the roof top of the lobby. While appointed nicely in the W fashion--it didn't appear to be an upgraded room. I called down & asked if I could be given a better room, and was told yes, we have lots of nicer rooms & someone would be right up to take me to one! Very quickly I got a knock on the door, and was escorted to a new room 1406. The guy did arrive with a luggage cart, saw my bag & said Oh we won't need this and left it in the hall. At no time did he ask to carry it--but no big deal.
He showed me to my new room, and left. The new room was definately bigger, with a very large bathroom, nice fluffy towels, robes & Aveda amenities. The room had a large bed, and a chaise lounge in front of a large screen tv. The clock radio had a CD player, and while there was no mini bar, there was a fridge, but it wasn't working (as I found out a bit later). I attempted to use the phone in my new room (there were 2 --a regular one and a portable), neither worked, so I called home using my cell phone. There wasn't any sort of info on the hotel, restaurants, services, health club etc. in the room. So I really can't tell you what was available. There was only a xeroxed restaurant menu and a leaflet on a variety of W items available for purchase.
LOBBY: Upon going back downstairs to the lobby, it was even more crowded and now they were loudly playing some type of 'electronic/euro' music. But yes, I did expect that given this was a 'W', and wasn't troubled by it in the least. I was going to tell them about the non working phone, no info etc., but the front desk was very crowded with people using it as a 'bar'-- so I just left.
I went out to the local Mc Donald's--right next door and got dinner, then returned to my room.
CHECK OUT: I received my bill, all was fine & went to hand in my key about 6am, the front desk agent was chatting with one of the staff, and looked at me & took my key, and kept right on chatting. PS--even during the day, the lobby is very, very dark.
All in all, I was not overly impressed, but did chalk it down to newness (they are only opened 2 or 3 weeks). And I will be back, I currently have a reservation for this Monday 6/25--as every other Chicago hotel is sold out. Also it is very very close to my Chicago office in the Sear Tower, so I'm not going to let first impressions ruin any future stays.
I'd be interested in hearing any other opinions-- or comments from our SPG.