Yet another report from the W.. (Thanks for your info as well, mauld & Skeeter)

I'm just back from my free weekend at the W Chicago Center and I, too, had some mixed experiences and opinions:

Lobby: very dark and a bit unintuitive - the first person/desk you find to your right after entering is for the resturant - the reception desk is not immediately visible when entering (or maybe I was tired ). Was carrying laptop bag and pretty full and heavy sportsbag. No offer to help carrying by doorman.

Check-in: No problems, gave SPG card and AmEx, keys to room 301-303 were waiting (Suite upgrade; thanks Starwood ). No offer to help w/luggage. No additional information on room, hotel services or similar.

Room: large bedroom and a much smaller accompanying room ("livingroom"?). Bedroom had "Heavenly bed"-style bed (but not exactly the same as the Westins, I think). Good soundproofed windows (from street noise below), slightly noisy but efficient airconditioning. Nice colours on walls and carpets, modern designer furniture and LARGE TV w/40 channels, VHS-player and radio/CD-player in both rooms. Empty minibars/fridges in both rooms, no complimentary water bottles or similar. Large supply of empty glasses in all sizes.

Small bathroom belonging to the "livingroom": very compact; dripping tap in bathtub and a used (or at least dirty cap) shampoo bottle among the Aveda bath products. Empty "hair dryer"-bag.

Bedroom's bathroom: HUGE bathroom with separate walk-in shower and jacuzzi(!). Recently refurnished sink/bench/furniture, but jacuzzi and shower was older and shower's floor-tiles slightly stained (a symptom of age, I guess). Various bottles of Aveda (unopened) products & plentiful supply of soaps, towels et cetera. Really really cool W bathrobes, no slippers.

Platinum amenity: Handwritten card and mini-box of Godiva delivered to room 30 min after check-in. Called the "whatever/whenever" service to inquire about (complimentary) breakfast. The agent said they only had roomservice breakfast, but he wasn't sure if it was complimentary; transferred me to frond desk. Front desk agent informed me that they indeed also had buffet breakfast in the resturant, but that there were no complimentaries for SPG Plats.

Other staff: a receptionist agent was helpful in suggesting things to do and provided map and comments, but didn't know about direct bus to the Museum of Science of Industry (the bus passes 2-3 blocks from the hotel, but I only found out about it from the Tourist info in the Watertower). Lady behind the counter in the W Shop in the lobby area spent the entire 5 minutes I was there complaining on the phone to a colleague/friend about lack of concierge, having too much to do and having to count inventories daily. No offer of help or even a welcome = no business.

Check-out: Agent asked: "Shall I put it on your Amex?" Knowing I had made a few 1-800 phonecalls, I thought there might be a small charge for those and asked about the amount. Imagine my surprise when the response was that the total was $300+! I said that it was supposed to be a free weekend from the SPG promotion, and agent promptly removed one night charge, and asked "one free night?". "No, two". The other night was also immediately taken off bill and I was left with a total of $5 (energy surcharges -- I thought they were only in California, but I paid without commenting). Was offered help to carry bags, but refused (was not taking taxi, but going to the blue line train a few blocks down the street).

Overall: I might have had too high expectations to the Wild/Wonderful/Whatever W hotels or I might be spoiled from staying too much in the same luxurious Westin, but overall the stay was indeed comfortable, the bed excellent, the room huge (and free!) so it was ok.. Reservation process with the Plat concierges was quick and painless, I did get an upgrade (made no extra inquiries after booking, no attempt to confirm upgrade etc) and if nothing else, the stay confirmed my belief in SPG as one of the best frequent guest programs around.

I'll probably give other W's a try later on (cool concept), but next time I return to Chicago I'll probably try another location. The new W Chicago Lakeshore may be better positioned for weekend nightlife - down south by the Sears tower it's pretty dead.. Will look forward to hearing people's experiences there when it opens.