LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton {US-IL}
Jun 14, 2016, 1:26 am
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
Programs: AA EXP 1.7 M, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, AARP Sophomore, 14-time Croix de Candlestick
Posts: 18,669
To those upset about the rooftop policies: give it time.
They have the ticket system in place; no one would pay if they knew that they could show up and get in without paying.
My prediction is that, sooner rather than later, the ticket system will only be for weekends, with weeknight charges waived for hotel guests.
They have the ticket system in place; no one would pay if they knew that they could show up and get in without paying.
My prediction is that, sooner rather than later, the ticket system will only be for weekends, with weeknight charges waived for hotel guests.
Jun 14, 2016, 5:35 am
#47
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 184
To those upset about the rooftop policies: give it time.
They have the ticket system in place; no one would pay if they knew that they could show up and get in without paying.
My prediction is that, sooner rather than later, the ticket system will only be for weekends, with weeknight charges waived for hotel guests.
They have the ticket system in place; no one would pay if they knew that they could show up and get in without paying.
My prediction is that, sooner rather than later, the ticket system will only be for weekends, with weeknight charges waived for hotel guests.
Last edited by ukyank; Jun 14, 2016 at 5:52 am
Jun 14, 2016, 6:11 am
#48
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
To those upset about the rooftop policies: give it time.
They have the ticket system in place; no one would pay if they knew that they could show up and get in without paying.
My prediction is that, sooner rather than later, the ticket system will only be for weekends, with weeknight charges waived for hotel guests.
They have the ticket system in place; no one would pay if they knew that they could show up and get in without paying.
My prediction is that, sooner rather than later, the ticket system will only be for weekends, with weeknight charges waived for hotel guests.
However, while I understand the sentiment in your first post, I disagree with the conclusion - this hotel is far and away a better property than theWit in pretty much every regard, and as other have noted the prices in upcoming weeks seem to have come down to a more reasonable level. Even if the rooftop were off limits I would pick this hand down over theWit. I have no doubt that you'll be able to make it up to the rooftop; it may just require a bit of asking (which I still agree with you 100% should NOT be the case for paying hotel guests).
Last edited by arlflyer; Jun 14, 2016 at 6:17 am
Jun 14, 2016, 6:38 am
#49
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 184
So just to be clear - we did NOT pay anything to go to the rooftop, and there was no "ticket system", just a very adamant and illogical hostess who did not understand the concept of standing room vs. reserved tables. The second a manager appeared in passing we were quickly whisked up with apologies and all was well.
Absolutely agree with this.
However, while I understand the sentiment in your first post, I disagree with the conclusion - this hotel is far and away a better property than theWit in pretty much every regard, and as other have noted the prices in upcoming weeks seem to have come down to a more reasonable level. Even if the rooftop were off limits I would pick this hand down over theWit. I have no doubt that you'll be able to make it up to the rooftop; it may just require a bit of asking (which I still agree with you 100% should NOT be the case for paying hotel guests).
Absolutely agree with this.
However, while I understand the sentiment in your first post, I disagree with the conclusion - this hotel is far and away a better property than theWit in pretty much every regard, and as other have noted the prices in upcoming weeks seem to have come down to a more reasonable level. Even if the rooftop were off limits I would pick this hand down over theWit. I have no doubt that you'll be able to make it up to the rooftop; it may just require a bit of asking (which I still agree with you 100% should NOT be the case for paying hotel guests).
Last edited by ukyank; Jun 14, 2016 at 6:50 am
Jun 14, 2016, 7:37 am
#50
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
Ok; I'll give them the benefit of the doubt - the rate I got was actually very good apparently ($199 - last weekend of June); & yea I realize you don't have to pay for bar entry; but to guarantee it you do at this point as per their bar 'reservation' site & im not really into begging management to be allowed in.
Jun 14, 2016, 7:48 am
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
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I missed in arlflyer's large post that he/she was only seeking standing space.
The purpose of the paid reservation system (which uses the ticketing system developed by Alinea restaurt) is for tables only.
When a guest was only seeking standing space, it sounds like the hostess was overzealous; if she was rude on top of it, it was cleary unacceptable.
But it is not the first or last time that hotels market primarily to non-guests, the W brand being one of the worst offenders.
Don't know if you remember the major issues at the W Hollywood when they sold control of their swimming pool to a nightclub/dayclub operator who promptly banned hotel guests. That was far worse, since there was no alternative.
The purpose of the paid reservation system (which uses the ticketing system developed by Alinea restaurt) is for tables only.
When a guest was only seeking standing space, it sounds like the hostess was overzealous; if she was rude on top of it, it was cleary unacceptable.
But it is not the first or last time that hotels market primarily to non-guests, the W brand being one of the worst offenders.
Don't know if you remember the major issues at the W Hollywood when they sold control of their swimming pool to a nightclub/dayclub operator who promptly banned hotel guests. That was far worse, since there was no alternative.
Jun 14, 2016, 8:01 am
#52
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,478
Yes, my guess is that they're going to get a bunch of flack from hotel guests about this policy and will be forced to change. Too much high end competition in Chicago for such an arrogant guest-unfriendly policy to survive.
Jun 14, 2016, 12:28 pm
#55
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 184
I missed in arlflyer's large post that he/she was only seeking standing space.
The purpose of the paid reservation system (which uses the ticketing system developed by Alinea restaurt) is for tables only.
When a guest was only seeking standing space, it sounds like the hostess was overzealous; if she was rude on top of it, it was cleary unacceptable.
The purpose of the paid reservation system (which uses the ticketing system developed by Alinea restaurt) is for tables only.
When a guest was only seeking standing space, it sounds like the hostess was overzealous; if she was rude on top of it, it was cleary unacceptable.
Jun 15, 2016, 9:01 am
#57
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,478
Jun 15, 2016, 9:09 am
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
Programs: AA EXP 1.7 M, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, AARP Sophomore, 14-time Croix de Candlestick
Posts: 18,669
Jun 21, 2016, 4:44 pm
#59
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: DL Silver, AS MVP, UA Silver, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 3,883
I snagged a corp rate here tomorrow night for $127, while the HHonors Discount was already only $155... not sure if this is a promo of some sort or just low occupancy, but rates for the same night about a week ago were ~$380. Instead of renting a car from O'Hare I'll take CTA into town to avoid parking and pick up my rental car nearby on Thurs morning and return to O'Hare. We may see about checking out the rooftop bar, but I'll be meeting up with a buddy to check out a few local places too.
Jun 22, 2016, 9:26 pm
#60
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: DL Silver, AS MVP, UA Silver, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 3,883
Update on above. Upgraded to a suite at early (~1pm) check-in. Ground-floor has very 1930's Gotham feel, while lobby is much more modern and glam. Room is small-ish for a suite but excellent otherwise. I REALLY like that the TVs have built-in Chromecast which makes playing my own media, Netflix, etc much easier (no need to hook up the Amazon Fire TV Stick I carry with me). My room is eye level with the giant TRUMP letters across the river, but the drapes block it so no issues sleeping. Rooftop portion of the bar on 22 was closed for rain but the indoor portion on 21 was open, busy, but easy to walk in with no wait and no charge. For the rate paid, or even up to $200-$250, I'd call this an absolute win.