LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton {US-IL}
Jul 5, 2017, 12:13 pm
#91
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: HH Lifetime Diamond, DL PM, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 920
Why? The buffet is a good breakfast benefit. Offerings are more extensive than most U.S. Hilton executive lounges and this is certainly better than hotels that limit diamonds to continential portions of buffets. LH breakfast includes: 2 scrambled eggs choices (cheese or no cheese), good bacon, sausage, avocado toast, another protein option on toast, yogurts, fresh fruit, cereral, bakery options, juice, coffee, etc. I understand being upset that a benefit (the credit) was removed, but the property already goes above and beyond with the free buffet. It certainly wouldn't deter me from staying.
Jul 5, 2017, 4:07 pm
#92
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: UK - BHD
Programs: BMI Diamond Club refugee: BA-Br; HH-D
Posts: 912
... the food on offer at breakfast was excellent, no doubt. A top class spread for the 'continental buffet' comprising 4 berries (raspberries, blueberries,strawberries, blackberries), melon, grape, pineapple, yoghurt granola (good granola ... not London Bankside granola, but good
) other cereals, "DIY" porridge pots, banana bread (great quality), muffins, croissants, breads, waffles, bacon, scrambled egg, avocado & arugula toast, and apparently they usually also have some beef brisket thing (but not today). In short, the continental buffet is very substantial and good quality - I didn't feel at all short-changed ...
) other cereals, "DIY" porridge pots, banana bread (great quality), muffins, croissants, breads, waffles, bacon, scrambled egg, avocado & arugula toast, and apparently they usually also have some beef brisket thing (but not today). In short, the continental buffet is very substantial and good quality - I didn't feel at all short-changed ...When I stayed about a month ago I was told that the diamond breakfast amenity was the 'continental' buffet only - no credit towards a la carte. Initially I was worried, but as I mentioned in the post above, the buffet food was excellent and varied - I wouldn't have traded it for a menu item, personally. The loss of this option may be a 'downgrade' in comparison with the previous position but this is not a shabby breakfast by any means.
I was initially unimpressed by this hotel, based mainly on poor service and, more specifically, staff disinterest. But I warmed to it during my 4-night stay.
Jul 5, 2017, 6:34 pm
#93
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 35
How was service at breakfast in terms of speed? Some of the reviews from before it was changed to a buffet option talked about it taking a ridiculously long time to order and get food, and I'm not going to have a lot of time in the mornings when I am there... seems like if it is a buffet, we shouldn't need to wait around much for service? I have reservations both at LH and the Conrad, I actually got the Conrad when it was less points than LH so it is a better deal, but the location of the LH is better for me and have seen a lot of complaints in recent reviews of the Conrad. Knowing I could get breakfast relatively quickly so I could take advantage of breakfast offered at the hotel would make a difference for me.
Jul 5, 2017, 10:16 pm
#94
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: united, Hilton, Amtrak
Posts: 1,194
The service was ok on both of my visits
It was not busy. We went early though. I saw only one server this morning. I walked by the buffet on the way our. The scramble eggs were not powdered. Iirc they had cheese. The bacon looked delicious. I agree with other posters that quality is good. But if you want eggs with no cheese, or an omelette with spinach, etc, ordering off the menu is better. I was going to order eggs Benedict but they did not have ham.
I suspect the contents of the buffet varies based on the whims of the chef which means you may not see the same items every day. The quality would be excellent imho.
I'm a picky eater, hence my desire to eat off the menu.
I suspect the contents of the buffet varies based on the whims of the chef which means you may not see the same items every day. The quality would be excellent imho.
I'm a picky eater, hence my desire to eat off the menu.
Jul 6, 2017, 1:38 pm
#95
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: UK - BHD
Programs: BMI Diamond Club refugee: BA-Br; HH-D
Posts: 912
You may be right - though I saw an identical buffet presented 4 days in a row, so there seems to be short-term consistency, at least!
Jul 6, 2017, 5:11 pm
#96
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 35
Thank you both for the breakfast info! Appreciate the help.
Were you able to get a view of the river? I have a regular king room booked, not sure if there is a chance of a river view with that. The Vista rooms look great but the hotel is expensive for both dollars and points when I will be there, so I'm waiting to see if the rates drop before I consider upgrading to the Vista room.
Were you able to get a view of the river? I have a regular king room booked, not sure if there is a chance of a river view with that. The Vista rooms look great but the hotel is expensive for both dollars and points when I will be there, so I'm waiting to see if the rates drop before I consider upgrading to the Vista room.
Jul 6, 2017, 11:44 pm
#97
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Scandinavia
Programs: Eurobonus EBD, BW Diamond, Club Carlson Gold, IHG Plat Amb, HH Diamond
Posts: 352
Thank you both for the breakfast info! Appreciate the help.
Were you able to get a view of the river? I have a regular king room booked, not sure if there is a chance of a river view with that. The Vista rooms look great but the hotel is expensive for both dollars and points when I will be there, so I'm waiting to see if the rates drop before I consider upgrading to the Vista room.
Were you able to get a view of the river? I have a regular king room booked, not sure if there is a chance of a river view with that. The Vista rooms look great but the hotel is expensive for both dollars and points when I will be there, so I'm waiting to see if the rates drop before I consider upgrading to the Vista room.
Jul 7, 2017, 10:08 am
#98
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: UK - BHD
Programs: BMI Diamond Club refugee: BA-Br; HH-D
Posts: 912
Thank you both for the breakfast info! Appreciate the help.
Were you able to get a view of the river? I have a regular king room booked, not sure if there is a chance of a river view with that. The Vista rooms look great but the hotel is expensive for both dollars and points when I will be there, so I'm waiting to see if the rates drop before I consider upgrading to the Vista room.
Were you able to get a view of the river? I have a regular king room booked, not sure if there is a chance of a river view with that. The Vista rooms look great but the hotel is expensive for both dollars and points when I will be there, so I'm waiting to see if the rates drop before I consider upgrading to the Vista room.
Aug 11, 2017, 1:06 pm
#99
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,822
Had two recent stays here, as a diamond was upgraded to a vista room for one and to a suite for the other. Only complaint is that check-in took some time both stays due to a limited number of desk personnel.
As stated by others, breakfast is the buffet (no ordering off the menu) but with the addition of scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausage to the buffet offerings I survived.
As stated by others, breakfast is the buffet (no ordering off the menu) but with the addition of scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausage to the buffet offerings I survived.
Aug 25, 2017, 5:25 am
#100
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: Virtuoso Luxury Travel Agent; Bonvoy Titanium Elite; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 665
I am currently staying at the Londonhouse Chicago. It's a magnificent property - one of the best Hiltons I've stayed at in the US. Fantastic customer service, really great looking rooms. Unfortunately, the Diamond breakfast is awful. They have again changed the concept - it's no longer a buffet breakfast.
You get to choose one of the following:
granola
oatmeal
a donut
Regular black coffee. No juice. Seriously underwhelming. I'd rather they just remove the benefit altogether.
You get to choose one of the following:
granola
oatmeal
a donut
Regular black coffee. No juice. Seriously underwhelming. I'd rather they just remove the benefit altogether.
Aug 25, 2017, 6:46 am
#101
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: HH Lifetime Diamond, DL PM, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 920
I am currently staying at the Londonhouse Chicago. It's a magnificent property - one of the best Hiltons I've stayed at in the US. Fantastic customer service, really great looking rooms. Unfortunately, the Diamond breakfast is awful. They have again changed the concept - it's no longer a buffet breakfast.
You get to choose one of the following:
granola
oatmeal
a donut
Regular black coffee. No juice. Seriously underwhelming. I'd rather they just remove the benefit altogether.
You get to choose one of the following:
granola
oatmeal
a donut
Regular black coffee. No juice. Seriously underwhelming. I'd rather they just remove the benefit altogether.
Aug 25, 2017, 7:47 am
#102
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,269
I am currently staying at the Londonhouse Chicago. It's a magnificent property - one of the best Hiltons I've stayed at in the US. Fantastic customer service, really great looking rooms. Unfortunately, the Diamond breakfast is awful. They have again changed the concept - it's no longer a buffet breakfast.
You get to choose one of the following:
granola
oatmeal
a donut
Regular black coffee. No juice. Seriously underwhelming. I'd rather they just remove the benefit altogether.
You get to choose one of the following:
granola
oatmeal
a donut
Regular black coffee. No juice. Seriously underwhelming. I'd rather they just remove the benefit altogether.
Aug 25, 2017, 9:06 am
#103
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: Virtuoso Luxury Travel Agent; Bonvoy Titanium Elite; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 665
Here's a picture of the menu.
Aug 25, 2017, 9:28 am
#104
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Scandinavia
Programs: Eurobonus EBD, BW Diamond, Club Carlson Gold, IHG Plat Amb, HH Diamond
Posts: 352
And I love their beds and pillows but I'm a breakfast guy and usually awake early due to jetlag.