Park Hyatt Chicago REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Apr 12, 2009, 6:58 am
#136
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Hyderabad
Posts: 4,843
The diamond amenities here are consistently excellent, as is the entire hotel.
Apr 12, 2009, 3:44 pm
#137
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Coast USA
Programs: UA GS/4 MM, AA Exec Plat, Lifetime Hilton D, Hyatt G, Marriott Titanium earned Ambassador
Posts: 7,553
D American Breakfast taken in room.
The charge of $28.13 is correct for American Breakfast for two taken in the room. Confirmed by front desk. A excellent stay.
Jun 1, 2009, 3:27 pm
#139
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA1K MM, BA Gold, Hyatt LT Globalist, Bonvoy LTE, IHG Diam, HH Gold, Amtrak Sel Exec
Posts: 3,170
Stayed here this past weekend and overall, somewhat unimpressed given the hotel's vaunted reputation and price-point.
Tried to use the Diamond suite upgrade, which the Diamond-line supposedly confirmed when I made the reservation (put me on hold, talked to the hotel, etc.) but when I called the hotel a few days before my arrival to make sure things were in order they had no record of it. The front-office manager was going to check into it and let me know--he never called me back. Had to call a second-time and had a manager who told me that he would take care of it.
When I checked in was given a Park Suite on the 4th floor. I can't blame the hotel too much for this, but while it was a suite, it was dark and not very impressive, on the southside of the hotel so facing another building on Chicago Avenue, no view at all and lots of street noise. Opted to be downgraded 'back' to a Park View room higher up overlooking Water Tower place. So much for the suite.
Room was fine-- I actually had no issue with the TV, bed was very comfortable, but a couple of observations:
(1) shower leaked
(2) the bathroom fittings were loose
things you shouldn't see in a hotel of this caliber.
Diamond amenity-- was told by the front-office mgr when i checked in that i had a choice of wine and a cheese plate; chose to have it on the second night of my stay and was told to call in-room dining whenever i wanted it. they offered me a choice of EITHER the wine or the cheese; finally convinced them i got both. cheese plate was good but the "champagne" they gave me was a really mediocre spumante. nothing like others report here. after eating, called back to have them come pick up the tray as we were going out. was still sitting in the room 5 hours later when we came back from dinner, etc.
NoMI could not explain very well what was in the Diamond breakfast so we were very cautious about what we ordered (turned out everything except about $8, an F&B tax and some sort of service charge, was taken off the bill)
finally, hotel gave me difficulties on a checkout through 3 or 4 pm, even though when i checked in at 4 pm on Friday all of the other suites they could offer me were still occupied by guests.
i guess my expectations were quite high, and while it was an ok hotel, it was not as expected, and not worth the $300+ or so that we paid. i won't be rushing back anytime soon...
Edited to Add: the coffee at NoMI is some of the weakest i've ever had. just awful...
Tried to use the Diamond suite upgrade, which the Diamond-line supposedly confirmed when I made the reservation (put me on hold, talked to the hotel, etc.) but when I called the hotel a few days before my arrival to make sure things were in order they had no record of it. The front-office manager was going to check into it and let me know--he never called me back. Had to call a second-time and had a manager who told me that he would take care of it.
When I checked in was given a Park Suite on the 4th floor. I can't blame the hotel too much for this, but while it was a suite, it was dark and not very impressive, on the southside of the hotel so facing another building on Chicago Avenue, no view at all and lots of street noise. Opted to be downgraded 'back' to a Park View room higher up overlooking Water Tower place. So much for the suite.
Room was fine-- I actually had no issue with the TV, bed was very comfortable, but a couple of observations:
(1) shower leaked
(2) the bathroom fittings were loose
things you shouldn't see in a hotel of this caliber.
Diamond amenity-- was told by the front-office mgr when i checked in that i had a choice of wine and a cheese plate; chose to have it on the second night of my stay and was told to call in-room dining whenever i wanted it. they offered me a choice of EITHER the wine or the cheese; finally convinced them i got both. cheese plate was good but the "champagne" they gave me was a really mediocre spumante. nothing like others report here. after eating, called back to have them come pick up the tray as we were going out. was still sitting in the room 5 hours later when we came back from dinner, etc.
NoMI could not explain very well what was in the Diamond breakfast so we were very cautious about what we ordered (turned out everything except about $8, an F&B tax and some sort of service charge, was taken off the bill)
finally, hotel gave me difficulties on a checkout through 3 or 4 pm, even though when i checked in at 4 pm on Friday all of the other suites they could offer me were still occupied by guests.
i guess my expectations were quite high, and while it was an ok hotel, it was not as expected, and not worth the $300+ or so that we paid. i won't be rushing back anytime soon...
Edited to Add: the coffee at NoMI is some of the weakest i've ever had. just awful...
Last edited by kv99; Jun 1, 2009 at 4:21 pm Reason: Coffee
Jun 1, 2009, 9:17 pm
#140
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 6,359
Also to be fair to the hotel, it's very possible that they were just still cleaning the suites. Maybe they weren't checking out of their suites that day. Or possibly the people that DID check out of suites checked out at 1PM or so and so the suites weren't on the top of the "to clean" list of the housekeeping staff. Would have been nicer had they offered you a better suite, especially considering a lot of people seem to be getting some nice Diamond suite upgrades at other properties based on the other FT thread. However as long as they have any suite ready for you, that's basically all they are required to do, we probably don't have too much of a leg to stand on in being picky and choosy with what suites we get.
Jun 2, 2009, 4:13 am
#141
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA1K MM, BA Gold, Hyatt LT Globalist, Bonvoy LTE, IHG Diam, HH Gold, Amtrak Sel Exec
Posts: 3,170
Also to be fair to the hotel, it's very possible that they were just still cleaning the suites. Maybe they weren't checking out of their suites that day. Or possibly the people that DID check out of suites checked out at 1PM or so and so the suites weren't on the top of the "to clean" list of the housekeeping staff. Would have been nicer had they offered you a better suite, especially considering a lot of people seem to be getting some nice Diamond suite upgrades at other properties based on the other FT thread. However as long as they have any suite ready for you, that's basically all they are required to do, we probably don't have too much of a leg to stand on in being picky and choosy with what suites we get.
look, it was an ok hotel; will just spend my $300+ a night elsewhere next time. the Ritz had a $325 B&B package which i would give a try to, for example.
Jun 5, 2009, 10:25 am
#142
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Egham, Surrey, UK
Programs: Mucci Champion des Champions, BAG4L, *A Gold, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, Hertz Gold, Avis President
Posts: 3,416
Stayed here last week and not impressed. Checked in about 2:30PM and we were told that we had been upgraded to a Park King 
. At check in there was only rooms on the 3rd floor but were told to come back at 5PM and they would find us a higher room. Went back at 5PM and saw different staff - no other rooms available. Our room on the 3rd floor was small, dark and looking very tired, had a great view of a tree! It was also very noisy.
Didn't like NoMI at all. The staff were very snooty and service at breakfast was awful. Trying to get a second cup of coffee was impossible. Gave up after 20 minutes of asking on first day and had to physically stop someone to ask where the coffee we had ordered 30 minutes was on second day. Food was OK but nothing special.
Compared to other PH's that I have stayed at this is very low on my list. Not as bad as PH Melbourne but nowhere near the experience at the wonderful PH Sydney
. At check in there was only rooms on the 3rd floor but were told to come back at 5PM and they would find us a higher room. Went back at 5PM and saw different staff - no other rooms available. Our room on the 3rd floor was small, dark and looking very tired, had a great view of a tree! It was also very noisy.Didn't like NoMI at all. The staff were very snooty and service at breakfast was awful. Trying to get a second cup of coffee was impossible. Gave up after 20 minutes of asking on first day and had to physically stop someone to ask where the coffee we had ordered 30 minutes was on second day. Food was OK but nothing special.
Compared to other PH's that I have stayed at this is very low on my list. Not as bad as PH Melbourne but nowhere near the experience at the wonderful PH Sydney
Jun 8, 2009, 6:52 pm
#143
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Programs: Bonvoy LTT, Hyatt Exp, AA 1MM, UA Silver, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 970
My wife and I had an enjoyable 1-night stay last weekend. We live in town, but like to head downtown a few nights a year for a points stay.
Checked in around 3:30, our room on the 13th floor was ready (no park view). Offered choice of Tribune, Sun Times, or NY Times. I had a platinum extras certificate, we chose the food and beverage amentity. Offered choice of red/white/sparkling. We had packed our own bottle of bubbly, so took the red. Turned out to be Frogs Leap Merlot, which they offer for $95 through room service (retail is ~$30). The food portion was a small cheese plate. Probably 6 pieces of cheese, crackers, and accompaniments (honey, walnuts, apricots). The room itself was very quiet and comfortable. Had a wonderful dinner at nearby Cafe Spiaggia (highly recommended, ask for a window table).
Our other spot when heading downtown is the Westin River North, a little further south. As far as location goes, I like the Westin better (we're not really there to shop on Mich Ave), but the Park Hyatt is a more refined hotel experience.
Checked in around 3:30, our room on the 13th floor was ready (no park view). Offered choice of Tribune, Sun Times, or NY Times. I had a platinum extras certificate, we chose the food and beverage amentity. Offered choice of red/white/sparkling. We had packed our own bottle of bubbly, so took the red. Turned out to be Frogs Leap Merlot, which they offer for $95 through room service (retail is ~$30). The food portion was a small cheese plate. Probably 6 pieces of cheese, crackers, and accompaniments (honey, walnuts, apricots). The room itself was very quiet and comfortable. Had a wonderful dinner at nearby Cafe Spiaggia (highly recommended, ask for a window table).
Our other spot when heading downtown is the Westin River North, a little further south. As far as location goes, I like the Westin better (we're not really there to shop on Mich Ave), but the Park Hyatt is a more refined hotel experience.
Jul 22, 2009, 3:17 am
#144
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Zurich
Programs: M&M FTL, HHonors Diamond, Langham Elite, SPG Corporate Preferred
Posts: 470
Diamond Suite Upgrades
I recently tried to use a Diamond Suite Upgrade, but was told by customer service that the Park Hyatt does not allow Diamond Suite upgrades ! Not only for the dates I had in mind, but period.
Has anyone made that experience before ? I thought all hotels participate and as long as there's a suite available one would get it ???
Has anyone made that experience before ? I thought all hotels participate and as long as there's a suite available one would get it ???
Jul 22, 2009, 8:31 am
#145
Moderator: GLBT Travelers & Hyatt Gold Passport
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: CVG
Posts: 15,300
I recently tried to use a Diamond Suite Upgrade, but was told by customer service that the Park Hyatt does not allow Diamond Suite upgrades ! Not only for the dates I had in mind, but period.
Has anyone made that experience before ? I thought all hotels participate and as long as there's a suite available one would get it ???
Has anyone made that experience before ? I thought all hotels participate and as long as there's a suite available one would get it ???
This is definitely not globally true across the Park Hyatt flag.
Nov 3, 2009, 9:11 am
#146
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: NJ
Programs: UA LTG, AA LTG, Bonvoy LTP, IHG Plat, LHW Sterling
Posts: 2,405
Just completed a 3 night stay using an FFN (aka TNBT) award. Very nice hotel. Thoroughly enjoyed my stay and would not hesitate to return. Great views, fantastic high-end spacious room that is far nicer than photos at Hyatt.com suggest. My wife and I especially enjoyed the comfortable window bench and comfortable bath with view. Check in and out was straight forward and presented no issues or waiting. The room was promptly cleaned and serviced each morning while we dined at Nomi for breakfast. Given a nice table each morning in the "pod" and were looked after sufficiently. One modest disappointment was the artwork in the lobby depicting the Duomo in Milan is out on loan someplace and was replaced by a big Bloch of color that did not do much for me.
Last edited by schriste; Nov 15, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Nov 12, 2009, 5:45 pm
#147
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: Hilton*D, Marriott*LG, Hyatt*G
Posts: 6,268
Here is a trip report of a recent stay at the PH Chicago. It is in the Luxury Hotels forum.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...t-chicago.html
Booked a Park room on a Virtuoso rate and as Diamond was upgraded to a Park View room. Tried to use the Suite Upgrade certificate but was told by the Diamond Line that the hotel does not participate in that program.
Was able to enjoy the NoMi breakfast for 2 in NoMi in the morning as the Diamond breakfast and received a bottle of champagne and some macarons for the Diamond amenity.
In comparison to the other luxury hotels in Chicago I felt this hotel to be weak overall. Not a great stay but not a bad stay either.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...t-chicago.html
Booked a Park room on a Virtuoso rate and as Diamond was upgraded to a Park View room. Tried to use the Suite Upgrade certificate but was told by the Diamond Line that the hotel does not participate in that program.
Was able to enjoy the NoMi breakfast for 2 in NoMi in the morning as the Diamond breakfast and received a bottle of champagne and some macarons for the Diamond amenity.
In comparison to the other luxury hotels in Chicago I felt this hotel to be weak overall. Not a great stay but not a bad stay either.
Nov 20, 2009, 3:42 pm
#148
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Depends on the day!
Programs: Marriott/Lifetime Titanium Hyatt/Explorist, Hilton/Silver, IHG Spire,UA Gold
Posts: 17,832
We just stayed here for a quick night on Nov. 13th. As usual, we had a great stay...excellent service and upgraded to a Park Suite as we had our two young boys in tow!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this hotel!^
LOVE LOVE LOVE this hotel!^
Nov 28, 2009, 1:31 pm
#149
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Near ORD
Programs: AA LT Gold, Hyatt Diamond, HH Gold, SPG Gold, PC Plat Ambassador
Posts: 739
Spent last night here using an FFN for my wedding anniversary. As a diamond, not sure if I received a room upgrade... but got room 904 overlooking Mich Ave, and the Old Water Tower was pretty much directly outside of our window. Asked if I wanted the diamond food/beverage amenity or 1000 pts and I chose points. Was greeted with a "happy anniversary" at the front desk upon check in, which was nice, but our anniversary wasn't acknowledged in any other way.
Had difficulty sleeping - not because the bed wasn't comfortable, but it was rather warm in the room and with the thick duvet (and no top sheet) it made it difficult to fall asleep. Then at about 2:15 a.m., some infernal music started blaring through our room. I initially thought it was the NoMi lounge (since we were only two floors up), but my husband insisted it had just started and we would have noticed it earlier if it was the hotel. I called the front desk and complained and after about 15 minutes I heard security knocking on someone's door on our floor. They did turn down their music but it was still faint enough that I could hear it and thus had trouble falling asleep again.
Used their soaking tub this morning - AWESOME!! Didn't feel like going down for breakfast so I sent my husband and told him to just get the American breakfast since that's all that was free. He said that it was basically a continental brekfast, but it was good. I guess his server offered to pack me up some breakfast, so he brought back a box of assorted pastries and a banana for me in a nice box, replete with cloth napkin - so nice!!!
Location is awesome but I'm sure everyone knows that. We took buses around everywhere; the 146 bus goes directly from outside the hotel to the museum campus, where we visted the Adler Planetarium. Then took 146 back to State/Randolph to visit the Christkindlemarket.
We are talking about using an FFN again next month at this property - can't wait to go back! Hopefully, I won't have the sleeping issues next time.
Had difficulty sleeping - not because the bed wasn't comfortable, but it was rather warm in the room and with the thick duvet (and no top sheet) it made it difficult to fall asleep. Then at about 2:15 a.m., some infernal music started blaring through our room. I initially thought it was the NoMi lounge (since we were only two floors up), but my husband insisted it had just started and we would have noticed it earlier if it was the hotel. I called the front desk and complained and after about 15 minutes I heard security knocking on someone's door on our floor. They did turn down their music but it was still faint enough that I could hear it and thus had trouble falling asleep again.
Used their soaking tub this morning - AWESOME!! Didn't feel like going down for breakfast so I sent my husband and told him to just get the American breakfast since that's all that was free. He said that it was basically a continental brekfast, but it was good. I guess his server offered to pack me up some breakfast, so he brought back a box of assorted pastries and a banana for me in a nice box, replete with cloth napkin - so nice!!!
Location is awesome but I'm sure everyone knows that. We took buses around everywhere; the 146 bus goes directly from outside the hotel to the museum campus, where we visted the Adler Planetarium. Then took 146 back to State/Randolph to visit the Christkindlemarket.
We are talking about using an FFN again next month at this property - can't wait to go back! Hopefully, I won't have the sleeping issues next time.
Nov 28, 2009, 3:24 pm
#150
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,752
Yes, you were upgraded. The view is the key. Half the hotel faces away from the lake, thus have much less desirable views.