The Gwen, Luxury Collection, Chicago USA [Master Thread]
Dec 14, 2015, 8:49 am
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
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Dec 14, 2015, 9:09 am
#48
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP; BoNVoY Tit LTP
Posts: 1,923
I have to say that I passed on the Gwen last weekend after reading a bit of this thread. The W City Center was a bit closer to where I was spending time and though plat treatment was not outstanding it was ok.
Dec 14, 2015, 11:45 am
#49
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None of the SPG properties compares to the Hyatt Properties.
There are:
Two Westin's
Two W's
The Gwen
An Aloft
The Sheraton Grand
The Tremont
The Park Hyatt is in a class all it's own. Then there is a huge gap between the Hyatt Regency- the W CC and Westins. I haven't stayed at the new Hyatt so I can't speak about that property.
One of the Hyatt Places is connected to the Aloft and both are average at best. I'm not a HP or Aloft customer.
There are:
Two Westin's
Two W's
The Gwen
An Aloft
The Sheraton Grand
The Tremont
The Park Hyatt is in a class all it's own. Then there is a huge gap between the Hyatt Regency- the W CC and Westins. I haven't stayed at the new Hyatt so I can't speak about that property.
One of the Hyatt Places is connected to the Aloft and both are average at best. I'm not a HP or Aloft customer.
Dec 15, 2015, 8:35 am
#50
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
Questions/observations. Maybe it's the way you wrote the above, but how can you go "through" two elevators?
You have to use the elevator, from the Mall or Rush Street after hours (unless that has changed from my last stay) to get to the hotel lobby. Once in the hotel lobby you use the hotel elevators to get to/from guest rooms.
Is that what you meant or is there something else going on like renovations that have the will require guest to use two elevators?
Also, this isn't just close to Nordstrom, it's connect (above) the Mall.
You have to use the elevator, from the Mall or Rush Street after hours (unless that has changed from my last stay) to get to the hotel lobby. Once in the hotel lobby you use the hotel elevators to get to/from guest rooms.
Is that what you meant or is there something else going on like renovations that have the will require guest to use two elevators?
Also, this isn't just close to Nordstrom, it's connect (above) the Mall.
Second, I don't pay 9%+ sales tax in Chicago, so I did not visit NS at all. I just noticed there is a NS while I was in a nearby Starbucks. I can't really give out information I am not aware of so I used the word "close to".
Dec 22, 2015, 6:42 pm
#51
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: CLL
Programs: MS Plat, AOR ninja
Posts: 2,177
I completed a 4-night stay in November. Nothing to write home about. Like the others have posted, my SNAs did not clear, even though there were suites available to book. I challenged the front desk staff on this, and they told me it was an IT issue.... there really *aren't* any suites available. I call shananigans!
Dec 23, 2015, 9:22 am
#52
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: ORD
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I completed a 4-night stay in November. Nothing to write home about. Like the others have posted, my SNAs did not clear, even though there were suites available to book. I challenged the front desk staff on this, and they told me it was an IT issue.... there really *aren't* any suites available. I call shananigans!
I really hope the Lurkers see this and can chime in with SPG's side of this.
Dec 23, 2015, 9:41 am
#53
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I really think something needs to be done about this. The property is either blatantly ignoring or has an IT issues that is causing for a published benefit not to be fulfilled. On my last stay, as noted above, I even got them to admit a suite was available and they offered it to me at check-in. this means the SNA should have cleared prior, but didn't.
I really hope the Lurkers see this and can chime in with SPG's side of this.
I really hope the Lurkers see this and can chime in with SPG's side of this.
Dec 31, 2015, 3:46 pm
#54
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AAdvantage Gold, United MileagePlus Gold, Marriott Rewards Gold, SPG Gold, Hilton HHonors Gold
Posts: 101
New Years Eve
Checked in today for New Year's Eve with some friends as an SPG gold. Booked the entry level superior double beds room, and was upgraded to a "grand deluxe doubles room," which I think is the same room, just on a higher floor. Asked about buying up to a suite and the agent offered a complimentary upgrade to a suite, but it wouldn't have had a sofa bed so we declined. (They asked $100 for a sofa bed suite, we passed on that too). Check in was smooth and my SPG Gold was recognized. Interestingly, I was given free breakfast vouchers (platinum amenity, I think it was a mistake). Asked for 4pm checkout, was told the latest they could do is 2. All in all, a nice property but definitely not in the top end of the LC brand. Still, definitely a step above the Westin River North. The gentleman at check in mentioned that they were beginning a major renovation next week. Common areas are beautiful, rooms are dated but spacious. I'll report back on how things go tonight and tomorrow.
Dec 31, 2015, 4:54 pm
#55
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PLEASE let them know that, as a non-resort/convention center property, they do NOT have the ability to deny you a 4pm check-out. You'll be doing all of "us" a favor if you re-confirm with them your desire for 4pm 
Jan 1, 2016, 12:01 am
#56
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Guangzhou
Programs: SPG
Posts: 1,021
Checked in today for New Year's Eve with some friends as an SPG gold. Booked the entry level superior double beds room, and was upgraded to a "grand deluxe doubles room," which I think is the same room, just on a higher floor. Asked about buying up to a suite and the agent offered a complimentary upgrade to a suite, but it wouldn't have had a sofa bed so we declined. (They asked $100 for a sofa bed suite, we passed on that too). Check in was smooth and my SPG Gold was recognized. Interestingly, I was given free breakfast vouchers (platinum amenity, I think it was a mistake). Asked for 4pm checkout, was told the latest they could do is 2. All in all, a nice property but definitely not in the top end of the LC brand. Still, definitely a step above the Westin River North. The gentleman at check in mentioned that they were beginning a major renovation next week. Common areas are beautiful, rooms are dated but spacious. I'll report back on how things go tonight and tomorrow.
If you would like us to follow up with the 4PM late check-out benefit, please provide your reservation details to us via private mail here or by email below.
Best Regards,
Christina Zhou
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Jan 1, 2016, 1:21 am
#57
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Chicago, IL
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Posts: 101
I'll make sure to do that tomorrow morning. I thought that I was entitled to a guaranteed 4pm checkout, but I wasn't sure so I didn't want to push. I'll have that conversation with them in the morning.
Jan 15, 2016, 11:20 am
#58
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NJ/NYC
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Has anyone stayed here since the renovation has started and the restaurant/lounge have been closed? Considering a future stay and noticed the warning on spg.com. It also mentions some pop up lounge with breakfast on the 10th floor so any experience with that would be useful as well. Thank you.
Jan 15, 2016, 12:14 pm
#59
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: ORD
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