W Chicago Lakeshore 2007, Chicago, IL [Master Thread]
Aug 23, 2011, 1:34 pm
#136
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 709
parking…
hi wondering how long you parked for $12? just the morning? i.e. 8-12? all the parking i can find on Chicago Best Parking lists prices was from about $56… for 2 days.
Recent stay here.
Adjacent to the W (which charges $54 for parking) is a parking garage that charged me $12. The next day, I paid $6 in the morning and $.50 in the afternoon for street parking.
Great location. Surprisingly friendly staff (compared with low expectation).
I took advantage of the Acura drop-off service to grab a bite at Ben Pao.
I asked for a coffeemaker to be brought up to the room, and one was brought up no-whining no-charge. There was no coffee on the tray (only tea and sugar/creamer), so I called back, and coffee showed up at my door within minutes.
Adjacent to the W (which charges $54 for parking) is a parking garage that charged me $12. The next day, I paid $6 in the morning and $.50 in the afternoon for street parking.
Great location. Surprisingly friendly staff (compared with low expectation).
I took advantage of the Acura drop-off service to grab a bite at Ben Pao.
I asked for a coffeemaker to be brought up to the room, and one was brought up no-whining no-charge. There was no coffee on the tray (only tea and sugar/creamer), so I called back, and coffee showed up at my door within minutes.
Oct 24, 2011, 10:32 pm
#137
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: fwp blood diamond, dykwia uranium
Posts: 7,252
Stayed here on the weekend. W-hatever. Get it? W. ..hever. 
Bellhops were super friendly and helpful. Never seemed like they were seeking tips. Checkin people were aloof and weird. Not very friendly or approachable. Girl had no idea why every single SPG hotel in Chicago is sold out for Fri-Sunday nights.. "guess it's a busy weekend?". Bellhops pointed out there was some cop convention and a huge ND v. USC football match a bit outta town. Booked Wonderful room, no upgrade despite website indicating higher room types.
The room was a bit of a disappointment. Nice little couch thing and great bed despite the weird nylon cover. Dust on the walls, however. One of the blind pulleys was also broken off, hindering the shade from raising or lowering. Eventually got fixed. Shower is ridiculous, I'm 6'1" and I couldn't fit under the shower head either. It didn't really run the way it was intended to, either, it was just a stream of water fluttering down, not a properly maintained rainfall head.
Asked for a wake up call at 9pm.... it never came. When I woke up at midnight and pointed this out (in a surprisingly polite way) to the lady on the phone, the reply was "ok...would you like me to schedule you another wake up call?". I also pointed this out at the front desk the following am when also asking them to remove the internet charge, and she seemed indifferent as well.
Nice gym and pool, however. Very nice gym. The pool had amazing over sized W towels....why the hell these are at the pool and not in my room confuses me.
While not a horrible hotel compared to, say, a Westin or Holiday Inn, for the price I paid, I'm disappointed. It is the worst W in the system I have stayed at, and this including the W Times Square. I know...harsh.
Bellhops were super friendly and helpful. Never seemed like they were seeking tips. Checkin people were aloof and weird. Not very friendly or approachable. Girl had no idea why every single SPG hotel in Chicago is sold out for Fri-Sunday nights.. "guess it's a busy weekend?". Bellhops pointed out there was some cop convention and a huge ND v. USC football match a bit outta town. Booked Wonderful room, no upgrade despite website indicating higher room types.
The room was a bit of a disappointment. Nice little couch thing and great bed despite the weird nylon cover. Dust on the walls, however. One of the blind pulleys was also broken off, hindering the shade from raising or lowering. Eventually got fixed. Shower is ridiculous, I'm 6'1" and I couldn't fit under the shower head either. It didn't really run the way it was intended to, either, it was just a stream of water fluttering down, not a properly maintained rainfall head.
Asked for a wake up call at 9pm.... it never came. When I woke up at midnight and pointed this out (in a surprisingly polite way) to the lady on the phone, the reply was "ok...would you like me to schedule you another wake up call?". I also pointed this out at the front desk the following am when also asking them to remove the internet charge, and she seemed indifferent as well.
Nice gym and pool, however. Very nice gym. The pool had amazing over sized W towels....why the hell these are at the pool and not in my room confuses me.
While not a horrible hotel compared to, say, a Westin or Holiday Inn, for the price I paid, I'm disappointed. It is the worst W in the system I have stayed at, and this including the W Times Square. I know...harsh.
Oct 24, 2011, 10:33 pm
#138
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: fwp blood diamond, dykwia uranium
Posts: 7,252
There are cheap places...do not worry.
Oct 25, 2011, 4:30 am
#139
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 709
My experience was completely different, we stayed there sometime this summer.
Ppl were actually nice. Kudos abt not expecting tips, which was exactly how it felt for me as well, from bellhops.
The valet service however felt like hawks watching over prey caught helplessly in their talons.
booked a marvelous room lake front view, upgraded to marvelous suite. Nice. Also made it out alive with a bottle of the w room scent.
Perhaps, it's about managing expectations and informing the GM of your expectations when staying there prior to your arrival. After all, it's a "high end" hotel and I wouldn't expect anything less?
Ppl were actually nice. Kudos abt not expecting tips, which was exactly how it felt for me as well, from bellhops.
The valet service however felt like hawks watching over prey caught helplessly in their talons.
booked a marvelous room lake front view, upgraded to marvelous suite. Nice. Also made it out alive with a bottle of the w room scent.
Perhaps, it's about managing expectations and informing the GM of your expectations when staying there prior to your arrival. After all, it's a "high end" hotel and I wouldn't expect anything less?
Stayed here on the weekend. W-hatever. Get it? W. ..hever.
Bellhops were super friendly and helpful. Never seemed like they were seeking tips. Checkin people were aloof and weird. Not very friendly or approachable. Girl had no idea why every single SPG hotel in Chicago is sold out for Fri-Sunday nights.. "guess it's a busy weekend?". Bellhops pointed out there was some cop convention and a huge ND v. USC football match a bit outta town. Booked Wonderful room, no upgrade despite website indicating higher room types.
The room was a bit of a disappointment. Nice little couch thing and great bed despite the weird nylon cover. Dust on the walls, however. One of the blind pulleys was also broken off, hindering the shade from raising or lowering. Eventually got fixed. Shower is ridiculous, I'm 6'1" and I couldn't fit under the shower head either. It didn't really run the way it was intended to, either, it was just a stream of water fluttering down, not a properly maintained rainfall head.
Asked for a wake up call at 9pm.... it never came. When I woke up at midnight and pointed this out (in a surprisingly polite way) to the lady on the phone, the reply was "ok...would you like me to schedule you another wake up call?". I also pointed this out at the front desk the following am when also asking them to remove the internet charge, and she seemed indifferent as well.
Nice gym and pool, however. Very nice gym. The pool had amazing over sized W towels....why the hell these are at the pool and not in my room confuses me.
While not a horrible hotel compared to, say, a Westin or Holiday Inn, for the price I paid, I'm disappointed. It is the worst W in the system I have stayed at, and this including the W Times Square. I know...harsh.
Bellhops were super friendly and helpful. Never seemed like they were seeking tips. Checkin people were aloof and weird. Not very friendly or approachable. Girl had no idea why every single SPG hotel in Chicago is sold out for Fri-Sunday nights.. "guess it's a busy weekend?". Bellhops pointed out there was some cop convention and a huge ND v. USC football match a bit outta town. Booked Wonderful room, no upgrade despite website indicating higher room types.
The room was a bit of a disappointment. Nice little couch thing and great bed despite the weird nylon cover. Dust on the walls, however. One of the blind pulleys was also broken off, hindering the shade from raising or lowering. Eventually got fixed. Shower is ridiculous, I'm 6'1" and I couldn't fit under the shower head either. It didn't really run the way it was intended to, either, it was just a stream of water fluttering down, not a properly maintained rainfall head.
Asked for a wake up call at 9pm.... it never came. When I woke up at midnight and pointed this out (in a surprisingly polite way) to the lady on the phone, the reply was "ok...would you like me to schedule you another wake up call?". I also pointed this out at the front desk the following am when also asking them to remove the internet charge, and she seemed indifferent as well.
Nice gym and pool, however. Very nice gym. The pool had amazing over sized W towels....why the hell these are at the pool and not in my room confuses me.
While not a horrible hotel compared to, say, a Westin or Holiday Inn, for the price I paid, I'm disappointed. It is the worst W in the system I have stayed at, and this including the W Times Square. I know...harsh.
Oct 25, 2011, 4:32 am
#140
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 709
I parked one st, north and they cost abt 30% less than the valet, only thing was we had so much luggage that we decided it was easier to let them park it the first night.
Oct 25, 2011, 10:21 am
#141
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: fwp blood diamond, dykwia uranium
Posts: 7,252
My expectations are met or exceeded without asking at 99% of SPG properties (yes, including 4 points) that I stay at worldwide. I don't like asking for things.
Oct 25, 2011, 10:32 am
#142
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 709
You paid for the W experience and expectations were in line as such. You mentioned it to their staff but no traction. So back to FT forums, but no email to the GM?
Oct 25, 2011, 11:52 am
#143
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,816
Asked for a wake up call at 9pm.... it never came. When I woke up at midnight and pointed this out (in a surprisingly polite way) to the lady on the phone, the reply was "ok...would you like me to schedule you another wake up call?". I also pointed this out at the front desk the following am when also asking them to remove the internet charge, and she seemed indifferent as well.
Oct 25, 2011, 11:55 am
#144
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 709
Oct 25, 2011, 5:33 pm
#145
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: fwp blood diamond, dykwia uranium
Posts: 7,252
Oct 26, 2011, 3:36 am
#146
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,227
I think a 9 pm wake-up call is an easily misunderstood request unless you stress "I want it at 9 PM, NOT tomorrow morning, but (3,4, whatever) hours from now". I know you'll say "shouldn't have to do that" but human nature expects that most wake-up calls are for the morning.
I bet you anything that phone rang at 9 am.
I bet you anything that phone rang at 9 am.
Oct 26, 2011, 9:02 am
#147
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: fwp blood diamond, dykwia uranium
Posts: 7,252
I think a 9 pm wake-up call is an easily misunderstood request unless you stress "I want it at 9 PM, NOT tomorrow morning, but (3,4, whatever) hours from now". I know you'll say "shouldn't have to do that" but human nature expects that most wake-up calls are for the morning.
I bet you anything that phone rang at 9 am.
I bet you anything that phone rang at 9 am.
Jan 28, 2012, 10:19 pm
#150
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Programs: SkyMiles Platinum, SPG Platinum, IHG Platinum Ambassador
Posts: 1
Nice place, but needs an overhaul.
While I can't complain about the upgrade I have gotten both times I've stayed here to a spacious corner suite with a stunning Lake Michigan and Navy Pier view, the rooms are not in great shape. The suite I am in now has a caved-in couch that is impossible to sit in, a TV in the living room that won't turn on for more than a second, and a powder room toilet that won't flush. The living room B&O stereo only plays radio and CDs (they should provide a time machine so I can go back to 1997 and get my discs), and the Tivoli radio in the bedroom with an iPod connector has a seriously blown speaker. The blinds don't go up and down properly, and the sliding doors wobble like they are going to fall off. Somehow, I still like this place and will come back, but I imagine I would be a lot less forgiving if I was actually paying full-price for this busted suite or if I had a normal size room in similar condition.