rflor

The Renaissance is by far our favorite both for location and upgrade chances. As a Gold, I've always had good luck upgrading to either a River View or a Superior Room. On one lucky occasion, the hotel manager upgraded us to the Presidential Suite for our anniversary.

We stayed at the JW once. No upgrades and nothing special in terms of service.

The Blackstone is nice, but very much out of the way as compared to the others. We received a nice room upgrade, but had a poor experience at the hotel restaurant (I posted earlier in the thread on the experience...made for an interesting debate). It's a perfect location if you're doing Grant Park runs, though!

joshua362

I echo the REN Downtown, great upgrade, decent lounge, good location. Mag Mile FS sucked.

Horace

Marriott announced: "Chicago’s Notable Blackstone Hotel Joins Autograph Collection Hotels."

http://news.marriott.com/2017/06/chi...ection-hotels/

This hotel has been Renaissance Blackstone since 2008. So this is a rebranding from one full-service Marriott brand to another.

SkiAdcock

Thanks for the heads up. I usually check Marriott News Center each morning, but this release came out after I checked. What will be interesting (and I'll call in a few days to find out) is what they'll do re: lounge. The Ren had one. Will they close it now that it's Auto Col?

Cheers.

rflor

I just booked a one-night stay at the Renaissance, and a pop-up window indicated:

"Rooms with 2 queen beds are not available on Friday and Saturday nights May 26-September 4 2017".

I am staying on a Thursday and need the two Queens, so will email them in advance to make sure they are not drifting on their schedule.

Anyone know what they are doing? Renovations?

cussmuppet

We're coming to Chicago for 3 nights in October (over a weekend) on the way back from my business trip in Utah.

How is the Hotel Chicago Downtown, Autograph Collection for a family with a 1 year old? Seems very well recommended in this thread.

My wife has been longing to see Chicago so I want to make sure we are in a good location and a nice hotel, but also take advantage of my Marriott status and lounge usage.

A friend keeps pushing for the Langham but I'd rather stick with Marriott to use the status.

Thanks!

t1c

Its a nice hotel. In a good area next to house of blues.

I would check out EMC2. Its a new Marriott hotel in chicago.

SkiAdcock

Hotel Chicago's exec lounge is open for brekkie only on weekends.
EMC2 doesn't have an exec lounge, so you'll get cont'l brekkie in the restaurant.

Both are in good locations.

Cheers.

cussmuppet

Thanks, I'll check out the EMC2

michranger

Hey all,

I've been tasked with booking the hotel for my family and I to stay at over the Thanksgiving holiday in Chicago.

Looking at higher end properties like the JW, W, Hotel Chicago, and the like and am having difficulty narrowing down to which hotel to stay at.

It is four adults total; 1 room with a king and 1 with 2 doubles/queens. What kind of upgrade and recognition have other Platinums experienced with some of those hotels? Is one more platinum friendly than others?

I also was looking at the Ritz Carlton but most of their rates are for 1 king and not 2 queens?

Since I'm the resident traveler in my family they have high expectations and I want to live up to them!

UpgradeMe

Please review the countless existing threads on the Chicago properties you mentioned, and then let us know which of your questions (if any) remain unanswered.

goodeats21

Wow. Joined FT in 2014 and this is only your 2nd post? Impressive. I can't keep quiet that long... LOL

I have found that holiday times in Chicago can have some great rates at some properties, especially if you are comfortable with advanced purchase rates. (I assume you are considering paid stays and not award nights?).

I have stayed many times at Hotel Chicago (on Dearborn) with some great holiday rates. Very good Plat recognition and lounge.

I hear good things about the Renn, but it has always been much more expensive when I have looked.

There is an existing "mega thread" on Chicago Marriotts here:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...hicago-il.html

Suggest you take a look at the last couple of pages of that thread, look into available rates at your target properties, and should have a good idea of where to book.

joshua362

Stay away from the Marriott Miracle Mile. The Downtown REN right on the river treated me wonderfully. The Sheraton was so so. That's my only recent experiences.

Carpboy823

I'll second the opinions here on both the Marriott Magnificent Mile and the Renaissance Downtown - former was awful when I stayed (quite a few years ago now, though) and the latter was excellent.

joshua362

My Marriott Magnificent Mile stay was less than a year ago and things definitely have not improved.