I just stayed in the Hotel Chicago and Autograph Hotel. What a strange hotel. Absolutely loved the location, although the traffic in Chicago the past three days was awful (lots of storms closing many roads). but getting back to the hotel. Its a very dark hotel, very odd d�cor, the concierge lounge was pretty awful in spite that the wine and beer is complimentary. I guess they are planning to move to the 14 floor but I spoke to the GM this morning and he's not sure about that or the timeframe.

I'm due back in Chicago for 1 1/2 week in July. I just wasn't crazy about the hotel nor the concierge lounge. I'm one who tends to enjoy the lounge. The munchies were pretty bad in the AU. Which Marriott concierge nightly do you think has one of the best? Would appreciate an opinion on one downtown and/or one near the airport. I may do half/half since many of my meetings are near the airport.

Did the downtown Chicago REN last August and thought their CL was a tad bit better than Marriott average. Only made it there for 3 breakfasts, never saw the evening presentations. But I'm also once who appreciates being able to take out bottled juices, sodas and yogurt for later on as I don't have much of an appetite first thing in the AM. Nice views. My only Chicago experience.

I did the REN Downtown last Oct/Nov and will be back there in a week. I thought the breakfasts were great but the evening was kind of lacking (except the non-alcoholic drinks which I also appreciate taking back to the room). Very nice staff both morning and evening. On weekends, they offer the cold buffet for free in their restaurant (up charge of I think $7-$8 including the hot buffet last Oct/Nov) for elites. I'll post an update in this thread over Memorial Day weekend.

We've seen some reports in this forum that the Hotel Chicago Downtown, Autograph Collection has a temp. lounge but offers free beer and wine which the REN does not.

My favorite for both lounge and rooms is the Renaissance Blackstone. The breakfasts are the usual eggs, oatmeal, bacon fare, but in the evenings, the chef does some great and interesting things. During my most recent stay last month, one night there was tomato soup and grilled cheese, another night was a seven layer Mexican dip (guac, salsa, cheese, etc) and quesadillas.

I have never been disappointed with the lounge food at the Blackstone, actually think it is among the best in the country. Fresh, delicious, plentiful, original. Great personnel in the lounge as well.

+1 this is a nice lounge. Too bad they don't have it w/ a better view on the other side of the building.

Agree that the Blackstone has the best CL, but the location is a little too far from the restaurants and shops that make staying in downtown Chicago fun, IMO, so there is a trade-off there. The hotel's restaurant is very good, and there is a good fried chicken place a block away, but it's not in the middle of everything like the other downtown hotels. Whether that's good or bad is in the eye of the beholder.

Was only ever in Chicago once, but IIRC the Magnificent Mile FS Marriott had one of the largest CL's with one of the largest food selections that I've been in.

While I'm a fan of that hotel, one thing to note about the CL: You have to ask the bartender for soft drinks. Pepsi, etc., is poured into a glass. This means you cannot walk out of the CL with a can of pop.

Renaissance Downtown Chicago.

Been to the club lounge three times since Thursday over the long Memorial Day weekend. It was closed from noon Friday until 5 PM on Monday (normally reopens Sunday at 5).

Breakfast is served 6:30-9:30 am.
Hors d'oeuvres served from 5-7:30 pm
Dessert from 7:30-9:30 pm
Lounge closes at 10 pm (noon on Friday...open 5 pm to 10 pm on Sunday).

Wine and alcohol for an extra charge.

Staff is VERY nice.

Breakfast is fairly good except the bottled Tropicana orange juice vs. fresh squeezed in the restaurant. They self serve bottled water, Pepsi, Sierra Mist and Tropicana Juices. Scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage were offered as the hot items. There were assorted pastries and muffins (same as the restaurant) as well as fresh fruit, yogurt, cheese and breads.

Evening. Sort of lacking. Thursday they had Jalapeno poppers and empanadas. Today they had coconut chicken, egg rolls and fresh shrimp. Both days ---> Cold sliced turkey and prosciutto (both were yummy), two cheeses, salads, some fruit.

Dessert. Cookies (peanut butter both times), bite size cakes, a couple of pastries.

Over the weekend, you have the choice of the (extensive) cold buffet (includes served juices and coffee/tea) at the restaurant (voucher is for two people...up charge of $6 per person for the hot buffet which includes and omelette bar) or 175 points per day. They were highly disorganized this weekend in the restaurant and service was polite but poor.

It's supposed to be 750 points, not 175 points per day if you don't take breakfast.

Cheers.

Just quoting what the front desk clerk told me, 175.

Sounds like the FDC needs some training!

Cheers.

The lounge at Hotel Chicago is also closed on the weekends :-(

Is it a "real" lounge yet or still the temporary thing? This is from a trip report in March:

* The concierge lounge is just a side "room" off the huge lobby bar. Its right behind the check in desk now but will be moved up to the 14th (top) floor once the lounge is finished being built up there. No one knew when, but it sounded like they were just waiting on furniture. The lounge currently has limited hours, and is only open until 9p, but the beer and wine are complimentary. Breakfast is served in the adjacent bar area with a good size buffet. I was also given drink tickets to use in the bar at any time.

I'm assuming that one would still get breakfast on the weekends if the 'lounge' was closed.

Cheers.