As gold I have received lounge access on each of 4 stays over the last 2 years. I always request naturally cool rooms (hard wood and light colors) and have received them each visit. I have a stay coming in February, I'll post if lounge access is given.

Do they offer the lounge access or do you explicitly request it?

After the first two times being given lounge access the next two times I asked if it would be possible since it was a busy weekend. Email replied saying the upgrade was for concierge only but since I was upgraded on previous visits they would go ahead and upgrade again.

Were they award or paid stays?

2 paid, 2 award. Upcoming stay is award for two nights.

Email address for the GM
 

If anyone knows the GM's email address, could s/he PM me for the info?

I did not know about the Lollapalooza Festival and booked 2 award stays (2 accounts) for the period, then realized there would be penalty for cancellation. Had we known the Festival we would not visit Chicago during that period.

Club Carlson said only the hotel can take care of it so if I could contact the GM directly via email, we might have a chance to cancel the bookings with points returned (must be instructed by the hotel to Club Carlson).

TIA.

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Radisson Blu Chicago - Master thread
 

Last year, I visited this hotel during a busy weekend. I booked a standard room, and as an 'upgrade', I got a higher floor, but the room was rather small, overlooked a garden and wasn't granted lounge access as a gold member.

I have to be in Chicago this year in Chicago again this year for two days.Ii am able to see business rooms for 75k points per night versus 50k for standard rooms. Is the extra 25k points worth the extra benefits that come with the business room?

The main "extra benefits" are lounge access and knowing you'll be in one of the better rooms. I wouldn't pay 50% more cash for that, but someone might sensibly spend 25,000 additional points for two nights (CC Visa card deal) if they placed value on breakfast and evening beer/wine/snacks.

I've paid for premium rooms with points before (Radisson Blu Berlin was the last one); in their case, the breakfast every morning was outstanding and definitely worth the extra points. I am unsure if the Chicago property measures up. I'll do more research. Thanks.

It's very definitely not a European breakfast buffet. My report from last April summed it up (an earlier post also mentioned eggs, but I don't recall seeing any):

Choosing the "premium" room should give you a better chance of an upgrade to a suite -- but only a better chance, not a guarantee.

Does anyone have any thoughts on a Gold Status, USBank cardholder, Premium Award stay at the Radisson Blu Aqua versus a Points and Cash Diamond non-DSU booking at Park Hyatt Chicago? Thanks.

If you are doing two nights, id pick aqua. If one night then park hyatt. If more than 2, then two nts at aqua, rest in park hyatt

Is a suite upgrade likely? I'm doing two nights. How's the hotel location?

I checked the 75k points bus reward stated" ROOM DESCRIPTION:
Booking a Business Class guest room automatically gives you access to the upgraded amenities, services and benefits that help you work." It didn't mention lounge access.