jiggs

I'll be there next weekend, I'll try to remember to dig up this thread and provide any updates. It will be a pretty dead winter weekend in the City, so I don't see the hotel being anywhere near capacity.

clover

Great! Have a good time and we will look forward to your report. Actually, if you will be there a couple of days why not stay one night in each and give us a comparison report? You would get 4 stays toward Plat status (assuming you registered for the double stay promo) and do a service for the Forum!

jiggs

I guess I am not quite hard core enough to move. I really do like the CC W, but on the weekends, I feel like I'm in a different city all together. It used to be different when the lobby was a weekend destination, but anymore people seem to gravitate to other locations for their $15 cocktails

bsdstone

Just checked in to the W Lakeshore...was "upgraded" to a lake view room...no big shakes. Room is nice enough, dinged up in places, etc., nothing I wouldn't expect.
One question...I got the 500 points for my platinum amenity, am I supposed to get free breakfast or any other benefit?

tmagnani

Yeah, sorry my friend, you'll only get the 500 bonus amenity points. But... the staff are extremely friendly and accommodating.

bsdstone

thanks for the update...and I'll disagree on the staff as they have already misplaced our luggage...off to a flying start! UGH...don't know why I let the wife talk me into this place!

KENNECTED

No, that is it. Free breakfast is NOT an starwood Platinum Elite published benefit.

As of 2006, Platinum Amenity for North American Properties.
Choice of 500 Starpoints; beer & pretzels; a free movie; or a US$10 mini bar/food and beverage credit.

If this has changed, William please indicate.

Foady

There were no suites available?

bsdstone

Nope I was told no suites and doing my homework, I called to reserve one...and they weren't lying...no suites...I'll add on to this report later...I won't be returning any time soon to this hotel!

jiggs

maybe I won't have to produce much of a report after all, sounds like bsd may take care of that for a 'recent update'. I'm only a 'gold' I guess I should be grateful if they just give me a room...I'll go in with a good attitude, not expecting much (and thats probably what I'll get )

bsdstone

OK, so here is a brief report on my W LAKESHORE EXPERIENCE:
Wife and I went to this property for a night out sans kids for our anniversary. Arrived at the hotel, and had previously emailed and called the front desk manager letting them know I was platinum and that it was our anniversary and any upgrades would be appreciated...never got a response of any kind. They upgraded us from city view to Lakeview, but we were told there was no tub, only a shower in the room. I asked the Mrs. if that was OK as she likes a tub to shave her legs...she said she'd prefer the tub over the view as we both lived in the city for a long time, so the lake was no big deal...after quite some ordeal they came back and said they only had double beds with a tub regardless of the view...UGH! So we took the "upgrade" and as I'm leaving the clerk says, I see it's your anniversary, I'll send something up on the house for you...when would be a good time? I tell her any time AFTER 7pm would be perfect and that it would be a nice surprise to come home to after dinner....needless to say they sent up a bottle of champagne (no glasses) at 5:45pm...nice timing! (side note: While checking in, an obvious escort/prostitute was checking in next to us...pretty amusing!)
Anyhow, the room was pretty worn, TONS of scuff marks all over the place, drywall taping show in several spots in the bathroom and some mold in the grout near the shower...and the TUB! After all the hub bub about the tub vs. shower...we ended up in a room they said didn't exist...a tub with a lake view! The room had two different sized Voss bottles of water that were $6 and $8...no complimentary water here folks...a little, but annoying fact. I'll also comment that the NFL Playoffs were on and with every Packer positive play I could hear our neighboring yelling with delight! While this was mildly amusing at first, it got so loud when I was taking a shower I could actually hear him yelling! Nice!
Met my brother and his wife in Wave for a cocktail and some heavy appetizers before a show. We ordered drinks and cocktails and the waitress didn't write down anything...and of course it was screwed up as we ended up with two of the same thing, when we only ordered one! Food was decent, more fancy, than tasty, but then again I'm beginning to expect that from this hotel.
On the way out I go to get cash as I forgot to bring enough with me...the ATM in the lobby charges $4 to get cash...I know I should have remembered cash, but $4? Another nickel and dime tactic that gets annoying. I will say that Valet was prompt and always had my car there when I needed it...and for $43 for overnight parking they should! We typically stay at the Park Hyatt or the Westin Michigan Ave, and park our car...I don't recall the exact amount they charge, however, I KNOW it's not $43! That is the most I have ever seen for parking in Chicago...another nickel and dime thing!
So the next day we are walking out the door and I review our bill before leaving...they charged us $70 for the champagne in our room! I called and after a few minutes they agreed this was on the house...UGH!
All in all, this is the last time I will be staying here...not going to let the wife talk me in to this place again!
I know some folks LOVE this place, but it's just not for me!

ILUVCITIBANK

bsdstone, was looking at this W for a 3night stay x 2 rooms for June...if the $645/nt per room rates didn't turn me off already (they did), your review finished my decision for me (the W is O U T for my stay).

Who says NYC is expensive ? I say these rates for a "W" hotel on a weekend in Chicago are out of control.

I'm going to check out the Westin at tripadvisor...if it doesn't get decent reviews, time to change brands for this trip.

bsdstone

What weekend are you looking? Those rates are incredibly high! Send me a PM if you're not familiar with the other properties, I would be happy to advise as I have stayed at all SPG properties in Chicago a few times...

jiggs

Well, I'm back. I promised my point of view, so here it goes. First impression was good, arrived by taxi to a crowded valet area. Didn't use the bellman service since we only had carry on bags. Checked in, I had a 2 double bed city view room booked at the lowest non-refundable rate. Asked for a king and got it, asked for the chance of a lake view and aslo go that. No problem, no begging or tipping necessary. I didn't ask for a suite as I am only gold, the hotel was very crowded and I knew from reviews that not all Plat's get upgraded so I'd probably be wasting my time. Besides with how things turned out, we bascially used this room for sleeping and showering. The standard room was comfortable for 2 people. I didn't notice any conditions in the room that showed wear, maybe a nick or two, but those are hard to hide when everything is stained black. No big deal. The rooms had glassware and plastic wrapped glasses. The housekeeping carts had dishwasher racks with glasses in them.

My overall impression of this hotel was good. It is not my favorite W (W San Diego is at this point). I would say that it compars well with City Center. Now, I say this never have been in a suite at either property. Its rolling the dice with the size of the rooms at City Center, I've had some great rooms, and some not so great ones. All the rooms are the same size at Lakeshore which takes some of the guesswork out of the process. Lakeshore halls and lobby are might brighter than City center. The Whisky Sky bar is very small, (think crowded with 30 people). Drinks are high, but they are everywhere in the city...its trendy, dark and a great view. I wasn't dissapointed, just surprised by the size, and during this close to zero degree weekend, there was no line to get in or crowds at the elevator. The lobby bar was nice and a popular hangout. We didn't eat at the resturant or get room service so I can't comment on the service there. Oh, and for those that are concerned with the music in the lobby, it is W house music like they play on the TV and there CDs, it was not distracting and would have been strange without it. Its only in the lobby and the elevators and I think it goes with the 'vibe' the W is after.

It was a quick 2 night stay and I would go back. No problems to report, a comfortable sized room and the always comfortable bed. Everyone that we talked to was friendly and happy to help. Also wanted to mention that I got a late checkout for the asking. 3:00pm, when we only needed it to about 1:00...we called at 3:00am after getting back in and the front desk said no problem. I know its a 'perk' of gold, but sometimes its a harder sell than others.

clover

Thanks for the report and update. I'm headed there next week and hoping for an u/g to a suite (I'm Plat). Looks good so far and I am using the Amex 3rd night free promo with a base rate of $199. I'll report upon my return.