Trump Chicago

100   Recommended

September 12, 2014 by EXPERT
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I just completed a stay on a Travel Industry rate at the Trump International Hotel and Towers Chicago which Travel and Leisure ranked as the World's Best Hotel for 2010. Below will be my frank assessment of the hotel.

Due to the traffic I saw on the Highway as we approached O'Hare I took an Airport Shuttle from the airport to the hotel. I was welcomed at the Front Door with a smile and was not made to feel "inferior" arriving by airport shuttle. Luggage was handled quickly and efficiently and was escorted to the Front Desk for check-in.

The Front Door is oddly configured as one must enter the building first and then through another set of revolving doors to enter the Lobby. Perhaps this is to due to the wind in Chicago.

Check In

Check-in was swift and efficient and I was warmly welcomed by the Staff. I was offered a bottle of water (chilled or room temperature) and the Front Desk agent had the asian sensibility to hand me my credit card back with both hands. I was shown to my room by a Bellman who explained some of the features of the hotel and eventually my room.

Room

I was booked into a City View Deluxe room and this was the room category I received. The room is quite large -- about 500 sq ft -- as compared to the 600 sq ft as mentioned on the Trump Chicago website. My room did not have a sofa bed so I believe it was cut a little smaller than the other rooms.

As you enter the room, the massive bathroom is to the right and the kitchenette spans the wall to the left. Beyond that is the bedroom with a work desk, large TV, king bed and an arm chair with ottoman. It is very comfortable for single travellers and perhaps two travellers for shorter visits. The room is in soothing palates of grey, tan, taupe and beige -- very tasteful if not maybe a little bland.

http://www.trumpchicagohotel.com/Acc...loor_plans.asp

Well equipped the room had a kitchenette with dishwasher, two burner Miele cooktop, a mini-bar fridge with its on ice maker, microwave oven with all the plates and utensils one would need. Complimentary Nespresso machine with complimentary coffee refills by calling Housekeeping are also available.

The bathroom is quite large with the shower and tub in one large "wet" zone. Single vanity with the now popular TV in mirror. Toiletries are Trump brand and were disappointing.

The Air Conditioning worked well and was quite quiet -- amongst the quietest I have experienced and kept the room at the desired temperature without getting too warm or too cold.

The King bed was quite comfortable but found the bed to be a little soft. There is a complimentary pillow menu to help guests achieve optimal sleep.

The minibar prices are a little expensive as expected not necessarily in price but what you get for that. $5 for a Diet Coke or bottle of water is not bad until you see you get 250 mL bottle for that price. There is a water bar in the room with a variety of expensive waters - from $10 and up for 750 mL bottles with the most expensive at $25 for 500mL bottle with Swarovski crystals on the bottle itself.

Dining

I only had a chance to eat breakfast at Sixteen, the hotel restaurant which is a very high ceilinged space with panoramic views of the Chicago skyline. In summer, there is an expansive terrace for al fresco dining. Breakfast options are a la carte with a full american breakfast with two eggs, choice of breakfast meats, potatoes, toast, coffee or tea, and juice running $31. The quality is high and the service efficient and cordial. The restaurant serves Julius Meinl coffee which is a big plus!!

Sixteen is the hotels all purpose restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the evening, Rebar, which features a "liquid kitchen" with custom made cocktails and sushi is available for guests and feature a nice vista of the River and the Michigan Avenue bridge.

Service

I thought the service was very good -- the hotel got the 80% of what makes a very good hotel. However, I felt that they were missing the final 20%, that polish and the small details which make for a true luxury hotel experience. For example, I requested for an extension cord which they did not have. The hotel did send up Engineering to install a power surge protector with additional outlets. The Engineer was in the room installing it as I returned from dinner. I asked if the plug I needed to plug in would easily fit, he simply replied yes and left the room. At a true luxury hotel, the Engineer would have offered to plug it in for me.

Communication problems -- as I was changing at 10pm at night, housekeeping rang the doorbell once and practically barged into the room. While the housekeeper was apologetic he did mention that the list he has shows the room as unoccupied which was clearly not the case.

Otherwise, the Front Of House staff are all professional and courteous; I did encounter some staff who would walk past without a greeting.

Amenities

The Trump is a Virtuoso property and Virtuoso guests receive: Upgrade upon availability at check-in Daily continental breakfast for 2 $100 USD Spa credit once per stay valid towards any 90 minute spa treatment and is not applicable to retail products

Overall

I was pleasantly surprised by the Trump -- the hotel is very understated and has a fantastic location. However, there are some oddities: the restaurant serves Julius Meinl coffee but the tea is from Harney & Sons, which is what The Venetian and Palazzo in Las Vegas serve. There are Miele cooktops in the rooms and suites but only Trump branded toiletries in the bathrooms. I think this is a solid choice in Chicago but well behind the standby's of the Four Seasons, the Ritz Carlton (A Four Seasons Hotel), the Peninsula, and the new Elysian.

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