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rachieface · Jul 1st, 2009, 10:58 PM

Hi ladies! I did a pretty extensive search on Chicago and have discovered a lot of entertainment ideas while poking around. Thanks for everyone who has ever posted anything!

One thing I did not see is Chicago hotel options and would love some opinions or reviews. I am looking for something relatively high end and close to all the fun stuff.

I have come up with these three:

Conrad Chicago
Intercontinental Chicago
Sofitel Chicago

Are these good picks? I would love additional suggestions if I'm off base!

Juilletdix · Jul 1st, 2009, 11:09 PM

IMO, those are all pretty generic hotels. Nice, not inexpensive, but generic.

The "hot" hotel in town right now is the Wit Hotel - 201 N State St - www.thewithotel.com. They have a very hot roof deck bar (called Roof) and it's getting a lot of press.

Sharkbait · Jul 1st, 2009, 11:37 PM

We go to Chicago every year for a mother-daughter shopping trip and recently stayed at the Ritz-Carlton. Gorgeous decor, fabulous service and food and the location was to die for. It's actually a Four Seasons hotel, so you can expect the same level of...everything.

We've also stayed at the Park Hyatt, but they gave off the "too cool for school" attitude and it turned me off.

redney · Jul 2nd, 2009, 04:17 PM

I love the James Hotel - a boutique hotel within close walking distance to shopping and tons of restaurants. http://www.jameshotels.com/Chicago.aspx

ILuvShopping · Jul 2nd, 2009, 04:44 PM

I've stayed at both the Sheraton and the Regency. both only a block or so from michigan ave. Both were gorgeous with updated/modern rooms. I didn't have to pay for the room at the Regency, but at the Sheraton at the time i booked it they were having a great deal for AAA members.

Juilletdix · Jul 2nd, 2009, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by redney

I love the James Hotel - a boutique hotel within close walking distance to shopping and tons of restaurants. http://www.jameshotels.com/Chicago.aspx

The James is in a good location, but I think it's looking sort of tired these days. We stopped by for drinks a couple of weeks ago and the lobby looked pretty thrashed. The furniture was damaged and dirty; such a shame because this place was so cool when it opened. I'd really advise picking one of the newer hotels, like the Affinia, the Wit, the Dana, etc...

redney · Jul 2nd, 2009, 06:26 PM

^^^what a shame about the James! I stayed there a few years ago and it looked very nice at the time. Thanks for the update on its current condition. I'll check out others for future visits.

viba424 · Jul 2nd, 2009, 07:17 PM

The sofitel is amazing. That would be my first choice. The wit is supposed to be new and hip. Its close to the action including the lake and millenium park. Ive been to their rooftop bar and its very nice - very "south beach". If you want to be closer to michigan avenue shopping however, I would do sofitel, or the intercontinental, if you want to pay $. If you want something centrally located near the theater district (by the Wit), the loop, and river north/mag mile, the westin river north is also nice and not too pricey.

Juilletdix · Jul 6th, 2009, 08:04 PM

If you want to spend some serious money, stay at the Peninsula.

Longchamp · Jul 6th, 2009, 08:36 PM

^^^ No kidding. I like the Sofitel also. I would chose the Park Hyatt over the Intercontinental.

Juilletdix · Jul 6th, 2009, 09:09 PM

Actually, the Park Hyatt would be my first choice, too. Love the rooms and the outdoor terrace for cocktails.

rachieface · Jul 7th, 2009, 12:59 AM

You guys have been so helpful so far! Keep the recommendations coming!

carousel eyes · Jul 7th, 2009, 01:25 AM

The Park Hyatt is definitely more in the thick of things than the Wit, but both would be great choices.

boxermom · Jul 7th, 2009, 04:25 PM

Park Hyatt is where I stay nearly every time. I've always been treated well and the rooms/bathrooms are extremely comfortable. Right at the Water Tower is primo location--walkable to everything.

Intercontinental is adequate--there are 2 distinct areas--the older section has smaller rooms with more character and the tower has larger rooms. We stayed there once and it was fine.

Ritz-Carlton, unless they've updated recently isn't up to par with the newer hotels.

The Peninsula is #1 in everyone's book--absolutely breathtaking rooms and service, but significantly higher-priced and it books up farther ahead than others. The rooms have an ambient lighting that is very soothing. Next to the bed is a control panel for everything in the room!

It's a bit cheaper, a block off N. Michigan Ave. on Delaware St., but I would NOT recommend the Hilton Suites.

Maja80 · Jul 7th, 2009, 08:52 PM

I would recommend the Renaissance on State and Wacker. My Dad stays there whenever he visits, it's a very pretty hotel and in a great location. I also second the person that said the Westin River North. My DH and I have stayed there many times and it's always great, also a great location.

Jul 1st, 2009, 10:58 PM	#1
rachieface OP MJ enlightened <3 Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 4,604	Chicago Hotels? Hi ladies! I did a pretty extensive search on Chicago and have discovered a lot of entertainment ideas while poking around. Thanks for everyone who has ever posted anything! One thing I did not see is Chicago hotel options and would love some opinions or reviews. I am looking for something relatively high end and close to all the fun stuff. I have come up with these three: Conrad Chicago Intercontinental Chicago Sofitel Chicago Are these good picks? I would love additional suggestions if I'm off base!
	__________________ "I like my money right where I can see it - hanging in my closet!"--Carrie Bradshaw Currently lusting: Good health and a hot boyfriend. "In order to be irreplaceable - one must always be different!" - - Coco Chanel

Jul 2nd, 2009, 04:17 PM	#4
redney Lovin' Life! Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 6,750	I love the James Hotel - a boutique hotel within close walking distance to shopping and tons of restaurants. http://www.jameshotels.com/Chicago.aspx
redney Lovin' Life! Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 6,750

Jul 2nd, 2009, 04:44 PM	#5
ILuvShopping <3 Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,974	I've stayed at both the Sheraton and the Regency. both only a block or so from michigan ave. Both were gorgeous with updated/modern rooms. I didn't have to pay for the room at the Regency, but at the Sheraton at the time i booked it they were having a great deal for AAA members.
	__________________ . . Whimsy Bits..... a bit of whimsy.... Up and Running!! Check out my handmade jewelry http://whimsybits.etsy.com

Jul 2nd, 2009, 06:26 PM	#7
redney Lovin' Life! Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 6,750	^^^what a shame about the James! I stayed there a few years ago and it looked very nice at the time. Thanks for the update on its current condition. I'll check out others for future visits.
redney Lovin' Life! Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 6,750

Jul 2nd, 2009, 07:17 PM	#8
viba424 Member Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,909	The sofitel is amazing. That would be my first choice. The wit is supposed to be new and hip. Its close to the action including the lake and millenium park. Ive been to their rooftop bar and its very nice - very "south beach". If you want to be closer to michigan avenue shopping however, I would do sofitel, or the intercontinental, if you want to pay $. If you want something centrally located near the theater district (by the Wit), the loop, and river north/mag mile, the westin river north is also nice and not too pricey.
viba424 Member Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,909

Jul 1st, 2009, 11:09 PM	#2
Juilletdix Tod's Fan Joined: Nov 2006 Location: 60657 Posts: 241	IMO, those are all pretty generic hotels. Nice, not inexpensive, but generic. The "hot" hotel in town right now is the Wit Hotel - 201 N State St - www.thewithotel.com. They have a very hot roof deck bar (called Roof) and it's getting a lot of press.

Jul 1st, 2009, 11:37 PM	#3
Sharkbait Member Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 862	We go to Chicago every year for a mother-daughter shopping trip and recently stayed at the Ritz-Carlton. Gorgeous decor, fabulous service and food and the location was to die for. It's actually a Four Seasons hotel, so you can expect the same level of...everything. We've also stayed at the Park Hyatt, but they gave off the "too cool for school" attitude and it turned me off.

Jul 6th, 2009, 08:04 PM	#9
Juilletdix Tod's Fan Joined: Nov 2006 Location: 60657 Posts: 241	If you want to spend some serious money, stay at the Peninsula.

Jul 6th, 2009, 08:36 PM	#10
Longchamp Member Joined: Aug 2006 Location: Lost and found Posts: 3,961	^^^ No kidding. I like the Sofitel also. I would chose the Park Hyatt over the Intercontinental.

Jul 6th, 2009, 09:09 PM	#11
Juilletdix Tod's Fan Joined: Nov 2006 Location: 60657 Posts: 241	Actually, the Park Hyatt would be my first choice, too. Love the rooms and the outdoor terrace for cocktails.

Jul 7th, 2009, 12:59 AM	#12
rachieface OP MJ enlightened <3 Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 4,604	You guys have been so helpful so far! Keep the recommendations coming!
	__________________ "I like my money right where I can see it - hanging in my closet!"--Carrie Bradshaw Currently lusting: Good health and a hot boyfriend. "In order to be irreplaceable - one must always be different!" - - Coco Chanel

Jul 7th, 2009, 01:25 AM	#13
carousel eyes Member Joined: Dec 2008 Location: NC/IL/MA Posts: 1,652	The Park Hyatt is definitely more in the thick of things than the Wit, but both would be great choices.
	__________________ "Fashion is a mass phenomenon, but it feeds on the individual." - Cecil Beaton

Jul 7th, 2009, 04:25 PM	#14
boxermom Member Joined: Aug 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 13,685	Park Hyatt is where I stay nearly every time. I've always been treated well and the rooms/bathrooms are extremely comfortable. Right at the Water Tower is primo location--walkable to everything. Intercontinental is adequate--there are 2 distinct areas--the older section has smaller rooms with more character and the tower has larger rooms. We stayed there once and it was fine. Ritz-Carlton, unless they've updated recently isn't up to par with the newer hotels. The Peninsula is #1 in everyone's book--absolutely breathtaking rooms and service, but significantly higher-priced and it books up farther ahead than others. The rooms have an ambient lighting that is very soothing. Next to the bed is a control panel for everything in the room! It's a bit cheaper, a block off N. Michigan Ave. on Delaware St., but I would NOT recommend the Hilton Suites.

Jul 7th, 2009, 08:52 PM	#15
Maja80 bag content :) Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 814	I would recommend the Renaissance on State and Wacker. My Dad stays there whenever he visits, it's a very pretty hotel and in a great location. I also second the person that said the Westin River North. My DH and I have stayed there many times and it's always great, also a great location.
	__________________ Maja

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