Review: Waldorf Astoria Chicago

I had just about the same experience in March. Didn't get an upgrade, but the standard room is huge and very nice.

HH needs to standardize their WA breakfast policy. Some offer some don't. On the subject of breakfast, is it only me or does the egg omelet picture looks kind of plasticky and rubbery?

@ mike -- It certainly didn't taste like it!

It helps that it was not developed as a Waldorf and only switched flags after being the Elysian.

My husband and I stayed at there in June on 2 free nights certificates from Citi Visa Signature card. I have Gold status and we DID receive free breakfast (a credit for 2 of around $60) at Balsan for both mornings. We didn't get upgraded to a suite, but our standard room was so large, we didn't care.

FYI, this Waldorf Astoria often has amazing deals. We stayed four nights over Memorial Day weekend this year in an Astoria Suite (two categories up from the one bedroom suite featured herein) for $413 per night on a AAA rate. We are Hilton silver, so practically no status. Though the air con was weaker than I'd prefer, this hotel is the luxe steal even for its regular rate when compared to the other 5 star properties in Chicago--and I'd say it's the best 5 star luxe steal for most major cities in the US.

The Waldorf on the Bund in Shanghai is perhaps the ther finest example we've seen in the Waldorf line-up. It's more formal than the Chicago property (owing to its location in Shanghai, a more formal city and country), and more expensive. But it is a spectacularly beautiful property.

My boyfriend and I used to be exceptionally loyal to this property, but after the change to Waldorf, things started going downhill. You'll now find many of the original Elysian/Waldorf employees at The Langham, providing outstanding service. Our loyalties now lie with Langham.

My favorite thing about the Chicago Waldorf is that it's a no tipping property -- a carryover from the Elysian. The staff gets paid more, but is supposed to refuse tips (and they always have when I've offered. And they do go above and beyond. We had a bachelor party of 6 in the Presidential Suite, and they even went out and got an ice chest for us when we requested ice for the beer we'd purchased. Great hotel!

Lucky Luke, why didn't you stay for (nearly) the same price at the PH ;)? They have the best bf there - bf as in breakfast and not boyfriend lol.

I got free breakfast last time I was there a month ago. I was offered a suite however I turned it down in lieu of getting free breakfast to which they obliged. Great hotel and amazing breakfast.

@ Cathy -- I did read on FlyerTalk some reporting receiving complimentary breakfast, though it wasn't offered to me. Very odd.

@ mike -- Staying there next time! Wanted to make sure I checked both out. 🙂

In Chicago, I’ve stayed at PH as Hyatt Diamond, Waldorf Astoria as Hilton Gold, and Langham as an 1865 Voyager. I don’t think any of the service is like international 5 star hotels, but WA comes the closest.

I have stayed at WA several times and it remains my favorite in the city. The great thing about WA is that most of the rooms are suites which gives you a high chance of being upgraded (but I think they are less likely to upgrade with a credit card certificate.) The room has both form and function with a good layout. It has my favorite bathroom and wardrobe of any hotel (Carrera and Kallista). The fireplace is awesome in a Chicago winter and there is a great balcony with possible stunning city view. The courtyard view is also pretty. The edifice is stunning and it’s in a great location. I agree that, if you are paying for a suite, this is the best value in the city.

The Langham looks like an office building on the outside and is stunning on the inside. I was upgraded to a gorgeous executive room. I was annoyed that the wardrobe was in the entrance which made it challenging to change after getting out of the shower. I did not get my welcome amenity, chocolate, or newspaper. It took several phone calls and hours to receive this and ice. Not my experience with other 5 stars. Perhaps I would have a better time staying on the club level.

PH Chicago, even in an updated suite, is not aesthetically up to par with Langham or WA. However with the breakfast and welcome amenity, I would stay here if using cash and point with diamond suite upgrade.

You got upgraded to the Arizona Suite at the Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria property. The HHonors scheme applies there.

@ Alvin -- You have good memory/read my blog too much. 😀

If you are ever in the Lake Forest area (just out side of Chicago) it would be nice to meet you. I hope that did not sound weird but it would just be really cool to talk about all of your trips!

I didn't realize I could have booked this hotel until after my stay in Chicago earlier this year. Looks amazing, however, though I didn't know that Waldorf Astoria hotels didn't offer free breakfast to HHonors gold/diamond members. Would you say that it's worth the points premium to book this compared to the Conrad or JW Marriott (both hotels I looked into but declined because I wanted to use up a Marriott certificate) in Chicago (assume all hotels are fully paid for with points)? With cash+points it seems like a no-brainer vs the Conrad.

The WA is generally considered the top hotel in a city filled with some of the finest in the US. In many surveys the WA is considered the top non resort hotel in the US. The Park Hyatt mentioned above is actually somewhat down the list. Not in any order, but the Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Peninsula, Langham, Trump and maybe a couple more are rated higher than the Park Hyatt. Of course, most of us don't get free rooms at those hotels.

The amazing rooms etc are not the attraction, its the service. They will do just about anything you could ask for and if its only service, its usually free.

A relative of mine is a major vendor to nearly all of the top hotels in Chicago and he would have had his daughter's wedding at the WA if the Ballroom had been large enough. He says they are definitely the top hotel in Chicago.

As any New Yorker knows, the best part of the Warldorf is the public restrooms in the lobby.

Try the Waldorf Roosevelt in New Orleans at Christmas time with the famous lobby decorations.

What perfect timing!! We're staying at Chicago WA this Friday night using a Citi HH Reserve free night cert, then taking the train to FTU Advanced. Looking forward to both!!

@ UAPhil -- Look forward to seeing you!

Have not stayed at the JW Marriott, but Conrad does not even come close to WA. I'd rather be in a standard room at a WA than suite at Conrad. However, you would definitely get breakfast at Conrad.
Location of both is better than JW.

u will def be in love with the bf at the PH man 😉 If u wanna get a great rate there, then do let me know, respectively let me know where i can reach u 😉

I've been to this property a number of times (mostly when my daughter was living in Chicago), and echo your comments. It is certainly my favorite property there- and the location can't be beat.

We havent been here since it was the Elysian but it stands out as our favorate city hotel in the US!

I just checked into WA Chicago. After reading comments on this blog, I asked if I could get breakfast thrown in. They told me WA had run a trial program offering breakfast, but the program was now discontinued, and the computer wouldn't allow them to offer me breakfast.

But I did get upgraded to a suite with an outside balcony. My GF is VERY happy :-).

I just used my weekend coupons (and one fully paid night) for the WA in New Orleans (the above-referenced Roosevelt). I agree about the Christmas decorations and teddy bear tea, but for our stay, last week, it was unremarkable. Nice hotel, okay service, but not top notch, and not what I expect from a WA. I specifically inquired about breakfast and was told they did not offer that to guest, regardless of status. Nor did I receive an upgrade (though since I was using the certs, I didn't expect it). I had thought we'd get breakfast though, which was disappointing. If I had it to do over again, I would head to the City of Big Shoulders in a heartbeat.

hello, where are you ?