We recently needed to be in Chicago for a couple of nights, and decided to stay at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago. I was impressed by this property, as it was probably the first Marriott-family property in the United States that I’ve stayed at since the start of the pandemic that seemed to more or less have…
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Nice to see this property has been renovated - stayed here a few times and wasn’t super impressed pre renovation. However it generally makes sense to book the Langham over this property
I’m sorry, but the room decor and furnishings don’t look any nicer than a Westin or JW Marriott. I’m not sure how that room is luxury.
Why did you not mention the brand of the sparkling wine welcome amenity? Things like that are worth knowing. Did they give you a five dollar bottle of Prosecco?
Not a coincidence that the only Marriott with remotely acceptable service standards was until recently... a Four Seasons...
As someone who doesnt only stay with a single particular brand/chain and as someone who takes the mini shampoo bottles everytime, i love seeing the toiletries in the review and recognizing them as ones i have/use and then can remember my last Ritz stay as i have a few of these purple bottles.
Agree with FNT, this decor looks so tired and unremarkable. Westin level at best. Pricing looks equivalent too. Check out the Four Seasons or Langham if you want luxury in Chicago.
Wow I would much, much, much rather stay at the Hyatt Centric Magnificent Mile for free using 1-4 certificates than this place for $400+. That pool looks awful.
Chicago is one city that you forgo points properties and just book The Peninsula. For nearly the same rates you will have a stay at what is easily the top value luxury city property in North America.
Is there a reason why the Titanium discount card says 4pm late checkout is subject to availability? It should be "guaranteed" for Platinum members or above and I don't believe this is a resort or convention hotel (although admittedly, I can't quite tell about the convention status since the RC website is a bit different).
I’m going to the Hilton Chicago in February. Apparently it has a lot of history. Is that a good hotel ?
Killer views.
We stayed at this property 5 years ago and enjoyed it, but I have to agree the Peninsula Chicago is better at typically the same price. Perhaps being a Bonvoy elite with an upgrade would tilt the choice towards the Ritz Carlton.
Love Chicago, such a wonderful city.
Why did you have say this ? Peninsula is having a cyber Monday deal. Now Im tempted to stay there . 🙁 🙂
The room furnishings are meh, at best. If you want real luxury in Chicago, you stay at the Peninsula or the Langham, not the top tier of a mass market chain.
I stayed here a few years ago. The rates were below $300/night midweek, so I got a good rate and used the RC Rewards Card's free club upgrade certs for club access. The club lounge is nice and comfortable with a friendly and attentive international staff and lots of good food so that I didn't have to eat in the restaurants. Also got a $100 hotel credit with the card. The location and views are hard to beat.
My reactions exactly. Definitely not a convention hotel. It's just more Marriott garbage with properties barely acknowledging Bonvoy benefis.
Unless they renovated again recently, unfortunately, only the suites are renovated. The regular rooms are even more dated. It's not a property I ever recommend to friends coming to Chicago unfortunately. If you want luxury, I agree with Stuart - go to The Peninsula a few blocks away.
You won't regret it. Truly, one of the best urban properties in the country. And half the price you would pay in LA or NYC.
Great location, right on Grant Park. It's just south of the Loop; ask for a room on the east side of the hotel if you want a view of the park and Lake Michigan. It isn't a high rise like the hotels in the Loop, but it's also in a much older, larger building that definitely has some history and character to it. They were closed for the last 2 years or so and just recently re-opened at the end of the summer - I haven't been inside, but it has been VERY busy (I live 3 blocks south of it). Lots of great restaurants south of Roosevelt in the South Loop...there's not much to do, per se, in the South Loop, but if you walk north up Michigan from the Hilton there are a number of great things to see (Grant Park, Cloud Gate, the Art Institute, the Chicago Cultural Center, the Design Museum of Chicago) and the river is only a 10-15 minute walk). Just bundle up...
Good tip! They are often really reasonable from January through March. That is actually a pretty normal rate then if booking more than three nights. Get it and enjoy, and bring the family, it really offers everything for everyone and never disappoints.
Agree with others here. The Langham, Peninsula, and Four Seasons are all far nicer for luxury hotels and then you have places like Nobu Hotel, Ace Hotel, or the Hoxton if you want new and trendy in a bustling neighborhood.
I see that breakfast was included in your particular rate Ben, but very surprised that breakfast wasn’t on the list of things included for your membership level. Is this normal at a ritz Carlton for Titanium?
"Free" breakfast for Marriott Bonvoy elites has never been a benefit at Ritz-Carlton properties.
Did they have real champagne in the club lounge? Three out of the last four Ritz-Carlton club lounges I've used have tried passing passing off $5 JP Chenet or $8-$10 Martini & Rossi Asti as acceptable "champagne." When I've complained they've pulled out the Champagne Barons de Rothschild Ritz champagne that is from the real Ritz in Paris. Ritz-Carlton seems buy a bunch of cases for their properties, which I find interesting.
Unfortunately, there is no $100 compensation benefit for a denied late checkout.
As far as I know, the Ritz-Carlton is the only Ritz-Carlton in North America that is operated by a franchisee/licensee. It is operated by Sage Hospitality.
I believe the Ritz-Carlton in Kuala Lumpur is the only other Ritz-Carlton worldwide not operated by Marriott International.
As far as I know, the Ritz-Carlton is the only Ritz-Carlton in North America that is operated by a franchisee/licensee. It is operated by Sage Hospitality.
I believe the Ritz-Carlton in Kuala Lumpur is the only other Ritz-Carlton worldwide not operated by Marriott International.
Am I the only person who hates hotels where you have to take an elevator to the lobby? In a city hotel sure- I get it's the only way to do it but so many hotels are being built where it takes forever just to find the lobby
My first reaction to the photos of the "large" rooms was how much wasted space there was. Not a good design choice:-(
I agree the “suite” looks very outdated and ordinary - perhaps the pictures don’t do it justice
What about Park Hyatt Chicago ? How does it compare with the Peninsula and the FS ?
The Langham Chicago is the best hotel in the city. Service, room, FNB are all top notch.