hotel_final.csv

,reviewID,reviewContent,rating,usefulCount,coolCount,funnyCount
2982,-ZkzDLAp-6LSdek-nU,"My husband took me to stay the night for a fun date night one year and I'm finally getting around to writing a review of this place. Well, it's the W hotel, which obviously means it's stylish, cool, trendy, all in once place with an exceptional location in Chi-town overlooking Lake Michigan. We were there in the winter so I can't speak for spending time outside the hotel facilities so we definitely took full advantage of the inside. The people at the lobby were super nice, the decor was fab-u-lous throughout and the actual hotel room was spacious, clean and had a very chic feel to it. We left as happy guests. The best part of the hotel is that it houses Wave restaurant which is like Mediterranean tapas and it's absolutely delicious and definitely cost effective. This 4 star hotel is a great location to stay for both tourists, locals and even if you're on business trips, the concierge will be friendly and polite and the bar is definitely worth checking out and if time allows, make a reservation at Wave. And I have to mention that I got a really good night's sleep when we stayed our one night, bed was super comfy and those pillows, I was seriously contemplating taking them home with me.",4,0,0,0
2983,9yStfyRS5CISu-May43dmA,"stayed at the property over the weekend, got a fantastic rate on priceline. We took the blue line to Clark/Lake and then took the taxi to the hotel. Check in process was smooth, we had a wonderful room with a view of buildings across the street. Room was nicely furnished, flat screen, high beds, window shades between bedroom and bathroom. The room smelled nice and the furnishings were in a fine condition. We got a glimpse of the rooms with a view from the elevator waiting area - it looks our directly at a beautiful beach with Navy Pier to the right. I can imagine how amazing it must be to wake up with that view in the morning. It was raining on Friday night, we asked to use the hotel umbrella when we went out for dinner but apparently they were all out. The agent at the front desk offered us her personally umbrella but we declined (I think her name was Arianna - great service). We also had forgotten the charger for our iPhones, although they weren't able to send us one for our room, it was no problem to stop by the front desk and leave it there to charge in the back. We did that for 2 nights. The welcome desk was a little chaotic the two times we needed to speak to them, and when we did their attitude wasn't entirely pleasant. That was the only minor flaw to the hotel besides the unusually slow elevators that seemed to stop at every floor every time we needed to go to the lobby. We had plans all weekend, so didn't get to use the pool, restaurants or bars on site.  We rented a zip car for 2 hours for our little excursion on Hot Doug's on Saturday morning. The car was parked a block away in a lot, very convenient. Other times we took the Red line (Chicago), explored the city on foot, and at the end of the night we took the taxi to the hotel. The W Lakeshore is located a bit far from the river and Michigan Ave. but the lake view is simply breath taking. If the weather was warmer, the pedestrian path by the lake and the beach is just across the street. Perfect for someone who wants to go for a jog or just relax by the water.",3,0,0,0
2984,Wf-7bJszS2n6REXGbrwK2w,"Overall, I think I'm less and less a fan of the W concept. This hotel has both good and bad. The rooms are very updated and comfortable, but- the soundproofing stinks. Had to swicth rooms and still was awakended by noise the next morning. The staff is very friendly, but- they are so friendly it takes them forever to check you in, so the folks behind you get to wait. The location next to the lake is great, especially if you have a lakeview, but- it's also far from everything else, with few amenities in immediate walking distance. Probably will hit up the Westin on my next stay. But if you're in the mood for the hipster scene, this might be your place to stay.",3,0,0,0
2985,ZLe,"I'd like to make a confession. I don't really like W hotels all that much, but I REALLY don't like this one. Whatever. Whenever... though personally, I'd like to put a little more emphasis on 'Whatever'. I don't like walking into what looks like a club with blasting music and $16 martinis in the morning. I don't like feeling like you have to be sexy at 8am, 2pm and 4:00am in the morning after you've been rained on all day/night and the concierge at W hotel has the nerve to recommend the Hangge-Uppe as a decent after hours bar... for that cruel joke I should actually give 1-star but I'll be kind regardless of what my ovulation cycle is telling me. I will say that I do enjoy the quirky rooms at most W locations, though I feel like this W is lacking the quirky and leaning more towards stuffy. I don't like being ignored by the bartender or being carded by the same one twice in less than hour after not moving seats. Never has there ever been a more invisible neon orange-haired person than at the W Lakeshore's bar. I know most people probably come here from out of town, but my experience was for a weekend-long and God-forsaken bachelorette party so I was more than non-plussed when I found out that parking here over the weekend would cost me close to $200... a price that I simply can't afford, and would refuse to pay for parking anywhere regardless. I ended up hitching a ride with the bride and husband-to-be so that worked out, but then we'll get into the nitty-gritty of paying what the room rate for this hotel is vs what you get. On a typical rainy, chilly and windy as f*ck Chicago day, I wouldn't consider the W Lakeshore to have much of a view. Looking out the windows to the stormy, grey Chicago days outside was like taking a photo of depression and charging people $400 a night to look at it. No thanks. Waiting for a cab at their cab stand was brutal. We basically had to add 15-20 minutes onto any of our travel times to accommodate the long lines here, and the car service they had was never available at any point from Thursday-Sunday, sooo don't count on trying to save any scratch or be able to take advantage of any of of the perks. The front desk told me that the best way to be able to get a reservation in with them was to come down a half hour before the concierge opens and wait in line to try and get a booking. Uhm, I don't know about you, but getting up and going down to the club atmosphere lobby at 7:30am and waiting in line for 30 minutes to ask for a ride. F*ck that noise. Oh and for the price of the room on weekend, I was expecting a bowling alley in there or something, not just 2 beds, very little room and a bathroom with ZERO privacy that actually has a window you can open to see people on the toilet. Kinky... but not totally my thing. I just don't dig it and I don't know that I ever will.",3,21,11,16
2986,vURf9AGmThDrRC9TVcQrdw,"The good:  the view; location The bad:  service non-existent (or rude when you get someone's attention) Dirty, dingy, tired rooms (stains on sheets, walls, really foul) Cheap furniture Air conditioning erratic and LOUD Poor lighting (don't even try to shave in the bathroom); dimly lit elevators Constant barrage of music. Very dated atmosphere. So many better choices (and cheaper).",1,0,0,0
2987,NwZ6u5xqXJGfPNHeKFJVhQ,"Great service, beautiful hotel and rooms! The lobby felt like a nightclub! Very hip!",4,0,0,0
2988,E1j78xcwMYnymNRlfse-EQ,"You cannot go wrong with a W Hotel. It is stylish, fancy, cool, chic, all in one. In addition, it is in a great location in Chicago, overlooking Lake Michigan. The hotel itself counts with a great swimming pool, excellent fitness facilities and a great restaurant in the lobby. While most of front desk's staff is very friendly, there were occasions that I had to deal with arrogant ones, as if we were doing a favor in staying at the hotel. One last reason for not receiving a five-star is that, on some occasions that I had stayed there, the floor of the room would be wet or the internet would be extremely slow that I would just give up using it altogether. All in all, it is a great hotel. With its brand, we would expect nothing but perfection. That is why, a five-star is not granted just yet.",4,2,0,0
2989,kv-eRN6LOX2-oUfnEMd0uA,"Pro's Water views Navy Pier Views Rides via Acura service Nice Room Con's $30 for wifi for two night stay $55 for parking LOUD tecno music at 7:30 AM when everyone is hungover is not necessary.  I get their trying to be hip, but no one wants to hear it in the morning.",3,1,1,2
2990,40gDUe2eVedqCXqDS8cnmA,"Amazing views and location.  The room was nice, though the shutters in the bathroom over doors were a little strange for sharing the room with someone.  The valet was $55, so factor that into your price.  The concierge and front desk staff, like other W hotels, seem to be hired for coolness and not necessarily knowledge and friendliness, but they at least tried to help somewhat.   You can't be the location or the views though, and it's a clean and updated hotel with excellent amenities.  Also, the Whiskey Bar has a fantastic view.",4,0,0,0
2991,C2,"Not my fave W:-( Lobby is just OK. Rooms are just OK. Rarely get a decent upgrade even with status! Their bar on the top floor sucks! Lobby bar is OK. And they serve bar snacks in huge community bowls. YUCK! Unfortunately, nothing to really rave about.",3,0,0,0
2992,KZPXFD-Db0XGgVta97Nzrg,"The location and the atmosphere of the hotel is nice,  The rooms were comfy and great view. However, the service is absolutely awful and unacceptable.It was hectic and chaotic and not what we would expect from a 4-star hotel, let alone the W. I am a frequent patron of the Starwood Family and this was absolutely dis-concerning. The concierges didn't even know the area, nor were they friendly or helpful. And when I finally dragged out of them a recommendation, it was probably the worst meal we ever had. He basically googled the restaurant that was closest to where we were going. Unacceptable.     The Acura car was never available and the spa was not enjoyable. The bar-tending staff was rude and slow. The elevator took forever and in a elevator conversation with another guest, they initiated the conversation on how disappointing this hotel was and chaotic and relaxing. So glad I was not the only one! I wouldn't return with all of the great hotels in Chicago.",1,0,0,0
2993,jJzUEbNzqMG3knGxjLrj1A,"I'm definitely a fan of W Hotels, but I can't say this location is one of my fav's!  As other's have mentioned, the retro-fit was poorly done and it's especially noticeable when it comes to their heating or air-conditioning.  The rooms have a tough time keeping a consistent temperature, and the hallways are either overly warm or overly cold.  Tough to find common ground. The bright side is, service doesn't get much better.  There's nothing this hotel won't do to help make your stay more enjoyable.  From great restaurant recommendations to driving you in the Acura Experience.  (which btw, is very common among W Hotels). So it's really a toss up for me....the the prices the command, I really don't believe there's room for imperfection.  As a matter of fact, try ordering a bottle to the room, and you'll probably fall off your chair - $250 bottle, $3.50 delivery, $51 bottle service, and $26 tax....WTF!!!!   are you serious!!!??? As for location, there's a great lake view, you're right by Navy Pier, and you're about 3 blocks (long blocks though) from Michigan (Magnificent Mile).  So while I'd agree there isn't all that much within the immediate block of this hotel, there are many options if you walk a few blocks. It's a toss up for me....but I think they'll have trouble getting my business again.....too many choices in the great City of Chicago to be paying top dollar and receive sub-par value.  Just my opinion.",3,1,1,0
2994,0z6LXr8NFM6Cph1T4,"Just what you expect from the W. Good customer service, comfortable room, and great location. If you're looking for a sure thing, the W usually never fails",5,0,0,0
2995,r3F,"W hotels and ""child-friendly"" are two terms that don't normally go together.  Usually, the trendy euro vibe, techno music and stylish bar/lounge make it the kind of place that parents used to go to. However, this W is different.  The location next to Navy Pier and all of the child-friendly parks and activities in the neighborhood mean that parents with young kids flock here, especially on a holiday weekend.   The hotel itself seems to have an identity crisis about this. Others have mentioned the poor use of the rooftop - the event-only space that apparently used to be a great restaurant.  On the pool level, a great outdoor patio overlooking Ohio St Beach and Lake Michigan is poorly utilized with a small, lonely bar and a few high tables. Where are the lounge chairs and the music that would give it a Rio or Miami-style vibe? Instead, with a small grill serving hot dogs and burgers, it had a family cookout feel, and it shut down around 8 (perhaps because the kids needed to get to bed). Speaking of kid-friendly areas, the pool area has no hot tub, but comes with pool toys so that the young ones can have fun.  It's also difficult to get food and drink service there (apparently you have to pay a 20% service charge and a delivery fee if you want anything other than the kid friendly food and limited bar on the patio.) One more gripe - in the morning, hot water was iffy in the shower - maybe it's tough to get it all the way up to the 32 floor. With all that said, since I wasn't traveling with kids, you may wonder why this place gets 3 stars? The answer? The view from a room on a high floor is downright breathtaking - get a room with a lake view if at all possible. The view can stand toe-to-toe with any ocean view on a sunny day, and is well worth seeing for yourself. The room was laid out so that you could see the view from everywhere (including the shower). The peaceful beauty of it might even help soothe you after a day with the kids. If the W starts a family-friendly line, this might be ground zero. But for the single partiers, guys/ladies nights out or young couples, I say go for the other W - City Center. For families and those that love a nice view, come on over - you won't be alone.",3,1,0,0
2996,hQDOiV-HjEB1XhChjzR2iA,"This W has a fair amount of pros and cons for me. Pros - great views of Lake Michigan, clean rooms, fresh baked chocolate chip cookies in the afternoon, Fonte coffee in the morning, very helpful concierge, decent sized gym. Cons - Not ideal for business travel since it is kinda far from everything business (and also a hike from the El), very poor a/c in the lobby/common areas/elevators.  I was there this past week when it was in the mid-90's and it was absolutely unbearable outside of the actual guest room. There is a nice lobby bar, which gets a decent amount of action at night but other than that, there is not too much within a short walking distance of this W.  On the other hand, cabs are easily accessible.",3,0,0,0
2997,wE02M8JXoU8ZosT7Pnz2Dw,"When we arrived we saw a sparkly huge W that made us get even more excited. We headed to Chicago for a smaller family vacation, only taking us an hour to get from the northern suburbs to Chicago, Perfect location!! The also give you Bliss prouducts, which smell very good. Now onto the bad side.... We found cut toenails on the floor of our hotel, I was thinking maybe even the cleaning ladies didn't want to clean it up so they left it there. That was on our first night so we were not pleased. They charge you for calling out of your room, and DOWN THE STREET. not happy about that either. The atmosphere was good, down the street from Navy peir, and we almost stayed because of a gymnastics meet I went to. Okay, Not recommmended, but a place stay.",3,0,0,0
2998,1PdpMpoD6yEYIrCnFmLSYQ,"A solid hotel, near Navy Pier. Good for business during the week, and a happening nightspot on the weekends (anticipate Vegas style noise from the drunks in the hallways Friday and Saturday nights). The bar had the usual mix of great bartenders and crappy, unattentive ones. If I recall, Mich Ultras we're $6 bucks, which seems kinda high, even for Chicago. We were there at the same time as an instagram party, which meant we got some gratis apps, and watched as people attempted to look more important than they really were, a la Hollywood style. The hotel room itself was nice, clean, everything as it should be, though as with many of the W chain, the bathroom is not sealed, rather has plantain shutters between the toilet and the bed...which when paired with the lack of a vent fan, can be awkward for a romantic weekend. The gym was small, yet well appointed. Wifi is free in the lobby...but they try to make you pay in the rooms. No surprises here.",4,1,1,1
2999,MYTxZuBDOBLKU1Pg2urjRg,"I always favored the W on Lake Shore. I guess thats why I am an SPG member! The location is key for shopping, dining, beach and Navy Pier. A relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere at the lobby bar. I don't have any complaints! Thank you W for another enjoyable stay! Until next time.....",4,0,0,0
3000,Ds8yI7XNOsAbxHRZnWdW4A,"It is a W. And I love W's. Chic. Sexy. Stylish. Super hot staff. . Three reasons it wasnt a 5: - the location has a great view, but it is a little bit farther from the real mix of River North. I found myself in cabs more than I usually do in Chicago (though cabs are cheap and easy to get) - House cleaning is slow. If I leave at 830 and come back at 415- I expect my room to be cleaned. It wasnt - twice in 5 days. Not good enough. - I used their house dry cleaning service to clean and press a suit. The prices on the dry cleaning were what you'd expect from an in house luxury hotel service. The issue? I had a small split by one seam of my suit pants. SMALL. Asked if they could repair it (i could have with a needle and thread) and they said yes. They did, for $61! Sixty one dollars? Give me a break. $10 is standard, so $20 would have been standard for a hotel. They also just did it, and didnt tell me how much it would be. I was floored. None the less, I will stay here again. In the summer, the activity and proximity of the lake are unbeatable.",4,2,1,0
3001,WIAAY2QwI8OX9CBJNzzszg,"Love this hotel!!!! Would love it more if I was in my twenties, lol, but I can pretend.  The rooms are absolutely amazing and the views are completely unobstructed overlooking the lake! Dress cool tho when checking in, no pjs or sweats, you will look like an idiot, and that is just one of the many reasons I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place!",5,0,0,0
3002,P-8N7PlIzcNE5FPlsWITrg,"Stayed over the Christmas Holiday this year! This place is HOT! Friendly helpful service! Upgraded to a suite with a great view! Had some family over for pre dinner drinks and appetizers, room service was fast and efficient and the food recommendations were out of this world! I highly recommend the W-Lakeshore when in Chicago!",5,2,2,0
3003,EbuqwbBYq63TyulTrJqa1Q,"Looked at this hotel for our wedding venue. The ballroom has amazing views - Navy Pier, the Lake, the City lights. We almost booked it strictly for the Saturday Night Firework Show that we would have just for our wedding (not the rest of the city of Chicago). :) The reason we didn't book here was just that the room was too dark and a little on the small side. We were told we could fit our 150 guests but just didn't feel like it would work. And we would have needed to invest in a lot of rentals (linens, chair covers, and draperies) to brighten up the space to fit our look/feel. Would definitely recommend this ballroom for anyone looking for a modern, city, stylish, and intimate wedding reception.",4,2,0,0
3004,QyZQpwn6t31pOg9SSyO13Q,"First time staying @ a W and if they are all like this one, probably the last. Booked a 2 night stay here over the holidays to take advantage of their indoor pool and take the family out to downtown restaurants for a change. The room was tiny and so was the bathroom.  Unlike the Renaissance on Wacker which has 2 queen size beds and plenty of room, this place can only squeeze in two doubles and barely leave enough room to move around.  It's so bad, that they do not even have a luggage rack: no place to put it.  So basically you put your suitcase on a shelf just below where all your clothes would hand in their wall mounted organizer. The bathroom also lacks a real door.  We had a sliding bamboo door and shutters. I shit you not!  There are wooden shutters in a wall separating the main room from the bathroom. Front desk service here is a hit or miss as well.  Checking in, I said I did not have my Starwood card with me.  In most places they volunteer to look it up or provide some guidance to earn points after the fact.  Not here, she just ignored me.  Not a big deal, as I seldom stay @ Starwood properties; prefer Marriott and Hilton brands. Parking here is $53 a night, which is steep even by downtown standards.  If you are heading to Navy Pier, the location is great.  If you want Michigan Ave or the many restaurants 100E-500W, then you have a nice hike ahead of you.",2,2,0,0
3005,KXYcG-,"The view of this hotel is phenomenal. I have been here for both accommodation and events. Either way, I got to enjoy the scenic view of the lake shore. You can also see the Navy Pier from the top floor. It hosts great events, including one with the founders of Gilt.",4,0,0,0
3006,iNJBGcMAszfBiLgO14UEtg,"Had an OK experience. Room was extremely small (we had to squeeze sideways between the bed and TV), bed was comfy, location was good, views were lacking. Good location as far as being within close proximity of Chicago hotspots. Nothing super memorable, though.",3,0,0,0
3007,Inp-qT5ZZHAw7gEPTt0e0A,"I have stayed at the W - Lakeshore many times before and always enjoyed it.  The overall vibe of the place is right up my alley.  Modern, minimalist, and cool.  From the moment the helpful and friendly front desk staff checks you in, you know this place is about details. The rooms are great!  Well, I should say that the beds are the best ever.  The 'Heavenly Bed' is just that, heavenly.  When I upgrade my own bed at home, it will be to a Heavenly Bed.  I can't say enough good things about how great I sleep on it.  Maybe they are spiking the Bliss spa products that they stock the bathroom with.  I'll steal these every chance I get! The bonus at my last stay was being able to see the Navy Pier Fireworks at NYE! Can't wait for my next stay!",5,0,0,0
3008,wQOdiDnkQDMHgUILX,"This W was very nice. Right on LSD, a couple blocks from the Mag Mile, and we got a 14th floor view of the lake and Navy Pier. The rooms seemed pretty clean and I liked the cute little shutters you can open between the bathroom and the rest of the room. Also loved the full length mirror they provided and the robes. Staff was super helpful and I used the concierge multiple times. Definitely talk to them and get coupons and passes to things before you go anywhere. Breakfast was pretty good, but pricey if you don't have a breakfast coupon.",4,0,0,0
3009,aSR7X6sCICG2thjN3DkSJA,"I just finished a two night stay at the W Lakeshore while job hunting and networking in Chicago.  It's a nice hotel with some minor problems, and thank goodness the rate was as good as it was (for the W, anyway).  It's a great option for those looking to stay near the Magnificent Mile and the Navy Pier.  Not so much if you're heading to the Loop. Pros: -The bed was the best hotel bed I have ever slept on: super comfortable and very plush -Hotel gym is one of the best I've seen: great views of the lake for the cardio equipment and a really nice indoor pool -Desk attendants downstairs were very attentive and willing to respond to any request -The restaurant was decent -Magnificent views of Lake Michigan and the Near North -Shower designed so that you can steam your clothes in the bathroom and not burn your hands trying to turn off the water.  Underrated but really nice feature! -Great location if you're doing business in the Magnificent Mile area Cons: -Shower itself was ok; not strong enough -Shampoo/Conditioner smelled terrible; seriously thought about going to Kiehl's nearby to get samples instead. -Wicker/Bamboo accents in the room were one shutter-slat away from being a Hollister. -Because the hotel building was rehabbed to be a W, there are some dings and older, slightly broken features in the rooms. -Desk staff RARELY answered the phone when I called down from my room.  I had to go downstairs to request anything from them. -Horrible location if you're spending most of your time in The Loop; also really far from the El -In room WiFi was kind of expensive -Ceiling in the gym was too short Overall: Hotel has some great features and plenty of room for improvement.  I'm sure there are better W Hotels elsewhere, and despite a really awesome bed, will likely stay elsewhere next time I come to Chicago.",3,0,0,0
3010,bxo-UwSSB6MlQiZpVxyt8g,What a beautiful hotel! Check in was fast and simple. The room was clean and the decor was pretty. Our room had a view of the Navy Pier which was cool. I'd for sure stay here again.,5,0,0,0
3011,x9AGXAW2-aaNBbrkV,"3 separate stays here. I am a fan! Check in: I actually am a fan of the subtle vanilla/botanical scent that welcomes you when you walk into a starwood hotel. The staff are friendly and they do recognize the fact that you have stayed with them before. They always have room rates which includes valet parking ($53/night with in/out privileges) and 2 free drinks at the lobby bar (and it's not just well drinks. They do include top shelf). Room: Very clean. There is a day-bed looking furniture for lounging. The desk area isn't my favorite as it's not quite functional.. but if I was travelling for pleasure, it wouldn't matter much to me. They do offer 500 SPG points for foregoing daily cleaning service.  Internet costs $.  Also- there is an open panel between the bedroom and the bathroom. You can get your privacy by closing the wooden shutters. It's visual proof, but not soundproof. If you're there with someone you're not too comfortable with, you might want to look for another hotel. Business center: it's called ""wired""... It costs $$ just to sign onto a computer. Printing service also costs $$... Not ideal... Lobby bar: staff is okay. About $14 for johnnie walker black, plus $2 for ice! I find it ridiculous... but thanks to my free drink vouchers, I only had to pay gratuity. Lobby restaurant: Limited menu with small plates. Scallops are EXCELLENT! a little salty, but wonderful... And the truffle fries are to die for. Coffee: there is a small coffee station in the lobby every morning. Nothing too spectacular... But there is a starbucks a block away from the hotel. Call down to valet to get the car, walk down to get coffee and you'll be good to go by the time you get back.",4,0,0,0
3012,fc0NktoSDzirh7Iey-YRGA,"This is the standard against which I compare all the other Starwood hotels I stay at. I have been coming to this hotel since 2005, and have only high praise for the entire staff and the complete guest experience here. Some of the highlights: The valets that assist you on arrival (and greet you by name after the first time they hear it), and come find you when your car service arrives outside. Front Desk staff with exceptionally welcoming attitude, demeanor, and helpfulness. +1 for being able and willing to accommodate and change my rooms when I found loud air conditioners or neighbours with barking dogs upon arrival. +1 again for being able and willing to work with me when I needed to cut short my stay due to a hurricane bearing down on my home. A concierge desk that I can happily blame for helping me put on about 10 pounds due to extraordinary restaurants recommended to me during my stays. Most impressive was their willingness to research matters that they didn't know off the top of their heads, and get back to me shortly thereafter. Whatever/Whenever staff that actually respond to orders submitted via the iPhone app (other W Hotels please take note!). I usually ""make a green choice"", and whenever I've needed things in my room restocked, W/W are very much on top of their game. Great bartenders in the downstairs lounge. I usually only expect my local bar to know what to pour me when I walk in, but after two days, the Living Room had my orders at a glance. Good bar nibbles as well as proper meals on the premises. The high-floor views are unparalleled, but go to Whiskey Sky for the fireworks shows. I know part of it is SPG recognition (some years I'm Gold, some years I'm Plat), but all in all it seems to be the way they do business, and very few other hotels compare.  I've strayed to other hotels in Chicago just to see what's out there, which has only served to remind me to come back ""home"" to the W Lakeshore.",5,0,0,0
3013,pcslzdYTytL2R7Ey-KIsog,"I booked the ""Marvelous Suite"" (corner of hotel; lake view) for the Air & Water show, and I've never paid happily paid so much for a hotel room in my life :)   I couldn't stop looking out the window at the absolutely gorgeous view. Notes: - If you want a coffeemaker or mini-fridge, you'll need to request one.   - Use the roll-down shades behind the bamboo ones to block AM light - Expect full elevators during busy periods - Large sink countertops are great for spreading out toiletries/etc - Bliss shampoo/conditioner/etc = delightful - Location is super convenient - Walls are a bit thin - Staff is very friendly, professional and accommodating As for the people complaining that the lobby is essentially a bar, you are clearly the folks who need a drink the most.",4,1,0,3
3014,DHopZQGwvUJLN1hy15w56w,"So we ""took the long way home"" after an epic business trip. That's code for making up a reason to go somewhere cool to just drink. We drove from Kalamazoo, arrived around 8, had a drink in the lobby and proceeded to hit as many bars and restaurants  we could find before crashing at around 2. We were up by 8 to make a flight.  So, if you do the math, we spend about 7 hours at this W. That said, yeah, I'm totally a fan. This is the kind of place that is thinking about how to make an impression even if you don't notice. Well, I noticed - probably because that's my job. An example: taking the elevator after check-in, I noticed the rugs said ""good evening"". Through the fog of the previous night, the next morning I noticed they said ""good morning"". Possibly kitchy but the W can totally pull that kind of stuff off. So, I didn't spend enough time there to weigh in on the food or much of the service but from a pure ""great place to crash"" perspective, yeah - I'm totally a fan.",5,0,0,0
3015,eJJua04dWZLurRy6YrhAYw,"Have you ever met a drink that just changed your world?? The mango mojitos are just to die for! These babies can probably bring world peace and end all wars after one sip or gulp.  They are made right in front of you with fresh fruit and mint. (Thanks Mitchell now I crave mojitos! haha) They do come in other flavors as well, but who doesn't like mango???? You can take your fabulous mojitos and sit out side on the warm nights or days...there is lake michigan in front of you. Word to the wise it can get quite packed on weekend nights, so go a little early. The hotel its self is not too bad. Good views over all.  Great guest service. Bliss soaps, shampoos and lotions in the bathroom. Its also a great way of trying out Bliss products instead of shelling out the 30 plus bucks. I am not a big fan of the whole wooden window thing that seperates it from the room. Couldn't they just use frosted glass like aloft??? Overall, the rooms are good. There is a pool upstairs, but it is small and not heated in the winter...bburrr!!! The W also has a bar on their top floors. Before it used to be open to who ever, but now you must present a key to get up there. Nice for their guests safety. Since it is now just for guests, the bar can be a hit or miss with the crowd and music. Recap: Bar upstairs (meh) + hotel room and stay (good) + lobby bar (good)= we will give you a 3",3,1,3,1
3016,nsmY4w6yTR-IF99IB7evUA,"I go back and forth between staying at this W and the W Chicago City Center and realized today I had never written a review.  I am so sorry about that W Chicago Lakeshore - please forgive me...I was not trying to slight you by only reviewing your sister property. The W Chicago - Lakeshore is another great property.  Service is tip top - and that is what is important.  Check-in is always a breeze, everyone always offering to help.  Going to the Bliss Spa is a great way to spend an afternoon.  And having a drink in the Living Room people watching is a great activity. I ordered room service on a Saturday night from my iPhone using the W Hotel App, and the meals were delivered so fast I thought at first this must be an order for another room.  (Use the W app - great to get things sent up to your room right away!) Like most W's, the hotel was a rehab project - i remember staying in this hotel when it was a Days Inn many moons ago.  The ""shutters"" in the bathroom take some getting used to if you have not seen them previously, but it adds to the quirkiness that I love about this place.  The beds are great to sleep in - great view of Lake Michigan - a great pool on the 8th floor - I could go on and on and on. It is a great location.  But note folks - this is a W - make sure you do your homework and understand what a W hotel is like.  Whimsical.  Whatever.  Whenever.  This isn't a stuffy old traditional property - the Ws have a theme and attitude that I am guessing many of the other reviewers misunderstood...",5,0,0,0
3017,MhW8UbJHOkLJrm9hvCkAZQ,Was truly  disapointed!! it has GREAT lake views and of navu pier as well but thats all it  has going for it. The rooms were okay - quite open concept with a window in the bathroom which opens up ito the bedroom - not sure why you need that? LOL! the lobby and hallways are dark and loud - the W way. We got carded at the bar upstairs and downstairs which was annoying - we were old enough to buy  a room there but not a drink! really?,2,0,0,0
3018,xnjPL6jP-SAqgD9rPc5Juw,"There are some pretty harsh reviews on this hotel.  I've come to realize that not all the rooms in the hotel are the same bc I can't say I have some of the same complaints. PROS: convenient location views of navy pier/lake michigan friendly/helpful staff Bliss products!!! car service to local attractions (must reserve in advance) CONS: crowded elevators in the evenings due to the bar upstairs thin walls (I'm a heavy enough sleeper not to hear anything, but the bf said otherwise) All in all, I had a good experience and would stay here again.",4,0,0,0
3019,VSRoLj0,Pros - View of Lake Michigan - Food was solid combined with outdoor seating - Location - great location - close to Navy Pier & Michigan Ave Cons -Rooms/bathroom are small (even with upgrade) -Air-conditioning obscenely loud (according to the wife) -Rooms look dated but they tried hard to update them (Used to be an old Days Inn) -Wife thought the room smelled (1st room was smoky and we got switched; second room has carpet cleaner overkill) -Service was poor - specifically bell desk shuttling us a new key that never happened and I ultimately headed down there. Conrad & Blackstone are still my go-to properties in Chi-town. Still figuring out the best SPG option.,2,1,0,0
3020,8TviJlrsY9sqbJpXqtFhUg,"What's not to love about a W? This Lakeshore location is close to the Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue shopping. The rooms are a good size with plenty of storage space for suitcases. They have bliss products and a well stocked bathroom. The only thing that was a little weird was the shutters on the bathroom. Other than that, the rooms are stylish and relaxing. You can have a city view with Sears Tower or the Navy Pier and Lake Michigan. They have complimentary cookies, water, and apples in the lobby and you can sign up to use an Acura if you need to get around town. The only drawback is it does get pretty packed at night with the bar/club or if there are events going on upstairs. The lobby can get crowded and the elevators can get pretty full. Other than that, a solid W that I would stay in again when in Chi-town.",4,0,0,0
3021,u8fJ,"I'd been wanting to stay at a W hotel for quite some time and finally got my chance while visiting Chicago. As with any hotel there are pros and cons...pros: location, Bliss bathroom products were fabulous, beds and bedding were very nice (my friend thought the pillows were too soft which i agreed but didn't really mind), quiet and comfortable rooms, room decor was nice, staff was super helpful and fun cons: having to leave a deposit locked out of my account for incidentals (puts a damper on your vacation even before it starts) btw the reservation was prepaid so don't know what that was about, the car service is great if you can schedule it which was hard, having to pay for wifi when really in this day and age it's just plain greedy of them but since i needed it i had to pay for it (smh). overall i liked the hotel was glad i got to stay there i just need to remember to have plenty of money in my account for the 'incidentals' hold",3,0,0,0
3022,D4MS8P3QQgqGl4ESoV4mow,"-Good size room -One side of the hotel has really nice views (I did not get that side unfortunately, but we know that view is gorgeous from waiting for the elevators) -Convenient to the beach, navy pier, bike riding up and down the shore. -NOT convenient to the subway, 7 block walk.  It gets tiring if you are running back and forth from the hotel. -Walking distance to N. Michigan Ave, like 4 blocks. -The Acura Experience is ONLY available from 12pm-7pm - a lot more limiting than you think. Spots also fill up fast, so make sure to book at least a few hours ahead.  To use it, you have to go by their schedule.  We only got to use it once.  The entire ""experience"" is a sales pitch.  Not that I care cuz its a free ride, but just sayiinnn.. -Okay guys, those bathroom windows into the room are not THAT weird. -Love the bliss products in the bathroom!",3,0,0,0
3023,wxfgopuQejwJVxIr0ISh5g,"The service at the w is the worst. Checking in no porter or bell man. Checked in at the front desk and told the lady. She said would you like help with your bags. I said absolutely and told her no one was out front to help. Waited. No one shows up. I take them myself. Concierge is totally unhelpful and completely overwhelmed. The front desk, they live here but don't know where anything is. I just travel advisor it or google map it. Unreal. The wave restaurant is opposite. Food is delicious and service is excellent!!! Checking out, waited 25 minutes for luggage assistance and guess what no one shows up and again I take it downstairs myself. I tell the front desk again. They say they'll send someone up and again I bring the luggage down myself. Worst service in this hotel.",2,0,0,0
3024,S3iFI3AQC3T-RCNK207DbQ,"My favorite place to stay in Chicago!  I prefer W Lakeshore to City Center as it doesn't feel as cramped to me.  Cozy beds, quiet rooms, yummy Bliss bath products, and the staff is great.  A bit pricey for the size of the room, but if you're able to score a deal (I usually am) then go for it!  Cheers, W!",4,1,0,0
3025,ur-kfLlYUhsI56Z62iGp8Q,"Location is probably the only thing key about the W Chicago. I didn't have a BAD experience, but it was none the less that great either. I was a little peeved knowing I would be charged $14.95 a day for internet service in my room, for how much it cost to stay here, you'd think it would be complimentary. The bathrooms are another story, I really would like to meet the designer and pick his/her brain over the concept! They are ridiculous and not ""edgy"" or ""modern"" or whatever term you want to call it. W Chicago isn't our normal hotel we stay at while on business in Chicago, but we will definitely not be booking here again.",3,1,0,0
3026,hTlk5RyVr,"If you are a hot young thing from the suburbs on the make with no need for good bar service, try the lounge! If you are an adult who travels quite a bit and resents paying a substantial chunk of money to be treated like crap by the staff, try another hotel!",2,1,0,1
3027,AIFBFvotVaUy9d2d0UCshw,Bad service + dirty room with a super small bathroom + outdated techno music through out.,2,1,0,0
3028,gV4PEZHuADF1BnB300givA,"Nice enough hotel, but not in the W's first string. The revolving rooftop is a great place to crash a wedding, but dress for the part.  I was physically thrown out by a couple of large men - with a chicken wing in my mouth and two mini-burgers in hand.  As I was flying out the door, a third little guy shouted, ""Go back to suburbia!""  Good times.",4,0,0,3
3029,NnLYainMJdmOTke0sYlTbw,"Spent the night last night as an end of spring break getaway with my husband.  Overall, we really enjoyed it. Pros Great rooms- comfy beds and the bathrooms are very nicely appointed Location on LSD is very convenient Cons Neighbors were crazy noisy, not good sound insulation Pool was way overcrowded I'd go back if the price was right.",4,0,0,0
3030,XmByjsS3S1-,"I loved this hotel! It was walking distance to the Navy Pier and it was surprisingly cheap. I stayed here during the week for work and it was well worth the price. The room was great - nice flat screen hotel, bliss products, comfy robe. I also loved the decorations! I had a bunch a boxes shipped to the hotel for a tradeshow I was in town to attend and they did not charge any extra for receiving them (many hotels do this and they charge by weight). All of the staff was extremely friendly. When I am here next year I will be sure to book here!",4,2,2,1
3031,Fg2arhBlGmzaBqQYYjxRzQ,"Quite honestly, I didn't really expect to be giving this place 5 stars after our first impression.   1)  The front drop off is very poorly designed.  You'd think the cabbies would get the hang of it since they probably drop people off all the time, but the valets/parking director guys had to constantly redirect people who pulled in the wrong way.  I'm sure this gets very frustrating for them...in fact it's quite obvious it does, because the valets tend to yell at everyone who drives in.  Hopefully not at guests pulling in, but I only experienced it with the two or three cab rides we took back to the hotel. 2)  The girl who checked us in was pretty rude.   3)  It WAS pretty obvious upon entering our room that it had been remodeled from a significantly crappier room...the popcorn ceiling was still there.  Also there wasn't a lot of room for storage. 4)  $52/night parking?!?! But after that initial impression, things were looking up.   1)  I loved the ""Good Morning/Good Afternoon/Good Evening"" mats they diligently changed out in the elevators every day.   2)  I loved the view and location.   3)  I loved the gym (and the view from the gym!)  And the apples. 4)  I loved the stealhy ninja cleaning ladies who managed to find windows to get our room nice and tidy even if we were only gone for like 30 minutes.   5)  I loved the Bliss bath products 6)  I ESPECIALLY loved the concierge who helped us when we had a medical emergency late Sunday night.  I never did get his name but he had longish curly hair and made it a priority to ensure that we were taken care of.  He got us in touch with medical staff on call, and when even they couldn't help us, he called around to get us an emergency appointment first thing the next morning.  He was a lifesaver!!! Yes, it got a little crowded and loud in the lobby/bar/restaurant in the evenings, but it didn't bother us at all.  I was bummed that I don't get SPG points if I book through Priceline, but I got a waaaaay better rate that way so I guess it worked out.  I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again.",5,2,1,0
3032,G9XLqeVilpHDe8Y73jAHHw,"Now this is what a hotel experience should be about. When I checked in, Front Desk Jen asked me about my flight and taxi ride in, had my room all ready. And the room itself was terrific - king-size bed, a plasma tv, nice modern accents, and slick shower, complete with Bliss Spa bath products. I had wake-up calls scheduled each morning I was in town, and the person who called each time was soothing and polite, so a nice way to start each day. Oh, when I did get to my room, about 20 minutes into it, Jen called to inquire if I needed anything. I actually didn't get a chance to really enjoy the bar but it seems more of a scene at happy hour than at night, but that could have been because I was there on a Wednesday and Thursday. Still, as with all the Ws I've been to around the US, the bar and lounge were typically sleek and playful, sort of like something out of a Jonathan Adler catalog. Since I took cabs (always plentiful outside), I didn't get to really explore the walking area around the hotel, so I can't comment on location, save for the fact that wherever I went around town, my fare was always under $10. All in all, I'd easily recommend this W for a stay, whether you're a tourist or business traveler, heck even a weary local who wants a bit of style and fun. Note: I booked my room via Expedia, and got a super deal since I also made flight plans with them.",5,9,6,0
3033,AA7wrvIZghHdgfCvu-faCg,"An occasional perk of having gainfully employed friends is the occasional business trip to Chicago. Another perk is dinner on them and a chance to inspect swanky hotels (and every now and again, the inspection turns into a mini-bar/chick flick slumber party). Such was the case in this... um...case. There are a few things to know about this particular W. It's hip. Bumpin' hip. Sparkly top hip. The design choices while interesting, are maybe not the most functional. For instance, the shower is half enclosed by glass with no door so you get a wet floor unless you put a towel down. Also, there's a window on the wall that separates the bathroom and the bedroom which is only closed by wooden shutters (as is the door). If you happen to be staying with someone you're not, say, very comfortable with, you may find it difficult to.... well... shy kidneys, ok? Don't make me say it. The flat screen tv is great, the in-house DVD and iPod players are excellent touches and every room encourages a visit to the sky bar with a free drink card (hello, Mr. Blueberry Mojito). The space is gorgeous, with fresh flowers everywhere that scent the lobby remarkably well. The indoor pool is housed in a space which is a bit dark, but is adjacent to a lovely teak-floored outdoor patio with chaise lounges and a lovely view of the Lake. The rooms are small and the popcorn ceiling was really bugging me given the other fancy pants elements (too picky?). My friend is a platinum member and requested a 4pm check out for me so I could sleep in, however at 8am housekeeping knocked and attempted the door (twice). A few hours later I got a call from the front desk inquiring when I was leaving... hmm. Not impressed by that. Overall I would recommend the W, especially to the young and easily impressed.",4,5,2,4
3034,ek7r3xuOvxO9N7KQzyZZBQ,"Wow....We have been very pleasantly surprised by the W here in Chicago!  Been here the last few days to catch a Cubbies game and are glad we stayed at the W.  When we walked in this last Thursday night I had a flashback to walking into the first W in NYC on Lex in the late nineties!!  The place was just buzzing!  Music playing, people everywhere, a total scene.  The Staff is EXCELLENT...I have a problem dealing with brain dead hotel people.  The staff here actually appear to enjoy their jobs which reflects in how they treat their guests.  The rooms are quite nice!  LCD TVs, large comfy beds and a very nice view of the lake!  We will definitely be checking back in next time we're in Chicago!!",5,5,5,0
3035,Qu1XgH6YvDLXPvCoiO0TNQ,"I was treated to the stay at the W for my birthday and really its everything I could have asked for.  Our room was comfortable, intimate, and modern with an incredible panoramic view of the lake.  Before we headed out for the night we took advantage of the mini bar and some of the goodies provided (a nice little spread to which tempts you to stretch your wallet even further), which was very relaxing.   We enjoyed dinner downstairs and indulged in their door service breakfast in the morning, both of which are quite pricey, but well worth it.  Our doorman was even kind enough to bring us something for our hangovers  when he saw the shape we were in in the morning.   The hotel merchandise is a bit much and a little tacky, but we had a great experience and I am sure we will be celebrating there in the future.",5,4,2,0
3036,uHTUc42kTfgIAasD1STPTQ,"I felt like a sleeze in this place. It was not classy at all. It was like trashy trendy. The rooms are soooo beyond outdated and the wooden shutters that hide the bathroom from the rest of the room?...Ew.  Who in the world came up with that idea? Did they assume everyone would be married and totally turned on by the sights sounds and smells of each others bathroomtime? I was only here for my job but upon immediately finding out that the W was where we were planted, I reserved myself a completely different hotel and I'm glad. My coworker said she didnt sleep a wink that night because the AC was so freakin loud. Room service was terribly slow (60 min wait time) and the food arrived cold (should've known)...  The dessert with icecream on the side was totally melted.  They sent us back up new orders at no cost and the food was much faster/better that time. Thank goodness. I am glad I got to experience this place for free because it was about the same class as a trendied up days inn.",2,3,2,2
3037,wT57vK7QfS-JVZ1FsNH02w,"Hotels like this make me aspire for more.  Earn a degree in gold-digging (or you know, become successful on my own...) This is an older building so it wasn't too impressive from the outside, inside, however, it was typical contemporary W design. Our room was ridiculous.  It was a 1 bedroom suite with not 1, but 2 plasmas, XM radio, and 2 bathrooms.  I love excess. The view overlooked the lake which looked like the ocean as well as Navy Pier (walking distance).  It reminded me of Ocean Beach in Miami.  Outside of the hotel are rocking chairs where you can relax with a drink (HIGHLY recommend the raspberry mojito or don julio tequila sunset/sunrise...).   The bed was heavenly.  The bathroom had the ""rain"" showerhead which if you read my review on the Four Season in Santa Barbara, I go on and on about my love of it.   In-room Bliss products are also great - I am hooked on their sage face wash. The service here was also excellent - they really strive to achieve their ""whatever, whenever"" service policy.  For example, we walked in late and missed the breakfast menu, but they were still able to serve us French Toast (albeit probably out of the garbage...).   Oh and for the health-conscious, their gym is amazing...but their indoor pool is definitely lacking (though you could easily just go across the street to the lake).",5,3,1,2
3038,muevZYLRH4DqGL4nuYRjYA,"Its ok. I like the City Center property much better. My gay husband was in Chicago for a week, and we caused some trouble here. His room was pretty typical for a W Hotel... it acually reminds me of the W Times Square. Trying a little to hard to be South Beach. The upstairs lounge... is awful. We came back late after dinner for a few drinks. There was a man about my father's age who invited me to do the electric slide with him on the dance floor... I wish I was joking. I'd stick to City Center.",3,2,2,4
3039,DD9e-iaYriwHTzxYQsT5IQ,"THE GOOD: GREAT lighting in the bathrooms (this is something that Ws seem to struggle with) Terrific lobby/living room Bliss spa!  Love! Comfy rooms Good service Location.  You're right on the lake, which provides some beautiful views, especially from the Bliss Spa. THE NOT-SO-GOOD: Location.  What with it being on the lake, it's a bit hard to get to places.  Not impossible, as there are always cabs out front, but not as easy as other hotels in the city, either.",4,3,3,0
3040,Q-34DTnhltjMgcfDfLuWwg,"Oh what a great time!  If you want to check in standing next to east coast rap-stars amongst down to earth people celebrating their epic birthday event - try this place! Waterfront view, humid weather with a nice breeze, and staying over on a street-fair weekend was a WONDERFUL time.. While the W in Seattle is by far my favorite one - (I am biased for family reasons) - I have to say that the concierge (5 Big and Bright stars) at this hotel really know how to treat you right.   R & I had a great weekend, slept amazingly well, and felt right at home with the fun times we had and hopefully we'll come back next year for 'Taste of Chicago!'",4,4,0,0
3041,ydSj0QoyKQYSYtZOmD0-WA,"I was so surprised to see all the negative reviews of this place because I loved my recent weekend stay here. Yes - W hotels are awfully pretentious sometimes and honestly, it's not the type of hotel that I normally stay at. But I had some starpoints and it was a weekend mini-vacation in Chicago so I decided to try something out of the norm. I got upgraded to a suite on the 30th floor and the view was AMAZING. I personally loved our room...everything from the half bath by the entrance to the decor and even the window in the bathroom (but yes agreed with other reviewers - if I wasn't traveling alone or with family, it might be slightly weird). The service was decent - not bad, but also nothing extraordinarily amazing. I never got a chance to take advantage of their Acura service where they drive you anywhere within a 5 mile radius, but it seems like a great way to get around, especially since this hotel is not particularly close to anything. Quick walk to Navy Pier, but you're going to have to walk a few blocks before you get to anything of substance (Magnificent Mile, public transportation, etc) - that was my only complaint. Overall though, awesome weekend here. I would definitely recommend this W location over the City Center location.",5,0,0,0
3042,kN,"It is dark in the hallways, dark in the rooms. I understand the point of trying to be trendy, but I kind of like the idea of seeing if the room is clean or not.  This former Days Inn, next to a construction site for the next year btw, has small rooms and a bar that pretends to be trendy. W was hot in the early part of this century, but seems more vegas than anything else. Too many other hotels in Chicago that are better than this one.",2,3,1,1
3043,i5v1WZeF-JBwvXQD0-RkaQ,This is a very classy W hotel.  They comped me breakfast and it was delish!  I didn't rent a car....I think I either took a cab around or their shuttle??  They had a giant pillow in the shape of a plum on the bed and I slept with that cushy plum every night and wouldn't let the maid service take it away... Great place to check out the nearby shopping and music/restaurant scene...the museums from....check it out...,4,2,2,1
3044,qoFfvvIaI72jCZJRUxmzcg,"I've never stayed at a W before, but W on Lakeshore was pretty good.  It does seem to be a little older... you can tell the rooms are a little worn, but everything is still pretty nice. The breakfast is really good here, so if you're somehow able to get breakfast in with your rate, it's totally worth it.  My only complaint is that they initially charged me for breakfast even though it was part of my company negotiated rate.  We solved that pretty quickly though, so I was satisfied.  I'd definitely stay here again if my company was paying or if I got a really good rate.",4,3,0,0
3045,iVAmuW4c7zyhZEKLEtwsDg,"I took my wife here over Memorial Day weekend for a little mini vacation. I've stayed here before and my wife and I have even gotten spa treatments at Bliss. This time it was all about dining in and enjoying some movies.The rooms are very clean and nice. The movie selections were immense so we were covered there. We also ordered dinner in the room on Friday night. Fantastic food. BUT, they did forget my wife's order...completely. And it took a while to get it up to us. Breakfast downstairs was great the next morning. Everything is a little expensive, but the service was nice and I had steak ka bobs and eggs, while my wife had the french toast. All in all, a nice trip.",4,2,2,1
3046,xFOjb9Z5Ni1asxPqCHZX1g,"Wow. The bathroom alone in these rooms deserves 5 stars, then you can add in the cleanliness of everything, the service, and of course the view. So the bathrooms are beyond modern. The showers don't even have doors, just a strategically placed wall of glass that separates you and a view of the lake. This is the only place I have stayed where I feel they clean the duvet cover between each guest. Yes, I actually felt like I could lay my head on the bed without smelling the last 50 people that stayed in my room. I would definitely stay again.",5,3,0,0
3047,UnsTSwPEqkc1JPMmnaUiZg,"Why does Chicago get the most unhappening W lobby-bar? Most other W hotels nationwide you walk into and the lobby is a vibrant, cool, sexy, happening bar/lounge on weekend nights. This one just isn't. The music was really good, but the atmosphere was amiss. It closes around 1AM. We went upstairs to the bar/lounge and that was as unhappening and unexciting on a Friday night. They started shutdown mode at 1:30AM.",3,2,1,1
3048,V6uDoHjc3zhYodb-wwr1fw,"Really my rating is between a 3 and 4. Once again, we got lucky, and booked this hotel on Priceline for $82. So for the price that we got it for, I should rate them 5 stars. However, if I had to pay $300 for this room, the same price at Swissotel, I would probably give it 2.5 or 3 stars. The design of the hotel is cool and contemporary (browns/lavendars/grays), very West Elm-ish. We asked for a room on a higher floor, which they accommodated, but the view was not of the lake or Navy Pier. Night view was nice because during the holidays, Chicago decorates streets with lights, but during the day, the view is of  other people's condos and parking lot. We had 1 window instead of 5. I was most impressed with the shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and liquid facial soap from Bliss (famous brand for spa located in NY, Chicago and LA -- probably elsewhere too). Really liked the quality of shampoo and conditioner. But, we didn't get bar soap to wash hands (but they do have soap dish). I had to use facial liquid soap just to wash hands (slight inconvenience). No bathtub either (not that I wanted to take a bath or anything). Shower was nice, but Swissotel offered both. The bathroom shelf where Bliss products looked mildly dusty [ : \ ] The ""W"" experience was more about selling stuff. They had Bruce Mau book on spectators and a ""W"" book that sells brands and products. Cover was kind of cool (looks like fishnet), but book looked kind of old. I flipped through it anyways. I did like how they labelled the price for water ($6 for Fuji water). So if you are a hipster, this hotel might be for you, but I prefer to pay and extra $20 for Swissotel. This hotel experience was comparable to a knock-off of André Balazs' Standard Hotel chains, but not as hip. Maybe comparable to the newly renovated Flamingo Hotel in Vegas, but not as new and more expensive (and in different hue -- Flamingo: pink/red/fuchsia theme).",3,2,2,0
3049,JstxWTT-Brt1jLAkcQWcdg,"Enjoyed the location, close to Navy Pier, the Lake, walking distance to Michigan Ave shopping.  Loved the gym and the treadmills looking out over the lake, makes you forget you are exercising. :-)  The staff were friendly and rooms contemporary, clean and comfy.",4,0,0,0
3050,nL7ygV8b-pwSAug3fBuooA,I love this place. The room i stayed in had a sort of asian theme to it and it was great. Everything was perfect in there and yes the bathroom was fantastic. My room had a city view and it was nice as well. Great hotel!,5,2,1,0
3051,-42xQq,"As far as W's go this hotel is nice. Most W's are old hotels that they ""renovated"" with purple lights, techno music, and a giant W. The hotel feels like a real W. Try to get a room with a view of the lake. The room service is also very good and if you have status you'll get a nice box of white chocolate whoppers. WARNING - For business travelers there's a very long line to get a cab. It can take as long as 45 minutes so make sure to plan accordingly.",4,1,0,0
3052,i4bdA3S-ITSeRruiMd7bXQ,"Located on Lakeshore drive and directly across the lake, the outdoor patio and rocking chairs have an awesome view. It's absolutely relaxing. Everything about the W is super chic. There are awesome bamboo chairs in the reception area. The bar/restaurant, Wave, has comfy chairs and a bigger area in the back where you can lounge comfortably. The drinks were super yummmmmy! The Wave-jitos was refreshing, but the bloody mary was my favorite - it was light and tasty. We also got some side dishes: broccolini and truffled risotto. It took a long time and I ended up scarfing down a lot of the garlic/cheese crackers. The room layout is a typical hotel room, but the small touches makes it special. I love bathrooms and this one especially! There's a window that looks directly into the rest of the room (yes, there are shades so if you have friends over, you can do your business in private) and a sliding door. The shower doesn't have a door and there's a rain type shower head. The Bliss fab six sits on the shelf along with a robe. There's a mini bar and safe and a LED TV. You have the option of a wake up call or using their wake-up CD in the alarm clock provided. My room was on the 31st floor, you have to slide your key in the elevator in order to go up and when we got to my floor, we noticed a telescope next to the window in the lobby. Heeheee.... peeping time! We checked out all the people in boats in the lake. Fun times! Lastly, the staff is super friendly and very helpful. Definitely a good hotel choice. OH and there's a Bliss spa in the lobby... what else can you ask for?",5,2,0,0
3053,RuLYlPKB9KGfX,"I'm giving this W three stars for their stellar service only! Otherwise...bleh... I will echo the sentiments of other yelpers. Walking into the lobby, you're faced with the familiar look and feel of the W chain but upon closer inspection, the hotel appeared run down and not up to par for the brand. Rushed renovation or bad maintenance? As I mentioned before, the customer service here is excellent!. As was the food in the restaurant. I think it's called Wave. Anyhow, the staff at Bliss were also very nice and extremely accommodating. I would stay here again just for that. On the flip-side, who would want to stay in a nice hotel with bad service? A plus is the location and view of Lake Michigan. I just hope they spruce up a bit if I ever return.",3,1,0,0
3054,s4mh8uiEfNgk6ATgSMZBqw,"Great views if you get high up. The patrons are a bit douchey for my tastes and didn't have great manners. It is not steps to public transportation, so if you are relying on that vs a cab...well, you are not in luck. Service was the same as any W I go to.",3,2,0,0
3055,nwrwxQFaMBvuJzgINUWCVA,This is a nice hotel for an event or if you are staying by yourself but... I find the bathrooms here insanely laughable. I guess it's edgy and cool for some people to have a window and door in a bathroom that make you feel like you'll be exposed any second doing your private business. Seriously...I think a lot of people had to approve this idea and I have to wonder what they were thinking or if they were at all. It wouldn't be the first hotel I'd recommend to friends.,3,0,0,0
3056,FtM77Eyw860CeEv4Atmarw,"Every W Hotel Sucks unless you're a ""hipster"". I got a room here off priceline. It was hipster hell. I would never stay here again even with a gun held to my head.",1,1,1,2
3057,NFBKg4LhHy7sRFrtBGkvJg,"Lounge area is cool but I've seen it before, it's nothing new...rooms are SO outdated and that god awful tacky shutter window looking into the bathroom...I get what they're trying to do but it ain't workin!..it just seems silly to me and like it's trying too hard.. I dunno..the W was cool back in the early  early 2000's... there are far more cooler, nicer, hipper, newer hotels in Chicago  I'd stay before here.  And the hallways were dark and dingy. The W is for two type of folks....20-somethings OR Married folks who have been out of the scene for a LONG time, lives in the burbs with 3 kids, rarely goes out and are totally clueless about what is hip these days, so they come to the W because of the name.... And I'd be willing to bet they go to Howl at the Moon, The lodge and Dicks last Resort for a fun night out.",2,3,3,4
3058,2QWAjWVKojWWMBg2UEwA-Q,"I've stayed at aLoft hotels in the past, and always wanted a chance to stay at the chain on which the aLoft concept is based. Lots of glitz and glamor, lots of hip and trendy-looking architecture and amenities (showers without doors, flat-screen TV's, etc.); but overall the service was no better than comparable hotel chains. The best feature of this hotel is its location. The views of Lake Michigan and Navy Pier are spectacular. W Hotels seem to attract a certain clientele. Young, ""hip,"" narcissistic, club-hopping Gen Y alcoholics. To be fair, it may have been this location, but I felt like I was at a meat market. Plus, I was awakened at 3:00am one night by a large and loud group of people looking to ""continue the party"" in someone's room next door to me. So if you just need a place to stay during business meetings, this W isn't worth all the pretentiousness. Any of the Kimpton hotels in the area offer much better value (and much better personal service) for the price. But if hip and trendy is important, if you want to see and be seen, W could be for you. But I won't be back... at least voluntarily.",2,2,0,0
3059,0bcuMM65LKDZ8tyYUd07Ag,"I have in fact stayed at some great W Hotels...this is NOT one of them. I may be from Hollywood, but save the game of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde for someone else...thanks but NO thanks! Let me start off by saying that this is my first ever Yelp review (first of many to come)...the sad part is that such a horrible experience is provoking my first motivation to actually critique a hotel establishment. I'll keep it short and sweet. I travel on a weekly basis for work and pleasure, have stayed in both fantastic and terrible hotels around the world. No story is necessary...when I fly across the country from LA on a weekly basis, I would like to arrive with first class treatment late on a Friday evening after a long work week, especially at $400 per night. Customer service is most important, and non-existent at this establishment (as pointed out by previous Yelpers). Even when I had a ""good"" stay in weeks prior, service was mediocre, room service blah, bar service...yikes. Oh, and hotel staff at the front should probably know a little something about the surrounding area, restaurants, etc...despite the fact that visitors can see the shadows of Navy Pier from their windows between the lake fog and the windy rain, a little ""local knowledge"" may go a long way here. Save yourself the $$, there are too many other options in the city of Chicago...when weather permits, you can walk to the lake from many other better options!",1,0,0,0
3060,I1mCLWB2cvCa5BA9O3-L8Q,"City or Lake views are all great from the rooms. Comfy yet chic decor in the rooms.  Bamboo texture on the walls, a cool wooden shutter design between the bathroom and bedroom, Bliss Spa products in-room, and a wonderful spa available for treatments, yummy restaurant downstairs, incredibly helpful & professional staff, swanky bar and night life, and walking distance to the pier, the lake, and all the downtown delights!  My only complaint? THE PARKING FEES???  GEEZE!  $45+ a day to park my rental car!  Are you kidding me?  With the cost of the room, parking should be included or much less expensive than that.",4,1,1,0
3061,dy3KjtjXqPmNCMDxfuRlMA,Just finishing up my stay here and it's been pretty enjoyable. Let me first tell you I got a killer rate. $109 (free parking & 2 drinks tickets) a night so since parking is $48 and each drink runs your about $10 at the bar it's a pretty good deal! The staff here is great and they really try to take care of you while you are staying here. The rooms are nice - and if you get a lakeview room the view is pretty amazing.  The odd thing is with all the windows open in your room while you are taking a shower you can look at the view at the same time! I would totally stay here if - especially if I got the same rate!,4,1,2,0
3062,s-sImTqwdpEBUdCMB,"Being a big W Hotel fan, I had to stay at this one when I was in Chicago a while back. I loved it. From the bar with wireless access for my laptop to the plush rooms with breathtaking views I was in heaven. Whatever/Whenever is the W Hotel theme and I certainly got that treatment while staying at this luxury spot. The cool thing is that they were doing a promotion when I went so I left the W with 3 DVD movies and an official W hotel blanket. Highly recommend this to the trendy traveler.",5,1,1,0
3063,jRcoxybOYPMUoCyJiYp3ww,"Even though I live in Chicago, I stayed at the W Lakeshore just to get away from it all. The decor is modern, sleek and inviting. When I arrived for check-in, there was a mob in the lobby.  I had made my reservations weeks in advance and was given a check in time of 3pm, yet my room was not ready until nearly 5:30!  It seemed that a lot of people had the same dilemma as we all crammed together sipping complimentary tea and champagne that the staffers provided to keep us calm. In the meantime, I had a massage at the Bliss Spa on the upper floor, which was very nice. When I finally got to the room, it was nice and warm and had new-age chill-out music playing. Did I mention that this new-age chill-out music plays everywhere , 24/7 at the W? It can become more grating than calming. The room had a great view, the beds were comfy and the bathroom was cool and well stocked with Bliss spa products. Had I been staying with multiple people the shuttered window to the bathroom might not have given enough privacy. I didn't have room service because it was pretty pricey, but I guess that's the point! Overall, W is a nice, hip place to stay. One star off for the check-in flub.",4,1,1,0
3064,wAHJbi-nSz0VULPYvarD4w,"The W Chicago Lakeshore is the ultimate in hip hotels. I stayed here over spring break of 2007 with a few buddies. I'd originally reserved a room elsewhere, but a reservation mixup with Expedia landed me here - and in hindsight, I couldn't have been more lucky! The hotel itself feels more like a hipster lounge than a hotel. Upon entering the lobby, you will be greeted by smiling faces set in an ultra-chic club room of sorts, complete with dark wood and metallic tile materials, falling water and fresh baskets of apples (a part of the W founder's tradition). The entire hotel smells of a light, almost floral cologne - it's delightful. Soft house (read: electronic) music flows and adds to the air of ""cool"". The room we stayed in was not terribly spacious, but it was satisfactory enough. A great view of the lake combined with W's legendary matresses made for a fine stay. My wakeup call I had scheduled the night before even included a recommendation to bring my sunglasses, as it was quite a sunny day. The Bliss Spa is also a luxurious indulgence, I received an awesome manicure there. At night, the lobby turns into a full-fledged lounge, complete with cocktails, cool furniture, a bar and a DJ. Very cool! Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the W. Extremely comfortable beds, helpful courteous staff in an ultra-hip environment is the name of the game. Don't bring a car, you'll pay heftily for parking.",5,1,1,0
3065,Z6dp1eHL1TCUpaMluUIcNQ,"The W spoils you.  Favorite part is the room itself and that is what counts.  Well designed, plasma screen, understated colors, a nice place to relax after some tough business days in Chicgo. The downsides, not enough elevators!  On Saturday night becuase of the club on 33rd floor we could not get back to room for 15 minutes. Service while good just feels false, almost too good.  Did not appreciate being charged to have packages delivered to the room, seemed cheap for a hotel in this price range. I know that I am not the target age group for their marketing, but plenty of people my age visit this hotel and I would love them to first turn down the elevator music and then have someone ease off on the bass and drum beats early in the morning. Nice gym and great place to stay.",4,1,1,0
3066,yLxywq0IQ5gmH8v27BVt3Q,"My company held a convention this past weekend at the W and I must say, it was lovely. Since I live in the city, I only stayed over one of the three nights, but I spent the better part of those days in the W and it was quite nice. The first night's event was at Altitude which is the open space at the 33rd floor... The room is all windows with an astounding view of the lake as well as the city.  The ceiling was a little low, but again- the view made up for any nit-picky short comings. Even the elevator is a delight...or a party. It always smelled lovely in the elevator, which you don't realize how nice that is until you're crammed in with a flock of tourists... The elevator music was not your typical sleepy tunes- they were playing Peter, Bjorn & John and other hip anthems. The food was catered by the W and it was good. Not great, but really decent considering they were feeding more than 300 people. On the final night, I stayed over and the room was terrific. I probably had one of the few bad views (looking right out to a cement wall) but even that didn't take away from the overall pleasure of staying there. The bed was possibly as comfy, if not more, than mine at home, and the dcor, while sort of cheesily-trendy, was very comfortable. Also- no generic combined shampoo/conditioner and dry smelly soap... All the cosmetics and soaps were from Bliss Spa... Very nice! All in all, when I start making the big bucks, I will opt to stay at this chain whenever possible.",4,1,1,0
3067,gjtrzPQ2ooGf48JoOYm6tg,"The hotel is decent: nice decor, comfortable rooms, beautiful view.  Unfortunately the staff is rude and incompetent. In short: I paid for a room filled with flowers, they did not deliver the flowers.  The next morning they promised to refund my money and send a make-up bouquet to my wife.  A month later, after three reminders, they sent the bouquet (with a blank card).  A week after that their staff said everything was my fault.  They have still not refunded my money.  My credit card did the dirty work and charged back the flowers. Again: nice hotel, just avoid the concierge.",1,1,0,1
3068,IP8dZDuUZxS,"W Lakeshore is LOUD and OBNOXIOUS.  It is NOT hip and cool, although it tries to be.  Stay somewhere else, folks.  Not worth it. Just back from weekend trip to Chicago - although decor was nice/modern, bad management decisions made for a negative overall experience - loud music blaring in lobby/elevators, parties going on every night in the lobby, room service wakes you up at 8am.  Free Acura Experience is a joke - always constantly booked, never had the chance to try it. Hotel is perfect for 22 year old frat kids who want to get drunk, scream, run around all night picking up strippers.  For everyone else, an awful experience is sure to be had here.",1,1,1,0
3069,Xw5954s-2QD8Dh7iZTNtNw,"This is just a review of the bar. I really like the design of the downstairs bar at the W.  It's really stylish and it's right on the water, which is pretty cool.  I'd like to go back there sometime around sunset for dinner.   I was suprized how few people were in the bar when we were there.  Usually when I go to W's in other cities, they're really packed.  The crowd there was quite touristy, too.  But we had fun!  I had the red sangria, which was delicious!",4,1,0,0
3070,jCBcwQSxTEAyHdomvdN7VA,"As a Starwood whore I never miss a chance to stay at a different W.  The rooms are a little on the tight side.  The bar is well done, roomy and flows nicely into the living room.  Scene is what you would expect..tools wearing sunglasses inside with anorexic sacks of skin stuck to their arms. Great views of the lake and Navy Pier.",4,0,1,2
3071,ANBleOrXCJ2FdlmCryN6Ug,"Great hotel - can't complain about a thing. The lobby kind of felt like a night club. I was a bit confused because I went to check in and wasn't sure really where to go until I got ushered down by the desk staff (the front desk looked more like a bar to me). I felt darn underdressed but was still treated very well. The rooms are very modern. Lots of focus on details. I probably didn't appreciate half of it but it's dang stylish and has a serious euro feel to it. All fixtures and furniture was top notch. High quality leather seats and that square thing you put your feet on, nice desk, lamps, art, etc... There was also a pretty big happy hour crowd in the lobby for all of you who are into that. I was waiting for a friend to pick me up around 6ish and the bar near the lobby was packed.",5,1,0,0
3072,NmtlLT9ePbWvi0jCAhMYNw,"I attended an event at the W this week. The catering was not great. The staff was friendly but the passed apps were sub par. Everything that was supposed to be warm was cold and vice versa. The crab cakes were so bad I had to run to the bar so I could get something to wash the taste out of my mouth.   The hotel itself is geared to the trendy so if that's not your speed this probably isn't your hotel. I have enjoyed the Wave restaurant for dinner however, which has a great atmosphere and nice views of the lake. The food was good but not memorable.",2,1,0,0
3073,zmoNXWsbr0iN-3XPxzTXXg,"I love W Hotels and try to stay at them when I can. The W Chicago Lakeshore is located right on Lake Michican (well, across the street  from it) and has the typical W feel and vibe. It appears as if this was an older property that was converted into a W Hotel a while back. Not the coolest or newest of W properties that I've stayed at, but when I'm back in Chicago I'll stay at the W Chicago Lakeshore again (or check out its sister property, W City Center).",3,1,0,0
3074,tGf9-,"My recent stay at this hotel was *terrible*.  The hallways were dirty, the room was in terrible disrepair, with paint chipped on the tables, threads hanging loose on the lampshades, the headboard falling off the wall, and dust on the desk supplies.  The room as a whole was small and cave-like. The worst experience though, was with the staff, one of whom tried to enter the room while I had the ""do not disturb"" sign up. (thank god for the chain!)  I was really shocked at the really poor quality of such a high-priced hotel, and will never be staying there again.",1,1,0,0
3075,mVeT3eUkEtwiQKcOdEQQnQ,"This place is slick. I arrived Friday night after a long car ride and the lobby was lively with gorgeous young people dressed to impress. I felt really plain and out of place! However, the service was fine and the room (suite) was huge and decadent. The view was killer- I'll let my photo contribution do the talking. I had two problems with the room: 1) no coffeemaker/hot water pot (i like having hot water around) and 2) the showerhead (a rainbath like thing) was pretty weak. All in all great experience, though. The whole place had a very sophisticated, playful, and slightly naughty feel (the word cubes in the room were a great touch). What a lovely way to escape for a weekend.",4,1,0,0
3076,V7dl5GNo5LObs2oiSENytg,"I will keep this short since there are so many reviews with different experiences, but just want to say that I've stayed at a lot of different hotels in Chicago, and this may be my favorite overall.  So let that speak to you however you'd like.  Just keep in mind that this property caters to the image conscious, although the roots of the building are not as glamorous (used to be a Radisson, I believe). Pros: * fun location for the summer (walk to Navy Pier and path along lake) * first class fixings - towels, linens, furniture, electronics (although the Bliss bath products are over-rated by some reviewers) * best workout facilities I've seen (with perfect views of the lake) * room service tasty and surprisingly reasonably priced Cons: * public transportation options limited (though I'd imagine that the great majority of their clientele do not take public transportation) * lots of pretentiousness in the lobby and the elevator (since the whiskey bar is on the top floor so you'll be seeing and smelling drunks as you try to get to your ""soothing"" room) * building shows signs of age when you look closely (you can try not to look, but if the power goes out when you need to check out and you're on the 31st floor and have to walk down the narrow winding stairway and start to get dizzy and thinking ""how much did I pay for this?"", its not so subtle or funny)",4,1,0,0
3077,7mMxYjcCIGizByTmPKHwtQ,"My hubby and I came to the windy city last year for a long weekend - to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary.  We had heard a lot of good stuff about the W Lakeshore, so thought we'd give it a go! Overall, we were very satisfied with our stay.  The staff was friendly and welcoming.  Our room was modern and clean.  The bed was so comfy.  We had an amazing waterfront view overlooking the Navy Pier, which was lovely!  For all the amenities, this place is very reasonable.  It's also conveniently located within walking distance of many of Chicago's main attractions. We didn't take advantage of going to any of the bars / lounges within the W as we had a lot of other plans for the weekend already, but we did eat breakfast twice at the Wave restaurant downstairs.  The food and service were both excellent! The reason I'm giving this place only 4 stars and not 5 is that the bar seems to attract a rather noisy, trashy ""Vegas-y"" element at night, which I could have done without. We did take advantage of the spa services at the Bliss Spa located in the hotel, which was heavenly! Thank you W Lakeshore - I'll definitely be back!",4,1,0,0
3078,X9gPw6mz9Ggf7P0z,I love the atmosphere!,4,0,0,0
3079,bZD6CG5xHcqRbjCYzaVUlA,"My fiance and I stayed at The W for one night this week, and we were astounded at the type of hospitality you are provided with for how much you pay for stay there. The lobby is gorgeous, and has a relaxing atmosphere. Checking in was pretty easy. The woman at the front desk was very eager to answer any and all questions we had about our stay. Now for the bad. The room we were provided with was absolute junk. The door to the room would not shut unless two people applied their entire body weight to it. The same goes for the bathroom ""door."" It is made of some sort of mock-bamboo material, and ours just did not want to close, even when the two of us tried. At first glance, the bathroom itself looks very nice. However, it gets about one star from me, because there is no functionality to it what so ever. The ""bamboo"" shutters is by far the worst thing about the room as a whole. You have the ability to shut them, but that does not mask any sounds coming from the bathroom. I love my fiance, but not enough to listen to his every move while using the toilet. The bed sheets in this room were filthy. Stains of God knows what were all over the place when we attempted to take a nap before heading out on the town. That is when we had enough. We requested a different room at the front desk, and were given one with no hassle at all. The door to the new room was completely functional, as was the one to the bathroom. However, there were cracks in the ceiling and while we were sleeping, bits of plaster would fall on to our faces. The temperature of the room is almost impossible to get right, you are either freezing cold, or sweating through your clothes. The shower was horrible in both rooms. Very pretty looking, but when in use, it gets water all over the floor since there is only half of a ""door"" and no curtain. The knob on our shower was also broken, so it took about 15 minutes for us to turn it on. All in all, the W was beautiful on the outside, but for what you are paying, it is definitely not worth it. At $53 a night for parking alone, I would be much more satisfied staying at a Hilton or even a Holiday Inn.",3,0,0,0
3080,6n--mR54GaFQ1Xvy8NLIEA,We stayed at the W last weekend. This was the weekend of the air and water show. The W was the perfect location. The lobby of this hotel is awesome it makes you feel like you are on a beach vacation and not in Chicago. The restaurant is good and not too overpriced. The rooms are spacious and the bathroom is great! We didn't have a view of the lake but the views are amazing because you can see them from the hotel pool and observation deck. We arrived early on Sunday and they allowed us an early check in w/ no problem and a late check out the next day. On  Monday morning I had just missed breakfast by 5 minutes. The waiter asked the chef to make an exception and he did. I did not have to ask him to do this he just did it.  The service was flawless. I would stay here again in a heartbeat. Also the hotel is on the lake and only 5 blocks from Michigan Avenue and a 10 minute walk to Navy pier.,5,1,0,0
3081,W6dzbStjykpJw,"I was taken to stay at this hotel on my 18th birthday and I just couldnt believe how nice, trendy, and beautiful it was. I loved the lobby and the decor in it. The room was gorgous. Very chic and stylish. If your looking for a trendy/chic place to stay or even visit the bar, this is the best place.",5,1,0,0
3082,vyop7I4eud-CE,"LOVE this hotel. The boyfriend and I had a late Valentine's Day celebration here by renting a room (staycation i guess? too bad I detest that word). The hotel definitely has unique design, very suave, fun, and modern. Our room was a ""Spectacular"" room with a view of the lakefront. Too bad it was a usual gloom and doom foggy Chicago night. Got drinks at Whiskey Sky on the 33rd floor. Very small, great drinks - would have liked a better view of the city (the view isn't bad, it just can be hard to see it without kneeling on the couch - at least if you're 5'2). Only complaints/notes 1) Parking - $48 for overnight valet parking. Good lord. We just parked on the street a few blocks away and paid like $10 in meter parking. 2) Let it be known that if you are a very private person when it comes to using the bathroom, this might be rough for you. There's a sliding door, but there are also cafe windows into the bathroom that don't *fully* close. Otherwise, absolutely love and recommend this place. Great view, great food, great staff... great!",4,0,1,1
3083,4PHlVv,"I had the pleasure of staying here for 3 nights. Granted, it felt like a scene from ""Night at the Roxbury"" every time I stepped into one of the elevators. I even began paying homage to Katan and Ferrell by bobbing my head to the side to the beat any time I was alone inside. But this got tiring so I stopped. My 23rd floor room was perfect. The view of the lake was spectacular. I did experience the bar once when a friend came out to meet me for a drink. Again, a bit Roxburyish but whaddya gonna do. The bartender was friendly. The service throughout the hotel was impeccable. The 5 stars are fully deserved.",5,0,0,2
3084,5aEQ4pGInpqs63xsOjAZhg,"A friend and I ended up here last weekend. It was my first stay at a W hotel, and I will probably try them again at some point in my life. It was a lot of fun to have a nice bar, with a great view, in the building. We never really made it back here in time on Friday or Saturday night to check out the scene, but I hear it has lost its ""it"" status. Our room was great, we had a nice view of the lake. I'd say if you can get this for a decent rate, go for it.",4,0,1,0
3085,eeL-jgDeNLn0E9wEZcjEvw,"Much better than the City Center W Hotel if you are trying to decide. I stay at many W's around the country, and here, the rooms had are pretty standard, fairly good sized bathroom, rainwater shower and a great daybed. I was on the 32nd and my room had a great view of the Navy pier. They also have telescopes by the elevators for viewing. My flight home was cancelled and I had to stay an extra night in Chicago, so I moved to from the City Center to the Lakeshore - HUGE difference. If you want to pick an SPG property in Chicago I'd pick this. Also they have a cool top-floor bar (Whisky Sky) which has a nice view over the city and some solid drinks. Carly took care of me :)",3,0,0,0
3086,uS7-Qgwth1OF4kigkffBhA,nice view of the lake. lake michigan? i chose the green option which means no room cleaning but extra starwood points (hooray!) restaurant downstairs had good food and lemonade (it was sparkling lemonade!). service was a bit slow. and the blue crab fritters were satisfying beds are comfy and high bathroom has a window that opens up to the room.. strange but fun to peek through?,4,0,0,0
3087,KMZ9znVxkPdBC4E4c6uTPw,"Location is wonderful with fabulous views of the pier from some rooms.   Vibrant trendy lobby area with attentive staff.  Seemed like the music was always pulsing and fashionable people milling around looking to socialize.  I really enjoyed the lounge chairs outside facing the lake.  Restaurant in the lobby area was quite alright, and not too expensive mediterranean influenced fare. Rooms are decently sized and very comfortable linens and beds.  The standard flat screen tv and well stocked mini fridge.  Very nice little set of Bliss products (I see people ebaying these for $10-20!).  facewash, soap, body butter, shampoo, conditioner.  One major drawback for me was the very open design of the bathroom.  Looks cute, but I found it icky.  The bathroom has shutters that open out into the living space and a door that doesn't really close but is just a hollowcore door that slides.  It seems to be a trend, and it's one I don't like.  Maybe I'm too uptight.  I don't enjoy hearing every minutiae of my travelmate's hygiene routines and I don't want them to hear mine. Overall though, enjoyable stay.  Would book again at the right price.",4,0,1,0
3088,7XX6NUh2uB9-YtC3bp0Siw,"Best room views in the whole city! I travel to Chicago often and this is the first place I look at to stay! The ""Lake View"" rooms are stunning! I can not stop using exclamation points when reviewing this hotel, that's how much I love it! I love the design of the the bathrooms with the window that opens to give more space to the whole room. I'm not a very demanding guest, so I don't make the staff jump through hoops and then complain about horrible service on here when I don't get my way. The location is great for the views, but not nessacerely for getting to public transportation. Cabs are always available, though if you have a car, expect to pay $50 a day for parking. The bar on the 30-something'ish floor is less to be desired. It's just a very dark room with a view over looking the city. This is Chicago! There are plenty of bars every where! I love this place! Have I mentioned that? :)",5,0,1,0
3089,CTzayCiBbl5p84zCqVc6Fg,"Hotel has a pretty nice lobby/bar area and the room was nice, great view of the lake and navy pier.   Problems:  Parking is $52.00 a day which is outrageous, lots right next door charge nearly half that.  Internet connection costs 14.95/day per device.  So if I wanted to connect my laptop and my phone to the wireless in my room that would be almost $30.00 a day!  When a standard room is $175.00 gotta make these other amenities cheaper.  Even if I just used one device, $14.95 a day?  The connection wasn't even that fast. If these things wouldn't bug you however, I would still recommend the hotel if you're looking for a great lakeshore view with modern decor",2,0,0,0
3090,DDQzuWO,"I have a love hate relationship with this place.  I went there last year to catch up with a good buddy.  He ended up paying with his frequent flyer miles which was good because apparently this place costs a mint. Good:   Beds.  They are amazingly fantastic.  I haven't had that good of a night's sleep since.   Water.  The showers are awesome and the bath room pretty cool. TV.  Great HD tv with this hypnotic trace music set to soothing visuals when you first turn it on. Bartender.  The upstairs bartender was possibly the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.   Bad: Pretentious.  Pretentious.  Pretentious.  They turn the lobby into a mock night club with a live DJ at night.  If you're not wearing clothes they consider appropriate, you'll be asked to leave.  Its a god damned hotel lobby?!?!?!  Are you kidding me?  As a guest, I should not feel awkward about being in the lobby of the hotel I'm staying at.  Not only that, but the bouncer was incredibly rude about it.  Saying anything like, ""We get sports and movie stars in here all the time and they can't wear their hats either."" is not cool what so ever.  You're a bouncer.  . . GFY. Generally the staff did not look interested in being helpful and had more important things to do than express interest looking after this guest.  Don't judge a book by its cover people. . . Funny Anecdote- As I was leaving, I noticed a huge tour bus parked outside.  I didn't think anything of it until I got a call from my buddy.  Apparently I was leaving just as Snoop and 50 Cent were on their way in.  If I had known that, I would have stayed another night. . . I'll give'em that as a plus.",3,0,0,1
3091,bi2lPLsKFzjedqOz7SFeug,"First time in Chicago, what better place to stay but the W Hotel. Right? I don't get it. It's like pulling teeth to make store employees in Chicago to say ""HELLO"" or just plain out help you. I got this here at the Hotel. Isn't Concierges suppose to help you. WHENEVER AND WHATEVER? That's the W HOTEL MOTTO. When I asked for Car service to take me back to the airport, what did the chick do, instead of calling for me, she wrote on a piece of paper the phone # and had me call myself. Asked her to print out my itinerary for my flight, she was having a hard time, since she didn't read the paper correctly to notice that I was flying a different airlines on the way back, she had the nerve to say "" Was this a frequent flyer ticket for free?"" making me sound like I was from the ghetto. I had a great view, since they upgraded me, but the service sucks there. I can do without the attitude",3,0,1,0
3092,zV3Two3atL8BuFIOkmh,One of the better W hotels out there...  Been here for business (meeting people in town) as well as staying here just to get away from Naperville a few times... Always a great experience.  Rooms are decent sized for downtown.  Nice staff...  Even the breakfast the next morning was delicious. Haven't experienced upstairs so I cannot comment on that...  Had a collegue in town that liked it though.,5,0,1,0
3093,acebit3QGPRW1gD-VoqFCg,"I attended a corporate event here and had a good time. However, the prices should NOT just be about location. The W seems to be an old, rundown hotel they took and tried to gussy up. My friends' room had scuff marks on the walls, cheap wood (or press board?) paneling nailed to one wall, and it was TINY. The bathrooms have a window, which is not only weird, but provide NO sound barrier. Pretty awkward, depending on who you're staying with. The shower heads are low and her husband almost wasn't able to fit under them! The bamboo blinds were also filthy. When you enter the room, you are greeted with a basket of goodies. Wow! Now, this helps to explain the $300ish for a crap room rates... or maybe not. We soon realized that next to this basket of ""goodies"" was a price list. An individual can of Pringles? $5! You can also buy 3 or 4 condoms for $12 and a ""Take me Away"" CD for $13. Wow. sexy, huh? Not really. Oh- and if you want anything that isn't in your room (towels, food, etc.) it's a $3.50 DELIVERY CHARGE and a 20% service fee. Wow. The 33rd floor (I believe it's called the Altitude Room?) is pretty nice, but the bathrooms have no main door. Again... awkward. The stones in the sink were pretty cool though, I have to admit. I would never, EVER pay to stay here, but people seem to like it. I guess when you have money to throw into the air at mediocre service and rooms, it's worth it.",2,0,0,0
3094,TS8OMU4Qlr,"Very very nice rooms, as the W normally has. ~Get a room facing the Lake.",4,0,0,0
3095,CnxgFwN5KosWByOaJoAcag,"What a disappointment.  I recently became a Starwoods Reward Club member, so rather than stay at the Palmer House Hilton the way I usually do when I'm in Chicago, I decided to scout this place out instead.   It was raining miserably during the time I was here, so I didn't venture out around the property, but here are some observations about the hotel itself. High Points: *The concierge has a list of restaurants that will deliver to the hotel.  This is an excellent feature because room service for dinner is rather awful (see low points below). *The room itself is very comfortable and clean. *I lost an earring.  Housekeeping found it and placed it where I would see it.  I was very pleased. *They have a nice facility for a gym *They have an Acura car service that will take you around the city for free, as long as you sit through a 1 minute video on your ride and listen to the driver talk about the car and fill out a short survey.  (Service is available from noon-7pm only.) *Navy Pier looks like its in walking distance.  I could see it was close from a hotel window. Low Points: *Hotel room service is bad and expensive!.  I had the chicken pot pie for dinner which was just gross.  It was a lardy mess and not really a pie at all with the tiniest pieces of chicken and veggies almost like the kind that you would find in a can of condensed soup.  I also ordered a $12 slice of carrot cake, which for the price I hoped would be amazing and it was small and just 'meh bordering on not good.   *The shower kept changing temperature!!!  I took two showers while I was there, one long and one short (I know, TMI huh?). During the long shower the water temperature got cold at least 5 or 6 times.  And during the short shower at least a couple of times.  That is just plain old unacceptable! *They have a popular happy hour.  That in and of itself is a good thing, however, the bar is right next to the reception desk.  The music and crowd was so loud that I could not hear the front desk staff as I was checking in. *I got a double room when I asked for a King. * The hallways are noisy in the evenings, sounded like hotel staff. Other points: *They have a very interesting menu option: fresh fruit with chocolate sauce, whipped cream and......a disposable camera.  Enjoy! :)",2,1,0,2
3096,fbGzM81X,"There were a lot of hotels I wanted to stay at in Chicago and finally decided with W @ Lakeshore. Great hotel, when I come back, I'll be here again. Intimate, plus and private. Love the minimalist designing of the hotel (and all W hotels). Book the hotel if...: if are young or ""feel younger"", into or somewhat into ""urban chic"", and you are plan to take advantage of the hotel's offerings. To book the room isn't that expensive but to take advantage of what the hotel offers, is. For example, their Whenever Wherever policy - you can basically get whatever you want, when you want it (like White Castle burgers at 3am delivered to you by the hotel staff). Rooms: made for couples. Don't plan on coming here with your family or if you do, get separate rooms. For example, there is no bathroom door. Rather, it is a sliding wood door that it not on rails (it's a ""casual-optional"" door and there is a wooden window from the bathroom to the bedroom that is meant to be kept open. LCD's in every room, minibar has everything you want from food to booze to hats to ""love packages"" (condoms, lube, mints and some other stuff). The toiletries are from Bliss so yeah, actual name brand stuff unlike most hotels since most top hotels have their ""exclusive"" brands but they don't mean anything because the dealer only deals to them; so it's actually generic). If you're crazy about spa, they have the Bliss spa experience. They have a great pool (indoor of course); it's open to all hotel guests so no need to do the spa if you don't want. They have a club/bar upstairs that has an AWESOME view of Chicago. If you're a hotel guest, just flash your card since there will be a line to get in on weekends. If you want feel pampered (and you are willing to spend the money for it), you  will have a great time here. You can also be discreet to and enjoy all the amenities. Friendly and very-knowing concierge desk. Since it's at Lakeshore, this part of the city is relatively quiet compared to the inner-city. Even with the lounge downstairs and club upstairs, you won't hear anything in your room if you want peace and quiet.",4,0,0,0
3097,QrYS3IYBcYQV5IDO8VNCvQ,"Threw a b-day party here recently and reserved the space in the middle (b/t Wave restaurant and the lobby/reception area).  There was a minimum but we had about 35 people so didn't have any problem in obnoxiously exceeding that minimum.   The space looked exquisite....they totally set up the area with tons of candles and flowers and some minimal decor...it really looked spectacular !!  hats off to Sara D (W's event planner) for helping me put this together. We had two personal servers who pretty much took care of our every need.  Ordered several passed apps which were very tasty but mostly stuck to the drink.  She also let us bring in our own Champagne with no corkage fee for a toast...saved a few hundo right there, kudos to Sarah for that:-) Outside of this event, i've been on a few occasions for drinks as it's right next door to where I work....always a good time.",4,0,0,0
3098,QJRqyXUT3q9R9uFnbpMdXw,"I love this hotel.  The big W outside the hotel made it for me and then some.  Altho our room was not overlooking the lake, we had a good view of downtown Chicago.   The room was pretty amazing and I love those plantation windows they have for the bathroom.  You can opt to open them if you are just doing your makeup while having to talk to whoever was with you in the room.  It was nice and different.  Even the bathroom door was not your usual door but a sliding one instead. The lobby bar/lounge was a comfort.  I ordered a sampler dessert and I didn't want to share it.  Drinks were okay.  I was also able to use the pool once, warm and big enough for laps.  They had threadmills and weights if you feel like working out. We made a good choice as this was walking distance to the Navy Pier.  We were able to make trips back and forth to the Pier, Michigan Ave etc. and our hotel very conveniently.  And it was close to almost everything. I'll stay at W again, anytime!",5,0,0,0
3099,BbAk6498FNiZTFSKwsO8Yg,"My favorite part of the W on Lake Shore?  The telescopes!  Outside the elevator banks on each floor is a telescope so that you can peek across at Lake Michigan, the beach, Navy Pier, the afterwork booze cruises that go by around 5:30 PM...such an awesome touch. I also like how the room design is much more ""Midwestern chic"" than any of the Ws in New York, with the wood paneling and shutters and whatnot.  The lobby decor is much quirkier than I would have expected, too (the only Ws I'm really familiar with are the heavy-on-the-charcoal-gray Times Square and Union Square, after all). I checked in right after the Horrible Apocalyptic Tornado Thunderstorms of '07 that had evacuated O'Hare's control tower, brought flights to a standstill, etc. and there was a chance I wouldn't be able to get in to check into my room.  So I called the W in advance and asked about the situation, and they were remarkably pleasant and accommodating: ""We won't charge you if there are acts of God involved!""  Turns out I did get in, albeit around 1 AM, but the front desk team was still equally on top of things. There are only a few characteristically W-esque things that knock this down to four stars instead of five.  No free in-room Web access ($15/day) or coffee or whatnot -- I mean, really.  if they can give us holographic postcards, can't they at least have free Wi-Fi?",4,0,0,0
3100,y2dKS1ej3YsoAkvw4d3Y5g,"Located right on Lake Michigan with either great views of Navy Pier or the Chicago skyline, the rooms are modern and comfortable. Rainwater shower heads and Bliss spa products in the bathroom make this hotel feel like a lovely getaway although its located near the pier, river east, michigan ave, etc. Nice lobby bar with a good wine selection. Purrrrr....",4,0,0,0
3101,dldQ0mH8gpEsPiaYrZv,"I've stayed at both lake and loop.  lake was bad: crazy masseuse banged on our door at obscene hour telling us it was time for our massages.  giant amounts of high school cheerleaders where staying here at the same time which i guess is not the fault of w, but i still hated being around their noise.  we did get massive breakfast in bed to make up for the crazy masseuse mishap but that was only after i did massive complaining. loop was better but again, the crowds this chain attracts are just plain questionable.  it almost feels like shopping at water tower place.  the rooms are the same no matter what W you are in anywhere, good enough but i think i'm getting too old for all the purple velvet.  i guess this is why starwood offers the westin.",3,0,0,0
3102,s13,"In the words of Bette Davis: ""What.... A.... Dump"" Avoid this place. A night in an alley under a box would be more luxurious.",1,0,0,0
3103,JFlmTqENJWr3zXxvIWeenQ,Most amazing concierge EVER. Best lobby bathrooms EVER. Tastiest Mango Martini EVER. View pictures,5,0,0,0
3104,Z5F72aQZIexTW8hJAqgMkQ,"I'm reviewing the bar/restaurant...Bliss on LSD. This is another cool place to meet for a date...The food is awesome but a bit pricey. Have something light like the raw tuna & avocado appetizer that comes in a martini glass..delicious.  Sit at the baby blue lit up bar and have a drink. If the weather is nice you can then move outside with your drink and date & sit in the cool wooden lounge chairs right off LSD and watch the sun set over the lake....really laid back.  People are upper class folks but friendly. And the best part...if the date goes well, you're inside a hotel;-) This is one of my favorite hotel bars around...doesn't have the feel of a hotel bar at all. **Edit: I went here again and they don't have the raw tuna/avocado appetizer anymore...I didn't know this but they change their menu almost weekly...this time they were going on a 'world' tour of foods, so they had all kinds of stuff from different countries. Still love this place. And I figured out that you can see into the men's bathroom and vise versa....they're connected by a see-through blue window.",4,0,0,0
3105,LeuzOJSBv2JMlK,"Oh how I love the W. Have stayed here numerous times and have enjoyed every moment. Yes the rooms are small. But have you seen the view? We have been lucky enough to always get a lake view and it is just amazing. I have rearranged my schedule just so I could have a ""hang out in the room"" time in order to enjoy the bed. The sheets, the pillows...perfection. All but cured my sleeping problem. For that weekend anyway. I have frequented the bar in the lobby a few times, usually when I'm not staying there. It is sort of hit or miss. The drinks are always spot on, and it depends on the crowd. Sometimes there are the usual shiny guys in striped shirts and very tanned girls in tiny black tube dresses. Each to their own. Overall its usually a fun wind-down type of place. Oh and in nice weather, do check out the chairs outside. At night, with good friends, the Lake, a nice cocktail. Beautiful.",5,0,0,0
3106,VDkL-zxApS1nQXuG8DKBKw,"Nice hotel, in a really good location.  Clean rooms and a cool revolving rooftop area up top.  Not the best, but you're paying for where it is, and the name. Definitely not by any means a bad place to stay.",4,0,0,0
3107,CF9xTs2tFPue9J-2gtxZUg,"I stayed at the W lakefront location.  We arrived at about 5 p.m. and the lobby was just picking up.  I must say the lobby is beautiful; flowers everywhere, lounge area with low sofas, a bar and resturant.  I stayed in a ""Marvelous suite"" (room 2818) that had a great view of Navy Pier and the beach.  It was a little foggy that night but as the fog lifted the view became even more spectacular.  I brought my own booze and had some friends overl.  There was a screaming baby across the hall for about 2 hours.  I was worried some whore of a mother dumped her kid in the room and went to the bar.  I called security but I dont know what happend after that.   My guest and I were having a blast and we turned the volume on the XM radio high.   At 12:40 security came to my room and said ""anyone not assigned to the room must evacuate!""  It was a little loud so my guest left :( Everything that night went pretty smooth, but when I called for my free breakfast in the morning I was rudely asked ""Why would it be free?"" from the hotel staff.  I reserved the room with a 3points+ program that gives me triple room points and breakfast in the morning.  I told him to check the reservation and he put me on hold.  5 minutes later he picks up and says he's only going to comp. 2 EGGS AND A OMLETE!  ""Thanks, I'll go to McDonalds"" was my response.  I mean come on, don't you think breakfast should include juice and toast?! Well at check out I brought this up and the lovely front desk agent and she credited $50 and apologized for the breakfast fiasco. So on Monday I review my charges and there is OBSCENE amounts charged to my account.  I called the accounting dept. and the accountant was extemely apologetic and helpful.  That was all cleared up after about 2 days and now, to restore my faith in the W they offered a free room. The hotel is beautiful, just watch your account activity after you leave.  If you have any problems I am confident the administrative staff will help you out.",3,0,0,0
3108,bQF-F2y2lrITBaQLb6ZmjQ,"This is a 5 star hotel and lounge, They can have the other 3 stars back when they get rid of the rapper crowd with dead looser T-shirts on, Have been coming here for 5+ years, Always have a great time, However, The last 2 times have forced us to go somewhere via cab so we don't get shot or stabbed by overzeleous rappers looking for fat white chics with low self esteem, Excalibur is on Dearborn holmes. Dear Westin folks, We feel your pain but please fix this problem.\ *UPDATE* stayed here back in April 2008, A complete turn around, the W is great again. thanks, Westin",4,0,0,0
3109,xsxdQ2Gha9hTrJ1yyo4Egg,Somebody pass me some Grey Goose Vodka or Remy Martin VSOP. I need a cognac to chill is this lobby because it so laxed and trendy . I have stayed here about 4 times . And I don't have anything negative to say about it . The rooms remind me of my own bedroom but the beds are much fluffier and cozy ....it's like sleeping on a cloud! The IPod dock was the best because I never leave home without the music. Loved the shower which was like raindrops.....sexxxy- Basically the whole setting makes you want to get close with the one you love to love  which is why me and my hunny are repeat offenders ....actually going this month,5,0,0,0
3110,-LY9Bz3f8R2L7LIfy,"Way overpriced, like most W hotels, but overall pretty nice.  It's in a quite area of the city, so not recommended if you want to be central to bars and restaurants.",4,0,0,0
3111,ShhN3jH8QsWWKqB0Gyi2ug,"Sure, the W is a little out there sometimes (e.g. see-through mirrors in women's/men's bathrooms), but overall it was a clean room, courteous staff, and convenient location.  What else can you want?",4,0,0,0
3112,6NyY8p3VOXC,"I was blown away by the negative reviews that this hotel has.   Yes, it was previously a Days Inn that just happened to be situated in between the prettiest waterfront in town AND the magnificent mile.  Yes, the glitter wall with the giant W at the driveway (which was very poorly designed, by the way) was very tacky, as were the (skankily dressed) non-hotel guests and visitors of the Living Room who loitered around the reception area on Friday and Saturday nights, making it almost impossible to navigate through the crowd and into the bank of elevators. As a side note - the vibe that I got from the lobby is very similar to that of the V Bar at Hotel Valencia, and the skankily dressed non-hotel guests and visitors remind me of San Jose's Santana Row's clientele: cougars on the prowl and 50-y.o dudes with 20-y.o golddigging arm candies.  Nothing beats the feel of home when you are a few thousand miles away. And I do think the attempt to put a ""W"" on anything and everything was a tad overdone.   But in all fairness, they did a good job transforming a dying and derelict Days Inn into a hip hangout joint. The cacophony stopped right there in the lobby.  I got the peace and quiet that I wanted in my room on level 20th, with an amazing view of the frosty Lake Michigan and Navy Pier.  The bed was comfortable (although the odd-looking soft black furry cube soon found its place on the floor), the toiletries are from the phenomenal Bliss Spa, and there was lots and lots of natural light.  I even like the window to the bathroom - although I don't know if I'd feel the same way if I wasn't traveling alone, since I'm not much of an exhibitionist. The service was consistently satisfactory.  Need a dental kit? Done - someone was already at the front door with an assortment of toothpaste / toothbrush / dental floss / mouthwash within 5 minutes.  Need a late check out? Done - 2PM.  Want more of those awesome Bliss toiletries (who doesn't love freebies)? Done - no questions asked. Lastly, those who complained about lack of proper storage system need to spend a week in a Manhattan hotel and then revisit their assessment. And oh, 9 out of 10 hotels charge for wi fi.  Get over it.",3,7,6,7
3113,X6r4Jw3WIR15886vI3L76g,"Okay, I've stayed in some pretty run-down places, but come on W! I expected much more from a 5 star hotel than a window with shutters in the bathroom, that opened into the bedroom, right next to the bed! Who designed that? Were they thinking when they did that to the room? To the bathroom? A bathroom is a sanctuary of peace and private business doing, not a place where everyone and their mothers can hear and smell (sorry people!) everything you do! I can't tell you how many times my companions and I talked about using the facilities up stairs. COME ON! W, you are not what you claim to be. Oh, and did I mention the cycling air conditioning system?  It was loud and wouldn't turn off!  I was totally uncomfortable. Ugh, never again!!!!!!!",1,4,1,2
3114,5-3IFlqh6YGNfrKo,"I'm a W hotel fan.  If I ever go out of town, I try to stay at the W if my budget can afford it.  I just love the style of that place!  The W Chicago is great-- right on the lake, slightly tucked away from Michigan ave, but close enough that you can get to some of the great shopping areas.  The real reasons I come to the W:  Bliss Spa, and the Mojitos.  Some of the best in the city, and I'm a snobby mojito whore.  They do some great variations, with crushed blueberrys, rasberrys, or mango... and one wednesday a month they do special mojitos with a medley of pineapple and some other crap... and part of the proceeds go to The Humane Society.. getting drunk for a good cause??  Can't beat that.  I will say they tend to be rather expensive, and you can't really go there dressed uber casual without looking a little out of place.  Throw on some lipgloss, a cute top, and your good to go.  Another thing= The bathrooms are awesome.  I'm pretty sure the glass between the mens and womens rooms are see through, so if you look hard enough, you can probably get a free show... not that I would know or anything. Bliss Spa is great too, and kudos to them for associating themselves with such a great name in the Hotel industry!! One more thing, the bar upstairs, I think it's called the Whiskey- has an amazing view of the skyline.  Everything in the bar is black, so if your drunk enough, it feels like you are floating in the black abyss.  I love it.   If you ever get a chance, check out the W in LA... that's where my love affair began!",5,3,4,0
3115,pYF,"OK I am actually reviewing W Hotels in general--to date I've stayed at one in Montreal, New Orleans, Istanbul, and NYC. The rooms are always mod and interesting, the hotels are always done up in a theme that is somehow regional and each hotel has a bar or club that is good for hitting when heading out or coming back. Sometimes the hotel can be ""too mod""--it takes a minute for your eyes to adjust when you walk in the lobby...at the hotel in Istanbul you had to walk in and out of a series of curtains. The last night in Istanbul all the mood lighting in the room malfunctioned and started coming on anf off. And this might just be me..but it usually takes me a minute to figure out the modern light switches and faucets. But the best part is the more you stay with them they will upgrade you and once you do a suite at the W it's very hard to go to other hotels!",4,3,2,2
3116,s97-iYFvT2lToCW0-uRqYQ,"OK.... 29th floor, awesome view of Lake Michigan, Bliss Spa treatments and an awesome breakfast at Wave... this was purely a wonderful and pleasurable weekend get-a-way for us.  Service was spectacular, bathrooms were very cool and modern and the room itself was spacious and warm!  This is the only hotel in Chicago that sits right off Lake Michigan with an amazing view!  Not bad for the W in Chicago!",4,3,2,0
3117,8i-p-VsGutZN97eB1B8-6w,"Yeah, I'll admit it.  Sometimes I do go here with a couple girls and hang out in the lounge because it's THAT nice.  I wonder if it's possible to live here.  No, seriously.  If so, I'm staying in Chicago for the rest of my life.",5,3,1,1
3118,5aIbZme0feZXRXTwG3b6,"Middle of the road W.  Nothing to special here, but consistent with the brand...which most of the time scores 4 stars at least.  Staff, food, environment and service was on par.  Not the nicest as far as decor...but for the cost, it was great.  Zero complaints.",4,0,0,0
3119,Z-MpK85eKxBJ05vVAoLjKw,"i love this W Hotel mostly because of location, location, location! i usually visit over long holiday weekends ... twice per year, or so. i lived downtown in Streeterville for many yrs so staying at this W is like a homecoming party to me ... but perhaps, too much party? my big knock on W is inconvenient access ... never ever check-in on a friday or saturday night. last time i arrived 10pm on a friday night, it was a zoo. i roll up in a cab with bags and found a line out the door. W has gotta decide whether to be a club or a hotel, i think. after getting thru the party line (excuse me, pardon me, sorry) i finally reach the front desk for a quick check-in, no problem. but it is still really odd to have partygoers checking you out while you're simply trying to check-in ... a bit disconcerting. had i known, i might have dressed for the check-in?!? (lol) parking fees are expensive because spaces are precious. some streeterville parking spaces can sell for +$50,000!!! so taxi to/from W at all times.  it's cheaper and convenient. you can walk the magnificient mile or pier on nice days too. the food is good.  i love the breakfast menu and the openness of the restaurant - lounge area, garden, lake view - refreshing. the rooms are comfortable, artfully designed, and spacious. i prefer the relaxing lake view but the city view is also good. i do not use the pool or spa but most say they are nice too. i love to run the path that stretches for miles along lake mi. and of course if you wanna party, friday/saturday is rockin! ;)",4,2,2,2
3120,MfXo1fZOLptNZDFJYJ6zaA,"I'm as surprised as anyone could be that I'm only giving the W Lake Shore 3 stars.  Last weekend was the third time I've stayed at this hotel and I'm sorry to say that it is getting to be about time for some renovations.   The downstairs lounge area is still as W as ever and I love the location, but the rooms were just ""eh"".  Our bamboo blinds were broken so the middle one didn't go up all the way and we had a lamp that was on when we came in the room, but that the switch was broken off of, so the only way we could figure to turn it off was to actually unplug the light bulb.  Not ideal.  Also I'm not that big of a fan of the rain shower head if it is only used in order to disguise low-ish water pressure, which I had the impression was the case at this W.  Under the rain shower head = warm goodness.  Everywhere else in the shower stall = BRRRR.  My legs were less than thrilled that I had to actually hold them under the water while shaving them because any other action would have been a direct trip to Goose Bump City.  Also the walls were really thin.  While getting ready for the wedding we went to Sunday night, we could hear every word coming out of the television next door.  As though it was in our room (and I don't even think that our neighbors had it turned up past normal volume). Anyway, W, if you are listening, maybe put some money into making the rooms more like new again.  The rooms are good-sized and the location and views are top-notch.  Easy fixes, I say. Until then, W Downtown might be a better bet.  Or if you are feeling silly spendy (or have the ole expense account working for you), stay at one of my all time faves, Park Hyatt Water Tower.  Sigh.  No Starwood points there though, my friend.",3,3,1,0
3121,vX7BNZ5hoeozopoqijVRUA,"On a recent trip to Chicago, I stopped and asked a guy who looked surprisingly like Clark Kent what a fun place to go to was. He said the W and, naturally, we trust Superman. Off we were on our adventure. In the cab, my cohorts and I are throwing out some mojo to the cab driver. He laughs and is in love with us. He says, in a creepy tone, ""You guys like to have fun?"" We reluctantly answer, ""yes."" He pulls over and starts rummaging around. ""Great,"" I think to myself, ""we're gonna get offered coke."" Imagine my surprise when he busts out a card with an address underneath a silhouette of a topless girl. ""This is a great club,"" he says, ""a very PRIVATE and EXOTIC club. You will have fun here."" Uhh... We finally stumble upon the W. We mingle, we talk, we have fun. It's a great looking, very sleek bar. Like out of the Jetson's or something. Upstairs there's another small club. The drinks are weak and expensive (just like the rest of Chicago, what the fuck), but that's what you get at a hotel bar where you have absolutely no juice. Later on in the night, I meet some German dode and he explains, ""jaah, the gurrlz weell bee coming in soon, jaah."" I am a little exasperated, ""Girls?"" ""Jaah, zee gurrls, you pay, kroners."" Great, just great. The W: fun bar, just watch out for hookers!",3,2,1,2
3122,90JfxNVNkn3BYQTXf5C-xw,"Ugh. I will never stay at this hotel again. I am the one who picked the W in the first place, so I'll take the blame. It looks so plush and stylish in the photos. The first thing we noticed when walking in (besides Billy Zane getting into a limo... now I know it was an omen) was a club atmosphere in the lobby. There were lots of martini drinkers sitting around in sunglasses... The receptionists were too trendy for their own good, and I suspect that the one on the right was faking his English accent. (Oh yeah, they actually tell you to ""take the lift"" here...) In my opinion, it always is a mistake for a hotel staff to come off as condescending, and here, they definitely did. (There are plenty of high-end hotels who operate with friendliness.) We reserved a room with two queen beds, since my sister-in-law was joining us for a couple of days. We got off the elevator (which was scented, a nice touch) and, despite it being full daylight outside, were plunged into club-style darkness. The halls are very dark, with colored lights to guide your walk. When we opened our door, a lot of light was coming in from the big window. (We were on the west side of the hotel, so we had a crappy view of the building next door.) Ambient club music was playing from the small CD alarm clock, and the room looked really clean. Another look, and I realized there were Ws on everything... everything. My God, the room was one big marketing campaign and attempt to sell merchandise (including a $22 bottle of water that had been picked up and passed over so many times the logo had worn off). It was highly annoying to me. I started obsessing about finding everything that was W-branded -- and my finds included a teddy bear, the CD of music playing when we came in, coffee mugs, t-shirts -- and started seeing a lot of wear-and-tear on the room and furniture. Actually, it reminded me a lot of Design on a Dime... like it might look good to last through the photo/filming session, then all the cheap Scandinavian-style laminate furniture and other cost-cutting features start to fall apart and reveal the hotel for what it really is: the illusion of luxury and exclusivity. The most annoying thing, though, was the ""divider"" (yes, I said divider) between the bathroom and rest of the room. There was no solid, latching door, just a woven sliding panel that made comfortable privacy impossible. To boot, the panel in our room was BROKEN, so there was a hole in it. Also, there is a shuttered pass-through between the bathroom and bed area that doesn't fully close off any view or sound. I understand the concept (you can be in bed AND watch your lover take a shower... although the shower curtain was opaque, so I'm not sure what else you could watch), but when a room has two beds, there should be some consideration that lovers might not constitute a full party staying in a room. Not be be crass, but... there's this book called Everyone Poops. I think the W got confused and thought it was called Everyone Needs to Know When Everyone Poops. I give two stars for the beds being comfortable and room service (when requesting towels) being very prompt. Plus, we didn't get robbed... except for our dignity.",2,3,0,0
3123,j96xGJ0dfAAxlda7uWJW6Q,After having to stay in the chicago suburbs I finally got the chance to stay downtown and was excited to stay here - I usually love W's.  This place sucked.  The staff was snotty. The rooms were small.  And the air conditioning was broken or something - it was so hot and muggy.  The place was packed with snotty 20-somethings.   I will say its a great view.  Next time I'll stay closer to MIchigan - likely the Peninsula.,1,0,0,0
3124,EjbpPiSgsaWfU9GknKTzFw,"Let me preface this 2-star review with the following: If this was any other regular hotel, it'd be 3 stars. But, this is the W, and I expected a lot more out of you! There were some redeeming qualities...awesome Bliss toiletries (though on day 1 I was missing conditioner and lotion), great location (close to everything without being directly on Michigan), comfy beds. BUT...There were many problems. This is a Chicago hotel! Do the words ""form follows function"" mean anything to you people?! In W's attempt to make-over the Days Inn, common sense really went out the window. For starters, the bathroom?! WTF? if you want any privacy in your bathroom, don't stay here. Seriously, a sliding wood door with slits, and a ""what the hell is it doing here"" window cut-out with wooden shutters? No overhead fan? A shower without a full door? I had to use a towel just to keep the floor from being completely soaked. Also, no closet, just some shelving. While nice-looking, it was inefficient. It was weird putting my shoes in a drawer. The shelf for my suitcase is directly under the hangers, so when I go into my suitcase, I have clothes hanging, literally, in my face. Annoying. Also, there were some little things that, again at any other hotel wouldn't have been a big deal, but this is the W! For example, both mornings the free coffee was empty. Refilling involved me talking to 2 different people. Lobby (excuse me, ""Living Room"") is way too small for the traffic. Despite 5 stations for front desk clerks, I never saw more than 1 or 2 which resulted in long lines and a crowded lobby. Also, it's hard to forget this was a Days Inn...ugly-colored walls, ,and a ""This used to be a cheap hotel"" stench that just wouldn't go away. If you're going to drop a lot of money on a fancy Chicago hotel, I'd advise looking at other properties. If you want that ""W Experience"" try one in a different city. But, if you can get a good deal, and don't come expecting much, by all means stay here!  When you book your room, request a lake view.",2,2,1,1
3125,SOjQL8Dm614frqF0,"As stated by previous reviewers, it definitely helps if you have a room facing the lake, unfortunately I didn't get lucky, but I had a hotel rate of $89 from a friend so I didn't make a big fuss. The lounge on the first floor was non existent, and the hotel restaurant was a bit difficult to differentiate from the bar/ common area. Oddly enough I was put into room 911 and upon entering the room, the first thing that caught my eye was the window with shutters in the bathroom to the beds. That was a bit weird, but whatever floats your boat. Checked out the pool and gym on the 7th floor, which was pretty standard, but the bar on the roof was nothing to really write home about. Overall the hotel was fairly standard and the staff was very courteous and helpful whenever I needed anything.",3,2,2,0
3126,BbPNeGghFzdUdbdc7y3www,"Great location, amazing views, stylish design, big rooms, cocktails comped to us, great front desk person, very good price.   Why not five stars?  I think in this day and age, hotels should have free wi fi.  (With VOIP, some hotels are now offering unlimited long distance and free wi fi.)  Otherwise, entirely a five-star experience.",4,2,2,0
3127,N8HG27mN1MeE5WW8q9GExQ,"My stay at the W Lakeshore was my first W experience, and overall it was really good. I liked the minimalist decor in the room, and thought the wood paneled wall was a nice touch. The bathroom was definitely nice, and the bath products were better than most hotel chains. The lobby bar seemed pretty cool, although I didn't get a chance to check it out. And the location was pretty good for where I needed to be in the River North area. The only area where the W Lakeshore fell short was the frat boy clientele that invaded the place on Friday night. In San Francisco we would call them the Bridge and Tunnel crowd, but in Chicago they were just a bunch of loud fuckin idiots who think a hotel is their personal playground at 4 in the morning. Kind of ruined the whole ""urban sophisticate"" vibe the W is trying to go for.",4,2,1,0
3128,t8mPWDIJ1mwKLjvZZo9-,"The W hotels are always nice, but this one is one of the best.   Friendly staff, nice decor and the best thing...AMAZING VIEW OF THE LAKE.  Always good business center and Whiskey Skyline!  Of course its pricey, its the W!",5,2,1,0
3129,B3eJOjk8Pk5dkd6FA8,"Ok Ive stayed here on opening day so of course I was disappointed that nothing was really working (no pool, no cable tv). Its a nice location with a beautiful view and the rooms are decent. I love W hotels but I think I like the City Center one just a little bit more.",4,2,0,1
3130,nKTjpjunaZZqGuXcU8t0,"Like all W Hotels this place is very trendy and cutting-edge and somehow feels like a lounge/club masquerading as a hotel. In contrast to the downstairs concierge/bar/restaurant area the guest rooms and hallways are all very dimly lit and decorated in shades of black, grey and dark pink. Everything is modern, hip and edgy, including the staff. Although after working in a W Hotel on the west coast myself I can definitely say that the employees here were  not as friendly or helpful as those in the other Ws I've been in. Nonetheless, I enjoyed my stay here and the location simply cannot be beat -- very central and the only hotel in Chicago that is actually right on Lake Shore Drive. Don't plan on a weekend stay unless you are prepared for the social scene which can include loud late nights full of drunk people wandering around the lobby who are just as likely not to be hotel guests.",4,1,3,0
3131,uiip2Gjkq-IKvEIxxLSXfA,"I love the Ws and this one, in particular.  It's comfortable, yet modern. It feels like you are simultaneously in the heart of things but, with its lake view, it's also like being at a vacation resort.  The service is professional and responsive.",5,2,0,0
3132,9BDfUrHQ1BXpbzhnpBSReg,Great Hotel Rooms for Couples!  Really amazing service from the front desk.,4,2,0,0
3133,m9Gq7d0NXcHHU,"I stayed here for a wedding and had a great experience.  The rooms themselves- the decor was very stream-lined, modern.  The beds were very comfortable to sleep in, too.  The Bliss Spa bath products were also a great touch.",4,2,0,0
3134,HJtST4UMYL9SBi8rPra0Uw,"I am semi cross posting this with my review for the hotel's restaurant, Wave's, since the major issue of hotel security affects those staying at the hotel as well as dining here. I was recently robbed in the restaurant in the hotel's lobby.  My purse was tucked between my feet under the chair/table, and at some point during the meal, it was stolen.  We later realized that there was a man sitting behind me who had turned his chair around and leaned towards us, and we believe he used his foot or some kind of implement to drag my purse out from under the table unnoticed.  Pretty ridiculous, right?  This is the sort of thing that takes practice.   The hotel management was unhelpful to the point of being actively combative when I reported the theft.  I immediately filed a police report and was met with rudeness and a complete lack of assistance from any of the hotel management.  The security guard especially was purposefully rude, and when I complained about the treatment, as the victim of a crime, to the manager, all he would say was, ""I have no control over the behavior of the security team.""  Um, you are the manager of the hotel, and that does not make any sense.  We eventually got the security manager of the W City Center on the phone, who apologized profusely and began to actually help us, including taking down a description of the suspect from the people who had sat across from me and letting me know how to file a formal complaint with the hotel, which the hotel manager had completely neglected to do.  Even in a less trying situation, this customer service would have been unacceptable, but after being robbed in the hotel, in what now turns out to be a repeated occurrence, it became downright offensive.  It's too bad, because I had been a big fan of W properties, but I would never, ever come back to this restaurant OR hotel again.  Potential future visitors, consider this your official warning. After reporting this story to friends, I found out about several other women who had the exact same thing happen to them at this restaurant over the past year.  That sounds like a really bad pattern to me.  Since this has happened, the police and my insurance company's private investigator have confirmed that this hotel is a very common spot for robberies in Chicago.  The fact that the management evidently does not take this seriously is a huge problem.",1,4,0,0
3135,pbsvmJ35K6IR-5HG07,"Got drunk and could not drive so got into a cab and had the cab driver take me to a hotel that he recommends.  My Gf and I went through a hotel phase where we loved exploring.  I did not think that this guy would take me to a place that would cost me close to $500, but oh well, I enjoyed it very much.  The rooms were quite trendy and the entire ambience was great.  The room amenities were nice and the next morning I got up and went to the spa for a nice little morning.  The only thing I did not like that had nothing to do with the hotel, really, was this drunk idiot thinking he was some type of rapper walking in hammered and proclaiming he spent a lot of money at the clubs...umm, you are not alone, idiot, it's Chicago and everyone spends a quite a few dollars on the weekends.  I recommend this place to anyone.  This is the favorite of my GF and I!",5,0,0,1
3136,zHwV0VQ4E8i2YrHaNv3pWw,"I stayed here with my wife and her wedding bands were stolen by the housekeeper! Management handled it terribly. They gave us nothing in return except the phone number of their insurance company which gave us the run around and no compensation. Beware, the staff a this hotel will literally rob you blind, while management looks the other way.",1,0,0,0
3137,R3w8HLJEoJj-jNjtNWkFSQ,"One star for the comfortable bed, one star for the Bliss bath products, but really, everything else about this place sucked.  It was super expensive - definitely not worth $400 a night, dark, dirty, and full of pretension.",2,2,0,0
3138,ic5JW2onWWHmT3gDIfzNRw,"I recently stayed at the W Lakeshore for a few days and as time progressed I was less and less impressed with the joint. The rooms (and hotel) is pretty modern, but you can tell it was a holiday inn that got converted. Although my room wasn't bad, a friend of mine got stuck with a really crappy room where the wallpaper was peeling off, the shades were broken, and the shower wasn't the rain shower advertised. I had a ""city view"" room and wasn't impressed with the view. Basically it was looking directly into another hotel or office building, and looking down into an alley. Lake view rooms are the way to go. The W however does shine in the attention to detail department. If you are able to focus listening to the techno music in the elevator you would see the floor mats are updated throughout the day to say ""Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening"", which is something I haven't seen at any other hotel. I attended a wedding on here and the ballroom was converted to a very intimate setting, which was unexpected. The reception was held on the 33rd floor in a nice hall overlooking the lake and city. This was the best part of my stay here. The Whiskey Sky bar on the 33rd floor is dark and small, and drinks are expensive. After one drink in here I had to take off as I couldn't stand being unable to see my hand in front of my face and couldn't move without bumping into someone. Picture being in a walk in closet with the lights off and you'll get the same feel as this place. As others have reported, the lobby doubles as a lounge for the first floor bar at night, so if possible try to avoid this area at night. You won't be able to hear anyone working the counter, and they won't be able to hear you. If you aren't  in 'clubbing' attire you probably will catch a few unwelcoming glances by the older crowd drinking at the bar. Another disappointing  aspect of this joint is the pool on the 7th floor. It leaves much to be desired. Also, don't go into this place looking for a hot tub, because there isn't one to be found. Very surprising for such an expensive place. The gym however looked pretty nice, with free weights, machines, a cardio deck and kettle balls. All in all, if you want to get more bang for your buck, stay somewhere else in the city. If you do find yourself staying here, get a lake view room and hope for good weather so you aren't trapped in a real life version of A Night at the Roxbury.",2,2,0,0
3139,BUfOHdSIAiPV3-NSxPR2BQ,Well...I understand that most W are known to be trendy hot spots for most Chicago locales and tourist but I'm going to have to disappoint many people by saying this W (on Lake Shore Dr.) isn't a place I'd ever recommend. Let me first start off by saying...it use to be a Days Inn. What Starwood did was slap a coat of paint and added some Ikea like bedding. The service...well I'm not sure if people who work at the W know that they are in the service business. For some reason I find that most people who work there think you own them a thank you. The bars...are awful and over priced. I don't like paying 15 dollars for a drink and a bad one too. The bartenders don't seem to know what they are doing. I'll pass on this W. The one on Adams is top notch!,1,1,1,1
3140,aTVPwW,"It's been a while since I've been to the W Lakeshore, but I needed another night of hotel in Chicago and didn't have any desire to give the Westin River North another night of business, so I booked another night at the W Lakeshore. I arrived rather early and was told that my room was not ready yet, but they would call me my room was ready. Did I mention I was upgraded to one of their Fantastic Suites with a Lake View! SPG Platinum status rocks! I was out when I received a call back from the Welcome Desk (front desk) that my suite was ready. The suite on the 22nd floor overlooked Lake Michigan and Lakeshore Drive. I entered our suite to a large living room and desk. There was a 42"" flat screen television, sirius satellite radio, dvd player, and CD changer. The bedroom was to the left and the master bathroom was off to the side of the bedroom. The bathroom had Bliss bath products. The nice thing about this bathroom was that it had both a shower and a tub. Let me just say the shower was divine.   The bed is also wonderful too. I swear whenever I'm staying at the W it's so so difficult to get out of their plush signature bed. Another nice thing going on at the W's is the Acura experience. So what the heck is the Acura experience. To sum it up W Hotels and Acura have teamed up to offer hotel guests rides in new Acura's within a 3 mile radius of the hotel. Great option especially when it's time to catch the ""L"" back to O'Hare. The service runs from 11:45 AM to 9:00 PM at the W Lakeshore.",5,1,1,1
3141,jB1F4amfl,"The rooms are really beautiful and comfortable. The bathroom, specifically the shower is amazing! The staff was very friendly. After I told them about my hellish weekend, they upgraded me to a lakeview room. Plus I loved the burger I ordered. They asked me if I wanted to eat in bed...who doesn't?",5,1,1,0
3142,8oXcx,"I dig the ultra modern, sleek vibe at the bar here. Both the lobby and the Whiskey Sky bar are pretty cool (in addition to the bathrooms!). It's definitely a mixed crowd up in here, but it's a great spot for chilling with some drinks in a hip setting. The mojitos were great.",4,1,1,0
3143,ftMiyHNCI6L8BVAUVCgEUg,Whenever....wherever......whatever you want! This hotel is excellent!  Zen decor. Ultra cool. Awesome bathroom!,5,1,1,0
3144,VovT,"Was here last night for some drinks. This was a terrible experience. It was cold and drafty because you're basically in a hotel lobby. The drinks are overpriced. The decor was scary! The clientele was interesting to watch but was full of tourist, douche bags and odd balls. I would not stay here if I was visiting the city or go here to have an overpriced vodka rocks again!",2,0,0,1
3145,5XZe-l0sp,"Pains me to write this, but just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, it did.  We stayed here for three nights.  I wrote my last review upon arrival; unfortunately, the stay did not improve.  I doubt that I will stay at this W again, and sadly, my GF says she will never stay at another W - not even the new W Maldives :(   Rather than go into details, I will simply write a laundry list of issues: 1) I already mentioned: rough sheets and a hard bed. As for decor, I'll give them a break, since they are renovating in the next year or two. 2) Overwhelming lemon scent coming from the bed and could not sleep.    We asked housekeeping to change all linens in hopes of ""fixing"" the issue. They did; however, the issue was not resolved.  Come to discover (we discovered, not housekeepping) that somebody poured a substance on the bed and it was simply ""covered up"" and not addressed by housekeeping. Kudos to Grant for moving us to another room, actually a suite. I have an issue with this, too.  I am Platinum with Starwood and they are supposed to automatically upgrade me to the ""best room/suite"" available - but, we did not get a suite until there was an issue.  hmmm... 3) Toilet did not flush properly Issues with room # 2 4) The TV did not work until after we unplugged and reconfigured the wiring. 5) Wireless internet did not work in the suite.  Would go in and out. 6) The light in the living room flickered. 7) The vanity mirror/light shocked my GF when she touched it.  Fortunately, she was wearing shoes with rubber soles. 8) The heater/AC couldn't decide if it wanted to be hot or cold 9) The window covering in the bedroom did not roll up",1,2,0,0
3146,2RulfX3oSaOaDM-7aqzYlw,"I've been in one of the rooms here before. It honestly was pretty cool looking--wood paneled walls with a really big modern bathroom with some weird  little window that opened up onto the room. But I'm still not convinced it was $300 a night good. For that much money there should be, like a bottle of champain waiting for you. And a whore in the bed.",3,0,0,4
3147,p-MRnnOYWPy9RhNgyV3DQQ,"While I have not spent the night here, I have had a few glasses of wine here and the service was excellent and the bar is very comfy.  Bit pricey but you cant complain on that when you are downtown off LSD!",4,1,1,0
3148,BVGdAiymZvIXcBv9ep6jZg,"This old Holiday Inn and Days Inn has found new life, as the W makes its mark on Lake Shore Drive. It is definitely hipper than its old incarnations, and the Wave is a popular hangout for food and drink. It is very convenient to Navy Pier, but slightly removed from the action of the Magnificent Mile.",4,1,0,0
3149,FUq7p1Cz4PhFFyCN-8nFdA,"Im a huge fan of the W hotel for their sleek environment. Especially the Lakeshore one. The view is gorgeous. Make sure you get a high floor though. If you get the chance to visit Chicago and are staying here, be sure to take a jog along the water. It is amazing.",4,1,0,0
3150,9xprFV,"Stayed here for just one night while my wife and I were relocating cross country.  Got what I thought was a great deal on http://Hotwire.com($120).  It wasn't till morning till I noticed the $48/night parking sign.  2 cars meant over $100 with valet tip...Ouch. I could maybe understand if the hotel were on Mich Ave but its several blocks off the mag mile.  That being said, location was good, close to restaurants as well as lakeshore.  Room wasn' t anything special.  The bathrooms are ridiculous.  Sliding piece of shutter for a door and a nice little window that looks out into the room also covered by a wooden shutter.  Every sound gets through unless the A/C is on of course.  Would stick to the intercontinental or the Hyatt.",2,1,0,0
3151,Y5EuVdTRMgkXrxhMEC3kvg,"For the amount, I wasn't too impressed. While I do enjoy the decor, it's a little too trendy for me. The loud, thumping music and the candlelight at night -- gimme a break. Plus, they gave me a smoking room when I requested a non-smoking room. Then I asked for a non-smoking room again and they didn't switch me even though they had other rooms. Annoying! Breakfast was yummy the next morning though, I will give them that.",2,1,0,0
3152,DbdofCxAn4v77DosSn500A,The hotel itself isnt bad. I was a little disapointed though that I didnt get an ocean view instead i got a city view. The adjoining door between the rooms were a little thin. I could hear everyting that my neighbor was talking abotu through the door. They probably heard me also.  The shower was also a little messed up and kept leaking everywhere even after I asked them to fix it.  The drinks at the bar were also a little pricey for my tastes. The people/concierge there though were extremly friendly and top notch. My hats off to Ramon in Concierge for making my stay as good as possible.,3,1,0,0
3153,N5ugtVFk6S2p5fYzXi5uFA,Primo hotel!  If you have an opportunity to stay here - do it!  The only bad part about the hotel is they charge you $45 for parking overnight.,5,1,0,0
3154,Mf4vlVx-G9poQWUAzOMXzQ,"I had the experience to enjoy happy hour in the lounge and I loved every bit of it.  Ambience, drinks and great crowd! One of my fav's..",5,1,0,0
3155,P8AIihL0ivoxzAAhI7aZYA,"I've stayed here 4 times and my thoughts are: 2.5 stars because the rooms need to be updated, but 5 stars for the stellar staff (especially the guys at the bar downstairs). Good location, and good vibe. I'd stay here again -- plus, this one is much better than the City Center location.",4,1,0,0
3156,XA4yfWTD8UFQYUOpo,"just stayed there two nights: + lois at concierge, helpful, smart, fun. rooms: generally nice views location ipod dock in room beds=comfy pretty good blackout shades - waiting for the elevator cobwebs outside room, counted 6 spiders weird opening between bathroom and bedroom old look of hotel from outside (doubletree or w?) $50 daily parking $6 tiny water $15/night internet uninspired restaurant menu (egg and green pepper sandwich?)",3,1,0,0
3157,5dBURf6jLgI8RWTfz1SbDA,"I loved staying at this lake front hotel right on Lake shore offering awesome views everywhere!  I sort of felt like I was at the Hard Rock in Vegas but with an added touch of feng-shui energy.  The hallways are paved with rocks and have iridescent lighting everywhere as trance music is on everywhere from the elevators all around.  Love the whole 'W' theme...Whatever, Whenever and they certainly lived up to it. I needed a shower cap and called this line and they were there pronto.  In addition, was very impressed with the W store catalog but didn't get a chance to do any retail therapy there this weekend.  While the room was nice, the bathroom was considerably smaller than expected.  The shower was certainly no marvel of engineering.  Whoever left the door off of the stall shower is probably the same person mopping up the floor afterwards.",4,0,1,0
3158,WsXg,"Want to stay at a hotel with rude staff? This would be it. Room wasn't ready at noon; my girlfriend at the time and I left for lunch and came back. It still wasn't ready. The next day, we were out all day and came back at 5pm. The room hadn't been made up. I tried addressing these issues with the manager and she wouldn't have anything to do with it. The only saving grace was the awesome view from the room, including Navy Pier at night. A pretty terrible W experience, when it has been good for the most part.",2,0,1,0
3159,zHUl6n,"I'm a fan of The W chain, and this property surely doesn't disappoint.  It's a stone's throw from the Navy Pier.  However, the driveway is a mess.  It's really small, and two cars makes it so crowded.  There's really only room for cars to go in one direction, but since there are entrances/exits at both ends, vehicles end up playing chicken.  Whoever planned the driveway was probably smoking crack.  Good thing I wasn't driving.  I just felt sorry for our cab drivers.",5,0,0,0
3160,BvNHAvA43PZCvktwHhrrAw,"Great service, bit over priced but that was expected. I would stay here again.",4,0,0,0
3161,1dvXRUcYsBFE16tjtzApSg,"Really modern and kinda swanky when you walk in.  I like the overall setup.  The gift shop is awesome and has some really interesting one of a kind jewelry items and it has some cute purses and shirts too, but they are a little on the pricey side.  Both times I stopped in it was the same girl working and she is super cool and personable.  I have never stayed in a room so I can't review that part of the hotel.  I also attended a Style Chicago event here on one floor.  It was nice enough, can't say the views were too great from whatever floor we were on.",4,0,1,0
3162,RSo1F8P8O98osaB51NRsTw,"Spacious room, great views. Clean and modern, would stay again.",4,0,1,0
3163,7Hk48N4ygosmOyFMFyyQpw,"We came in from Miami for a weekend stay  We were very pleased with the quality of service, the cleanliness of the entire hotel, and the proximity to all that is within walking distance, including Navy Pier.   We recommend this hotel to anyone who has a taste for the ""whatever"" experience that the W Hotel offers in Chicago.  We look forward to them opening up in Miami Beach in 2009.  Even though this is our home town we will go because they truly know what is takes to set an atmosphere of excellence.  Watch out for the restrooms on the first floor outside the bar once you walk in. The men can look through a glass into the women's restroom, and visa versa.  Maybe you will like it?",5,0,1,0
3164,LqlQJH4UsQAP8L0r0Az6rQ,Pretty cool.,5,0,0,1
3165,MuKJ3d1CKsSgVpu5yMaudg,"Pretty good as far as hotels go. I have to say that the rooms are a little tired and the staff are really helpful and friendly. The guys at the valet were rock stars. A change from many of the NYC W's. The views of the lake are awesome, summer or winter. It's a little bit of a walk to Michigan Ave when it's super cold and icy, but overall, well positioned. I'd give it a 4 star if there were some decent suites and larger rooms. Like all W's it's on the high side $ wise so I think there should be more room for your money. Not everyone is blinded by the bar and tunes.",3,0,0,0
3166,7XaIYrcx8uye41BhwzBHJg,"I have enjoyed my stay here, particularly the public bathrooms. The bed is great and early check-in, late check-out are convenient. Service is good, but was annoying b/c refused to give me walking directions from Clark and Lake. Also, don't like how they say my last name everytime I call. Great elevator music!",4,0,0,0
3167,W5pPVTJRgObOHa3z6VYAkw,super friendly and helpful staff.  my large room overlooked the lake and it was a shame I was there by myself. The doorless bathroom with the window was a little odd...especially with the 2 beds in the room...,5,0,0,0
3168,F,"solid place again, the service was outstanding. The crowd is getting a little more vegasy but what can you do.",4,0,0,0
3169,aS3cWmXdo-w,"I have stayed at this W before and don't remember it being so mediocre. The rooms are nice with great views of Lake Michigan and Navy Pier. Our TV remote didn't have batteries, one telephone didn't work and they tried to charge us $50 for a heating pad from Walgreens. The lounge bar usually has some stiff drinks but we had sangria that was more ice than fruit. The staff is super friendly thankfully otherwise it would have been a bust of a stay.",3,0,0,0
3170,SVA,One of the best hotels I've staid at.  Cool rooms and awesome lakefront view.  Threw a New Years party in one of their suits.,4,0,0,0
3171,1OuWwtDifoaHLv27zHwV-w,"I guess when you take the old Days Inn and give it a new ""look"" you can charge a lot for the same room.  There is definitely a cool vibe to this hotel and the location is great, but the price is a little much.  The rooms do have great views and it's nice since it is a little off the Michigan Avenue path.  All in all, I wouldn't send my visiting relatives there due to the price.",3,0,0,0
3172,pElgEYslrakC7sJgincSTg,"Wow! This place is one of the best places to stay at in Chicago. Great service, comfy rooms, and an awesome view of the beautiful city make you want to come again and again -- despite the steep prices!",4,0,0,0
3173,XLDQ,The W hotel is one of my favorites. I stayed there recently and the WOW service there did an amazing job for me. The rooms are modern yet comfortable. They have amazing views of the lake. The only thing that sucked is the pool was being remodeled. The Whiskey Sky is great for pre partying drinks. Definitely recommend it.,5,0,0,0
3174,3wBx4Ww,"I like that this W has a living room, cozy feel looking out over the lake.  The rooms are pretty cool, especially when you have the SPG points and get a  lake-side view.  I also really enjoyed room service.  As far as W Hotels go, this is one of my favorite ... but both of the Chicago ones are cozy.",4,0,0,0
3175,tHHKD1b,"I have read some of the negative reviews on here and I don't agree at all!!!  This is the 2nd W Hotel that I have stayed in, the 1st being in Manhattan, and I really like this hotel!! And I'm not a podunk!!  The hotel is very modern and the beds are VERY comfy!! And, the bliss products are great! We were on the 14th floor and had a beautiful view of Lake Michigan and the Navy Pier.  Now, we didn't understand the swinging wooden doors between the bathroom and the room but it didn't bother us enough to complain about it. We just thought it odd. We were there just to have a girls weekend and when we asked the Whatever Whatever staff on suggestions on night life they were very helpful and sent us to some great shows and made the reservations and arranged a car to take us there! They were a gem on both nights that we wanted to go out!!  We travel a lot and I will be checking out the W's in other cities as well!! If you want a fun, modern and lively hotel with a GREAT staff in Chicago....here's your hotel!!",4,0,0,0
3176,2lJqfx-XCYnj1LrikmnxJA,"Every time I come to visit Chicago for a trip I stay here. Convenient location, amazing views, nice ambiance and great service. Look for corporate discounts when you make a booking to get your price reduced.",4,0,0,0
3177,prm3vl8-X6,"I love the W, and this was my very first. I had a lakeview room, and it was great. The lobby area is chill, and the rooms are nice. It's a bit dark, but then again, that's the W's style. I highly recommend.",4,0,0,0
3178,5gwrOFmGHsusFwBv1V6Bgw,"I've never seen the rooms at the W, but I hear they are very nice.  However, I love the lounge for drinks.  It's a perfect date spot or I've also been to parties in the bigger room upstairs and it's a really cool atmosphere with an amazing view.",4,0,0,0
3179,AfVddosd8gUi4QFdiog4ng,"I've now stayed here dozens of times and it seems to be a staple property for my team when we work in Chicago. Overall it's a great property, but the location is a bit inconvenient.  Aside from the proximite to Navy Pier, it's a bit out of the way from the downtown area, or the uptown nightlife. The bar area is very cool with tons of space for people to spread out on a variety of different chairs/couches. On each of the floors, there is a little telescope that allows you to view Navy Pier from an elevated view, which is a nice cool touch. The valet guys are very helpful- they'll waive down cabs that are lined up around the corner of Lakeshore drive.  However, the design of the drop-off/pick-up circle is very odd.  Sometimes you have traffic going in both directions, and in the busy mornings, it's not uncommon to get stuck between a few cars going in different directions. Note: I am on a personal mission to stay at every W Hotel in the USA (and then hopefully branch out to worldwide!)",4,0,0,0
3180,Kj97j8VKUb2VjFVoAEzDnQ,This place is magnificent!,5,0,0,0
3181,B-KaJXT26fmcDa4YXNAK8Q,The room and hotel was very trendy. I loved the view from the elevators and some of the rooms. Everything is very close. I stayed with 3 other girls and it wasn't too expensive. I would definitely suggest this hotel for anyones stay.,4,0,0,0
3182,JvGDo55jWEuEbhrXF5,"I don't usually like ""swanky"" type of places, but assuming you get to the upper floor bar early enough in the night to get a table this can actually be a pretty fun time.  The staff have always seemed more interested in making us feel welcome than treating us like we were lucky to be allowed in.  Prices are high as to be expected with a place like this, but the drinks are generally well made.  Worth putting on quality rags to go and visit.",4,0,0,0
3183,gxtpq2kkCW4PzKRDDonreQ,I love this Hotel it is sooooo amazing- also the happy hour is wonderful too!,5,0,0,0
3184,O8SmnuIV3W7qks8mjbua4Q,"this W hotel is located near navy pier. it is an older building that used to be another hotel. okay, so i'm going to go through the bad before the good. several things were quite strange to me.   1) there is no shower door.  so i'm kinda cold while taking a shower     since the heat doesn't stay within the shower. 2) there are no curtains.  the windows have a shade on them but     sunlight still gets in...and i believe people could see us if they were     in a building across from us with binoculars.  not that great for     watching tv in the afternoon since there is a glare. 3) you can tell they don't dust.  yes, the beds are made and the     bathrooms are freshened...but you can tell that the glasses and     other things have a lot of dust on them. 4) there was a spider crawling in my bed.  maybe the itchy bite above     my hip is a spider bite.  don't know...but it's annoying.. 5) when we needed suggestions, we tried to ask the front desk.  they     kept referring us to the concierge.  well, the concierge didn't know     about any of the places we were talking about.  i suggest that the W     hire someone for the concierge who gives out tips and recs on     where to go instead of giving me a blank look when i'm talking     about some of the hot spots of downtown.  DON'T HIRE A     COLLEGE KID who doesn't know enough to be a concierge.  just     giving them a computer so that they could search the place doesn't     cut it.  i do that myself already... 6) free wifi in the lobby BUT NOT IN THE ROOMS. 7) AND FOR THE BIGGEST GRIPE...     THE ELEVATORS!!!       how can you have 4 elevators for 33 floors?  (oh, and one time, 2 of     them were not working..) when there was a wedding reception on     the 33rd floor, it would have been nice to have a designated     elevator going there instead of having guests wait forever to go     up/down.  fridays and saturdays...you have to wait a while cuz     people are hanging out at the bar on the 33rd floor...and if there is     also a special event...good luck. the good... 1) customer service is good and responsive. 2) they have some partnership with acura.  they have a free chauffeur     service from 12-7:30pm that will take you within 5 miles of the W     hotel.  easy booking. 3) great location!!  walking distance to navy pier...and also my fav     brunch place: yolk!  =) 4) we used points for the 1st 2 nights and got the 4th night free, so     really only paid for ONE full night.  sweet!! 5) pretty lobby with trendy furniture.  nice bar area with plenty of seating 6) staff is nice and professional.  i think the head guy (manager or     something) came up to us while we were sitting at the lobby just to     ask how we were doing...if we needed anything.  he gave good     suggestions on where to go, what to do. if you are not a hotel guest and just want to hang out, this is the place for you.  plenty of seating, nice bar, free wifi.  patio seating outside overlooking the water is cool.  then head up to the 33rd floor lounge to chill.",3,4,2,3
3185,EHf2hq2x62gxiGr9cyKcgw,"I usually love all W's, but this place does not deserve five stars. Overpriced.The room was too small. Walls too thin. The door was going to break down every time it was shut.",2,3,0,0
3186,WYan66r2vT-kY9JISt5zOQ,"This hotel was recommended.  I spoke to the manager and was told I would have a lake view room, which did not happen.  I prepaid for room and discovered if I had waited, I could have gotten room for a lot less.  The promised free in room Internet was going to be charged.  When I asked to speak with the manager who assured me over the phone that my requests would be satisfied, I was told she was not available the five nights we stayed.",2,2,0,0
3187,LlKx6nT79smgYBSiWnCmLA,"oh my cheese!  could the lobby bar be any more cheesy?  when i showed up recently to stay the night it was about 7:30 on a saturday night.  the lobby was full of the following: -some sort of teen beauty pageant contestant complete with tiara, tears of joy and full trashy family posse -large gathering of high end, hip hop mogul wanna be's, sunglasses at night and brightly colored leather jackets...i swear i saw the gotti brothers there -skanky suburban young ladies dressed in flashy, low cut tops with bad hair and boy band beaus in tow BUT, once i exited the ""lobby"" and got to my room, it was all better.  the rooms are small but nice and i love the beds...good sheets, nice decor, decent shower and bathroom, LOVE THE VIEW! and the bliss products....can't beat that lemon sage body butter, can't beat it so all in all, i like it, just don't go to the lobby if you don't have to - oh, and i LOVE the shop they have on the main level....so many cute things!  i bought the CUTEST coat ever, i adore it, and so i will always remember the W......p.s. if you HAVE to go to the lobby bar late at night to meet a friend and have a drink as i did....then please order the cheeseburger, it's mighty good and the fries too, that helped  :)",4,1,0,1
3188,ZS5WThBFalWLMUjOEuTpFA,"I have stayed at the W (Lakeshore Drive) a handful of times, and I have never been disappointed. The staff is very polite, the rooms are well appointed, and the scene/atmosphere is very young and trendy. One of my favorite aspects of this hotel is a very very small thing, and  is something you might expect from the Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton's and Peninsulas of Chicago. The W changes out their elevator rugs three times a day. In the morning it reads, Good Morning, in the afternoon, Good Afternoon, and in the evening, you guessed it, Good Evening. Like I said, this is a very minor detail, but in my opinion, it's the kind of detail that helps justify the price and set  the hotel apart from others. I would like to make a couple comments on some of the reviews I have read on this hotel. In regards to the Silver Wall at the hotels main entrance, I think this is a lot less tacky/gaudy then a lot of other reviewers because I believe it is one, intentional and two, a good fit with the hotels overall theme. I would agree that, if a Four Seasons had this outside of its front doors that yes, it would be tacky, but the W is all about young people having a good time and in my opinion, it works. I also agree with the reviewers who said this is not a family hotel.... not that families are unwelcome, but I would be a little uncomfortable with one of my parents going to the bathroom and/or taking a shower in a bathroom without an actual door. The beds in the rooms are very comfortable. They have that softness that you know you couldn't sleep on every night, but is heaven for a night or two. The gym at the W is not great, but does have enough equipment to get the job done. I have not been to the spa, but I have heard good things. The lobby bar and the Whiskey Bar upstairs (great view) are both great, and get very crowded on the weekends and are an awesome spot to spend your night or stop in for a nightcap before you head to your room. Overall, I like this hotel and will definitely return, if you are looking for a fun hotel to stay at, the W is one of the best choices in Chicago.",4,1,1,0
3189,fH2PDcfdLxga8oTDRCp6PQ,"I like this place, not sure why I don't come here often, but I have never had a bad experience!! Yeah it's a bit snotty and what not, but hey it's a great way to break the cycle of our usual hectic and at times boring life. Besides their restaurant is yummy!!! U should walk in here with no expectations and hopefully u'll be impressed if not then hey at least u can say ""been there done that""!!:-)",5,1,0,0
3190,YhNEPQvt8cG32wxgrHERNA,"The hotel itself, including the restaurant and top-floor bar were great but I have an overall negative impression of this hotel because of the terrible customer service.  The employees would rather chat with one another than help address my needs.  When my key card stopped working repeatedly, the girl at the front desk actually rolled her eyes at the fact that she had to reset the card again.  When we ordered breakfast up to the room, they brought me a mug for my tea that had dried out coffee at the bottom.  When I called to say they brought me a dirty mug and only decaf tea, they did not return for over 20 minutes when I just had to leave to make it to my meeting on time.  When I called to say not to bother with the replacements, they didn't even apologize for the mistakes or inconvenience. I will never stay at this hotel again.",2,1,0,0
3191,kEZGQxlWoaaBIkJmm9oY9Q,"Tried to get away for a night with the wife for a nice relaxing night away from things on a ""stay-cation"".  Not so much.  This place is like a club.  Loud techno music, we could hear the bar patrons until 2 am.  The lobby is packed with coked up clubers.  The double door that leads into the room next to us had no sound proofing so we heard the guy in the room next to us screaming on the phone at 8 in the morning.  Then, house keeping woke us up at 9:15 wanting to clean our room.  When we complained to the front desk upon check out, the reply was ""sorry, thats how we are.""  Not to mention...the heated pool was freezing.  Very disappointed on our wasted night at this place.",1,1,0,0
3192,yfy,"i love spg. i love W. i love THIS W hotel!!! at first i was a bit disappointed that i was not staying at the W hotel downtown and had to settle for the W hotel lakeshore. i've stayed at the one downtown near the sears tower but i think i would actually chose this location instead. if you're into walking, you can walk from one to the other but it is a bit far. the lakeshore location is near the navy pier which you can see from your hotel room. it is also close to the magnificent mile for shopping! for the rooms there are two options: lake view room and city view rooms (self explanatory). the set up for the two is the same essentially, just your view is different. im not in the hotel room long enough to really care. the rooms are spacious. i got a double bed room and the two of us had plenty of room. i love the bliss brand shampoo, conditioner, face wash, bar soap, and lotion they give you! the design of the room almost seemed like you were living in a cabana. there were two door wooden shutters from the bathroom that you can look out into the room. wierd at first b/c you can look into the bathroom but then convenient when you had people in your room and you can socialize while getting ready in the bathroom. this W like all W's are beautiful and modern. it's like you're entering a club 24/7. i stayed over the weekend (fri-sun) and the lobby was busy both nights. when you check-in, they offer you a free drink ticket at that bar!! there were 4 of us in our mid-20s and we wanted to go out and had NO idea were to go.. so one of us asked the concierge where to go and he gave us some suggestion and his card. at first we were hesitant to go b/c we werent sure if they were just selling the place b/c they were getting a commission or if this place was actually good. we first went to a jazz bar which was cool b/c they were playing live music. we didnt stay too long but it was a good experience b/c chicago has such a lively music scene. we then took a taxi to Y club and got in line. the bouncer said the club was closed only to people on the guestline or cover was $20/person. then my friend said that our concierge from the W gave us his card and said we could get in for free. and the bouncer was like ''oooh you're with the W.. go on in"" same thing happened at crescendo! both pretty high scale lounge/clubs. we saved $40/person just by talking to our concierge. if you dont' call that service, i dont konw what is!! also while i was waiting in the lobby for a taxi, a couple walks in with 3 dogs, one about 70lbs the other two about 10lbs. and i spoke to them a bit and they said the westin has a really good dog policy. theres no extra charge, just a deposit in case of any damage. don't know how true that is but if you want to bring your dog along with you, W's are the place to go! anyway, highly recommended. there was a good mix of younger people, as well as families. a little bit of everything for anyone.",5,0,0,0
3193,QHcASgSnlSpWIYqPA3zH9g,"Wow...so much to write, let me try to get to the point. I went for New Years. When I walked in it was nice. Nice decor, friendly people, music was great ,a really nice ambiance. Then I went to my room. It was OK I guess. Nothing extravagant but what is up with the bathroom? It has a sliding door that you can't lock and it's made of wood. Then there is a sliding wood window. So if you are squatting to use the bathroom the person outside of the bathroom just slides the window open and peek a boo....they see you! Then it's not like your typical hotel where you will find a bible in the drawer. Nope.... you'll find condoms to purchase and a $13 romantic CD. There is no coffee in the room for your morning coffee. Room service is way overpriced, definitely did not order room service. This hotel is way over prices honestly. I stood there and usually I will park at the hotel and get my ticket validated because I am a guest....nope...$55 when I got my car back for a 24 hour stay. Now lets talk about what happened at night. The elevator door opened at the Lobby at 11:30pm and the smell of weed hit me in the face. There is a lounge/club on the 8th floor that everyone was riding the elevator to get to. It is tiny but yet hundreds of people were going there, way over booked and the people that were going there were all stoned. I guess I had a different impression of this hotel. It is in a classy neighborhood so I did not expect all the craziness that went on that night to be allowed there. I was even surprised when I went to the front desk there were 3 guys chipping in money to get a room. They were putting in $1100.00 for a room, they were arguing because they didn't have enough money and needed to go out to the car to get more. See I didn't even know you can get a room paying cash, I thought a credit card was always required. Needless to say, I won't stay there again but it's a nice place to hang out at the bar on a normal day with friends. Oh....the pool was nice and warm I enjoyed that.",3,0,0,0
3194,d1MqsuPMdVcCJi0j-P,"havent stayed there, but i have tried some of their drinks and they were outstanding, a friend of mine works in the kitchen and has met donnovan mcnabb, and david beckham stayed there this year as well when real madrid was in town",4,0,0,0
3195,wRVfeLPvBHHYaP55aMvOgw,Ok so obviously this place is expensive but we wanted to do something special for our wedding night so we looked for deals and went with the W. Our honeymoon isn't until December so this looked fun. We booked with them and paid ahead of time; we had to do this because of the special we got for two nights. It was a great room overlooking the lake. The food sucked but whatever. A week later I noticed that I had been double charged. So I was now out $1200!!!! yup and I'm a teacher so you know I ain't got no money. The amount we paid ahead was $500 for two nights. Then suddenly we were charged another $700. Eventually it was all taken care of after many phone calls and much frustration. The only reason I'm giving at A-OK is because they offered that we stay there again for free to let us have a better experience. The second time we had the same type of room (only one night) and it was great. No room service this time since we had experience the bad food already!,3,0,0,0
3196,uBtgUIkc86NUZvZFSwtMhg,"This place uses a modern motif for its interior designing.  I stayed here in the winter when they still had a $109 corporate rate.  I thought to get that rate and be right off Lakeshore is a deal.  Checking in was smooth the front desk staff were polite.  They handed my card key and directed me to the elevators to get up to my room.  The lobby area bar doubles up as a lounge and they were playing chill lounge/electronic music.  I was liking it.  I wish I had the CD.  Anyhow, I take elevator up to my floor; I step out; I'm staring down this long dark hallway and I feel like I'm in some Freddie Cougar movie.  The hallways are damn dark and it's just eerily silent.  I feel like I'm in some haunted house at a theme park.  I make it to my room and open  the door to my surprise the room looks pretty clean.  I still have a wierd complex about walking on hotel floors in my barefeet.  It gives me a nasty feeling about what i'd find if i had a black light with me.   I also take the top comforter and toss that into the closet because I always hear that hotels don't change the bed comforters as often as the bedsheets.  So i've just developed this habit of routine everytime I get to my hotel room.  Bust out the flip flops cus I ain't touching the floor and out goes the comforter.  The rooms also have an LCD TV, but what's the point of one if they're just gonna give you shitty channels to surf through and the delays to change a channel makes almost watching TV painful.  Overall this hotel wasn't all that and I expected it be way more modern chic.  The staff were polite though.  I've never eaten here so I can't rate how good their food is.  There's plenty of restaurants when you get towards Michigan.  Again, since this is a downtown hotel and if you have a car, the parking fees are going to be a bitch.",2,0,0,0
3197,yU-JUhfuLroZy1h5xyuXgA,"Great hotel, amazing views, great Sp.  The rooms were great and we can't wait to stay there again!",5,0,0,0
3198,bvsg8gkReFpRcaqD7SDaww,W sucked. Our room smelled like smoke and one of the rooms next to our non-smoking room on a non-smoking floor was like chimney.  Nice view but what's the point if it smells like an ashtray?,1,0,0,0
3199,CxZ3t1xCW2rOyuOA,"because i love W hotels, when my parents visited chicago again, i had them stay here. i told them it was a very nice, modern hotel. they looove modern but they were unimpressed. it was a cheap makeover of a dated chain hotel, and though the friendly staff has earned them a star, overall the experience wasn't great. aside from paying for a pricey room they added on a lot of additional costs such as internet, expensive parking and astronomically high breakfast costs. because of this, i cannot trust a brand anymore and will be using websites and also just walking in to see the feel for a hotel before i rely on the greatness of other locations...",2,0,0,0
3200,VeozriUmwsUC3VzJ6cVfQQ,"i like this slightly more than citycenter because its more airy. besides that it is kinda a pain in the ass to get to (i mean where would you walk there from?) it is a good time. i just wish that perhaps they would make the lobby a little darker at night. citycenter is just too dark ALL the time, but when this lobby turns into a lounge @ night i don't need to be reminded that light hurts my inebriated eyes.",4,0,0,0
3201,16awx7beEKFnqYOAWw5llw,Room was tiny and a bit beat up.  View was gorgeous.  Room service was overpriced...$68 for 2 burgers and 2 sodas...yikes!  Breakfast was excellent in the restaurant.  Complimentary drinks were also nice.,3,0,0,0
3202,yfvQke7JGpuO7SqjvmNifA,"I will just make a list of the awful experience we had- 1.  The doormen ignored us as we struggled out of the cab with the luggage. 2.  The hotel did not have our reservation (that was paid in full through Hot Wire.  Luckily I had my confirmation e-mail.) 3.  We were not told we had to use our key card to work the elevator and stood there looking very foolish. 4.  Wall covering was peeling off and taped up with scotch tape-very tacky 5.  The room had no information about the hotel (nothing telling us about restaurants, if there was a pool, if there was room service, etc.).  We never ate at the hotel because we could not get information about what was offered. 6.  Had to call at least four times for 1. a second bathrobe 2. a coffee maker 3. hotel information (which they never brought) 4.  bathtub flooded and the repair man had to come 7.  The bathroom door/shutter allowed people in the room to hear EVERYTHING-very awkward! 8.  Ice bucket was the size of a coffee mug-had to make several trips and eventually just ended up using the trash can 9.  Leaving for dinner the doormen would not help us.  They made comments to us like a bunch of construction workers but never got us a cab.  We ended up walking to the cab stand across the street. 10.  Terrible service on all levels.  Even though our second night was pre-paid we moved to another hotel for a much better experience.",1,0,0,0
3203,XazzMuJmcvk4TTFxNT13Nw,"My girlfriend and I stayed here over the weekend.  The room was booked through priceline.  While the hotel did have its high points (very comfy bed, nice TV, beautiful lobby, great views) the bad outweighed the good.  First off, someone made a terrible decision when designing the bathroom.  There's a wood slated window that opens from the bathroom into the rest of the room.  The door of the bathroom is also wood slated and it slides open and shut.  There is no over-head fan.  So what happens in the bathroom is essentially public knowledge to everyone else in the room.  Also, the walls are paper thin.  We could hear everything (and I really do mean everything) in the neighboring room.  While this is expected to a certain degree, it was a little too intimate for a four star hotel.  The W really does try to squeeze every dime out of you they can.  Even the cheapest of hotel chains offer free wi-fi in their rooms.  Why the W charges is beyond me.  Lastly, the W Lakeshore attracts a more boisterous crowd than I would have anticipated.  People literally yelling in the hallways at 3am.  Bottom line --- while we still had a good time, the next time we're looking for a nice place to stay in the city, we'll be avoiding the W Lakeshore.",2,1,0,0
3204,PSrVrL8Prol0wrIhuLWsJA,"my cousin somehow managed to keep her wedding on the small side. when you are dealing with hosting relatives from overseas in india, it can be tough with the expectations set in our culutre. i digress. modern without being tacky like IKEA was what we noticed. their banquet room for the wedding reception was on par with the chic lobby, very modern and well decorated. i think if you have a wedding there they do a discounted parking rate and it must be lumped in but i heard its otherwise fairly expensive to park your car. we didn't have to worry about it though. the service was great but i am not sure if it is consistent with four star service, still good though. the rooms were cramped and our view was pointing towards an office tower. what matters for us when we stay a night at a hotel is the cleanliness and quality of service. for weddings i am rating them five stars and for the room itself size-wise i am giving them three stars.",4,0,0,0
3205,aereaa87NXIsKomnzq2dvQ,"i stayed here for a conference in May 2010 and the hotel was fabulous. the service was exceptional. i stayed here for 2 nights and from the moment i checked in to the day i checked out the the staff were very accommodating. the lounge area was incredible, the crowd seemed to be having a super time and provided good food and drinks. the room itself was good, i did not request a view that was not of any importance to me. i will consider staying at the W for future visits as the location of the hotel is excellent! overall, the service of the staff was the selling point.",5,0,0,0
3977,aJ0mj8roLfkSPaPuDTt3jA,"Great hotel and location. The beds are very comfortable and the rooms are good sized. Unfortunately there is no fridge, so leftovers from restaurants is not really possible. Also the gym is pretty tiny, enough though it looks like they could have made the gym bigger if they wanted to. It has all the essentials, but space is tight for free weights. Besides that, everything was great. Especially the breakfast buffet. Absolutely incredible. It had an omelette section, fruit, pastries, salmon and cheeses, and a generic breakfast section (eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes). Service was excellent and to top it off, you can eat in an area surrounded by water with flat screens with ESPN. Overall, great stay and highly recommended!",4,1,0,0
3978,xyJShZepycBk9N73bebJLw,"I stayed for a 3-day conference at the hotel.  I have stayed in other downtown hotels in NYC, SF, and London - the urban hotel is not a foreign experience. Summary: *  Bed.  Felt like a thin mattress sitting on a wooden board, and angled with feet higher than head; *  Noise.  Room was very poorly insulated from noise.  On the last night, we heard our neighbors arrive after midnight, argue - though only speaking loudly and not screaming - for several hours.  We could make out phrases and words fairly clearly  Additionally, the previous neighbor, we could hear clear words when spoke on the phone; *  Housekeeping cleaning neighbors at 7.30 am.  Given poor noise insulation, this woke me up on Sunday morning.  Not appropriate to be cleaning rooms at 7.30 am, unless some kind of emergency; *  Storage shortage.  No dresser, only few drawers in nightstand.  Heard fellow conference goers complain of the same experience in their rooms, respectively.  Bathroom had a tiny, glass shelf above the toilet and about 4-6"" of flat space next to the sink basin.  Towel bar - only one in the entire bathroom, and two, small, rob hooks; *  Parking.  $52/day!  Really?  Yes, I've paid that amount in Manhattan.  But, it seems steep for Chicago.  Even on Wacker; *  Taxi cab shortage.  On a rainy, Friday night, the cab line took about 30 min.  It was reportedly this way for much of the afternoon / evening.  Really?  If this is the City's largest hotel (as they told us when we checked in), and it positions itself as a premium property, shouldn't it make sense that they'd have relationships with taxi companies to try and get better supply on occasions such as that?  If it's rainy, and a Friday night, there will be city-wide shortage - so, what's the contingency plan for your hotel patrons?; *  Gym.  Finding the gym was a work out.  In the basement and down a fairly long hall, and past grandma's house did I go.  Not central to the room areas;  and *  Lighting in large meeting space.  Much of the conference was in a large meeting room in the West Tower.  The lighting in there was not so great, and difficult to see the people speaking from the raised platform/stage.  Needs better spotlighting. I will say that all of the staff that I met were very nice, and willing to help.",2,1,0,0
3979,BDH,"The service here? Pretty good. They were pretty helpful, and not considering weird rules for the convention we were at, I'd say they were very nice. The rooms were OK, nothing special, but at the price, they were not up to what I expected. The food was GROSSLY over-priced, even for hotel food. The breakfasts were especially expensive, even the buffett (though the Oatmeal Pancakes were awesome!) The best part was the view, which the worst was dealing with things like poor elevator performance (this can be a problem at large cons) and a layout that was at least a good deal more complicated than I expected. Still, cost and food knocks it down a good deal. And there were spiders outside the windows. Giant. Scary. Spiders...",3,1,1,1
3980,oid9wHAdyLyrTdxXpQTayg,"This hotel is hugeeeeee. Stayed here for my anniversary trip with my bf. Got a good deal thanks to travelzoo, $99/night? Hell Yes! Had an awesome view of downtown, room was spacious and clean. Had a working safe (a must for when I go on trips). The hotel was in close walking distance to Michigan Ave. and the River. We used the gym, it was quite a walk but I guess that's because the hotel is enormous. Overall, great hotel!",4,0,0,0
3981,jclTfC0D4P9vUV6ee9e4uA,Great location. Big size room and reasonable price. Just like any other Hyatt Regency in big city. This is where I usually stay for business trip.,4,0,0,0
3982,zzefLm7Jt9RiGOqBZBN5OQ,"My friends and I decided to meet up in Chicago for a weekend and ended up getting a room at the Hyatt Regency from priceline.  Not a bad deal for a pretty primo location near most things that you would want to do. So I showed up a few hours later than my friends and went to find the room on my own.  Be sure to ask which side your friends are on (West or East) as there are two separate buildings across the street from each other.  Naturally my friends were in the other tower so I had to truck it across the street.  But no worries, it is fairly easy to navigate. Rooms: sensor locks, HDTV, coffee maker, decent sized bathroom, blow dryer, etc.  Beds were comfy and I love the pillows.  The room had pretty thin walls - we could hear the neighbor's conversation and TV show through the bathroom walls, and people walking down the hall could be heard very well.  Just bring earplugs which, to me, is mandatory to get sleep in any hotel anyway.  If you stay up high enough you will have really good views of the city.  Oh and they have the blackout curtains like the ones you get in Vegas hotel rooms.  This is the BEST.  All places should have these. Hotel itself had a bar, a huge spacious lobby, a little market with Starbucks, ATM, gift shop, etc.  Cabs were easy to get and there wasn't really a line.  You can walk to the Pier and to the Magnificent Mile.  Nothing wrong with that. If you are looking for a great hotel location with reasonable rooms and amenities, you can do a lot worse than the Hyatt.",4,1,0,0
3983,LuwOKwPHB48Rb6Y46ytvVQ,"This hotel is kinda hidden so we had a difficult time looking for it, but it is close to everything.  Walking distance to Magnificent Mile and Millennium Park. The room is very modern and a decent size. Yay! Flat screen TV! However, the bathroom is terrible. I'm not complaining about the size, but the design is so stupid. Geez, can a girl get some counter space? While we're at it, can my boyfriend and I get some toilet paper without pulling a muscle? The toilet is right next to the shower so the holder was attached to the tiny corner between the two so you can't reach it. We ended up just putting the toilet paper roll on the floor.   I was also excited about a fridge listed as an amenity, but I opened the cabinet to find it empty. Sucked they didn't have free wifi either! I'll probably try a different hotel the next time I'm in Chi-Town.",3,1,0,0
3984,wdW6-FdMZBAmrqzbms-bzg,"Too big and impersonal. Also, they put a $70+ ""hold"" on your debit card for incidentals and CANNOT remove it until you checkout, even if you ask them to put it on another card. WTF?",1,0,0,0
3985,a2RB8yr2OqoGX7OZYb3wBA,"We are big Hyatt fans and Gold pass members so it pains me to write this.  However, our experience as this located was below average.  The front desk is way understaffed.  They had a total of 2 people working on a Friday afternoon.  Needless to say, it took us 1 hour to check in.  The valet was equally bad.  We called down to have our car ready 15 min. in advance and of course had to wait an additional 20 min. each time we picked up our car.  Not very good service for $52/day valet. The room were okay and clean, but nothing special.  The only good thing is that the location is perfect and convenient to everything.",2,0,0,0
3986,ZBZXBmRo3G8g4bBTKz14vg,"I love Hyatt! Im a gold member for a reason. You get perks if you're a member, such as late checkout, room upgrade, and free nights :) If you are a member sometimes they award you with free passes to their spectacular breakfast buffet which is usually just as fancy and expensive as the rest of the amenities. I have loved the Hyatt in any city I've stayed. Always very clean, and modern. This specific place was perfectly located close to everything. Of course with that said, it was packed and they couldnt accommodate us in our room when we arrived, therefor we had to wait around town after arriving from the airport until the occupant for the room wanted to leave. To make up for the inconvenience, they offered me and my mate one of the prestigious hotel's suite on the top floor. Too bad there were only two of us to enjoy such a treat because that place had room for about 4 families. lol it was def a good night! And there is a bar in the hotel, so you dont have to go very far If you dont want. Every Hyatt ive been to has been superb in all aspects; customer service, appearance, & top of the line comfort.",5,1,1,0
3987,thjQbbpiVlwoljWsPYTvug,"Better than I thought it would be.  In fact, overall, I really don't have a big complaint about this place. Stayed for a conference at the same time Lollapalooza was going on and the staff did a good job keeping the groups separate but happy. They added cell phone coverage to the basement conference-level floors which is a huge help so kudos for them for doing it.  The Big Bar served nice drinks and was a good place to sit and watch the thunderstorm roll in.   Other plusses? Good breakfast buffet. Comfortable bed. Downsides? Street noise (right near a fire station) and slow internet.  Lobby is a little bit of a mess with renovations ongoing.   Would I come again? Sure, if the conference were staying there. The problem is that there are so many other great places to stay nearby (eyeing the Radisson Blu) that its hard to seek this one out. But it was A-Ok in my book and a solid place to stay for business.",3,0,0,0
3988,LBYoDEfYdiHDRTIYCKt9Jg,"Beautiful and luxurious hotel. Central Location, within walking distance to Navy Pier, Millenium, and Manificent Mile. Huge luxury hotel. Expensive parking (but its Chicago). Wi Fi charge for the room but free in lobby on the 2nd floor. Love the connection to Houlihans at Michigan Avenue...open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Small Grocery store one block away. Sensor locks on the hotel doors. Booked with third party retailer and never felt like it. Ipod alarm clock, coffee w/maker, flat screen, and the most comfortable bed that I have slept in. In room-safe. Instead of the amazing riverview, I had the view of the Fire Departmnt and the amazing looking Radisson Blu hotel. Greeted by name when I made a phone call. Offered a free USA Today because I passport member....many conferences going on but did not feel crowded. Bar is a little pricey, but hey, it's Downtown Chicago. I was more of a Houligans gal with the drink specials and plate specials.  I have stayed at this property in the past and could never afford to at the non-third party retail rate, so I appreciate that they offer a gal like me, ""caviar and champagne lifestyle"" on a ""sardines and Tang"" budget. They will continue to offer this, I will cross my fingers EVERY TIME for the Hyatt.",4,0,0,0
3989,FhMlNYzXGpXlaivhLxx2PA,"My home during my first visit to Chicago. Nice staff, very clean and great amentities. The location was perfect for where we wanted to go. The room was a good size with a nice view. The bed was heavenly. And, don't forget to check out the Big Bar! I would give it 4.5 stars because there was no pool on site, but I'm rounding up because I wouldn't have had time to spend there anyway!",5,0,0,0
3990,FZVQ2H1gTabhcnPQKBHPMw,This was a great hotel and we had an awesome view from our 19th floor room. It's in a perfect location only minutes from Navy Pier and all the other hotspots in downtown Chicago. This is a VERY busy hotel and the staff handles it perfectly. No complaints!,5,0,0,0
3991,Qsen3Pjk7kR4KV0R8fqGwA,"Excellent location: Convenient to Miracle Mile, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Garrett's Popcorn, shopping, and the train. I mean, most everything is literally right around the corner. Gorgeous lobby - the layout of the hotel amenities were a little disheveled though. Also, in addition to no free wifi in the rooms, apparently there is a also fee required to use the business center as well -  the rude employee at the door made us very aware of that. All of the other employees were amazing... except that chick. Nice rooms and ridiculously comfy beds - so much so that I overslept for an outing with a friend of mine, geesh! I would recommend this hotel to anyone staying in the area.",4,1,0,1
3992,qgYoVlwA4Xu6JnzVAkNW9w,"Writing this review after a sleepless night so I'm a bit cranky. Bed was one of the more comfy ones, but the ac was excessively loud and the room dry, city traffic and neighbors noisier than what I've experienced in Manhattan even though we are on the 27th floor (thin windows and walls), and the toilet makes a loud squeaking noise each time it's flushed. As for the rest of my stay, pros were the views, the location, and the service. Other cons were - the hotel common areas were freezing in the middle of summer and the hotel pub stopped serving food and drinks before midnight. May come back if there is a great deal, but need to be armed with ear plugs, sweaters, and sleeping pills.",3,1,0,0
3993,wxRxf8xLirhn8Q6,"Just checked in (we'll be here for four nights) and the staff has been excellent so far!  Smooth check in (at noon none the less), comfy bed, got free internet with the word of the week and now we are getting ready to head to some museums!!   Looking forward to a great stay here in Chicago! I've stayed here before and it's always great!",5,0,0,0
3994,69wsA2Qy-TlRqfjFjnCn8Q,"Missing a fridge, otherwise would have given 4 stars.",3,0,0,0
3995,hIfUBu9i8szuyrmvIROc4Q,LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION Here during St Patricks Day weekend. Even Prez Obama was in town.. Great room rate via Priceline. Can't touch anything for less than twice the $$$. Too bad the Yellow WaterTaxi was shut down for the weekend. Crazy weather... no snow. People are running around with just shorts and t-shirts. Saw the Chicago River turn St Patty's green.,4,2,2,0
3996,IcCrvy4suWWpWTUzBTJ43Q,"Tired, smells, bad restaurants, full of conference, avoid at all costs.",1,0,0,0
3997,ROQFD2LkTLPoJTs34zlc6g,"Was lucky enough to be put in a room w/ a fantastic view of the river and the Hancock Building.  Nicely appointed room w/ a very comfy bed.  Great location w/in walking distance of some stellar shopping, subway and Millenium Park.  Was a bit shocked at the $52 per night parking for my $40 a day rental car.  Good thing I had had some wine when I learned about it, the sticker shock just made me laugh!",4,0,0,0
3998,7J29JC9b5veg,Excellent service and staff. Can't say enough good things about this location. Top notch for an event. The service managers are amazing and will bend over backwards to get the job done. Catering was great as well!,5,0,0,0
3999,Jp,"I was privileged enough to experience Chi town for the first time in only a one and 1/2 day/short stay for a work convention I was coordinating. Our event took place at this hotel so how convenient is it that we got to actually stay here? :) I absolutely LOVE the location of this hotel because it's right smack dab near all the best restaurants and touristy spots in Chicago. And since we didn't have a rental car, my coworker and I got just a tiny bit of downtime to enjoy a nice stroll downtown and have my very first deep dish Chicago style pizza for lunch! And we had this event in May so Chicago...wasn't really the ""Windy City"" that it normally is. It was like summertime. My room here was amaze-balls! I had a huge comfy King-sized bed all to myself and I remember the pillows being marshmallow heavenly snuggle bunnies. The bathroom and the room itself was very modern contemporary, just the way I like it. The BEST thing about the room was the actual view that I had. Such a gorgeous view of the city and the water! I also liked the bar they have here. It was a pretty happenin' spot. I actually enjoyed a few strong drinks here with coworkers at the time (mind you, I don't think I turned 21 yet then...sssh!). They had this HUGE fishbowl of a margarita that came out and after sipping down more than 1/2 of that, I was quite impressed with the rest of my stay. ;) I also like the promptness of the customer service here. Especially when ordering room service. They brought up some late night snacks for me so quickly since I was straight buzzin after that margarita. LOVE me some room service baby. All in all, a pleasant stay here. It would have been nice if I to stay a few more nights and explore. Oh wells, next time I have a huge amount of random cash rollin' in, I'ma make my way back out to this city and hopefully get to stay here!",5,3,2,0
4000,QBev6STWjNZ7AKThq5NeIQ,"Jennifer K., I don't care whatsoever about Facebook and and I certainly don't need to be blasted with Hyatt Regency ads the rest of my life to get some stupid deal of the week.   If Starbucks can provide free wifi with the purchase of a $1.95 cup of coffee, why can't the Hyatt provide it when folks are paying $195.00+ per night for a hotel room? AND my friends who did pay for wifi said it was extremely slow and not worth the cost. I recommend that you hire some consultants and get your network working properly. There are tons of hotels in Chicago that are right within the vicinity, for example, the Sheraton, Radisson, Fairmont, W, Westin, Marriott, etc.  It is a huge assumption on your part that I would ever stay at this Hyatt again, so, thanks but no thanks for seeing you for some special deal.",1,1,0,0
4001,7DHAdXpzt4Du62FUFlMdkw,"I'm writing this review as I'm laying in the Hyatt bed right now. Mind you, it's 3:45 pm in the afternoon, and I feel no desire to get out of bed anytime soon.Their bed is probably one of the comfiest things I've ever slept on!!! This is a massive hotel right in the middle of Chicago. I got a great deal online and could not be more pleased. The only drawback is that they charge for internet, but if you ""like"" them on Facebook, there are sometimes free internet specials. Also, their business center is closed at night so that's also kinda annoying. Otherwise, nice large room, wonderful location, perfect location. I would highly recommend this hotel! ----------------------- UPDATE: I just received the sweetest gift of delicious toffee candy and a sweet card wishing me good trip from the Hyatt about 30 minutes after writing this review. Yes, I'm still in this amazingly comfy bed. It is certainly the little touches that makes this a great hotel!",5,0,0,0
4002,7Ov1CDqRYutDRXPedZgGmg,"I've stayed at the hotel multiple times with the most recent being April 7-8.  We booked through http://Hotels.com and received a king size room with complimentary valet parking for $137 including taxes (valet parking alone is usually $52).  I've also found great deals on Priceline in the past as well. We arrived early on Saturday morning since we were attending the Cubs game.  We knew the rooms wouldn't be available, but checked in and left our luggage at the bell desk.  We received a call an hour or so later informing us the rooms were ready.  We stayed in the West Tower and had a beautiful room with a great view of Lake Michigan. The hotel is always crowded, but it's always been quick and friendly service.  The bar is great with good drinks and food. We were checking out on Sunday morning, but wanted to take advantage of the beautiful day and bum around the city.  We were told we could leave the car in valet parking until 6:00 which was great - most places will typically charge for another day if you keep the car past the check out time.  The bell desk was very accommodating and even suggested we head down to the lower level and the parking attendants would bring the car around so we could preload and then park it until we were ready to leave so we could avoid the lines picking up our bags later. The hotel is centrally located - great restaurants, Millennium Park, Navy Pier and so much more in walking distance.  We also discovered the water taxi stop across from the hotel and took advantage of the $4 ride back from Navy Pier.",4,0,0,0
4003,eIU-JzvuMt,"Booked this hotel using Priceline's Negotiator app. Payed less than $100 all in. Great deal, clean room. The only thing that sucks is parking. It was $52 at the hotel and there's a lot (that's almost impossible to find) nearby that's $32. But you have to expect that you're going to pay that much for overnight parking downtown in any major city",5,0,0,1
4004,iHT2gGHWI6EDnObSnVyeHg,"I have never seen such Small 5 star rooms and we paid a junior suite with no view.  Upgraded to another suite in West side of building, this one was much nicer and more spacious with a wonderful view.   The hotel has 5 star service, but the rooms are average and don't offer that luxury or classy feeling for the price (beds are super comfy).  Room service food was good, we especially loved our breakfast. Our room was quiet and felt like we were in a different hotel, until ppl checked in next door, we heard their entire conversation (luckily it didn't last long, unfortunately their snoozing of the alarm at 3am did). I would book again if I was a business traveler, visiting or having family in, but not a romantic (it was my partners bday) stay.  Also avoid Nataly at the check-in desk.  Shes a bit grumpy, rude and needs some sleep...but i guess we all have our off days",3,3,0,0
4005,L2Bf2O3KCjlZ-DDUzsw1RQ,"The beds are really comfortable, but that may be one of their only redeeming factors.  At 7:30am there was a really loud knock on our door that woke us up.  Confused, my friend got up and opened the door.  For some reason a maid decided to bang on our door and walk away.  Really?  We went down to the front desk and complained, which got us 2 vouchers for brunch at the bistro.  Their buffet was not worth the $22/person, and we would have been very unhappy if we had actually had to pay for it.  There's nothing special about it at all, but at the same time it wasn't bad.   The location is good, and the people at the front desk are nice.  It's also super busy, because it seems like huge groups on business choose the Hyatt Regency.  I only stayed here since my friend was visiting for the weekend and didn't want to trek back to my apartment.  In the future we'd definitely book somewhere else.",2,1,1,0
4006,mtRhRSz2QN9l2mUkNP,Stayed here for my recent conference and overall not a bad hotel. Scored a great deal off Priceline. Standard room with a decent view if you're on an upper floor facing the city. The location is pretty close to major occurances in the city. The bar is open late with good food. Room service is nominal.,3,0,0,0
4007,HoatLjegyNyL3HC-38nPUw,"We bid on a room in priceline so we got a great deal plus this hotel was close to everything we wanted to go to at night so that was perfect. I didn't really expect much because I was happy just to be in Chicago. When we drove into the hotel, it look pretty nice and very big. First thing you notice when you walk inside is the hugh space that have and the restaurant right in middle of everything. We got our room and walked upstaire and it was pretty good w/a nice view of the lakes. Our friends got another room 10 rooms from us so we were pretty close to each other. I am glad we got to stay here. ***the only drawback is the $60 overnight parking but lucky we got the front office to waive that for us. Also our friend didn't have a good nite sleep because of people partying in the room next door but lucky they move room because the noise level was too much for them.",4,1,1,1
4008,zeo093rIJ3VrDhTE7LRVKg,"""The largest Hyatt in the world,"" according to the desk receptionist.  This is a fantastic hotel, definitely a highway robbery of a deal I got on Priceline at the last minute.  The gym is absolutely state-of-the art.  I would even venture to say that it may rival stand-alone gyms in many cases.  For example, the treadmills can not only estimate your BMI, they can also give you a rough estimate of VO2 max as well.  While this technology is state-of-the art, think about how often you see something like this at a hotel gym.  There is also a wide selection of free weights as well and plenty of TVs. The room?  Also pretty nice.  The key cards don't need to be slid through the door; they are just tap onto the door and you're in, which I've seen at only one other hotel (Flatiron Toshi in Manhattan).  I had a fantastic view of the skyscrapers from my window.  I noticed that by the bedside, there weren't electrical outlets at least by the tables, but you had great flat-screen TVs. There's plenty of food options that are available.  A Starbucks in the building, a small cafe type area and also a great looking place for dinner, though I can't comment on the food as I have never had the time to eat there. Check-in and check-out are also out of this world.  You can check-in with a reeptionist, or you can check in completely on a kiosk, like you're an airport.  The check-out is also handled on the kiosks as well, as well as a drop off box before you leave as well.  The doormen are very helpful and courteous.  If you're staying for business or pleasure, see if you can snag a room at this amazing hotel situated on Wacker and not far from Michigan Ave and Grant Park.  http://Hotels.com say that many of these rooms are at least $200 a night, but if you get lucky and Priceline it, you can get yourself a great bargain.  Perfect for a romantic weekend if you're looking for a good hotel to stay the weekend in Chicago.",5,2,2,1
4009,Ca82KkqWr8n8siAQOk8VOg,"Great hotel! For what we paid (Priceline, HOLLA!) I thought this place was a steal. The location is perfect, too! Chicago winter aside, it was within walking distance to Millennium Park, the Art Institute of Chicago, Sears Tower, and like 50 million pizza places. Also, there's a bar downstairs and it's called BIG. You do the math on that one. ;)",4,0,1,1
4010,Z3ojG7ysTfGTWiUBk8Gsbg,"My review might be biased, based on what I feel is a FANTASTIC price that we got for this hotel on Priceline.  We didn't expect to get such a great location downtown for our budget.  Wow, this hotel is huge.  It's a little old, so the design of the structure itself and the layout of the lobby areas feel outdated, sort of early 80's high-end business-modern.  That was probably the biggest drawback. Seriously!  If you like to feel like you are entering a posh hotel from the moment you drive up, this probably isn't the right hotel.  Otherwise, the room was updated and comfortably appointed, no complaints there at all.    We were placed close to the elevator, so I was concerned about noise.  We didn't hear a peep!  Impressive.  We LOVED this location - right on the river, JUST off Michigan Ave. (which I view as a positive, cutting down on street and pedestrian traffic outside of the hotel), it was perfectly positioned to walk the river, the magnificent mile, and Millenium Park.  Will return!!",4,2,1,0
4011,7T5RbxscFd6qctrgWKlAnw,"My boyfriend & I stayed the weekend 7/6th-8th for a small getaway before he leaves for military training. I must say I loved our room. We had a beautiful view, beds were comfortable and had some good carrott cake!! Location is perfect...near navy pier, AMC & Lucky Strikes and of course Michigan Ave! Good times!",4,0,0,0
4012,8aPS-ToY-SJhnYnfufitZA,"For the price we got this place for on Priceline, this place was wonderful. One of the more centrally located hotels in Chicago that's still affordable (at least in the off-season). It's not right in the middle of everything, but it's just a couple blocks up from Michican Ave. right along the Chicago River. We had a partial view of the river from our room, which was pretty cool. The bathroom was probably my favorite part of this room. I really liked the backlit mirror for some reason. I know it was cold outside, but the water did take a very long time to heat up (both the sink and the shower). The bed was comfortable and the room was clean, though there was a small towel on the floor in front of the bathroom when we first arrived and one of the pieces of art on the wall looked like it had some grease/fingerprints on it. Not a big deal, but attention to detail could have been a bit better. The walls weren't particularly soundproof either - there was a baby that was screaming for a good hour or so in the room next door to us, and it was pretty audible. Luckily it wasn't until around 9am and we were already awake anyway. Although we did get a great price on the room, there's two primary reasons I'm giving this place 3 stars instead of four: $9.95 per day for internet, and $52.00 per day for parking. I know it's the middle of the city, but come on now. Also, the business center is only open until 5pm every day so you're basically forced to pay for the internet if you need to print something. The girl at check-in was nice though and in general we were very satisfied with our stay here. Hopefully next time I won't be bringing my car if I stay here again.",3,0,0,0
4013,VyEKbM39CLRFxoFFuyKLLQ,Great room for the price. Room service was good. Location was awesome. Nice interior design and I especially loved the bathroom decor. Great mini-bar and nice conference room. I would definitely stay again.,4,9,10,7
4014,3C9Mr4BY3pDALMLWyAN22A,"""You know you're in a good hotel when the wall art isn't ugly."" Anyway, this place is the bomb-diggity. The location couldn't be more convenient for all your tourist-y out-of-town needs and if you get your room on priceline (meh I don't get paid for this free endorsement) then you can easily score a good deal. ($129/night with two queen beds.) (WHAT?!?!?!) Also, they know you'll forget to bring your iphone charger because it's the last thing you think about after you've packed in all your clothes and crap so they are considerate enough to throw you an iphone/ipod dock charger in your room. Beds are squishy soft. They are totally awesome.",5,1,1,2
4015,rWyPVgqEps,"I don't know, I guess our stay here was fine.  Nothing exciting, the room was decent, and the bathroom was pretty nice. The check in process was smooth, but we were unable to use the in-room checkout for some reason. If you like them on FB they have been running promotions for 24 hours of free internet with the secret password, which is good since they charge something like $14 a day. We ate breakfast downstairs one morning, it wasn't great.  We ordered off of the menu instead of getting the buffet, I wish we had skipped it all together.  There is a Corner Bakery a block or so away, it was better and cheaper for sure. The location was pretty much perfect- close to shopping and dining.",3,1,0,0
4016,LpKXxu6FskaWWd46m,"My favorite hotel in Chicago, hands down! And not just because of the Big Bar... I'm going to go ahead and not take a star off for the room next to me in which two very... aggressive... individuals decided to... how do I say this... what's that song? ""Do it like they do on the discovery channel?"" Yeah. All night long. FML. They're also heavy smokers and I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to do that here. This morning I woke up to the sounds of them throwing up -- not even kidding. But that's not the hotel's fault. What I love most about the Hyatt Regency is that much like the city it's in, it's so busy all the time. This has to be one of the busiest hotels I've seen and I love the energy, plus the people watching is superb. As I mentioned before, a trip to the Big Bar where you can pick up an oversized drink, is definitely in order. There's also a Starbucks in the lobby which is more than convenient. The room service is prompt and comes along with a great menu... this morning I had the ""green and white eggs"" which comes with kale, avocado, and sprouts... they have certain things designated healthier than others which I'm always a fan of. The Hyatt also has a late night menu that runs I believe until 6am, for those of you who party your pants off in Chicago. I love the energy of the Hyatt Regency, and when I told the guy at the front desk I was from St. Louis and our Cards just took game 6, he upgraded me to a king size room with a gorgeous view. Highly recommended for a downtown Chicago hotel!",5,7,4,4
4017,s,"I stayed here on St. Patrick's day, so I paid a little more than usual on Priceline, but it was expected because the city was a madhouse. We parked in the underground parking garage, and that went smoothly despite the huge crowds. We got downtown at about 12:00 p.m., and the nice front desk woman told me a room wasn't ready yet (understandably, because we were early), but someone would call me when it was. Now the problems start.  There was an area where we could leave our bags while we were waiting for our room.  We brought the bags over to the guy, who was very busy because the hotel was nuts, got a tag for them, and started to walk away.  The guy muttered ""seriously"" as we walked away, so my friend said ""sorry"" and ran back and gave him a $5 tip.  I was thinking that we would tip them at the end, but if he wanted it now, fine. We went out to the parade, had some fun, and came back a few hours later for our bags.  There was a different guy running the bag check area.  We got our bags from him, meaning we pointed at them, and he moved them about 5 feet to where we were standing.  He didn't bring them to our room or anything, he just moved them 5 feet.  We started to walk away, and this guy yelled after us ""no tip!""   Ok, I've worked in the service industry.  I realize that people want tips, and often depend on them.  We gave bag check guy number one $5 for putting a tag on our bags.  I do not think it was necessary to give bag check guy number two another $5.  Further, when is it ever appropriate to yell about tips at your customers?  There were about 1000000000 people getting their bags from these guys.  How much money is enough for them? That whole incident kind of ruined the hotel for me.  The room was fine, but someone needs to do something about that horribly rude behavior.",2,0,0,0
4018,UhMRaxXUY2abLFgv0mygnA,"Visited Chicago for the very first time in my life on December 02 -04, 2011. You could not go wrong with this hotel. Hyatt Regency Chicago is very close to everything like the shopping on Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier, Millennium Park, restaurants, the river, Marilyn Monroe statue, and so much more. It's all a walking distance. There are pictures that I uploaded for reference of what the inside looks like. It's spacious and the customer service provided was spectacular from the beginning to the end. I'd recommend this place to anyone who wants to visit Chicago. The rate I had was $150/day which is not bad at all. It's beautiful inside and out and kept traffic moving so everyone can arrive and leave faster. Great service!",4,1,0,0
4019,jaeaa,"This hotel has a great location across from the river, just off Michigan Avenue (Magnificent Mile), and walking distance to other attractions like Millennium Park and the Navy Pier. The people were frantic, which is kind of annoying when trying to relax on vacation. A big negative was the hotel hosting a LOUD party in the lobby that impacted every paying customer. I thought this was a Hyatt, not a spring break hotel.",3,0,0,0
4020,q1-G-0qC,"Book your room on Priceline. I named my price and got a killer deal on a room. This Hyatt is a symbol of luxury and fine hospitality. The staff are extremely helpful and will accommodate most of you needs with in reason. Check in is usually around 3:00 pm but since my flight came in at 10 they let me check in at 11 am and also gave me a late check out till 2:00 pm the next day (fyi: if they're not fully booked, they will do this for you as well). The rooms: extremely warm and welcoming with comfortable beds and a clean toilet. However I do wish there was a little more lighting available in the room. Food/Room Service: highly expensive. Michigan Ave is a block away and a lot of restaurant in the neighborhood so I would not recommend eating here if your looking the save a buck Parking: don't drive. take the cta",4,0,0,0
4021,zmstbWLhR4LCTfubzkLF0g,"Perfectly fine, even with thousands of men attending IML. The staff held it's own.  Modern clean rooms, and loved the extra perks from Gold Passport Platinum.  The Big Bar was a tad $$$.  Hey, is it too much to ask for a GLASS when paying $11 for wine?  Plastic cups?",3,1,1,1
4022,JoRCwaHFHRBI2JwftagMYg,Average Worn rooms No Frills 14.00 a day internet No free Bottle Water My room had a roll out murphy Bed -  ARE YOU FOR REAL?  My back hurt for a week after from all the springs. GETS SUPER BUSY WITH CONVENTION PEOPLE/ VERY BUSY HOTEL,2,0,0,0
4023,X4F9r8Zz-jpXly94wumVIg,"I was in one of the updated rooms and they were very nice.  The room was clean, modern, and inviting.   It is a convenient location to Michigan Avenue, but it's almost as if once you cross to that side there's nothing there except the hotel, which seemed to attract some shady people standing around the corner asking for money to patrons heading back to the hotel.  This was annoying. While the room was clean and modern, there is an issue with the really thin walls.  I could hear everything in the room adjacent to mine.  A man and woman were having a conversation and if I really wanted, I'm sure I could listen in and understand the words that they were saying.  But I was headed out and had no real interest.  Luckily at night it was quiet, but if you had some rowdy neighbors could totally see how this would affect the rating of this place.   I'm not sure that I'd voluntarily stay here again, but I wouldn't nix the idea either.  There are better hotels in the area, but my experience here was fairly positive for one night.",4,0,0,0
4024,YzAO8I0uiUaxwi,"A very solid 4-star stay! Obviously, I have not stayed at too many hotels in Chicago. As a former resident, I never had much need. But on a recent trip, it became a necessity so I set out to find the best priced hotel room downtown. A hotwire search for ""4 stars and above"" near ""downtown"" landed me a $111/night rate at the Hyatt Regency. For Thursday-Sunday! $111/night!? Chicago in the summer!? I feared that this would be a dump due to the price, but was relieved somewhat when I saw their announcement on Yelp detailing their complete renovation of all 2,000+ rooms. Wow, big hotel. Yes, indeed. This is a ""convention"" hotel, with multiple towers, huge convention spaces below and all around. It's massive. As luck would have it, the SoniCare toothbrush convention was here during my stay, so there were a lot of out-of-towners with brilliant smiles bounding around everywhere. Could be worse, right!? When you enter the lobby it actually looks more like an airport or a huge mall. Nonetheless, my check-in was quite smooth and I was on my way up to my room on the 23rd floor. What i found was quite impressive! A small room (1 Queen bed), but very modern, stylish, clean and comfortable. Flat screen TV. Very updated and you can definitely tell the remodel went full force. Things felt crisp and clean, the carpet fresh. It was just a really nice room. And on the 23rd floor...though I didn't have a river view (could've upgraded for $20, but wasn't spending a whole lot of time there!) was looking out over office buildings and Chicagoans bustling around to work and play. Suggestion, if you're here on a weekend and there is a big convention (usually), just ask to be put on those floors. Typically people from Sonicare are not going to be rowdy and loud. 18 years olds on vacation, another story. My room was quiet and peaceful at all times.   The service during my stay was also right on key. Never had an issue. I'd never eat or drink at the lounges/Stetson's with all the wonderful options nearby and in Chicago, but they had a nice snack/bev area for quick snacks. It's not cheap or anything, but it does in a pinch. Parking: You can valet (which is probably a lot) or you can park in one of the underground lots and walk a few blocks to save about half. I think we paid around $20/night. Much better and you don't have to wait in a crazy valet line in the morning! Any complaints? Just one small one. The elevators get super jammed up around the 10-11am hour, and I waited 20 minutes for one to get downtstairs on Saturday morning because all the Sonicare ladies were going somewhere at the same time. Like all 4,000 of them. So, that didn't work so hot, but everything else considered...this was indeed a ""4 star hotel, downtown"" and for $111/night! *Also, free wi-fi. I'd stay again. If I need a hotel in Chicago, that is.",4,13,9,4
4025,BarSdVAngQ5mmcPxC0ADrg,"We stayed here for 2011 Thanksgiving and really enjoyed our stay. When reading some of the reviews you have to be sure to check the date. The hotel has been remodeled and are still planning to remodel other parts of the hotel. We arrived at the hotel to check in. We asked if we could have a city view and were granted it with no extra charge. Our room felt modern and updated. The bathroom was really cool and I loved the lighting. I'm a nurse so I know all the nasty germs lurking around hotels. I am really creeped out when I see other people's hair in the shower or around the toilet. I never once saw someone else's hair! The cleaning staff is great. They cleaned our room, made the bed, replaced our towels and straighted up each day! Nothing ever went missing from our room either. Plus, at alot of hotels the cleaning staff is loud and will barge in even if you have a privacy sign on the door. Nope, not here at the Hyatt. We never heard them cleaning other rooms and they never disturbed us when we had the sign on the door. Kudos! As for location...it was perfect for us! We took the train alot to other parts of the city like out to White Sox Stadium, China town and other parts of the city. Just a few blocks away, you can catch the Red line for $2.25 a ride. Thats much cheaper than a cab! Michigan ave is right up the block too. If you are needing snacks/drinks for your stay there is a grocery store 1 block away. Go out of the side door by the computers and the bistro. Go out those doors, take a left after you walk down the stairs and the store is right down the way. We stocked up on water and crackers to avoid the high prices at the hotel. We would certainly recommend staying at the Hyatt in Chicago!",4,0,0,0
4026,iKjTcNa1mq9poAdCeakIeg,"This place has been RENOVATED! (as of 8/24/2011) so many of the previous reviews may not apply if you see folks complaining about old, outdated decor and musty corridors. First, the Hyatt Regency in Chicago is the largest Hyatt Regency in the US. They have over 2044+ rooms and two large towers. Compared to Vegas, that may seem like nothing (Vdara houses an impressive 4408 rooms!) but here in Chicago, this landmark hotel definitely has presence. I got a deal on priceline and for once trusted my fate at a chain versus the boutique hotels I've been staying at in previous visits and I have to say, for the price I paid, it was well worth it. The front desk was pleasant, check in was easy and the room was clean. It smelled, felt, and looked clean and updated. The bed was large, comfortable, and the shower was well designed so you can let it rain or turn it on power mode to wash out that stubborn conditioner in your hair. The room service was ... OK since the hotel was big and it just takes forever to get anything but aside from that it was a very pleasant experience. This place is almost always crawling with kids, adults, conventions, tourists so just know what you're getting into.",4,4,3,1
4027,a-WEWs3NGn,"If I could give 3.5 stars, I would. Since I'm between 3 and 4 and can't really say I'm a fan, 3 it is. For the price, the hotel and our room were surprisingly good. No free wifi but otherwise the amenities were satisfactory. Apparently there was a renovation recently - the room was clean and comfortably modern. Checking in and out was relatively smooth. There were two main things that bothered me. First, the chaotic nature of the hotel lobby. It was a busy weekend (air and water show) and I felt like they weren't quite prepared for it. It was raining the first morning, and it took about 30 minutes to get a taxi through the teeming mass of hydrophobic hotel goers. There wasn't much organization and the hotel didn't seem to have any pull to get a good supply of cabs. Second, the concierge desk was overall pretty useless and almost, well, snotty. Also, it costs $20 to rent an umbrella. It's refundable, but you can't put it on your bill and you can't use a card. It's $20 cash or kick rocks. The location is good but I thought the hotels a bit further north gave a better starting point to get around the city.",3,2,0,0
4028,OtGYMVs0s4vAtZCgzhvlZQ,"Great location, good bar area. Rooms are nice & well-decorated. However, major downgrade because of wifi cost. Should be free",3,1,0,0
4029,ZCN2tlwWtOdK11usoczpVA,"This is a huge hotel that does a lot of convention business. However, we stayed here for pleasure and were very pleased. The rooms are decent size and clean with a modern decor. The staff is friendly and efficient and the location cannot be beat. There is a huge contemporary bar, appropriately named the Big Bar, a Pub, as well as a bistro and steakhouse on site. There is also a nice patio common area to relax at if you want to chill outdoors. The hotel is near Michigan Ave., Millennium Park, the Riverwalk and within walking distance to Navy Pier, the L, etc. I also appreciated the convenience of a very nice grocery store next door. Great property, great location!",4,1,1,0
4030,ySW1NBR2QPRKvrbPVfxKyg,"I am a 'frequenter' and after the 20th time staying here,  it's consistently ranked among the best hotels I've visited for: comfort, responsive staff and comprehensive services.  It is a HUGE hotel compared to what I am used to yet I feel comfortable here. Show Me: The Hyatt is very central, I can catch the El , catch a cab, walk anywhere and it's close to great great restaurants.  So I have the food situation down by staying here.  As far as visuals, my favorite places to walk to are Millenium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago when I  am here over the weekend- two stellar attractions in the city.  Downtown Chicago is about architecture and no where in our country can you witness amazing styles from Frank Gehry to Art Deco to modernist Chicago (I like to call it because I dont know the name, LOL).  I am not an architecture person but you cannot avoid admiring this beautiful city, the structures and how it evolved to an utopia of American life.   From atop and street level of this hotel you can witness Chicago during rush hour:  a marvel of orderliness and efficiency.  People queue up to get on public transportation 24x7.  Where in the world do you see behaviour like this?  It's not like NY where ""it's every man for himself""   The subterranean roads for trucks/deliveries  separate from city traffic is genius!  Whoever thought about this solution was way ahead of her time!  I am constantly amazed that such a huge metropolis functions efficiently day in and day out, chaos minimized.  There's still traffic yes but somehow rush hour 'feels' organized here. Stay & Work: Pan back to your personal space.  Rooms at the HR are modern, very comfortable but not spacious by Cali standards.    Be prepared these are Euro/ NY-sized rooms.  I've received faxes (delivered when requested), I've sent faxes, received packages, nothing lost.  I've requested printing services, messengering, even paper and what sets the HR apart is I don't get the ""No you can't "" vibe here.   Service is prompt.  I bring a data card everywhere I go so WIFI is not an issue. I can work here and request a service and in 10 minutes max, bingo!   Gym facilities are up-to-date and clean.   I love the workout/cardio machines here more than any of the other (""Big 4"") hotels  and depend on them regularly.  I especially appreciate who ever thought about the shape of the Hyatt gym towels, they're super long enough to wrap around your neck..... long enough to lay on a machine to cover the back of your head down to your back.    If you are concerned about hygiene at the gym, you know what I am talking about.    The heating/cooling systems are efficient and never had a complaint.  Hyatt is truly making an effort to be distinct.  They're checkin process is different from most hotels.  I feel the lodging experience here is about comfort and personal service. Leave Me Alone: When you hang the DND tag on your door, they will not knock even if its after 1pm.  The will expect  for you to call Housekeeping when you want your room to be serviced or not at all.    No accidental knocking from housekeeping.  In the morning hours, housekeeping staff tend to work in the background, unobtrusively.  I like that.......Lemme sleep however long if I want to! Feed me: Food-wise, I can order a perfectly grilled steak (not cheap) or surf and turf made in the same style as a superior steakhouse like Gibsons (a mile down the block).  Oddly almost any restaurant closeby, high-end or not, will deliver to the Hyatt, no extra charge.   I use my trusty Yelp app to monocle a restaurant closeby.   I've done this before a few times...........  in the dead of winter when there's absolutely no way I'm going out there!!!.  Not even to walk 4 steps into a cab.  No way, ah- ah....LOL! I can survive in this hotel without leaving it's premises. Visits:  20+",4,13,5,2
4031,2wllGe-q5hTBUkLF4J6RbA,"Stayed at the Hyatt this weekend for a getaway with my husband. Didn't really have any crazy expectations since all Chicago hotels are usually fairly nice. I was completely blown away. Upon check-in, we were upgraded to a Junior Suite. Probably the nicest suite I've stayed in to date. BEAUTIFUL furnishings and layout of the room. View from the 26th floor was great. The hotel was very acomodating and even delivered complementary chocolate to the room. Nice touch! Room was joining on both sides and the other occupants were slightly loud, but it didn't bother me because the environment in our room was amazing. I would absolutely stay at the Hyatt in Chicago again and recommend it to anyone looking for a lavish experience.",5,2,0,0
4032,84yhu39kq90Sapq42,"I'm a big Marriott girl but was tagging along with a friend for a convention so she was in charge of booking the locale. I have to say I was very happy with her selection! The HR is in a great spot right off the river with amazing views of the river and Michigan Avenue. It's centrally located between the loop and the mag mile -- you really couldn't ask for more. I also like that it's very self sustaining with several restaurants, bars, etc. all in the hotel.. not just one selection but several good choices. The rooms were nice and the service from the front desk to the maid service was all well above average. I'd stay here again in a heartbeat and would highly recommend to anyone! :-)",4,1,0,0
4033,Z0ILF7eoyFQATTmF,"I was never impressed with this location the two times I've stayed for conferences. The rooms were dated (looks as though others agree with this), and the service was never quite what I expected. Granted, it's a high traffic convention hotel, but given the location and all of the potential that this place/name/location has...I expect better.",3,0,0,0
4034,5Dw6rJaAaPCsMIvPdYWSbg,"Pretty nice hotel. Attentive staff, expensive restaurants and they don't tell you but if you go to the basement of the West tower and go into the building next door there are restaurants and a Dunkin Donuts! Since we don't have one at home that was a real treat! The location is fabulous for so much within walking distance, and if you get really tired, which we did the last day, taxi's are inexpensive to get back to the Hotel. The only complaint was the water pressure which wasn't good in our room in the sink or the shower, but since this is our biggest complaint no worries. Oh also the lack of a pool, would have been nice for our child to be able to swim a bit, but I noticed that not a lot of hotels offer a pool o okay I guess.",4,1,0,0
4035,wcUS55kX-4-Jhc7Om3QRBA,"A+ for location.  The famous landmarks Millenium Park, Magnificent Mile and downtown are within walking distance only.   I liked the service.   Valet parking is $50/day.  You can go to Park Millenium to avail of a $30/day parking deal.",3,0,0,1
4036,bqzQxHbkFfc3AIJqk8Pw6g,"I stayed here a few months ago for a conference for work. The location right on the Riverwalk is great, and it's an easy walk to many of the downtown area restaurants and shopping. It is about a mile to the Navy Pier on foot, which is a lovely walk if the weather is cooperating. The hotel itself is insanely huge with a labyrinth of conference rooms, spanning two buildings and a network of stairs and underground tunnels. The outside is kind of ugly, and looks like an industrial building out of the late 70s/early 80s, but at least the rooms themselves were really nicely decorated and comfortable. The bathrooms, too, were generously sized with great lighting. The extras were also good quality--yes, I am very picky about the soaps and shampoos that are in the room. Not only that, but they also supplied a travel sized toothpaste. A nice touch for travelers who may have forgotten one of the essentials. There is a coffee counter with snacks (serving Starbucks) in the lobby which was nice to have. Regular hotel coffee does not cut it in my opinion. ;)",4,0,0,0
4037,lHMLwaj5rXgjZDJFH7Bcgw,"The hotel is nicely located downtown, the cost is also very high so expectations are then high I have som complaints The hotel itself is somewhat dated You feel like you are walking into an airport or train station when you walk into the lobby They will charge you $52/night just for parking They charge $14.95/night for Internet, this is the cheapest and slowest package they have. The breakfast scrambled eggs were oh my god horrible ""almost powdery"". Their fitness center is shameful and there is no swimming pool. Given the cost and their approach of nickel and dime you,  I would not recommend it.",2,0,0,0
4038,y3KXJ7Ocg3CvtazT9QgbkA,"It seems I always have a problems with elevators. This time, HEARING them. Constantly. That, combined with the airplane noise, made me wonder why they didn't spend some renovation money on better soundproofing the rooms. In fact, if you stand long enough in the bathroom, you can actually HEAR conversations from within the elevator. So, note: if you receive a room near the elevator lobby, I suggest you change it. As for that airplane noise, I stayed in the hotel next door last year, and didn't hear a thing from the outdoors. Moving on, we were given a room in the newly renovated tower, which still had that ""new carpet"" scent. The room was huge and spacious, with a nice view of the city. The beds at the Hyatt are ALWAYS comfortable -- I love them so much, I want to buy one. But the pillows? Suck hard core. Every Hyatt now seems to stock these tiny, almost square head pillows. If I'm in a King bed, I kind of want matching King pillows, you know what I'm saying? The people who work here are amazing -- everyone from the luggage guy to the concierge to the check-in/out staff, and even the guy who hails the cabs for you. I like that the hotel has a mini store on the lower level, where I was able to purchase coffee, milk and cereal, a banana and a variety of other snacks for the room. That said, you know it costs like 3x more than if you bought it in a store yourself ($8 for said bowl of cereal, big chug milk & banana). Oh, the sake of convenience, right? Also, we had ""no smoking"" signs in our room, which made me believe that some rooms DO allow smoking, which I smelled quite frequently throughout our weekend stay. I'd stay at the Hyatt Regency again simply because of its location and value for the room price.",3,2,2,2
4039,gTPFZzNJ2hKeU4bEM9C2iw,"Stayed at the Hyatt Regency as a result of Hotwire roulette. Not knowing what to expect, we rolled in around 8:00 AM the day of our checkin, not expecting to be able to check in yet. The front desk clerk was very friendly and offered us a Queen room available then, or we could wait for a King room and they would call us when our room was ready. We decided to wait for a King and went downstairs for breakfast. Also, I have medication that needs to be refrigerated and they were able to keep it behind the front desk (I assume in a staff fridge) with no issues. Yay! This allowed us to be a little more free in our plans. Bonus, our room ready right as we were finishing breakfast! We also signed up for the ""Gold Passport"" which gave us free internet access and a late checkout (Tiphani at the front desk was extremely helpful and friendly in letting us know about these perks!). Even when a snafu with the rental car company was going to make us even later than the already late checkout, they accommodated us with no hassle. The beds were heavenly, the complimentary toiletries were awesome (and that's saying something! They smelled fantastic!), and our view was exceptional (clear view of the fireworks from the Navy Pier, Room 1523). The ONLY drawback (and I really had to think about it) was that the L was a bit of a walk from the hotel, which made traveling to and from the airport somewhat of a challenge if one has a lot of bags. Overall, a very",5,0,1,0
4040,0DtdRp1uqdoUpQesKuxNow,"I have had the pleasure of staying here a few times and I've never written a review before.  The location is absolutely astonishing for a Chicago visit. It's close to the usual assortment of tourist mandated visits but it's also a great location for just getting outside and taking a walk through Downtown Chicago. The Staff is extremely friendly and they really do go out of their way to make your stay enjoyable.  I mean even the maids greet you in the hallway when they see you.   Meal choices are fair, but expect to pay top dollar to eat, or drink, in the hotel.  It's Chicago, get out and eat somewhere else.  The parking is extremely over-priced at $50 a night.  We opted to rent a car from Enterprise (within walking distance) and turned it in every night for less than $32 a day for a compact car. The gym is placed in an odd location and it looks like it was just put there because the space is probably un-usable for anything else.  Nonetheless, a good assortment of ellipticals and treadmills, all with tv's built in.  There were also some weight machines and free weights, butfloor space is limited and more than 2 people and you've got a problem. WiFi is not complimentary and I believe it's like $10 a day.  I found that rather cheesy, but I paid it anyway out of necessity.  The rooms were nice and roomy and mine overlooked the Chicago River and Navy Pier.  The wall were however paper thin as one night our next door neighbor received a call from his wife at 2:30am and proceeded to rip into his ass about leaving when their 5 year old child has an ear infection...and she had to work late.  Never fret, after 15 minutes he calmed her down and got his mother to come over and help with ""Brandon.""  and yes, we heard all that! All in all not a bad place to stay and I'd do it over again.",4,1,1,0
4041,kJIJyeFWuvrxFJFtZ4ET2Q,"We stayed here this past weekend for 2 nights, and I must say, it's some of the best rest I've gotten in a hotel bed ever. The beds, pillows and comforters were so comfy! Had drinks in the Bar 151 inside, and also the ""Big Bar"" - nothing like paying $6.50 for a domestic bottle beer and $11 for a Bloody Mary, but I guess that's the price you pay for convenience of being in a hotel bar. The bathrooms were nice, could have used a little more counter-space but whatever :) I like a fairly roomy bathroom and they had good ones. I wasn't a fan of the toiletries in the room, NO one in our party liked the lotion (LOL, we had two adjoining rooms) but I always bring my own anyway. Usually if I don't use it, I'll lift the toiletries for a future trip, but in this case I passed. Not a huge deal but sometimes getting these little extra ""freebies"" is some kind of treat. Good location, friendly and accommodating staff, and I love that they allowed us to leave our bags after checkout on Sunday for a few hours so we didn't have to lug them around the city until we departed. We were on the 28th floor and I didn't find the noise level to be too bad. I didn't notice any inconsiderate neighbors, but we were nicely located at almost the end of the hall. The view wasn't the best, but interesting. Our room was facing two office buildings. Saturday it was pretty empty, but on Friday afternoon when we arrived, people were still working and we had fun peering in and commenting on the activity going on with working strangers across the way. Overall, a very nice stay!",4,1,1,1
4042,sGSzhV6j9PTfqmef3jrkWw,"The boy and I stayed here on a recent mini-vacation to Chicago (for me, to get away from work; for him, to get away from school). We got a great deal on Priceline and stayed for 5 nights. We ended up getting a corner room with a king size bed on the 24th floor in the West Tower - beautiful view, big room, and comfy bed. I really can't complain. The staff were all exceptionally sweet and wonderful, the check-in process was painless, and we didn't have any issues. The young woman checking us in even made sure to give us a room as far from the elevators as she could, since those rooms tend to be a little loud. I liked that it had immediate access to the Pedway (though there's not a whole lot down there unless you know exactly where you're going), and was really close to both Millennium Park and the Mag Mile. Great location! We signed up for the Gold Pass (or whatever it's called) and got our internet for our entire stay free. It showed up on the bill - we were warned it likely would, as they had just switched over their internet system - and it was just taken off before we checked out. I really can't complain about our stay here. Everything was wonderful! We got our room for $70/night because we named our own price on Priceline. I think it's worth checking that out before striking the hotel off the list!",4,0,0,0
4043,D05TbsxsTzUbsrPcBTE8OA,"Loved the Hyatt. Pros - BIG rooms. Queen sized beds. Beautiful, spacious lobby with high ceilings. Great price point if you get it online (we got our reservation off of hotwire). Really nice staff. Amazing number of electricity plugs. We had four girls in a room and not once did we have to hunt for an outlet. Cons - NO free Wifi anywhere, including the lobby. The TV quality was pretty bad, but who goes to Chicago to watch TV?? Some notes about their gym: Great up-to-date equipment. They offer cold towels, but no sanitary towels to wipe down the eqipment which was odd. A bit cramped, but I think that was to be expected given the area.",4,1,0,0
4044,rYjIifZfnACOcEhW,"The rooms here are pretty nice, however we had some bad luck and got a room right next to the elevator.  Those elevators are very fast and apparently also very loud, because we could hear them all night long.  The view from our room was amazing though....a straight shot of the Hancock Observatory with the river in front. The bar on the 2nd floor was fun and a good view of the river, although drinks were pricey...what you'd expect from a hotel bar I guess. We tried to check out through the TV checkout and it didn't work which was a minor annoyance because we didn't want to have to wait in line downstairs (the hotel was super busy the whole time we were there). Overall just an okay experience.  Nothing stood out, and next time we'd be sure to request a room away from the elevator.",3,0,0,0
4045,LGkBumQ8HBqROhLvWZLdQA,"I'm torn between the 4 star review and the 3. It's actually a 3.5 star. Pros: - Super close to touristy attractions either directions: Magnificent mile, Cloud gate, Navy Pier, etc. - Close to public transport ie 5 blocks or so to Red line - Attractive lobby - Friendly and helpful staff - Secure rooms that require a key to enter elevators after 11PM or so. Cons: - A somewhat dreary room with the color scheme, which looks contemporary in the pictures, but not so in person. - The glass window in our room was dirty with streak marks and such as if they haven't cleaned it in a while... I suppose this was an excellent deal for the location and all, but I expected a little bit more from a 4 star hotel. Maybe it was listed as 3.5stars. Either way, our request of a king bed was confirmed when we checked in, but when we got to the room, it was a double. No biggie I guess. It was nice though that they allowed us to extend our check out time to 1PM instead of 12PM when I called the morning of check-out.",3,1,0,0
4046,66k0PEeGOwHR4AFwbL47hQ,"This hotel has a pretty good downtown location and isn't too far from the metro stations. Also the staff was very friendly. Now for the negatives: no free wifi, the hotel is huge so the layout can be a bit confusing, there was an issue where the phone in my room didn't work, bed was just okay and the room furniture had this strange modern/uncomfortable vibe. Also, the rates can be pricey depending on what deal you get. I would consider staying here again if the price were right but i'd say the hotel is okay but nothing special.",3,0,0,0
4047,6SPwXGie4W3JbLDnReUHPg,"The hyatt is my home away from home. I have been to this one at least 10 times over the years. Whenever downtown, we stay here. The place is great. It has multiple levels, multiple towers. It's a fun place to be. Has a great bar, a few great bars actually. Big Bar can be pricey but it';s a place you have to go to once. All the staff is amazing! My rooms have always been great and comfy and quiet. This Hyatt does it right, everytime.",5,0,0,0
4048,Hx03Bg9Tu8d,"Oh dear. As many a teacher has written in a pupil's exercise book(s), ""Could do better"". This is a large property that finds its Front Desk and other services becoming overloaded all too easily - a housekeeping issue took over a day to resolve. And there is a design ""issue"" with the West Tower - there are either an insufficient number of elevators, or they run much too slowly ... 10 minute waits are simply not acceptable! My recommendation : look for something else .... !",2,0,0,0
4049,FR1v1TxXYnTNiJTxq46N4w,"Still enjoy the ambiance of this busy hotel.  Checked in on a holiday weekend.  Was headed to a wedding and only had 1 hour when the desk clerk said there would be a wait to check in our room - apparently when you book with priceline the website automatically books for double occupancy, in a 2 bed room.  I asked if a single bed was available and got checked into a King room immediately.  Crisis averted.  Manager was very friendly. Also really like the express check-in/check-out, just swipe your card you used to reserve, punch a few buttons and presto - room keys pop out or your bill is printed.  No waiting in line. Considering how many people were here this past stay, the hotel remained clean and in stock of sundries and snacks.  And you could still get a cab quickly, now that's amazing!",4,0,0,0
4050,8-IlgfDpmPU8,"This hotel is HUGE.  Stayed 3 nights for a convention and there must have been at least 7 other ones going on at the same time.   PROS: - room decor is decent - beautiful atrium in the main lobby - great staff: professional and courteous. Most notably, Tamika Y. from the catering group who really went above and beyond to help me when I was in a bind, and Eric from the business center who was just great and also went above and beyond in helping me take care of my shipments. - very centrally located in DT Chicago - room service food was pretty damn good  AND quick; 20 minutes tops and I ordered twice. CONS: - there was a union strike with the housekeeping staff which made the atmosphere generally uncomfortable and ps I hope what I read abt the Hyatt's treatment of their staff was untrue! - I echo another Yelper's review here: my room was right next to the elevators too and wow...the best way I can think of describing the noise is to think of planes flying overhead ... It woke me up a couple of times ... - the bathroom smelled ... Like ... Mildew ... YUCK. The tub had black stains in it, super yuck. - the water pressure in the bathroom sink was annoyingly low. - the bed was neither here nor there, not the most comfy but not terrible - the wifi in room is a friken joke. Connection is intermittent and slow.  You receive a code every 24 hrs and if you lost that code you're screwed. Oh and it ain't cheap either. OVERALL: - it wouldn't be my first pick for a hotel but it's a decent place and I would stay there again...sans elevator noise and pick lines.",3,0,0,0
4051,CebQ-W6Ob2J5F043-XkkCw,"While the renovation at this place looks great (you can see they poured all their money into the lobby/restaurant area), there were more than a few issues with the room. First off, the view, was excellent, from the 32nd floor, peering thru the Chicago skyline and looking down at the Chicago River. The beds were also comfortable but that's where the good stuff ends. First, parking. The only on-site parking is via valet ($35 each time you park) or $50 all night valet. You can park at a nearby parking garage for around $25-$30, but for a major chain in a major city, I expected some on-site parking that didn't involve ridiculous parking fees. Next, the amenities. The reception on the TV is terrible. Some of the channels barely came in. The water pressure on the shower was weak (weaker than the usual hotel water pressure). The air conditioner/fan would still circulate air into the room even though the panel had the thing turned off. After two nights, this resulted in a very dry/sore throat. Finally, the concierge. Hit or miss with these folks. A couple of them were friendly, polite and knew what they were talking about. Then  there were those who just didn't belong behind that desk. From the guy who gave us the wrong directions back to Midway (if we followed his directions we would have ended up in Indiana) and the lady who told us parking across the street was ony $23/night (it was actually $30) and the guy who sarcastically joked that the fitness area didn't have ""cool stuff"" like a jacuzzi or sauna to a whole list of other tidbits that I've since pushed out of my mind, the conceirge service at this hotel is questionable. Also, I'm not sure if they're still there, but there's a bunch of strikers/picketters outside the hotel and from a brief conversation with fellow guests who were staying on the 16th floor, they could hear them banging their pots and blowing their horns at night. No problem up on the 32nd.",2,0,0,0
4052,pQcmY8gqwjgTsx-1cdPqqg,"You had me at ""NYE""...We searched high and low, all over the cit,y and once we landed in your lobby I knew this was to be our final destination.  We search no more when it comes to NYE parties. You are the best of the best.  The hotel package includes a beautiful suite, friendly staff, and amazing room service.  When in doubt for a downtown Chicago New Years Eve package, search No more! They offer party tickets $199 or package for two with suite for $399. Trust that once you do New Years here you will continue to return.",5,1,0,0
4053,EPAdBwDBaeY7AuTPE2-xKw,"I'm updating this based on the customer service experience we've had since last staying at the hotel.  We're back in Chicago this weekend, and I was thrilled that we were able to book at the Hyatt Regency again! I feel like this hotel really has social marketing down - follow them on Twitter or ""like"" them on Facebook and it opens up a new world of communication.  They're responsive, offer specials on parking and free wi-fi, even drink specials at the bar.  It kind of made my day when I ""checked in"" on Yelp and got a welcome message back through Twitter!   I'm looking forward to our stay this weekend, and the Hyatt Regency is quickly becoming my hotel of choice when I'm in the Windy City.",5,0,0,0
4054,CKNuLvhd7zo33D23b,"This is one of my favorite places to stay while in Chicago. The service is always superb- friendly, warm and most importantly, helpful throughout the whole stay. They especially treat their platinum members with additional care and make certain that all needs and requests are met. The rooms are better than average. I do feel they could update their bathrooms to make them a bit larger, but the two bed suite or kind bed suites are always spacious and great. The staff is lovely and other than some of the housekeepers being a bit rude, I find this hotel to be luxurious and wonderful for a short stay!",4,0,0,0
4055,ZRTdnsGPKlvRmauTqmSPhg,"I recently stayed at the Hyatt Regency for five nights while attending a conference at the hotel. The good: - The hotel was clean, the room was nice and surprisingly quiet, with great views - Great location. Minutes to Millennium Park and the Loop. The bad: - Internet costs $14/day, and even if you pay for it, it doesn't work on the levels where the conference is being held. Ridiculous. No, ridiculous isn't a strong enough word, but I don't think Yelp allows me to use stronger language.  Because the conference rooms were all in the basement levels, cellphone and 4G service for your laptops/tablets was also sketchy at best. - I never ate at any of the hotel restaurants, but I did eat food provided at conference functions, and was thoroughly underwhelmed by all of it. - The Hyatt is currently having a labor dispute with the housekeeping staff. If it makes you feel uncomfortable to walk past picketing workers, or to support a company that doesn't properly compensate their workers, you might not want to stay here (my room was booked before I was made aware of the labor dispute).",3,0,0,0
4056,a5C0lUO4RF5wIMVeoDsDUg,"I come to Chicago for work frequently and typically stay at the McCormick Place Hyatt but they were all booked up for my travel date. I got a reasonably priced room at this location and was quite pleased. Pros: Extremely helpful, attentive, and friendly staff Excellent room service Clean room Comfortable bed Beautifully designed and appointed bathrooms Cons: This hotel is like a labyrinth in terms of layout where the front desk is on the second floor. The room I was put in is smaller than any of the other ones I've stayed in at the McCormick Place location. I'm not a fan of their toiletry products -- I wish they would upgrade them to a more luxurious brand, and while this isn't exactly a dealbreaker, it would increase my love of the Hyatt brand if they stepped it up a bit in this department. I was in the West Tower and had a bizarre view of an office building -- I could see in to their offices and they could see in to my room! But actually, it was fairly interesting...it must be some kind of advertising or creative media floor because it was quite good people watching and there were all manner of visual oddities to ponder (for example, a giant stuffed winnie-the-pooh bear in the middle of one of their hallways that stayed put my whole visit).",4,1,0,1
4057,0CEUS,ASK FOR THE EAST WING! Pricey for anyone off the street I recommend trying Priceline we saved over 50%.,4,2,0,0
4058,feukIY5XDG6SDiNIXXIo8w,"I somewhat feel that 2 stars is harsh for my experience here, but ""meh. I've experienced better"" most definitely sums up my feelings. However, since that'd be quite a short review, allow me to elaborate: i found this hotel on Hotwire for the low low price of $70 a night. I have a feeling it would have been a lot more had I not booked it before there was a playoffs game scheduled the same weekend. It was worth this price, I guess, but I still wasn't pumped about my stay. First off, the hotel is really not all that convenient for public transport. We had to hoof it to Clark and Lake to catch most all of the trains. In the Spring/Summer/Fall that would be OK, but in Winter it just meant we took a lot of cabs. Suddenly the $70 room got a lot more expensive. Second, our room was TINY! The walls were paper thin, so we could hear every frickin conversation in the room next door. And they were boring conversations. The bathroom is right off the bed, and is only separated by a sliding glass door. Sometimes when two people are sharing a room they don't want the other person to hear your bathroom noises. This was impossible in our room. I tried to turn on the sink to disguise them, but the water pressure is so low that wasn't much of a help. Still, the room was clean and had a fantastic view. I have no MAJOR complaints about this hotel, but still, it's probably been my least enjoyable hotel stay in Chicago.",2,0,0,3
4059,FpaVPJEy36cNFhHLAFPvGw,"Great hotel in the middle of the Chi-town action! I had a beautiful room with a great view of the Chicago river and North Michigan avenue. My hotel room was an ample size for one person and came with standard amenities, including a comfy bed and coffee that housekeeping replenished each day. As a Hyatt Gold Passport member, I got the Wall Street Journal delivered to my door every morning, which saved me the trouble of rushing downstairs to pick up a complimentary copy before the business class crew totally swiped every last one. The hotel has bars, restaurants, snack and gift shops on-site, so you technically never have to leave the hotel, but who wants to be cooped up inside all day when the hotel is in the center of everything? Shopping, jazz clubs, boat cruises, restaurants, and great sightseeing are all within walking distance. There are tons of tourists and locals out at night time so I found it completely safe to walk around the neighborhood when the sun went down. The customer service at the hotel is excellent! The hotel staff assisted me with everything I needed in record time. I would definitely stay here again!",4,1,1,0
4060,JvwOnrVLuwasg76-BcqE7g,"We stayed here for the National Restaurant show which was in town. Yes the hotel was quite busy, but is that an excuse for terrible and downright rude service?? The only hospitable person was the guy at the front desk, Michael I believe who gave us a great room, he gets one star. Our room was on the 33rd floor, it was well decorated and had a great view. The bell men were beyond rude!!!! The only one who helped was Miguel who was very courteous, another star. When we tried to check our bags so we could explore the city, the bell men argued that there was no room? WHAT!? This place is huge Jesus open a closet and throw it in there! Whats worse is that we could see the room's interior which was only half full!! I really didn't want to tip this guy but i was obliged so i gave him $2 for my ONE piece of luggage and he blatantly gave me a dirty look! This guy really ruined my experience at Hyatt.",2,0,0,1
4061,RqryoLA5yJHxbKDZD-UTbg,"Location, location, location. It was my family's first time in Chicago and we were only going to be there for a few days. Since everything seemed to be located downtown we decided to stay at the Hyatt. What a great decision. EVERYTHING was within walking distance. Millennium Park was two blocks south, you're practically on the Magnificent Mile, about one mile SW was the Willis Tower (and a mile really isn't that far of a walk people), and lastly, you're only a block or two from the lakefront and river boat tours. The concierges were great. We arrived fairly late, around 1ish in the am, and they were very accommodating and friendly. She even asked if I wanted a room with a waterfront view with no extra charge, but  unfortunately the rooms with direct view were all booked. She still gave me the best she could find and we were still able to see the river as we laid in our bed. My airline lost my son's carseat and lent me one for temporary use till ours was found. The concierges took care of switch when my son's carseat arrived with out a problem. My only complaint would be their parking. It cost $50 per night for their valet service (no private lot). I went online before our trip and found that parking at the Millennium Park's garage was drastically cheaper; $20 a night, so expect to pay a little or a few blocks walk if you have a vehicle. Other than that, absolutely no complaints. The Hyatt is a great choice.",4,2,0,0
4062,iju8DcFzNpBcNPQvQ0j1zA,"I wouldn't normally give a giant, convention-crazed mega hotel a 5 star review, but the Regency Hyatt gets one and here is why: So in order to get to the incredibly small regional airport that services my hometown - I must inevitably fly through one of 4 cities: Dallas, Cincinnati, Atlanta or Chicago. I try to avoid Chicago at all costs. O'Hare is a nightmare and something ALWAYS goes wrong when I fly through. Well this trip was no different. One canceled flight later, I was on my way to the Regency Hyatt in the Loop - I mean, come on, I'm not going to stay at the airport. I got the room at an absolute steal on Priceline (the airlines don't pay for anything nowadays - but that is another review). When I arrived I was dubious to say the least. This place is huge - frickin HUGE. I prefer the boutique route, but whatever it was cheap and I was only going to be there one night. As I checked in, I made small talk with the desk attendant, Gabrielle. I was just talking about my flight being canceled and the nightmare of getting downtown on public transportation because of construction, etc. Not really bitching - just talking. Well - the fabulous Gabrielle - informed me that she was upgrading me to a suite and then proceeded to give me a voucher for free room service and 2 free drinks in the bar! I told her that was absolutely not necessary, but she insisted. The suite was phenomenal with a beautiful view of the river on one side and the lake on the other - did I mention it was a corner suite? :) That is really some amazing service. Next time I'm in Chicago, I will stay again. thanks, Gabrielle!",5,6,8,3
4063,0ArCyNdxtnfjwTnvBsT8jA,"I thought this was a decent hotel for a first time visit to Chicago. Like just with everyone else, you can get a pretty good rate via Priceline. Despite all the numerous conventions and events going on, they still need to fill up those vacant rooms. Of course if I had to choose on my next visit to the Windy City, I would choose another hotel just for a different experience. Check-in was nice and easy. The lady helping us was pleasant enough. But before I could even request a bigger room or a nicer view, we were quickly handed the keys. They probably have a big red sign flashing in red on their computer screen saying ""casual tourists, not corporate accounts."" I asked if we could get access to the Regency Club for the free breakfast daily, that got shot down. Extra $75. No thanks. Our room was no-frills, with a nice big view of an office building. Big flat screen TV and a comfortable bed, that's pretty much all we need. The walls are as thin as tissue paper, as you can hear people flushing the toilet, sneezing, or talking in the hallway. No fridge, no free Wi-Fi, or any other ""luxury"" amenities. Safe to say, I wouldn't pay anywhere near the standard rates listed on their website. Priceline prices, yeah it's about right. Maybe even a little less. Of course, the biggest advantage with this hotel is the location. We stayed in the West tower, so the elevator conveniently spits you out to Wacker street and you're on your way. It's centrally located, so you can either go north to Magnificent Mile or south to the Loop, where there is Millenium Park, Willis Tower, Art Institute, etc. Plus, it's close to all the bus and train stations. Oh, and the workout room isn't too shabby either. Gotta work off all that deep dish pizza somehow.",3,6,4,5
4064,CdQIDKHbgzNZ5lZdcHjQBA,"One of my closest friends was visiting and stayed at this hotel. I ended up drinking a little (or a lot) too much and crashed here for the night. I think this is a great hotel for families visiting Chicago. It's not trendy or hip, but the lobby of the hotel is grand and a great presentation. Plenty of snack and food options in the lobby area... I almost felt like I was attending a convention as I walked through the lobby in my party dress and fancy shoes. The rooms are very comfortable. They are pretty standard and a bit boring, but have great views of the city. The bath amenities are nothing special. The bed is SUPER comfortable. For a standard size room, it was pretty big. There was a little sofa and a chair. The television was huge.",3,6,5,3
4065,ljxlwjF-Xgg1XCvXo33Krg,"The Hyatt Regency was perfect for our stay in the Windy City. You can't beat the location. Tons of convention people stay here, so be prepared for large groups of people walking around wearing name tags at all hours. The room we stayed in had a great view of the river and Lake Michigan. We were surprised by a fireworks show out the window Saturday night. The decor was modern, yet comfortable. If you are hungry or thirsty, there are plenty of options for food and drink in the hotel 24 hours a day. There's even a snack stand open all the time selling cappuccinos, pastries, picnic supplies, bulk candy, and cold drinks. Check in at the front desk was easy, and we were assisted with automated check out when we departed. The concierge desk was helpful with directions, plus we were able to print our boarding passes from the computers set up there. I only wish they had free wifi in the rooms. But other than that, the Hyatt Regency had everything we could possibly want in a downtown hotel.",4,6,5,3
4066,QahwK-9vvSdWqJkb,"I've got nothing bad to say about this hotel. Stayed here on Sunday for just 1 night, the bed was very comfy and the view from the 30 Fl was pretty sweet. I'd agree with some comments about the check-in, not the easiest process, they seem to ignore you and then have some dude come up to you (kinda creepy) from behind and ask if everything is cool. Other than that, the stay was fine, the Big Bar downstairs is not a bad place to get some drinks at the end of the night as well.",4,4,5,3
4067,3tPhRUq9xAWsH,"* This place was outdated 10 years ago - and hasn't been updated since! * I gave in and did something I usually don't do.  I stayed at the main conference hotel for a conference.  What was I thinking?  I usually like getting away from the crowds and having a little space to take a break.  But I remember last time I went to a conference in Chicago I hated walking around in the heat.  So I gave in and stayed at the Hyatt.   While it was good to avoid the heat, the hotel itself is outdated and has fairly pathetic ""service.""   I got upgraded to the Regency Club level (ok, that was a good plus) which is supposed to be a slightly better room, better amenities, and access to a club that serves breakfast, snacks, evening apps, late night desserts, etc.   I got to my room and found the electronic safe didn't work. (One of the buttons was broken.)  I also found that the desk chair had a broken arm.  I called the ""exceptional service"" button that is supposed to take care of any guest needs.  After waiting for about 7 minutes on hold (ugh) the woman said, ""Oh, safes are security's issue.  I'll connect you.""  So before I could tell her about the broken chair I was on hold with security.  I finally got through and told them the safe had a single broken button, but it was the important one that locks the safe!  He said he would send someone up right away.   While I was waiting I figured I'd call ""exceptional service"" and get the chair fixed too.  After another 8 minutes on hold I got the agent and she said they would have someone come up and fix it.   Nobody showed up for either issue.  I had to eventually leave, and when I got back later that night the safe was still not fixed, and neither was the chair.  There was no message and no note.  They ignored the issues.  I called again and went through the same run-around.  After 5 days at the hotel they never fixed the safe or the chair!  Sheesh! On the bright side, the Regency Club did have a nice view of the river and the lake (as did my room).  The breakfast wasn't terrible in the club (they actually had a pretty good quality lox).  I wish the bagels were fresher to match up to the lox though.  But I digress.   I did appreciate they had ample bottles of water to drag around in the heat, as well as some nice fresh fruit (the plums and peaches were particularly good).   Overall I'm not sure I will ever stay in a conference hotel again!  I will go back to my old conference strategy of finding a nice hotel nearby and enjoying the stay a bit more, while having a place to get away to as well during the craziness of the conference!",2,5,3,1
4068,7zoqcQU5CH3R0BoxTcSspg,"5 Stars for the courtesy sample size lotion they give you in the bathroom. Citrus Lavender. Of course I took it with me and I always get complements on its smell...then I have to break the news that I 'stole' it from the Hyatt downtown. All in all, the bedrooms are comfortable and clean. The hotel is in a good Central location, and they have a flipping club on the main level. I'm not a clubbin' girl normally, but Hard drive is pretty fun if you're in the mood to spend a lot of cash.",5,4,4,1
4069,H722eNyoqjNPsqV-MP191g,"I forgot to review the hotel we stayed at recently (October 2007) during our trip to Chicago for a conference. I remembered to review our horrible dining experience at one of the restaurants here (see http://www.yelp.com/biz/…) -- but neglected to review our stay in one of the rooms. We stayed for a few nights - check in was fine. The lady was training someone, but everything was fast and efficient. The only negative was that we reserved a king size bed, but the only room left with one was one equipped for wheelchairs. She asked if that would be OK, and in my haste, I said sure. I shouldn't have. The room was horrible. The negatives piled up. First of all, the shower. That was the worst aspect of the room. The showerhead was ""removable"", attached to a bar where it could slide up and down - to adjust height I suppose. The problem here is that it would slide down on it's own... so if I wanted to clean my lower half and not my upper half it would have been great. Or if I was three feet tall. So I was constantly readjusting the shower. Not to mention the shower never felt that clean (paint peeling and water damage... and a few bugs). Oh, and it was like a tub with no sides. Secondly, there was no counter in the bathroom - so there was nowhere to put any of your stuff. At all. I actually took a luggage rack, placed towels over the straps, and put my bathroom bag on it. Ridiculous.   Another annoying factor was the door - it was configured so when you opened it, it stayed open... for way too long. It would have been fine if there was an optional button to operate the door (for a wheelchair), but it was sort of power operated so no matter what it stayed open for at least 10 or 15 seconds after you enter. So the entire floor can essentially see in your room for that long. So you kind of stand there awkwardly and wait for the door to close before proceeding. The positive for the room was the bed. It was wonderful. One of the only hotel room beds where I wake up not aching. OK, perhaps the only one I can remember where I didn't wake up aching. So that's a big plus. I guess the location was too, but it was awfully far away from the convention center.  Lobby was meh and the food options not great (especially if you want to eat healthy), room service or anything like renting a movie was grossly expensive (even for a hotel). Probably wouldn't stay there again, but hey - bed was nice and the corporation paid - can't beat that.",3,4,1,0
4070,N4PrWeVF6FmkHN96dVqAXg,"What a huge hotel which has both its benefits and downfalls.  We had such a great deal on a hotel suite here and the rooms and beds are very comfortable.  Service is friendly but takes a while.  I understand that this is a large hotel but waiting an hour for a rollaway bed was frustrating. Also, parking is super expensive here and took us nearly 1.5 hours just to get our car out of the parking spot.  Look around for other public parking lots and park there for half the cost of parking at the Hyatt.",3,0,0,0
4071,KClrPvUP8JfwMDh68i8aew,"The location can't be beat! Alexandria checked us in and had the biggest genuine smile I have ever seen from a hotel professional. The staff was pleasant, my stay was great. I only wish I was able to explore the hotel more and enjoyed the facilities.",4,0,0,0
4072,e1Dbe0l2jXFEpF1UdsMBxQ,"I like this hotel. Ive stayed there twice even though i live in the city. But you really have to bargain at the front desk for a good room. The first time i stayed there the room was huge, one wall was all floor to ceiling windows, facing north, with the most breathtaking view. The second time i stayed there, for the nye party the other week, we got stuck in a small room, facing east, with a small window and an ""ok"" view. They also didnt honor our request for a smoking room, and had a note on the desk saying there would be a $250 cleaning charge for smoking. But, they are decorated very nice, and the staff at the desk is really nice and patient too. wouldnt go back for the nye party though- it was so huge i spent the whole time walking around trying to find people.",4,3,2,0
4073,ObD5OTxjiiqkFwIJNC8ptw,"This may very well be the McDonald's of hotels, but staying here is like getting your happy meal from Ronald McDonald himself and finding an extra McNugget! I pricelined a room for 90 bucks for relatives coming to town. Like a reviewer below, we checked in using the handy self check-in machine and little did I know I would end up in a 3rd floor room looking straight at an air-vent covered roof. I think it was a janitor's closet or an excess furniture storage facility. The room had no light, no wallpaper, high, water-spotted ceilings, and the furniture was crammed any way it would fit. No good, I said. I made a quick call to get a room change and ended movin' on up to the east side- literally. I was given a new room on the 29th floor with a dazzling view of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. The front desk clerk who gave me my new keys, Moji, couldn't have been more pleasant. Plus, the Hyatt is perfect for out of town guests as it equidistant between Millennium Park and the Mag Mile. Hurray for the Hyatt!",4,3,1,0
4074,uH0jXXotrK398Cr-du2tNg,"You can't get a room cheaper than at the Hyatt in Chicago. The location was pretty convenient- pretty much a block away from Michigan Ave. This place is huge. Everyone has conventions here, so it's always packed. It's an older hotel, too, so it feels kind of grungy. There are two buildings. The rooms are fine. It's got what you need and relatively comfortable. The shampoo/conditioner is pretty terrible though- no surprise there. One thing I found really weird was that they have machines for quick check-in/check-out. I thought hotels were supposed to be all about service, so it was strange that they purposely set it up so that we didn't talk to an employee during our entire stay.",3,0,0,0
4075,w9qTkzVm050yDVmaCw94Tw,"This is a convention galore hotel.  It's impersonal, but for $65/night with a view, I'm not complaining!  I got lucky with the view.  The spacious room was probably bigger than a studio rental in SF.  The king size bed was so comfy that I actually ended up sleeping in until 11 am some days!  The Hyatt is conveniently located near the El trains and buses, which makes it easy to get around.  It neighbors many of the tourist's attractions:  Millennium Park, Navy Pier. the Magnificent Mile, etc... The Hyatt's lobby is beautifully laid out with a dining area encircle by a zen-like pond with delicately ""spitting"" waterfalls.  You can watch t.v. while waiting or just relaxing on the many sofas and chairs.  Their bar offers a stunning backdrop view of the city.   Once again, this is a hotel with lots of conventions so to get from point A to B, may take 10 mins, but the majority of all convention hotels are like that.  The difference is that you get a lovely view on your way there. Tip:  Purchase the unlimited transit passes.  DO NOT BRING YOUR CAR into Chicago.  Chicago has one of the best public transit systems that I've experienced.  Besides, it'll cost you at least $40 or more to park your car overnight at the hotels. I'm in love with Chicago, will have to visit soon!",4,3,1,0
4076,VrJRT9d0gu,"Waiting in line to get my room. Got a top floor room. King bed with the desk behind the bed so I could work on my laptop and see the TV at the same time. Nice room and comfy bed.  The only thing that freaked me out was upon settling in, I opened my 34th floor window to see my view only to find no less than 3 HUGE spiders hanging out outside and many, many egg sacks in the creases. Who knew bugs made it up that far a building. I wonder if they have ever been down the building or if they just live their whole lives up there swaying in the breeze.",4,2,2,2
4077,LQUH2bt-EY9pip,The setup: From Chicago but needed a hotel for some home improvements.   Pros: (1)  Excellent customer service at the desk.   (2) Free upgrade to a bigger room with a better view; (3) Room was updated and very modern. (4) Mostly clean (but see important exception). Cons:  (1) Wine stains on our sheets (ICK - and deducting points); (2) mediocre water pressure; (3) split opinion as to the bed being comfortable; (4) Long waits for the elevators; (5) Hotel lobby packed with a kid's convention; (6) $15/day for internet Overall: Overrated.,2,4,1,0
4078,OVL9-dtLoBvx4n96IgQMFw,"We paid 250 a night for a 2 double bed room. Pros: 1. The pillows rule 2. Concierge is fast and they treat you like a rock start 3. Flat screen TV, tons of AC 4. Clean sheet, downy comforters, softest pillows Cons: 1. No free WIFI 2. No roll away beds 3. Shampoo kinda sucks 4. They charge for everything along the way All in all, Hotels rule, but it's not really my style. I prefer the couch or the floor. I actually slept on the floor at the Hyatt. You don't have to tip the bell boy, the taxi man, the cleaning lady....blah blah blah.",3,2,0,2
4079,6ryRJh9ViFVVjp2LuOwcIg,"Pretty sweet digs. I learned on my bus tour that this hotel has the LONGEST bar, interesting. I shared a double room and I found it to be super comfortable. My bed and pillows were comfy. Except those decorative pillows. Those are gross, I pushed them off immediately. I appreciated the curved shower rod which made the tub seem larger. I did not appreciate the ill flushing toilet. Also, 26 floors up and you would think I'd get awesome cell reception, but no. Living within concrete walls for a long weekend did not please my phone. Concierge was helpful, elevator was pretty fast, as long as you weren't stopping on every floor. Hairdryer is found in a black bag hanging in the closet, if you seemed to miss it in the bathroom. Careful though, my friend blew the circuits using it on high and was without power for 30 minutes. I liked the ipod doc, nice touch. Made our preparties a bit more lively. The LCD tv was in theory a good idea, but jeez, the picture on mine looked like I was looking through a fishbowl. Housekeeping knocked on my door at 9am each morning so boo to that. Otherwise, great place for a stay. :)",4,3,1,1
4080,zuZ7uHdoZcj6AvHOKAxyJA,"It's rare that I'll give a hotel 5 stars. To be quite honest, I probably wouldn't give them that fifth star, if it weren't for the following situation: Last Thursday, I came down with the flu. I was planning on staying at my apartment, but my landlord still hadn't left for Singapore. I went back to the Hyatt after making new reservations. The concierge (who, at this point recognised me by sight because I've slept in their bed more than I did in my New York apartment) took one look at me and asked me if I needed some medication. I got to my room, and within five minutes, he'd personally brought up Tylenol, because he didn't want to have the usual 5-10min delay that would happen if he had housekeeping do it. Yes, he got a nice letter written for him afterwards :) Another story: 2 colleagues and I were staying at this hotel. Since I was staying longer (did I mention I spent more nights in the Hyatt than I did anywhere else this month?) than them, we were on separate reservations. They screwed up their room -- they gave them what is basically a party suite -- one bed in one room and the other room had bunch of couches with a pull-out bed. They were upgraded immediately to the executive floor, with zero hassles. I guess they wanted to keep our hotwire.com-based business ;) To be fair, the rooms are slightly dated -- no LCD TVs, lacking iPod docks in every room, etc. Even the executive floor (don't know about the suites) look a little dated, though they are nicer. The beds are comfortable, though, and the view can be great if you're lucky -- either to Millenium Park or towards the Maginificent Mile.",5,2,2,0
4081,MNg5C,"We stayed there on Sunday night, after gthe July 31 Paul McCartney concert at Wrigley Field.   Two Queen beds, two people, $119.00.  The room was great.  Clean, very comfortable beds, the ac worked perfectly, tv was no problem, bathroom was nice, clean, looked newly remodeled.  3:00 pm Check-in took all of three minutes.  We parked one block away, in inside underground parking, for $30 for 24 hours (the hotel wanted $50). The location is perfoect for exploring the Loop.  L's ar three blocks away.  We did NOT eat at any of the restaurants in the hotel...they are a little pricy....$25 each for buffet breakfast.  But there are plenty of Starbucks and little nook-and-cranny places to get something to eat within 4 blocks of the hotel. did not spring for internet, it would have been $12.95 per night.",4,0,0,0
4082,HDIUzUlWfLh-qrIQV00PGA,"The mark of a great business establishment, especially a place like a hotel, can be found in the staff's ability not just to deliver great service, but also in the display of their problem-solving skills when it comes to customer service. Based on the outcome of the following story, I would choose the Hyatt as my place to stay every time I come into Chicago from now on. I was working as a volunteer at an event on the Navy Pier, sponsored by the NPO I work for. Naturally, as a ""volunteer employee"", my hotel and travel accommodations were supposed to be taken care of once I followed the proper procedures for filling out paperwork and obtaining confirmation numbers. The flight was fine, the trip from O'Hare (mostly) uneventful. But imagine my shock and surprise, when my partner and I arrived at the hotel and we were informed that THE ROOMS WEREN'T PAID FOR. NOW was the time that the event coordinator chose to tell me that we were expected to pay for the rooms in advance OURSELVES, to be reimbursed at a later date. ""Mortified"" doesn't even begin to describe how I felt, especially since I didn't have a credit card that would cover the entire expense of the stay. At that moment, I was pretty much ready to haul it out of there and find the nearest Motel 6, Econolodge or Days Inn. But it was thanks to the quick and diplomatic thinking of Jennifer, the front desk rep, that the situation was made easier. She advised me and the event coordinator about what to do (obviously, this was not the first time she'd had to deal with a problem like this.) Plus, in the meantime, she made sure we still got a room at least for the night, (with a SPECTACULAR 27th floor view of ""The Loop"".) I won't bore you with the other details, but the situation was eventually resolved and we all lived (and slept and dined) happily ever after. Not only is the atrium of the Hyatt dazzling to behold (with probably the world's most interesting designer fountains), but the quality of the customer service didn't stop with Jennifer. I think everyone there did an outstanding job, but personally, I think Jennifer deserves a raise.  And the Hyatt deserves my future business, which they will most definitely have the next time we return to Chicago.",5,2,1,1
4083,kZ8GukOinYkS6KAVW6paGg,"3.5 stars. My husband and I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Chicago on Saturday night after getting it on Priceline for $55/night. The hotel is in a very good location with plenty to walk to right near it. If you are coming from Midway Airport, I highly recommend taking the train. It's about 30 minutes, $2.25, and less than a 10 minute walk from the Randolph/Wabash station (we found this to be the more convenient station to the hotel rather than the Lake/State Street one). Even though we got to the hotel at 11 am, we were able to check in and go to our room on the 32nd floor. The room itself was a pretty basic king bed room, but we didn't need anything fancy or special for one night. I did find the placement of the flat screen TV a bit odd as it was on the end of the dresser on the right side of the bed, so if were laying in bed, you could to be on your side to see it. For booking via Priceline, we actually had a room with a decent view. The only amenity we utilized at the hotel was the business center which is on the bottom level. Use of the internet for 15 minutes will run you $7.56 and printing one page will cost $0.83. So only use the business center if you really have to. If you want to use cabs to get around, there are plenty in queue all the time near the hotel, so you won't have to wait to get one. Overall, this hotel is not a bad option especially since it looks like it's pretty easy to book for a great price on Priceline.",3,2,1,0
4084,EKV71bNlMiIM5MMrUwS0wg,"Hotel is nice, great location, contemporary rooms. I have a couple complaints; The staff sucks something awful: Check in was a nightmare, I requested a smoking room with a king bed. I ended up with a non-smoking room with a double bed. I called the front desk with a question regarding the NYE party I was attending and got major attitude from an irritated front desk clerk. Expected more from a hotel on the mag mile.",3,1,3,1
4085,I5j,"The hotel room was big and comfortable.  The beds were incredibly comfortable.  I always fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.  Great view of lake Michigan.  The service was wonderful and the concierge people were very knowledgeable and friendly.   Also, it was nice knowing that there was always a line of cabs waiting right out front in case you needed to go somewhere in a hurry.   Only downside is there's no free wifi.",4,2,0,0
4086,ZNCl2FzmWdjckj7KnZw57A,"It's a nice clean hotel located in downtown Chicago. Went to Chicago for a business conference. the conference itself was located at Hyatt McCormick, but we stayed at the HRC, which is OK. Less lobby traffic. Got a room on the 30th floor. The view is OK. Overlooking some construction site. There are lots of bars in the hotel but lack decent breakfast place. Which is a little disappointing considering it's primary a business oriented hotel. Nothing amazing or outstanding. Expensive for what you get... 200+ / night without wifi really kind of sucks. Wouldn't stay there as a personal trip, but OK for business.",3,1,1,1
4087,4ttzCxwdgIRsHjwMa1oGWg,"I got a sweet deal on Priceline for this hotel - it cost me the same to stay here as it would have if I'd stayed at the lowest priced hotel in the standard travel websites.  My friends had similar experience, too.  It's totally worth it if you get the priceline amount so bid low and pick that geographic area. It was fairly central for me for work so not a bad experience at all.  They put me in a suite that really was great and comfy, albeit a tad small.   Any hotel that charges for internet access in this day is a little lame in my book though -- especially considering what it normally costs to stay here.",4,2,0,0
4088,Jdk77uHg48p9UDLWBV2i8A,"I think the location is a huge perk for this place.  Great access to the Mag Mile, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, beautiful views along the river of classic Chicago landmarks...Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower, etc. Our room was nicely appointed...contemporary and clean, plus they feature plasma TVs, and ipod alarm clock, so that ups the cool factor. We stayed in the West wing, which was a blessing because a convention was throwing a rager in the atrium, and from what other reviewers have said, Big Bar can get noisy as well.  If you stay here, I might recommend requesting a room in this wing.",4,2,0,0
4089,Bb00wdNBY8GOtiJ,"About two months before our wedding I reserved five rooms at the Hyatt for our special guests.  For some reason we had to split up the reservations between two names.  This was the cause of much confusion down the road.  Then, when we tried to get an adjustment to the pricing during a special sale, some of our rooms were canceled.  While I received email notices about everything concerning the rooms, I never received any cancellation notifications.  I only happen to find out about the cancellation when I called the night before to ask a few questions about the check in process for my guests.  We all ended up with rooms at the reserved pricing, but only after a few phone calls and too many minutes at the front desk. Aside from their difficult small group room reservation process, it was an OK place for our guests.  The rooms and facilities were clean.  The bar in the main lobby provided a fun place for our guests to end the evening. The cafe food was good and the breakfast buffet had a very nice spread.   Overall, we enjoyed staying there but I will not select this place for large groups in the future.",2,0,0,0
4090,K3nDUzTYOLmpv,"Earns my enduring praise for reserving their entire hotel for the guys of International Mr. Leather on Memorial Day weekend. And I always love the Big Bar, but please get some stronger air conditioning!",5,1,1,1
4091,T5fSpQDJ5Ec04EMU34v4SA,"Please do something about the protesting!  There have been many days that I've been awakened by the Hyatt Employee protests, and last night was an overnight protest - I don't appreciate being awakened in the middle of the night or early in the morning by whistles, drums, and people yelling, and I'm sure your guests don't appreciate this either!  PLEASE NEGOTIATE WITH YOUR EMPLOYEES AND END THESE PROTESTS ALREADY!!!",1,4,1,2
4092,A29sEBTFFcQy1JDpCNIENQ,"Every time I spotted a hotel employee, they were always smiling. It's clear that they enjoy making their guests happy. Check-in was easy and quick. It seems as though they don't treat their Priceline customers different than any of their other customers (which is a good thing!) Being on the North end of the loop, the location was great. It was steps away from Michigan Avenue, and a couple of blocks away from State Street. The view from the room was grand, facing the Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower. The bed was very comfortable. There was actually a bathtub in the bathroom, which comes in handy after a long day of walking around. The lobby was both busy and beautiful. There was a great selection of food inside the hotel. It's reminiscent of a Vegas hotel (sans casino). I will definitely stay here again when I visit Chicago. At their price range, Hyantt Regency definitely goes above and beyond of what's expected from them.",5,0,0,0
4093,8VnwfPShFi0ImhPXtFPoyA,rooms were nice but the hotel itself was toooo big and confusing. will stick to the small boutiques from now on.,3,0,0,0
4094,Gq394emh6CGk7SGbAA9klA,"My best friend was celebrating her 25th birthday downtown so we decided to get a room so that we wouldn't have to drive around. Just as other reviewers said, we booked with hotwire/priceline and were given this hotel. We had actually stayed here in the past for NYE and enjoyed it so we figured this would be a good experience, boy were we wrong! First of all, this place is huge, there are two different wings and it can become frustrating if you hop on the wrong elevator to get to your room (you'll end up on the opposite side of the hotel). The lobby is kind of corny but it's cute and I can guess its for tourists. The rooms are decent, nothing to run home about and definitely not 5 star material. We went to check in and were told that there was a 100 dollar authorization charge (never heard of 100, usually its 50...but whatever), we gladly paid and went to our room. We got to the room and everything was fine until I noticed we didnt have any cups/ glasses. So we called for them and they didnt come, we called back and they sent them up (30 minutes later). We went out that night, came back into the hotel and literally as SOON as we got off the hotel a male security guard began following behind us. I became alarmed because I did not see any Hyatt branding on his clothing but he was holding a walkie talkie....anyway he began to ask us if we were guests at the hotel and we told him yes. He then demanded to know what room we were staying in, I didnt tell him and continued to yell at us and follow us to our room. When he saw that we had keys, he walked away. I was highly upset and decided to place a call to the front desk to complain, the gentleman on the phone told me it was procedure for their guards to do that. I told him there was no way in hell that was procedure and demanded to talk to his boss. The boss got on the phone and immediately apologized, he said that was NOT procedure and that it should not have happened. He then offered us two breakfast and lunch vouchers and made the security guard come upstairs and apologize. overall this hotel is average...but their customer service sucks...I will NEVER stay here again...EVER!",1,2,1,0
4095,x8E15ABKPjgmvm,"My 5 stars are based on the fact that I got hooked up with the Regency Club on the 32nd floor for $99.  It came with free breakfast, free beverages, free alcohol, and free appetizers at night.- all in the club room on the 35th.  The rooms were Asian-modern and came with all the amenities you can think of.  The iron wasn't even attached to the wall!  My only knock was the valet parking sucked and it would cost $39 a night!  I would stay here again next time I come to Chi-town. The Hard Drive Club from what I saw was a sausage-fest, so keep that in mind!",5,1,1,1
4096,P04yOjy5-3wkkvahCNXaGg,"This hotel should be used only for business/conference type events cause I don't think it will satisfy any of the needs of a casual traveler. I stayed here 1 night, and my experience kinda blew. I was supposedly being ""upgraded"" to a better room because I have status with Hyatt, but if the room I got was my upgrade, i'd HATE to see what my original room looked like. Small, uncomfortable, sterile, uninviting setting throughout the hotel. The main lobby is actually very appeasing to the eyes, with waterfalls and high ceilings. The service was decent, and I have no complaints here. If you're looking for a hotel to relax at, this isn't the spot. Its loud and busy typically, with business people and conventioners.",3,1,1,1
4097,qN4Ty93chIMVu8qUiKd6qg,"Absolutely one of the BEST hotels I've ever stayed in!! I won't talk about rates since I obtained my room through Hotwire's ""take a gamble and see where you end up"" service. (By the way, I HIGHLY recommend that service! I ended up here and OH was it worth it!) After scoring a free upgrade to a junior suite courtesy of who my uncle knows in the hotel, I proceeded to be completely wowed at every turn. First I was put into the newly renovated West Tower. My suite was impeccably clean with a massive comfortable king size bed, a cozy little living room area, and a bathroom with a shower to die for. They even have HD TV's in all the rooms (not just the suite) and iHome's for your iPod!! Let me tell you, when I dropped my bags on the ground and plugged my ipod in.... Let's just say I danced like no one was watching!  There was plenty of room to do so!!! As an added bonus, while I was out and about exploring the fine city, someone brought me a complimentary bucket of ice cold beer and a bag of Chicago's best caramel popcorn! Complete with a hand written note welcoming me to the city!! WIN!! The guest service from check-in to concierge to check-out was incredible. Everyone was extremely helpful and friendly. The gym was just perfect. It had everything I possibly could ask for (except a pool...). To top it off, I had just run 5 miles along Lake Michigan and ended it at the gym with some weights. I discovered their little wine cooler device with moist eucalyptus infused towels, which did wonders to cooling me down! I will say though that it was annoying not having a restroom within the gym. You had to go back to the lobby to use that. To top it all off, this hotel is so massive they have kiosks set up so you can punch in your destination and it will give you a print out map of how to get there! Wow!!",5,2,1,0
4098,4mYmb3F43ymwuNncv7Er1A,"HUGE HUGE HUGE hotel!!!!  When getting here Friday afternoon, there were a TON of people.  Luckily my party was already checked in, but I can't imagine the line.  All in all the rooms were nice and the bed was comfortable, but whenever you needed anything it took 45-60 minutes to get it.  Also, a room nearby had the smoke alarm go off, so that was a nuisance to figure out what was going on. Oh - don't valet/park your car at the hotel.  It took 50 minutes to get the car back.  Try to find some sort of parking outside the hotel nearby.",3,0,0,0
4099,HL70Fid828IzXeX7qeW,"This hotel has its pluses and minuses. For the minus; small to no counter space in the bathroom. The toilette is situated in such a manner that to flush it one must reach in an awkward manner. When the toilette seat is up, it rests agains the tissue paper. Odd. I turned the air down when I arrived and then went out for a few hours. When I got back it was still warm. Called down (difficult to do, see below) and Juan arrived, saying he wished the hotel would give us a disclaimer. Their air system is not the type that blows air into the room, and it's silent. So no white noise. But he said they'd bring me a fan right away. To call the operator, one dials zero as expected, but then one gets a stupid robot giving options; speak the name of the employee or department you wish to reach, or press zero for the operator. I already pressed zero! Odd. After an hour I had not received my fan. I pressed the one touch button on the phone for exceptional stay. I was put on hold for over five minutes and then was disconnected. I dialed again and was spoken to after a minute. She had not heard that I requested a fan. It's been almost another 30 minutes. I want to go to bed, but I want a fan. The ice machine is about 3 rooms down from mine, yet I can hear everyone getting ice. Annoying. The pluses; great location, whether one wants to go to Navy Pier, Grant Park and the museums or the Magnivicent Mile, you are right there. The rooms are nice enough and the view is great. I've been here before and will most likely have to stay here again. But if given the choice, I would prefer other places over this hotel. But then again, I'm just happy to be in Chicago and staying downtown for a change, as opposed to by the airport.",2,2,0,1
4100,pmigh0yzDyrH7oOwW3jVEg,"Dump. This is the most feared type of downtown lodging on earth: the convention hotel. It's actually just fine if you're looking to encounter wild packs of dry humping, married business men in town for the Dunder Mifflin paper expo.  But if you're not, you may want to steer clear of this place.  I accidentally stayed (well, entered the room and left) here after booking on Hotwire and our room looked and smelled like Amy Winehouse just checked out of it.  I should note, however, that the valet and bellmen were friendly and professional. The irony is that it's just as expensive as the nearby Conrad (Hilton family) or Intercontinental which are great places to stay. Another incredible pain in the ass was check in.  Two front desk people were chatting, another was behind the counter and yet they insisted I use the kiosk to check in.  It was a pain to say the least.  Then when we came back downstairs to checkout they seemed really offended by it and were pretty rude about it all.",1,1,0,1
4101,qtfHfr8ceQ0TmnPHQ8LX7w,"The Hyatt is a nice hotel.  The setup is a bit strange.  We stayed in the west tower and we came to find most of the amenities in the east tower.  So that was a minor inconvenience.  Some of the amenities that were in the east tower that we used/ visited were the big bar, the bistro at 151, Stay Fit fitness center, J's Express, and the gift shop.  Essentially all of the amenities we used. The room was nice.  The only annoying thing about the room was the lighting.  There was no centralized lighting.  The staff was very nice and courteous. Would we stay again? Probably not, because there are so many other nice hotels in Downtown Chicago that we have yet to try.  By no means is this a knock of the Hyatt.",3,1,0,1
4102,x0,"I stayed here last weekend for TBOX. The price was great for downtown Chicago. My room was really small and the room had an extra bed in it (my reservation was for one). I spotted a stain on the sheets on one of the beds, so I ended up sleeping in the other. My view was of a roof, boo. The staff was incredibly friendly and attentive though. I thought internet access was free in this day and age, but this place charges a pretty hefty fee. Very disappointing. Channel choices on the TV were also very limited without paying more. I'd consider staying here again, but it wouldn't be my first choice.",3,0,0,0
4103,43KB9oyiYe7zzALgir8ChQ,"The location is actually quite good although it's not on Magnificent Mile.  At check-in, we were asked if we wanted to upgrade for $39 (I think) a night.  What does this mean?  A bigger room on a higer floor - what the hell, it's my birthday!  First room we got on the (30th or 31st) floor, it was near the end of the hall BUT it was right across from the ice machine and that machine was cranky and noisy!  A strong smell of stale smoke was overwhelming when we walked inside the room and the bed was oddly placed - great view of Navy Pier but...I know the noise and the smell will drive me crazy.  Called front desk - yes, there's another room on the same floor.  Switched - it's closer to the elevator lobby but the room felt much better.  View is an office building - it's kind of amusing to watch others work while we relaxed :) Service was ok at best.  It was very busy when we got there - nobody bothered to help w/ luggage and we have to hail our own cab when we left.   I guess that's the best you can expect from Hyatt...",3,1,0,0
4104,DSSr3Cj1WHdXmY4o8Fx1Ng,"Got this room on priceline for ~80 a night. The bed was comfy, and the location was great (well public transport was like 4 blocks but I'm just being picky on that one..). I used a machine to checkin instead of checking in with a person (to avoid a long line). The machine gave me a room on the lowest floor with 0 view that was a handicap room. Seriously it had to be the worst room in the place. I realize it's my fault for using the machine... but seriously.... anyways, note to self avoid the checkin machines in the future.",4,1,0,0
4105,nkpdzm3dTG2HOyhk5QqAag,"We stayed at the Hyatt Regency for a week while visiting Chicago. Overall our stay at the hotel was pretty good, but there were a few things that really kinda sucked about this hotel. The hotel itself was pretty decent, the rooms were fine, nothing amazing, but fine. My first complaint was that the entire time we were there we consistently were hearing this banging noise, almost like someone was hammering on something. We made a comment about it to the front desk and they told us it would stop and they gave us a $15 coupon for food/drinks. The noise continued throughout the entire week. A second complaint was the TV. No, we were not in Chicago to watch TV, but whenever we did it was terrible. We had about 5 different news channels, 1 channel that showed a 24 hr. infomercial on prosthetic hands, and Russia Today. Really? My third complaint was the lack of wifi. Our first day there we called downstairs and found out that wifi was $13 per 24 hours. Eek!! The entire time we were in Chicago we made daily visits to the Corner Bakery for internet. Don't get me wrong, overall we really enjoyed our stay here, but there were a few things that were less than stellar. The staff was really nice and helpful and although I probably won't stay here again, I'd recommend someone else to stay here.",3,1,0,0
4106,3Yk8jV7S7vkQ0wOKvIDKfA,"Big, big, big. I don't typically stay at super hotels like this, and I tend to like a bit more personality in my lodgings, but this Hyatt is perfectly comfortable and acceptably furnished with comfy beds, standard amenities, and some decent views if you're in the right rooms. Staff service is generally good, though when a convention comes in, it can slip a bit, thanks to all the demands made on their time. Both times I have been in this hotel, though, there have been conventions, and service quality remained fairly high. Big Bar is passable, though not terribly exciting. The club/dancefloor space was rather popular when I stayed, but I wouldn't want to spend any time on the lower floors on club nights--it is tremendously loud. All in all a solid option for a short stay.",3,1,0,0
4107,R8dU1KLQljWMH6f9JI7xVg,"I've stayed here three times. Great location. Okay hotel. The lobby is impressive but really, that's about it -- and who cares -- want to eat in the cool center dining section surrounded by the reflecting pool and TV screens? I've never seen it open any hour of the day any of the three times I've been there -- they close it off and seat people off to the side. Other bonuses? This time our room came without toilet paper. Which is almost similar to how it doesn't come with free WiFi -- both are basic necessities. I planned for the lack of Internet access and left my laptop at home and just used my iPhone but its still annoying. The staff is friendly (as well they should be) but the rooms are in dire need of updating.",2,1,0,0
4108,feJCcr061zw740fpQT4NaA,"You know, based JUST only on location, this hotel has the potential of being a GREAT 5 star hotel.  I mean, you have the river, the famous bridges, Mich Ave right next door, perfect right? Except my husband ALWAYS decides to request rooms on lower floors claiming that, during conferences (frankly, business is mainly the reason we stay at hotels.. he he) the hoardes of people clog up the elevators, and he doesnt' want to get suck riding from the 34 floor to the lobby with intervals of 1 floor each. Understandable, right? WELL... unless you have the loudest bar/dance club downstairs. SERIOUS noise (ahem, music?) coming from downstairs, and at 3am I don't want to hear that.  That the rooms in the lower levels are not soundproofed for this is a major deterent. Also, when you REQUEST a king sized room, I don't care to hear that you're out, you're gonna give me a double.  Especially when the double rooms are NOT queen sized beds, but rather teeny full sized beds that make me feel that I'm gonna fall out. There are WAAAAAAAAAYYYYY too many conferences at one given time, and NOT ENOUGH places to just grab coffee and donuts.  Please people, conference attendees are STARVING, and don't have time for a sit down lunch... And Houlihans (or Bennigans, or whatever the hell is downstairs) ain't gonna cut it! AND THIRD AND LASTLY, Um.. THE TOILETS???? THEY HAVE NO COVER? It's kinda like the toilets in the industrial/mall bathrooms?  I mean, I know you're going for the whole modern industrial look, but I DO NOT want to be in constant paranoia thinking that something is going to fall off into the toilet and have to call someone to fish it out.... Aside from this, it's ok.   And quite hilarious coming back from dinner, and seeing the exhorbitantly long line of youngins trying to get into the already full ""club""/lobby bar downstairs.  Mainly because at their age, I used to do this... ;)",3,1,0,0
4109,20aQj1qZnqiAtjwtq0mOOw,"The hotel is enormous, and there are A LOT of conventions and people do deal with walking through the enormous lobby.  The staff is generally friendly and the Hyatt Club Lounge is a very nice perk (with drinks and snacks).  The rooms on the Club level are renovated and have good views.  It's not a ""cozy"" hotel, but it's conveniently located and you can often get a good price for a hotel with these amenities.",4,0,0,0
4110,3IiwkuY4y18ptL6TBm3mSQ,"I LOVE LOVE LOVE this hotel. I stayed here about a year and a half ago (wasn't really a yelper then). It's a very pretty hotel that has some amazing views and is in a great walking location--although not very close to an EL stop. This place can run really expensive, but I lucked out big time when I booked through their website and got a really cheap price (I think because I booked so far in advance). Since then, when I've come back to the city I haven't been able to afford the place because it books fast and usually the expensive rooms are the ones left. I would definitely recommend this place, and will stay here again when I can.",4,0,1,0
4111,KN2GrMnNm,"I will preface this by saying that Hyatt is my favorite big-chain hotel property.  They seem to consistently deliver from town to town, with a clean, modern feel that extends from the rooms to the common areas.  I think that the fact that there are almost always herds of middle aged conventioneers adds an invigorating buzz to the atmosphere, but if you don't like them, its not too hard to avoid by going directly to your room.  I don't think the exercise room gets too busy either because these folks are preoccupied with getting their drink on and ""working the crowd"" (interpret that however you'd like). This Hyatt is particularly interesting because you can access the weird  miniworld that exists underneath the buildings in this area (offices, predominately).  So if the weather is bad out, you might be able to find a few places open during business hours.  I somehow stumbled into it one night and it was a bit eerie because everything was closed, but still lit up and walkable.  Sorta like the mall equivalent of a ghost town.  I find it a bit odd that no one else has mentioned it, so maybe I imagined the whole thing.  Spoooooky.... PS - the small Italian restaurant located in the hotel is surprisingly good - not your average overpriced, mooch off the expense account kind of place you'd expect in a large hotel.  A good soup and salad bar, and good portions of tasty pasta too.",5,1,0,0
4112,wdP4BAU88HwhpBj3-gPnww,"I booked this hotel on Priceline for only $70 per night, much better than the $219 that was posted on their website for the time we were staying. The hotel is a convention center, with a huge lobby and separate elevator banks depending on the floor you're at. It's located directly downtown, close to a myriad of amenities. As usual, hotel food is very expensive, so go outside to get a better price. And overall if you're going to stay in downtown Chicago, leave your car at home! It's extremely expensive to park there. Overall, hotel and room were clean and we received quick service. I would highly recommend the Hyatt for a downtown Chicago stay.",4,1,0,0
4113,XBKMlQqlNG,"Not the best Hyatt I've ever stayed at. It is at a good location, on the water and right by Michigan Ave but the rooms were not impressive at all.  The bar and restaurant areas were really nice though, so that's a plus. Random fact:  the bar stretches across almost the entire length of the hotel and is the largest bar in Chicago.",3,1,0,0
4114,hdwXv18VMKCG2uIOpnjl5Q,"This Hotel Sucks. It is so crowded and crazy in here and not in a ""Whooo what a party"" way. It's more like ""There are 500 kids running all over the place and I want to die"" kind of way. Outside of the completly cheap and cheesy lobby, the rooms are totally meh. The wireless internet costs $15 a day and is SO SLOW. Don't even bother getting it, you are better off checking your email on your cell phone. If you have a choice don't stay here, there are many other better hotels around the same price that are on or near Michigan AVE (Raffello for example).",2,2,0,1
4115,ULTCVMt8N9mr38c83QZrMg,"Parking is terrible if you self park. Valet service is over $40 a night plus tips. The rooms very confortable but what would you expect from the Hyatt family in the heart of Chicago. You pay high dollars and you will sleep well. I only stay here now when I must, it's too busy to relax like I can at the airport Hyatts. The area is great if you have business downtown, I would rather commute in the summer.",3,0,0,0
4116,n8EqwVvkJTukAVk4jq1CEQ,"This hotel was located in an amazing prime location.  Cross the bridge and it's the magnificent mile.  Go 3 blocks south and it's Millenium Park.  Just a block to the left of the hotel, you can catch a bus to anywhere you want.   However, this place was insane.  I don't know if it's cause of the bar or what but people were trashed all over the place... boyfriends clinging onto their girlfriends who were trying to run off slurring things to strangers walking by, stumbling around in their heels.  This place was a madhouse.  The walls for my room were really thin- I swore to god I was in the middle of a hallway but when I got up in the morning I realized I was at the end of a deadend hallway.  It made no sense!   This place was ridiculous.  If you're a rowdy college aged kid looking to meet other people, this is the place to be.  I was here for a casual anniversary weekend with my boyfriend, not to get all liquored up and slobby in a tubetop dress with a bunch of girlfriends, so this wasn't exactly the atmosphere working well for our ""romantic weekend"".",2,1,0,0
4117,nP3ot804FUKLq,"I had a very enjoyable experience at this hotel.  Booked on Hotwire for an incredible rate; was able to use a kiosk to check in and receive my room key.  Room was spacious and stocked with a mini bar.  Hotel staff were extremely friendly.  Room service was prompt and tasty.  Can't beat the location!!  Had no trouble storing my luggage at the end of my stay.  Got a taxi out front in less than one minute. There's a conveniently located grocery store behind the hotel which stocks juices, salads, and snacks.  I would definitely stay here again!",5,2,1,0
4118,Jkuj2mCjnz483PsB8A7Hbg,"I stayed here after staying at a smaller boutique hotel. Its posh for sure. Nice size rooms and a huge bathroom. I just cant believe they nickel and dime you for everything. Example:WiFi , at 12 dollars a day. A hotel this size can be giving that away. And whats with $4 water??? Really, come on. Its water. Plus this place was insane.  People were trashed all over the place... lots of patrons slurring things to strangers walking by, stumbling around like they were at a frat party.  Unfortunately thats the first impression I got before I reached the check in and thats what I remember most. Considering its a Hyatt its not that special, its just large and they'll make sure you'll remember your  paying  for the name.",3,0,1,0
4119,NW70RemXKGiBqIaUxDKKTA,"I have stayed here multiple times thanks to Hotwire.  It is traditionally a conference center, but this is a great budget stay for people wanting to be on Michigan Ave.  Great views of the river, the longest bar in America, and great location make this a good stay.  There are two separate wings so remember which one you are staying in. Overall a great experience, but can be overwhelming for some due to its size.",4,0,0,0
4120,tkwJhHvNS58aviq3EHaIoA,"This place is horrible. Over priced and overrated! I paid too much for the room. Expected. But then I got hit with a $50 parking fee. Then $15 for internet. Ordered some fries and a drink and it took an hour and cost a ridiculous $40. No robes, and overpriced drinks at the bar. If you're independently wealthy and looking to blow your money on a less than average hotel...this is the place to do it!",1,0,0,1
4121,1jVf3oX1p-0d40U0XqA83Q,"HUGE hotel. 3 bars, 2 restaurants, a coffee shop and gift shop. Plus lots more that I never got to see. The service: Friendly and efficient. Got upgraded to a suite at no cost. Wifi was free after signing up for the gold passport (free to sign up). Cabs constantly coming and going at the bequest of the guys out front. The room: roomy suite, very clean and a comfortable bed. Strangely the bed was a murphy bed and at first I was a little concerned about comfort but it was perfect. Great view from the 27th floor. Could hear people coming in and out of their rooms but never heard any voices, etc. Showers had excellent water pressure. The food: Got drinks at Big Bar (Not too impressed), dinner and drinks at the Irish pub (service was excellent, food so-so). Starbucks at the coffee shop was $$$ but didn't expect much different. Breakfast buffet came with our room price otherwise I'd never go there ($25 a person for the buffet). However food was good and service was amazing.",5,0,0,0
4122,KDo7xNAmIqy2LzlaVTj,"Don't judge it by the exterior... Today was my first time staying at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago and when the taxi pulled up to the entrance, I must say I was unimpressed....it looks very old and dated.  Once I walked through the doors however, I was so pleased!  It's very modern and updated inside.  There's a beautiful fountain in the entrance that a bistro/bar overlooks.  There's also a 2nd floor bar that overlooks this same fountain.  I make my way up the escalators to the 2nd floor check in and was greeted by Jason Dennard at the check in counter.  He was so pleasant and accomodating.  He took the time to ask where I was coming in from, how was my day, etc.  He asked my prefernce for a room, ie; king or 2 queens...I respond by saying 'king'....he looks for the room options and informs me that the only available king room is by the elevator - in which he suggested I don't take that room.  I really appreciated him telling me this, particularly after reading some of the other reviews regarding noise.   I make my way to the west tower to go to my room.  There's a west and east tower - this place is huge, but everything is well marked and easily walkable.  I decide to forgo a night on the town and order room service - the menu offers all the basics - nothing too fancy unless you choose to order from Stetson's (their in-house Steak House) but expect to pay $34 for a filet or $30 for the salmon.  Instead, I opt for the vegetarian wrap, tomato soup, and a glass of Oregon pinot gris.  Either I was really hungry, or this was the best 'room service' meal I've ever had.  It was so fresh - the wrap had asparagus, red pepper, eggplant, zuchini, and a white bean puree to hold it all together.  I honestly wasn't expecting much, and this far exceeded my expectations.   The rooms are comfortable with modern decor.  I would definitely stay here again.",4,0,0,0
4123,rVwSGD1y0OhhQ939KJn0HQ,"I booked on Hotwire for $80/night, and for that price I don't think one could do much better. We lucked out and were on the 33rd floor with a great view out the window. The room is oddly laid out, with a desk facing away from the window along the back of the bed - unconventional, but a cool way to create two spaces in a small-ish downtown hotel room. Didn't have any issues with cleanliness like some people report. Yeah, $13 for internet is a drag, but if I'm staying in a 4-star hotel right downtown, that's kind of to be expected.",4,0,0,0
4124,XFKLRAaMJeJkRcKafaEqsg,"I had some friends come visit me the weekend of my graduation. But I live in a box (more suitably known as a studio) so there merely wasn't enough room at my place. Enter the Hyatt. I cannot complain when I was able to get it so cheap using Priceline. My friends had never been to Chicago, so the location was ideal, close to the Mag Mile, Millenium Park, all that touristy stuff they like to do...and it has a bar, so that was saving on cover to get into an overrated night spot. All in all, it was a nice place. I think we'll look for another hotel next time, just to have experienced more than one.",4,0,0,0
4125,AfS-9,"My wife's employer had their annual party at this hotel last night.  Everything was great with the venue.  The service, the food, the views, and bartenders.   We were given a special rate by the hotel, but we didn't take advantage of that since I knew the hotel was available via Priceline.",5,0,0,0
4126,gTZHpBc8ztzomENW2XQ0kQ,"I recently attended the College Art Association 98th annual conference (CAA2010) at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.  As just a hotel, this place is great.  The hotel is huge and it is conveniently located near basically everything downtown.  But, when it's filled with conference attendees, it makes navigating the lobby, getting through the revolving door, or trying to get a taxi frustrating, particularly when you're in a hurry and everyone else is just milling about. At one point a big Saturday-night crowd got stuck in the revolving doors on their way to exit the building.  It took three doormen to unstick the door.  Now, clearly, this can be chalked up to the guests' stupidity, but it seems to me that these herky-jerky, stopping-starting revolving doors can be improved on. The ballroom---the location of the CAA2010 book fair---is in an absurd and rather inaccessible location.  From my room on the 26th floor, I took the elevator down to the first floor, then a set of escalators down two more flights, then walked across a big lobby, through a corridor cramped with academics conversing, across another lobby just teeming with people, and then down another set of escalators.  I was an exhibitor at the book fair and toting my credit card terminals, supplies, conference program and other documents, as well as my handbag, camera bag, and all of my winter gear, was hugely inconvenient.  Also, three floors down, there is no cell phone service.  I have a brand-new iPhone 3GS, and could make no calls, nor access 3G or wifi down there.  As a hotel that hosts, no doubt, countless conventions each year, I find this issue preposterous. As far as the room goes, it was quite nice.  Roomy, huge TV, lots of furniture, modern décor, great view, mini bar, excellent water pressure in the shower.  At one point I dropped my book on the floor and knelt down to pick it up, only to see a whole mess of dust bunnies on the floor at the head of the bed.  Also there was a Fat Tire bottle cap---not mine, I swear---in the corner of the bathroom floor, which was not picked up until my third day in the hotel.  My room was for the most part nice and quiet; I occasionally heard folks walking by my door through the hallway, but I couldn't hear through the walls like I so often have at other hotels.  The sheets were nice and I can't sleep in sheets with low thread counts, so that's saying a lot!  The bed and huge mass of pillows felt comfortable and luxurious. The staff were friendly and made me feel super-special for being a Gold Member, which I'm pretty sure just means I signed up for their rewards program. The elevator situation wasn't any more annoying or inconvenient than it usually is at a hotel filled with conventioneers all going up and all staying on different floors, but at one point the elevator I was on alone stopped on floor 19 while en route to 26 and would not budge.  Luckily, the door opened and I was exactly on the floor (not halfway in the elevator shaft like you see in action flicks), so I was able to disembark and catch another elevator up to 26. The gym was lovely.  Spacious, with plenty of treadmills, ellipticals, weight machines, as well as free weights, kettlebells, weight bars, resistance bands, and stability balls.  And those Stay-Fit-at-Hyatt gym towels are better than any I've ever seen.  I have to confess, I have a bit of a collection here at home for my own personal use.  The treadmills and ellipticals have display screens where you can run on a track or in the mountains, watch TV, or listen to your iPod.  The iPod attachment charges your device as you listen.  It's pretty rad. All told, I would stay here again.  I just hope that either the Hyatt increases its connectivity in the ballroom or else the next convention I attend in Chicago is held at the Sheraton across the river, where wifi and cell phone signals are a non-issue.",3,0,0,0
4127,Fc2TigSPiTzCPBDYV288mA,"I booked a room at the Hyatt for my girlfriend's birthday.  Even though we're from Chicago and we actually don't live that far away from the Hyatt, I still thought it'd be a nice thing to do.  And of course, I could partly be blame for the room, because in general, Priceline has been consistent in giving me high quality hotels.  For example, I got a stay at the Fairmont last year and for the most part, that hotel was fantastic.   The Hyatt though?  For the price that I paid, it was nothing spectacular.  For the price that I paid + having to listen to cars and trucks rumble along lower Wacker/Columbus for the night?  Absolutely horrid.  I'll try to point out some of the highlights and shortcomings here - categorically, per usual. Location: 5 out of 5 Can't really beat it if you're a tourist.  Conveniently located and within walking distance to multiple attractions.  Cabs and shuttles know where it is too so if you're flying in, you won't be stuck trying to explain where it is. Customer Service: 3 out of 5 Caveat here.  You know who the friendliest people were at this hotel?  The people working the front door either greeting guests as they arrived, or hailing the cabs.   I really didn't get a good feel from anyone else working at the hotel.  They all seemed preoccupied with something else, and honestly, I really didn't care since it was only for one night.   Even the automatic check in kiosk was disappointing.  I ALWAYS go for the kiosks if they're available because it saves me time and I don't have to wait for any doofuses.  This kiosk though - wow, slow as dirt.  It may be the one time when checking in with the actual people behind the desk would have been faster.  Anyway. Quality of Room: 3 out of 5 No real complaints - spacious, comfortable, boutique'ish toiletries.  Like I mentioned earlier, if you get stuck facing the wrong way, you'll hearing cars and trucks rumbling throughout the night.  Since I'm a pretty heavy sleeper, I didn't notice it too much, but if you're trying to watch TV, it can be a real pain in the ass. Price: 3 out of 5 Sure, I Priceline'd it, but honestly, I expected just a little bit more than what was offered.  Before you comment and say, ""It's a great hotel, look at all the amenities!"" hear me out.  When you really strip away everything that overwhelms you when you first walk in and look at it piecewise instead of as one big picture - you'll be underwhelmed.  Glass ceilings, little pond with fountains, an ""open aired"" dining area, the escalators - get past all of that and when you do, the hotel becomes above average and not any more than that. Overall: 3 out of 5 I guess bidders can't be choosers.  Not a terrible hotel, but not really anything to write home about either.  Unless you're here on yelp.",3,0,0,0
4128,znV5GvxlWUv9YQ3QHqYfHA,"I like this place. Great location, nice room, great bar. We stayed here during our first visit in Chicago a few years ago... The bar is impressive - you are warned on the large/group martini glasses ;-) I am keeping the fifth star, because of their water conservation efforts. I appreciate their efforts, but I had specifically asked that they change the sheets after two days of our stay there, which they didn't. I called again and asked for the housekeeping to come back and change the sheets when we got back from the sightseeing, and they did so promptly. I say, when someone pays $180 a night to stay here, they deserve to sleep on clean sheets. There are planty of ways to be nice to mother nature...",4,0,0,0
4129,HrwccxoNq,"Stayed at the Hyatt Regency for two nights and two days.  It was a nice hotel.   Pros: -The service was terrific here.  They went out of their way to serve us and provide whatever it was that we needed from directions to restaurant recommendations to hailing a cab for us.  The indoor atrium of the hotel is very large and very nice.  It had a great bar that was packed both nights that we stayed. - Amazing views of Chicago - VERY comfortable bed and pillows - Flat panel LCD TV - Excellent location in the heart of Chicago - Several restaurants in and nearby the hotel, including Giordano's Cons: - Our room was out dated - Dated bathroom - Breakfast Buffet $22.00 - this isn't the Trump hotel - If you have room service bring you a case of Bud Light, it will cost $128! - No light switches, you have to walk across the dark room in search of a tiny lamp switch The only reason the I didn't give Hyatt Regency four stars: the room was dated and the bathroom needed a remodel. http://www.chicagoregenc…",3,0,0,0
4130,GopDj5VP7eVB5z1vgBYShg,"I have stayed here 4 times in the past 90 days and I have been thoroughly impressed with the property and staff.  Everyone is friendly, professional, and helpful.  Yes, things can and do wrong from time to time - it would be foolish to think otherwise.  However, it is how the staff handle the situation or problem is what counts, and this staff always step up to the plate, apologize (even if it is not their fault) and immediately begin to resolve it. The hotel is in a GREAT location, about a block from Michigan Ave (major shopping) and very easy walks to subway/metro, as well as State Street, Rush St, and other sights. The rooms are immaculate, clean, and well maintained.  I never had a problem at all in their area and have always been happy sleeping on these amazing beds!  The WiFi is reasonably priced, but there are plenty of free hot spots within walking distance.   I am a little sad that they do not have a pool - probably, my single downside with this Hyatt. Prices fluctuate a lot so check often.  I have scored rooms between $149-$199. The area is safe, walkable, and family friendly!",5,0,0,0
4131,rBXAAhydG-0Q,"Hyatt's usually don't let me down...but, this one has sort of (2 stars means that I've experience better). The check in woman was kind, helpful and let me check in early (1030am woo hoo!).  That's nice...we all have early flights time to time and just want to put our bags away.  Nice...also there was a big bag storage area, so if they didn't have a room, I could've stored my bag (not sure if there was a fee or not though). But after getting to my room...it was very underwhelming.  The room is quite small, less than 200 sqft.  The room is also unusually dark, I need a light on during the afternoon!  The desk is right next to the bed and the tv is on the same desk...get the feeling of cramped-ness yet?  The bathroom is nicely appointed and quite large (probably half the room size!).   The 2 stars is in comparison to other Hyatts I've stayed at (NYC, New Brunswick NJ, Phoenix, Albuquerque, etc...I've been to many Hyatts) and this one is probably the second worst.  The atrium is beautiful at least, so I guess leaving my room for that is an upgrade.  If staying in this part of town, I'd say to stay at the Swissotel down the street.  A bit further, but it was nicer there than here.  Maybe the other rooms here are nicer, but i can't give reviews based on assumptions and maybes.",2,1,0,0
4132,BzBTJsjgDU5PNRLQqPk0-w,"This is a nice enough hotel. I recently stayed here for 5 nights on a vacation and it was not a bad experience. Our room was, according to the girl at the front desk, recently renovated. I believe it, it was pretty swank and modern inside and had a nice view looking out at the river. The Bathroom was a good size. The afforementioned front desk employee was very nice. It was pricey, which is understandable given the location, but that price not does not include wi-fi. Very dissappointing. It may seem like a trifling complaint, but in this day and age wi-fi is as basic as cable tv in hotels. Also, housekeeping comes by very early, which is no big deal unless you forget to throw the ""privacy"" sign on the doorknob the night before in your drunken stupor. The location is very central and convenient to the all the train lines, but is more shoppy and businessy than anything. Not a lot of exciting bars in the area, but cabs and trains are everywhere so it doesn't really matter. Parking looked like a giant pain, the front check-in lot was always a tangle of poorly places vehicles. In short, not a bad hotel by any means but i will try someplace else next time.",3,0,0,0
4133,pWlg4b7NwbiBLdppfNYOMQ,Beds too soft.  One coffee for two people. No place to put your stuff in the bathroom.,3,0,0,0
4134,qAqTm0JmLlcNe6tGaKSB3A,"Initial caveat:  we got a 4-night stay during the holidays for $75/night using priceline's name-your-own-price, so it's hard to complain, cause the place is really pretty swanky.  But, I strongly doubt that the maid service, concierge, and other service personnel knew we were there on the cheap, so it doesn't excuse their behavior. The place was undergoing major renovations, so the outside of the buildings and the (main) east tower was kind of a mess, which maybe explained why they may have been short staffed or disgruntled.  We stayed in the West tower and it was quiet and the rooms were nice and comfortable, with good views. The service was rotten though.  The maids never once replaced anything they removed from our room.  If I ever wanted fresh glasses, ice bucket bags, or shampoo/conditioner, I had to call the maid service and request them.  And when I called, I usually got attitude: ""Can I get turn-down service tonight while we're out this evening?"" ""OK, someone will be up shortly."" ""And would you ask the maids to possibly check and replace any used or empty items around our room while they're up here?"" (gruffly) ""Ok, sir, you're going to need to tell me EXACTLY what you need.  What do you ACTUALLY need?"" I listed the various items, which I found later in a plastic bag tossed in the bathroom sink.  They couldn't even place the items in the shower or their various places. The other big issue was room service, whose absurd prices (I assumed) already contemplated the strenuous task of delivering the food up an elevator,  Nevertheless, they charged a $4 delivery charge on top of auto-gratting the bill 18%.  Thus an already over-priced $13 turkey sandwich cost a mandatory $20.  Ridiculous. I like Hyatt and would probably try the other one near the Water Tower if we visit Chicago again, but this experience was a mess.  If we'd been paying the full $179/night, I would probably have lost it.",2,1,0,0
4135,Mq86RuWkOJDNpnVbJkkc4A,"I enjoyed my stay here (September 2011). The view from our room was jaw dropping. It was right across the street from the river and Magnificent Mile. So many sites and sounds of Chicago right at my fingertips. The parking was a bit hard to find and expensive, but other than that, no other complaints. Oh yeah, SUPER COMFORTABLE bed! Also, great curtains that kept the room nice and dark to help me sleep in. Oh, I think the price was around $125 a night for Sunday-Tuesday.",4,0,0,0
4136,RbSRHcw3uLLE-sf0twS1aA,"Priceline sent us here when we booked through Priceline (name your own price) and this stay was definitely worth it!  Though the sheer size of this place is enough to make you feel like a small fish (2100 rooms, what?!) the room we stayed in was quite large and spacious.   Linens were clean and crisp, beds were comfortable and downy, and our room was SUPER quiet and dark.  Granted, we were in the west wing, and had a nice view into the neighboring business high rise.  If you're like me, you'll spend half your time in the morning watching all the people laboring away, and be glad you're not them.   The staff was very helpful and the woman at the check in counter supplied me with a map and a detailed list of neighboring parking garages.  Valet is 50 dollars here.  Though the thought of unlimited in/out privileges is appealing, spare yourself a bunch of cash and park at one of the other spots.  Millennium garage, directly behind Hyatt and next to the little grocery store, is 30/overnight.  Its indoor, clean, and safe!  There are reduced rates for being there 12 hours or less. The hotel is also located very close to the infamous Michigan Avenue, where you will find the art museum, millennium park, numerous fancy-pants boutiques and stores.  Plenty of sights to see, lots of people to watch, and just a quick walk back to your room. Thoroughly enjoyed my stay here.",4,1,0,0
4137,JPJTbgh159TjR5nrQDxPIg,"During our stay at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, we enjoyed being only a few blocks from Millenium Park, Macy's and the Art Institute. Our beautiful room (1064 in the East Tower) overlooked the Chicago River and the Magnificent Mile skyline. Automatic check-in was quick and easy. We arrived before the 3 p.m. check-in and were able to check our luggage easily. Before we settled in, my husband did his usual 10-minute bedbug search with high-beam flashlight and magnifying glass, and there is no problem here. My number one priority in hotels is getting a good night's sleep, and we slept beautifully. The beds were incredibly comfortable, and the linens and pillows of high quality. The blackout curtains did their job, and there was no noise from the street or adjacent rooms (the hotel was full at least one of the nights we were there, so we did have neighbors). We visited in the summer, and the room and public areas were always delightfully cool. Transportation was excellent, with the Number 6 bus to Loop stores and Hyde Park stopping in front of the hotel, and the Number 151 Michigan Avenue bus on the corner. Valet parking was easy, and there was always a line of cabs at the hotel. The housekeeper was very nice and she kept the room spotless. The shower felt great! Hotel staff is genuinely friendly and helpful, with none of the ""have a nice day"" automatic civility of many businesses that cater to the public. After I tried and failed to get tickets for Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House tour, I turned to the concierge, and she walked me through booking the tour on the Robie House website and printing the tickets. Another concierge printed driving directions back home for us. Breakfast Buffet: The selection and presentation is terrific. It's like attending 12 bar mitzvahs!  Manuel made me a wonderful omelet, cooking the onions and mushrooms thoroughly, as I requested, before adding the spinach and cheddar cheese I had selected. The fruit cup and pineapple spears were very fresh. There are options to match any appetite and special diet, and for those without time to wait for an omelet, there were at least a dozen egg and pancake dishes on the steam table. Smoked salmon, excellent cheeses (including artisan cheddar, goat cheese and brie) and freshly made waffles were available, and there was an extensive selection of breads, pastries, cereal and drinks. Service was exceptional!  Manuel brought my omelet to the table, and the waiter brought me coffee, water and a newspaper. One of my restaurants pet peeves is constant sound. While there were televisions in the dining area, the sound is muted, leaving guests in blessed silence to enjoy this fabulous breakfast. The workout room was clean and well equipped, and you can hook up your iPod to the cardio machines. My husband and I enjoyed a drink at The Big Bar. The negatives: Constant noise from the bathroom fan, loud enough that we had to keep the bathroom door closed; a squeaky bathroom door; and intermittent motor-like noise from above the ceiling. I asked to have these problems fixed and they weren't. Also, the flat screen television did not have a very good picture, most shows were not high definition and there was no programming guide. At one point during our stay our key cards stopped working. Assistant Front Office Manager Rocco LaFronza was just delightful. He got us into our room and comped us breakfast buffet the next day, turning a negative experience into a positive.   I look forward to staying at this luxurious hotel again.",5,1,0,0
4138,S5N0W8lME5IIjME9a1wZ3Q,"What is WRONG with these people! I LOVE this hotel!... Don't try to say I don't know my hotels.... I have traveled a lot more than your average bear, in over 40 US states and at least a dozen countries.  This may not be the most posh, or the most service oriented, but they give you a very good quality stay for a decent price with a TON of perks. The location is terrific.  I like to take the train in from the airport, but that's just because it puts me in a city frame of mind.  They have a very nice airport pickup/drop off for people who are a little more practical and less city-romantic than me.  The hotel faces the Chicago river... so you can watch the drawbridges go up and down, and all the sailboats stream in and out to the lake, and yes... many rooms have a view of the lake.  If you can't see the lake, then you CAN see the beautiful city lit up at night in all her glory.  In the winter, a desert dweller like myself can enjoy the underground corridors.  You can go to the sub levels and travel around the city for blocks.... get your nails done, go to a lounge or restaurant, or do a little shopping.  If the weather isn't horrible, Michigan Ave is across the street.  I could wander the area for days. The atrium lobby is spectacular... a great place to sit with your coffee and FREE WIFI",4,0,0,0
4139,gNqxtAQEsgWbIIJYGGxkFw,"Megatron of hotels in Chicago.  We lost one of our party in here in 2003 and have never heard from her again. It's not really all that special, it's just BIG.",3,0,0,0
4140,qoOkO2ul8nCUMsLGpxCleA,"I got this room off of priceline for $80.  It was right on Michigan, which I loved.  Yes it is a convention hotel but it was still pretty inside, with lots at your fingertips, including on site restaurants, coffee shops and souvenier shops.   The staff was all incredibly helpful and very nice.  WE called down to them for recommendations about 4-5 times and had great ideas each time... The room was very clean and very nice, high thread count linens and plush towels. They even helped my boy plan a romantic little setup in the room for me (rose petals, a vase of tulips, wine and chocolate covered strawberries)! We got a room at the end of the hallway, which was nice as well.  the only downside was that I could hear the VERY loud girls across the hall all night.",3,0,0,0
4141,qwCmFdn0gU8ZXR65qMsKDQ,"So...  I had an interesting experience with Hyatt as a conference attendee.    I had this whole long thing posted, telling the story, but...  too long!  Shortened version - they screwed up our reservations, tried to blame me for the mistake when it was blatantly obvious they had screwed up, threatened to write corporate, and low and behold, the next day, they must have been waiting for me to enter the room, because within 10 min, my roommate and I hear a knock at the door.  A complimentary water and fruit service for me.  I guess this was their way of apologizing.   So.  Would I choose to stay here again?  The rooms were ok, the iPod radio dock was nice.  The service sucked, but at least they tried in a small way to make up for their crappy service that night.  No, I probably wouldn't opt for the hotel, but if I have to attend a conference there again, I guess I'll have to stay there for the convenience factor!  They're lucky they sent us the water and gave the discount, otherwise they'd be looking at 1-2 stars!  But I guess that was the point!  :)",3,0,0,0
4142,0Qhfz4UOC4aBs,Muy kick ass place. I used to come here for SoxFest. Rooms were well laid out and decently priced. It's a shame the sox left here for the Palmer House.,5,0,0,0
4143,m4zG-sVWgKuBVTEGT2AHeg,"Worst staff ever. I tried calling a guest there and was 1) transferred to the front desk, where no one picked up 2) told they didn't stay there 3) transferred to a Hyatt operator who wasn't even in the hotel 4) finally transferred to her room, without an apology I just lost 30 minutes to the incompentence of this staff.",1,0,0,0
4144,tkOekKlCwkOPePbAw698OQ,"Booked via PL for a rate of approximately $85 after taxes.  For this area, I was pleased. I am a Gold Passport member, although this was my first ever stay at a Hyatt due to the lack of them in areas I often stay in when spending a night somewhere, and was treated like I was an elite member.  You won't get this kind of attitude at the vast majority of any other hotel you stay at.  Was checked in at one of the Gold Passport desks only because it was empty and I was motioned over there by a clerk.  When she inquired about me being a Passport member I told her I was and she was INCREDIBLY polite and friendly despite me booking via PL.  Asked about a more quiet room away from elevators and she put me in a room in the West tower on the end.  No view, but it was definitely quiet. Loved the room.  Odd location for tv and armoire, but bed was great, and bathroom was very nice as well. Check-in area was a zoo.  Not enough room for the size of a hotel it is.  Not sure what's going on with the street entrance to the West Tower, but it just seemed odd. The one real complaint I had was with one of the guys hailing taxis and helping with bags outside.  I tipped a buck after he slung my bags in the back and he didn't even close the trunk.  I had to get out and slam it shut once we realized he was more concerned with getting the next tip. I was only here for a night and just wanting something towards the center of the city since I had one day of sightseeing on my own to do.  3-4 blocks from the Red Line, but overall a good location.  The staff impressed me the most.  Good job, Hyatt.",4,0,0,0
4145,qyWu05mPGC,"Definitely above average in terms of the mid-range hotels I've stayed at.  Our room was clean, notably quiet, and BIG (also $40 less per night than the recommended hotel for the wedding we were in town for).  Excellent & friendly service and tons of amenities in the same complex, plus we couldn't have asked for a better location in terms of being able to walk to stuff, including public transportation.  Do be forewarned, though, that it's a business hotel, not really vacation spot, so there's no pool or breakfast area for example, and wi-fi isn't free ($13/day).  I would stay here again in a heartbeat, though.",4,0,0,0
4146,GraMYphdday6U8mRGiOuBw,"Gets one star just for the annoyance of the parking valet situation.  You drop the car off at the front entry, and of course you would think you would pick up at the same place when you need your car.  Instead they send you down two escalators to pay at an automated booth.  Then after going back up with my paid ticket, and letting me stand around for twenty minutes, the knuckle-head says to go back downstairs to get my vehicle.  Lack of communication...annoying.",1,0,0,0
4147,ZIAHcQsbPlZV,"We had a great value on a room here, upgraded for a small fee for an excellent view of the city. Will definitely consider staying here if we stay in this part of Chicago on our next trip",4,0,0,0
4148,CQ76cv0j9Cgv-XMG5SDdjA,"Visited Chicago Independence Day/Taste of Chicago weekend. Stay at the Hyatt for 3 ladies. Pros- Great rates are always available on Hotwire, Room are fairly large, queen size beds, modern decor, lobby is gorgeous! The staff was friendly, they don't go out of the way to speak to you, but when you ask them a question they are nice/helpful. Concierge gave us good recommendations. We were out in the city pretty much all day, so we didnt ask for much at the hotel, just towels, towels, and more towels. They were quick to bring up more. The 3rd day they brought us a ton of towels so we didnt need to call for more... lol. Quick check-out, clean rooms/bathroom. CONVENIENCE is the #1 reason to choose the hotel. Walking distance to Mag Mile, Grant/Millenium Parks, navy pier, Giordano's, CVS, connected to the downtown tunnel for quick meals. It was a block over from Michigan so we were close enough to get to everything yet away from the large crowds on the main strip. Cons - There was a pair of dirty socks left in the closet in plain sight, that the cleaning crew obviously missed... however the rest of the room was clean.  There are NO refrigerators in the room. Only the mini-bar fridge and you're charged $$ for putting any items in it. I asked the front desk if they could bring a mini-fridge up to the room and she said ""Yes, but there is a $25 fee to do so""...",4,0,0,0
4149,X4Z4fIh4JISq3cypwlxqSA,"This hotel is very busy and is operating way beyond their means. Incompetent service. Hotel ran out of hot water by 9am saturday. Elevators were very slow, waited 10 minutes on any given event. Red line trains ran every 10 minutes beneath city streets and you can hear the thunder in your room from them but it shouldnt keep you awake at night. Used my stay toward NW airlines bonus points. Bar was ok. One cup coffee service was awful. No free wireless and no free cable channels. Fridge was 25 bucks a day to use. With http://hotels.com res got it for 65 bucks with tax so what can you expect.?.... Location was superb and cab service was convenient but not enough to outweigh the negatives.",2,0,0,0
4150,6zFVDt1y8bwvD2akZU3,"To close out a week in Chicago we stayed at the Hyatt Regency. This Hotel is HUGE! The fact that they give you a map upon check-in confirmed just how big it was. Great hotel for a last minute stay right in the thick of everything. We were able to walk/shop down Michigan Ave. and relax at the bar. Great atmosphere, nice decor. Not a fan of their shuttle service and the although the bar is SUPER nice the service is SUPER horrible.",3,0,0,0
4151,azGYTOF26nS7IfKKTnL9iw,Fabulous! I got a corner room on the 15th floor and it was simply amazing. GREAT location right off Michigan Ave too!,5,0,0,0
4152,76uLDvmSrbJemAk8Cz6E7g,"I had a fine experience.  Service and staff were all wonderful.  Price was great (thanks to priceline).  View was great.  Room decor was a-ok. ONLY downside: walls are pretty thin and our next-door neighbor decided to sing, and I mean SING, at six in the morning.",4,0,0,0
4153,8xL-UQwVO55XMdY-,"Picked up this hotel for a great rate on Priceline for a few days.  The hotel was in a great location for me as I have friends that live a few blocks from here.  Was also excited to be around the corner from the Hard Rock and their lobby bar, but the place was dead while I was here.  Front desk staff were very helpful, and was able to score a room on one of the top floors with an amazing view and a slightly larger room than I was supposed to get.  Love the $20 trick. :)  Internet worked really poorly for me the entire time I was there, which was a bit frustrating.  Also had to deal with parking my car a few blocks away for like $25/night as opposed to the hotel's $50/night parking.  Wouldn't have been that bad was it not for the cold weather.",4,1,0,0
4154,VAgO,"We enjoyed our stay at this Hyatt. The great view of a snow-covered downtown at Christmas was my favorite. My only regret was not venturing out to find a local restaurant for dinner; we could have done better than the hotel's ""Big Bar.""",4,1,1,0
4155,kGEp,"First the good: 1. Great location. Very close to Michigan Ave, where all the stores & restaurants are, and the river. It's a beautiful walk from this hotel to the river and other locations. Navy pier is a 20 minute walk. 2. The hotel is huge, could be a plus or minus for some, for me it didn't make a difference. 3. Extremely nice staff at check in 4. River view if you are on a high floor and if you get a room with a view (duh) 5. Could be great value if you get a low rate The bad: 1.  The person who designed the lay out of the bathroom should be fired. The toilet paper holder (w/ the toilet paper naturally) was behind the toilet. That was really annoying as you can imagine. The water pressure was bad. They had a curtain instead of a glass door in the shower. The sink was not comfortable to use. 2. Parking was extremely expensive - $50 per night. 3. No refrigerator. If you open the mini bar and take something out, even without opening it, you get charged because the bar is activated by a motion sensor. 4. Kind of felt like they nickled and dimed you for everything. 5. Bad TV channels, nothing to watch, no HBO. 6. The coffee shop down stairs was expensive, but I guess it's not the hotel's fault. 7. No pool. Overall, I am not sure if  I would have stayed here over another similar hotel in the same price range, but if the price was low I would stay here just because the location is so great. Tip: ""like"" their FB page and you could get discounts for the room and/or parking and you can even make requests.",3,0,0,0
4156,veb,"I booked this hotel through Priceline's name your own price. The hotel is in a very convenient location. Right next to the water and not right in the middle of downtown were traffic can be congested. Our room was on the 26th floor and had a great view. They had a floating bed which was pretty cool. There was a convenient bar/restaurant in the hotel. The food was decent as well as the drinks. The bad. There was no bed cover sheet on our bed. It was simply a regular sheet that was tucked in. For someone who moves around while he sleeps, the bottom sheet constantly came undone and was exposing the bare mattress. Not very comfortable. The room size was a little small as well. As soon as I walked in, the doorway was narrow and there wasn't much room to maneuver around. Also, the walls were very thin so we could hear everything from our neighbors on both sides. Overall, this hotel was decent. Again, for the money, it wasn't a bad selection. However, I don't think I would want to stay there again.",3,0,0,0
4157,UwnZ5PxKfB4h,"Where do I start??? So bad I couldn't even give it a star!! But forced to in order to complete this review! Check in was fine, they did allow us to check in early. I requested a non-smoking room.   I had gone online to use their concierge service which is supposed to be an easier way to request amenities.  We went to Chicago to celebrate my mom's 67th birthday so it as supposed to be an amazing experience! I ordered my mom a fruit basket for one of her surprises which she never got even after ordering it twice.  However, concierge did send her wine with chocolates for her birthday. And after the 2nd non receipt of my amenity for my mom they sent us three apples with a card congratulating me for my birthday! (rolls eyes) Before arriving to Chicago, I sent a request for dinner reservations at a great Mexican restaurant I got a phone call that their restaurants would be closed!! What the hell kind of shit is that? You are a hotel you don't close shit down when you have hotel guests in your hotel!! Ok fine the concierge was supposed to book me a reservation for 2 on my mom's birthday which was on the 24th of December, so I get a phone call from Dwayne saying that a lot of places were closed but he would try to find a place that was open.   I had checked with the concierge and that is when I found out that their restaurant was closed and that they had gotten us a reservation at Mexx. So we settled in and got ready for dinner.  We had a great dinner. However they had us down for dinner on Christmas day??!! Hmm...  Someone messed that up! Go figure! As with any information obtained from the concierge it was misinformation after misinformation! From where to find free Wi-Fi to where I could find some soul food!!  I was also told that I could not find food after midnight and that my only option was room service or the deli down in the lobby.  I didn't want either of those options! Pissed I called the front desk and told her that I wanted to transfer the room to my mom because I wanted to check out, she tried to counter act the misinformation about food access by telling me that there was definitely places that deliver to the hotel up until 5am but didn't seem phased that I wanted to leave.  Made me feel swell!!!!! Thank god I know people who live there and from there or I would have been stuck. The Room... We booked through Priceline. So I didn't pay that much per night, had I paid more I would have demanded a refund!!  It reeked of cigarette smoke and it took 2 days to go away.  The room had dust that covered some parts of the room was so thick I could write in it! The bathroom had chipped tile, a broken tub drain, and a loose screw that held the curtain rod to its hinges.   A little advice read all hotel reviews; call the hotel in advance to make sure they are 100% before booking!! And if you are unhappy with your room no matter how much you pay for it speak to a manger. I just don't understand why this hotel received 4 stars!!! It so does not deserve it.  The whole staff had no way to compensate for their lack of customer service skills and or their screw ups.  I didn't cause a scene because of my mom. Rest assured we won't ever stay in a Hyatt.  Priceline should know when a hotel is not 100% operational or is undergoing construction which is one of the excuses I heard from the front desk as to why there were putting us in a tower across the street.",1,0,0,0
4158,C1RTXQoru6SX7pHqGnCDzQ,"This hotel is crap. I've stayed here twice and both stays were less than impressive. The sad part is that the owners of Hyatt live in Chicago, so you'd think they would put more effort into this property but we have nicer Hyatt's in Colorado. I've stayed in a lot of the hotels around Michigan Ave and usually don't feel the need to write a review but last night's stay was ridiculous. The weather has been pretty brutal in Chicago and my apartment does not have central air, so I thought I would treat myself to a hotel for the night. Well I used Hotwire hoping I would get anything but this place, but that did not happen. I showed up around midnight because my girlfriend and I had been to the movies. Now I find sometimes if you get a really laid back night shift crew, they won't make you put down a credit card. I mean it's already midnight and checkout is at noon, why fill out more paperwork and hassle me with having to check that the ""authorization"" drops off. Well I guess this place thinks they're the W because they would not budge on a $50 authorization. $50 bucks!!! Even if I rockstar trashed the room, I'm so sure the $50 would cover it all. Oh well I let them authorize for $50 even though my room was pre-paid and then got offered a queen bed. Not okay. I can sleep on a king at home, I'm not paying to sleep on a queen. We finally compromise with a king on a smoking floor. I then asked if they knew of any late-night delivery open because I did not have my laptop to Grubhub something. The dude hands me a Sarpino's menu. WOW! The room was just what I had expected. Paper thin walls, rock hard bed and no wine glasses(just paper cups). Yeah, we got the longest bar in the country and you can't put real glasses in the room. To top it off, housekeeping woke me up at noon even though the privacy sign was up and the front desk said if I wanted to stay till 3 PM it would be 1/2 a night in price. No thank you! Do yourself a favor and skip on this place. The W, the Dana and even the Hotel Felix are better than this dump.",1,0,0,0
4159,qFKpSaeF0I0hiz66btXtrg,"Let's see ... 1) I was unable to use the Internet, even after I paid the ridiculous $14 fee. I called to report this twice, and each time I was on hold for over 5 minutes. When I did speak to someone (off-location), it took about 15-20 minutes of my time (x2 phone calls) to 'troubleshoot' - which still did nothing. I was told I'd be called back when service was back up. Nothing. 2) The black wiry hairs on the bathroom floor were a BIT easier to stomach than the large broken fingernail on the floor NEXT TO MY BED. I should note it's definitely not mine. These two things put together trump any 'good' I got from the hotel. For the price and name on this hotel, these aforementioned details are NOT excusable. Disgusting!",1,0,0,0
4160,XeJwopIal9zH6r5FEWssQg,"Stayed here for 3 nights on business during the summer.  Bed was very comfortable, had a nice view, and room was quiet.  Decorations were nice.  Room was pricey at $299 per night, but there were conventions going on which booked up the place and raised the price.  The breakfast downstairs was very good.  But the best part of the Hyatt Regency on Wacker is the location.  Every night we walked to some great places like Andy's Jazz Club, the 14th floor terrace bar at the Trump building, Millenium Park, and a longer walk to Grant Park for Blues Fest, etc.  Lake Shore Drive is just a few blocks away.  The red line subway is a long walk though, but we took cabs mostly.  The bar is a happening place in the evenings, but there are too many guys due to the conventions.",4,0,0,0
4161,Y5-Mq8OKnItOfIh9B-28XQ,"I gave this hotel 3 stars because once you get over the impressive size and plethora of shops it really is just average. The rooms are clean and modestly appointed but adequate. The water pressure left plenty to be desired though, along with the air conditioning. I stayed in the east wing, its my understanding the west wing is newer and perhaps a bit better. I stayed 5 days due to a conference for work and overall its livable but definitely not a 5 star hotel. The one major thing it has going for it is location. It is in the heart of it all. Close to downtown and navy pier.",3,0,0,0
4162,VaIHz5AN5gdfd4DF9hv5DQ,"Excellent hotel, it's close to anything related to Michigan Ave! Not far from the train, and in walk able distance to a lot of attractions. We walked from here to the Taste of Chicago, as well as up and down Michigan Ave! It's very big, I believe they have two separate towers with a really nice bar and restaurant. Check in was fast and the rooms were clean. The cleaning lady did come at an odd time, but I guess she probably started or ended with our rooms.  Elevators are a bit slow but what do you expect with the number of floors. Overall I was very happy with my stay here!",5,0,0,0
4163,4Bvi1lKbcMZygY0k4S12Jg,"Neat king room layout with the bed in the middle of the room and a desk behind it near the window. I liked the iPod/iPhone speaker/charger dock. The bathroom was very nice, with a large edge-lit mirror that made it seem really upscale. My room had a safe and a mini-bar fridge. The TV was a decent LCD but the channels took forever to change there wasn't much variety. It felt like a 2011 TV with 1992 cable. It looks like all rooms offer a great view. The location is fantastic with lots nearby, including Navy Pier. There are two towers so make sure to go to the main entrance to check in (east tower). A pedestrian bridge connects them.",4,0,0,0
4164,zQmIq7GkvSXZ0Fdj0coEiA,"We had a great stay here for Lollapalooza.  The staff were really nice and helpful.  Especially the bell men.  Clean, nice, up to date and great location!",4,0,0,0
4165,pbuCmPa7dRAvzRcbu,"Great, well-trained, efficient staff.  Always on top of their game!",5,0,0,0
4166,IO1GQ--JbcgSGurtBsydDQ,"There was trash in the room when we came in...a bunch of paper and bags stuffed behind the chair in the corner.  When we first called down to tell the front desk, we were put on hold for several minutes and had to call back.  Finally did get a hold of someone.  We went for a walk and when we returned, some of the trash had been cleaned up, but there was still paper stuffed behind the chair (even though we had told the front desk that that was where the trash was).   On top of this, the room we were given was the ADA-compliant room, which we were told was our only option if we wanted a king bed.  It was very clear that this hotel 'phoned-in' conversion of this room for ADA-compliance; many of the fixtures were poorly converted or useless, regardless of one's ability status.   For example, the bathroom sink was incredibly small and shallow.  More the size of a sink in an RV than a full bathroom.   Instead of installing ADA-compliant towel racks, there were simply no towels in the bathroom.  It really was unpleasant to step out of the shower and realize that you have to walk out into the bedroom and into the closet to get a bath towel.   Annoyingly, the room's security latch was installed at the same height as the main light switch.  When the latch was unlocked, it covered the light switch.  The was very frustrating when coming into a dark room for the evening and having to fumble behind the latch to get to the switch. The overall ambiance of the hotel lobby felt more like a mall food court than a relaxing hotel.  Parking was shockingly expensive, and increased the cost of our stay by 50%. Only pro:  Good location.",2,0,0,0
4167,5puDlZvbRGAiURCgVCPXBQ,"My wife and I made a reservation and because we were meeting a friend in town, called ahead and were assured that they would have a room for us with two queen beds. At checking, we were informed that this was not possible, but that we could have a room with one king bed or a rollaway could be brought to our room. We took the rollaway option so that our friend would not need to sleep on the floor and were told we would need to wait in the room until the rollaway arrived. After 90 minutes of waiting, I called the front desk and was re-routed to an operator who informed me that there would be a $25 charge for the rollaway and that she would need to connect me to the front desk. After five more minutes on hold, I was connected with the front desk. I was assured that they were very busy and the bed would arrive without charge. Pressing them about our dinner reservations that we would soon miss, I was then informed that if we did not place the privacy sign on the room door, the bed could be delivered in our absence. The Hyatt Regency seems unable to keep up with their current level of demand or is extremely poorly managed. We will not stay at one again.",1,0,0,0
4168,fP50Mht8S8pRWMK2kxlJSQ,"Huge huge hotel. I love the hyatt beds... so soft and comfy!  Coming from a smaller city, I forget how much walking around you have to do in a big city.  Vegas hotels are worst! So much walking just to get to your room. Anyways, the check in process was smooth and easy.  Great service.  Valet was expensive but that was expected so no surprise there. The day we left there was protesting done outside the hotel area so we had to go get our car from the valet garage... not really valet service.  On nicer days, it's  a good walk to the shops on Michigan Ave.  In the cold winter days, I would recommend bundling up or getting a taxi.  Overall, good hotel and location.  We always get a deal on priceline!",4,0,0,0
4169,SZ5avrBhtqcSKkFVNDZKEQ,"This review applies to the parking garage service.  I am very funny about turning my car over to anyone since I have a hybrid and I'm always paranoid they are not going to know how to drive it. It is quite different at first -took me about a month to get the hang of it!  Since I was on my way to a work related event and we didn't know where else to park, this was our only option.  The attendant reassured me that they have had experience with my kind of car and I left it. When I got back, they had my car back to me within 5 minutes and it was all in one piece. I guess I have Ferris Bueller level paranoia! I would definitely trust this staff again with my car if I had to park in that area! Sometimes a little extra money is worth it if you know your car is in good hands!",4,0,0,0
4170,EnorsbdqBPES670l0p2AWA,"The first room they gave me had absolutely no view, it overlooked the atrium and some ugly rooftop of the hotel. I asked to be moved  and they were very accommodating, which I give them credit for. However I have some major issues with this hotel thus far. The room looks worn and is not up to my standards for almost 200 a night. I ordered room service, and the food was good, but I had an issue with the service. I asked if the guy who brought it up if he had change, he said no. I gave him 40 for a $32.00 meal expecting him to return with my change but he never did.  Needless to say I am not pleased. And I also cannot seem to find any information in this hotel room on the amenities. The booklet on the desk has room service info, but nothing about where the gym is located, is there a spa, etc etc. I expected better from a Hyatt.",2,0,0,0
4171,qCPRMK9QlcWzEV789x1IIA,"If I could give 3.5 stars I would.  Let me say, my fiance and I really love the Hyatt hotels.  We're getting married at the Hyatt Lodge in Oak Brook, and have their ""frequent stay"" card equivalent.  I was super excited about staying here not only because we were going to collect some points we can use for future Hyatt stays, but also because it's right downtown and close to where we were heading out to dinner that night.  I upgraded to a King Deluxe on a high floor, so we had a great view of the river and some of Navy Pier.  Our bed was comfortable and the room was dead quiet.  The bathroom was nicely upgraded and everything was very clean.  However, I still think the room was still a little too pricey.  I did add valet parking to my bill, which was over $50 for keeping it overnight (OUCH!!!!).  Also, I love ordering room service, but $17 pancakes aren't my thing.   Staff was super friendly, though, and checkin/out was a breeze.",3,0,0,0
4172,2Kqy57ULDrVDHkXUFU2s5Q,"Very nice hotel, the rooms are well laid out and the furnishings are nice. The lobby area is amazing, plenty of space to relax and walk around. The only drawback (for me) was the lack of free wireless internet. It cost ~ $13 a day to be able to use it in your room. I would definitely stay here again.",4,3,3,3
4173,X6eJabdeFhoA0ZyoZNy8bQ,"The first impression you get when you walk through the sliding doors of the Hyatt Regency Chicago is WOW. The lobby is beautiful with a upscale mall type of look to it with an open area that has a restaurant, plenty of couches,seats etc to people watch and a lake with water fountains. You take the escalator to the concierge/directory/check in area.     The hotel let me check in at 12pm (I had a 3pm check in time). I suggest you call ahead like I did so they know you are coming early.The women at the desk was friendly and when I requested a higher level floor she was more than happy to look it up and even told me ""I have a room on the 18th floor with a view of the river or you can go higher with no view"". I thought it was pretty nice to give me that information so that I wouldn't get stuck with a room with a view of a wall.     The rooms are big (I had a doubles room) The beds were beautiful with great pillows,blankets,headboards etc. An Ipod alarm clock was a nice 21st century touch to the room. Great to plug in your ipod, listen to some music and get ready for a night out or when relaxing after a long day of touring Chicago. The view was very nice and the bathroom was spotless and had great toiletries.     Another great feature is the concierge area's computers that gives you access to printing your boarding pass before you get to the airport. You simply look at the screen, click on your airline icon and following the instructions. I had my boarding passes in about a minute. Came in handy when I got to OHare and was able to skip a long line of frustrated passengers. I was only in the hotel for 1 day, but it was by far one of the better hotel experiences I have had and I travel alot. It is a business hotel, but definitely a great choice for families and couples. Definitely would stay here again when Im passing through Chicago.",4,3,2,1
4174,flNL5mIJ19t1rk0THMVMTw,"I had a very good stay at the Hyatt.  The room was modern, clean and very comfortable.  I had a couple of questions for the staffa and they were all answered pleasantly.  The entire hotel is huge featureing restaurants, bars, conference rooms, coffee and gift shops there are staff members everywhere to assist you.  This is a very busy hotel as it is very centrally located to the Loop, Navy Pier, Michigan avenue and everything Chicago has to offer.  There were only a few problems though. They made an error with our reservation and it took them a very long time to resolve it.  They did clear things up.  It also took a very long time to get our car from valet when we checked out.  Amidst all the small problems the Hyatt more than made up for the minor problems that I encountered.",4,2,2,2
4175,jsx,"I've stayed here with my boyfriend on two different occasions when we were in Chicago and didn't want to drive back to the suburbs or sleep on our friend's couch. Both times the room was comfortable, clean, and had great views of the river and surrounding buildings. We had drinks and the Spanish pizza from the big bar. My martini (my yelp picture) was giant, probably had about 4 shots in it too. I was definitely feeling a buzz after that. I would recommend staying here to anyone looking for accommodations under $200/night in the city.",4,0,0,1
4176,-pBPLr2jHCLPZvF4Zfbz5g,"This hotel is in a great location for some good, touristy sight seeing. It is next to the Chicago River and walking distance to both the Navy Pier and Millennium Park. The rooms are very nice with large, comfy beds. The atmosphere is pretty upbeat. Only downside is the lack of free wifi and the tv gets bad reception. I mean, I did not go to Chicago to watch tv but on down time it is nice to sit and veg. The signal was in and out constantly. All in all, I would recommend this hotel.",4,0,0,0
4177,0aGSYGx8uNvRxvpW01aWKQ,"First of all, I've been in the hotel for an event and I thought it was well run and the staff was very nice.  This past weekend my friends stayed here while visiting for New Year's Eve.  I thought the room was a little small but decent enough, and again the staff was fine.  However, the hotel was having a huge NYE party and made all the guests wear wristbands.  That's fine, but no visitors were allowed without purchasing wristbands for an extra $25 and this information was not given to my friends before making the reservation.  The upstairs bar was also way understaffed way too close to midnight.",3,2,0,0
4178,dcFF9akYubn,"Location, location, location.  My honey and I went there Mother's Day weekend (for the Beer Fest) ... if we did decide to stay there again, it WOULD NOT be on a popular/holiday weekend or for 39.00 parking charge ~ which you had to do valet (bullpoo!)  Check in is 3:00 and check out it 12:00 and the 39.00 dollar charge is for a 24 hr period, yet you have to have your car out by 12:00 or you pay for an additional day.  I don't get that?!?!  The room was nice and clean but the cleaning people knocking on our door at 7:30 in the morning, then at 9:00 a.m. was NOT cool.   But then again, we did have the pleasure of hearing this obnoxious family at all hours.  The only reason that I would recommend the place is for it's location.",3,2,0,0
4179,ulw-GnJrzMLLXmJjl8LjaA,"Stayed  here for a convention over Valentine's weekend.  I was chaperoning a group of 40 students and I was anticipating a hassel at check in, but it went pretty smoothly.  No free internet anywhere in the place, but the rooms were comfortable and everything seemed new.  I noticed a charge to my credit card for around $13 that I didn't make (I think for internet service) and I was on hold for 10 minutes with accounting before I hung up.  Services for the conference were excellent, but not the best customer service-wise for guests.  Too much bleach on the towels too, I thought I was going to faint from the smell",2,2,0,0
4180,Z-Wp2l0ytJAIB9rGJ76x5Q,"stayed here during my first trip to Chicago, based on friend's recommendation. when you first see this place from the outside, it looks impressive! the largest hotel in Chi, it makes you feel as you were in the airport, when come in. i was told that Chi hotels were known for its luxury, so my bar might have been set a little too hight. our room felt kind of old and dark. but it had a large tv, iHome, and the beds were pretty comfortable. the bathroom was nice :) the food inside the hotel is pricey. but that is expected. the staff were friendly. they agreed to hold our suitcases after we checked out and wanted to see the cite before our flight. one of the valet guys there recommended us a great restaurant  not to far away (Emerald  Loop) and even gave us a coupon for a free appetizer. we got a good deal on the room, so can't really complain. however I will try a different hotel next time.",3,0,0,0
4181,luAMUI2SQgdSJoDKEAyYrA,I so lucked out by getting this place through Priceline for my cousin and I!  It's right on the riverfront and centrally located to so much.  I loved the look and feel of the place as soon as I walked in.  The hotel just seems so open and lighted.  It almost felt like you were outdoors.  The front desk was helpful.  The rooms were decent size and the beds were INCREDIBLY comfy!  I almost thought we weren't going to be able to get up the next morning! :)  They also have this one bar called Big which outlooks on the city.  The only thing that was disappointing was that I didn't have time to check everything out. I would definitely stay here again!,5,1,1,0
4182,d2bANpxmBi-4wsbQOsRlsA,"I can't say any negative about this hotel. See the reasons why; 1. Location is great. You are on Wacker Road and a block on Magnificent Mile. 2. There's a Corner Bakery close to the hotel for breakfast (1 block). 3. A minute walk to major bus stops. 4. There's BIG BAR!!! (see my other review). 5. Room deco is minimal - no fancy stuff but it's very clean. 6. Millenium Park (a block), The Loop (about 3 blocks), and shopping area is a block. 7. There's a 24 hour deli which is a plus. Take note; 1. At first, I was disappointed because of the location. I wanted it to be noisy, crowded and a touristy area - maybe close to small restaurants etc. (Stay at The Loop Area or Magnificent Mile area if you prefer it that way). But it was a good decision after all. Wacker Road is a major road and it's very convenient when you are a tourist (bus stops). There's a BIG BAR open at night in the hotel and it's always crowded. I mean crowded until 2am everyday even on weekdays! 2. No free breakfast and internet. Complimentary coffee and tea though. 3. Employees are great and helpful. 4. Hotel lobby is not boutique style - it's actually convention/airport like atmosphere. Always crowded and noisy (lobby only) - the way I like. 5. Ok, just one thing... if people are talking on the hallway, it echoes to your room - I think it's an acoustical thing. It happens when we arrived there at about 10am. We usually go out at 10am so no problem at all. At night, nice and quiet. Yes, I recommend this place.",5,1,1,0
4183,q2pqiYKOvEK57nkIg06nXA,"even for a Hyatt...they could, should and ought to do much better for the non-convention guest. room was wrong -- they changed it to the right size bed but a more depressing view. I asked politely at the Front Desk if I could upgrade to the Regency Club -- everthing has it's price I guess -- and I want to give this place a second chance...but... when you are asking for 299+ a night, I better have a more spectacular view and much, much more!",2,1,1,0
4184,SSUt-JXROhtE79BmfuxYCg,"First of all- this hotel is HUGE! I found a cheap room- $79 on Hotwire, while checking in, they wanted to upgrade me to a city view room for $20- I declined and received one facing the Wrigley Building anyhow. The room itself was great even though there was a slight odor (coming from the fridge- Do Not Open??). The downside is that you have to pay for watching TV- 4.99 a show. You can review news headlines, but that's about all- a little cheesy if you ask me!!",4,1,1,0
4185,WcjGZMotbon7MAONOOZK,"I attended a convention here, and all I have to say is that the lobby smells bad.  I can't quite place it, but there's a definite funk in the air.  The same smell was there all three days.  I know what you're thinking - it wasn't me that smelled!  Seriously...",2,1,1,0
4186,cjxzMBoSDGp9UxqBfR0EAQ,"I have not stayed at the hotel, but I've been to many conventions here and they do a great job. My only complaint is that registration lines can be huge and the valet service is slow. It took me almost an hour to get my car after one of the conventions that I attended.",4,0,0,0
4187,hzhb9GilO-7NPh4RuU-X4w,"I had a freebie night to use up at a Hyatt location that expired at the end of February. So I booked the Hyatt Chicago and also requested some upgrades. I got the upgrades, which were the Regency Club and an Executive Suite. The suite was very nice (2 plasma TV's and a nice sofa and chairs). The roll-away bed was delivered promptly. The suite was very clean and nicely decorated. Checkin was very smooth. The Regency Club was a really great deal. For $20, we got a continental breakfast, appetizers during the afternoon, all the espresso I could drink and pop that the boys could drink. It was well worth it. I'll be coming back.",4,1,0,0
4188,82yxyuD86i6aTLg0LbACdw,I like the big wide open spaces of the hotel lobby that fill with natural light from the transparent glass ceiling.  It really is good for socializing.  There is plenty of convention space underneath and in the other tower as well and it is easy to get around.  The staff is courteous and efficient.  The gym is small but OK for a hotel gym.  They have a lot of tread mills and some dumb bells and machines.  The location is pretty great too.  I think this is just where you want to be in downtown.  Right next to but not on Michigan with a great view of the river (if you book the river/lake view tower)  make this prime real estate for a hotel stay in downtown.  You can walk or take short cab ride to anywhere from here in the Loop/downtown area.  If you want to grab the L or a bus to take you uptown the stop for the bus is about two blocks away and the stop for the L is about five or six blocks.  This is a great place for a convention.,4,5,2,1
4189,41s7FTAeuIdkCcUsNJNWqQ,"the rooms are pretty nice, the look&feel is somewhere between classy and sleek. but the hotel is just massive. the lobby feels like you're constantly at a convention. when i stayed, 'die hard' crashed in the last 20 minutes, so my 90 minutes of time invested went to waste. i had to push, but the hotel gave me a credit to say sorry.",3,1,0,0
4190,3mIHTe26jNX2C3bqGTCrVQ,"I got a really sweet deal through priceline for $55/night. I stayed for two nights. Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to explore and enjoy the hotel amenities and such. It is very conveniently located near michigan ave, bus stops, and el stations... which is a BIG BIG plus. The only bad thing about this hotel is the INTERNET. Ugh. They charge like $13 for it and it SUCKS. It works fine for a good 10 minutes and then lags. I mean really LAGGING...to the point of turning off my airport on and off a few times. I'm gonna complain about this tomorrow when I check out because it's not even free like most hotels. Other than that, I would definitely come back to this hotel....if I can get deal like I did this time.",4,0,0,0
4191,rCMTosxTtHxjvEWoQTDK7Q,"Eh, I received a great deal for $80 a night so really I can't complain. I don't think I would stay again unless I received the same deal. The rooms seems small and so dark. No pool, which in the summer would have been nice. I did however meet a ton of people in for a Cubs game and Military. It is pretty lively in the morning and night. Easy access to Michigan Avenue and to pretty much every bus route.",3,1,0,0
4192,hOsYs5fx48,I really enjoy staying at this hotel. I have stayed there 4 times in the months of March and April. Never had a problem with anything. They even upgraded me to the 33rd floor this last time I was there because I made a comment about the high school kids running around and I didn't want to hear them. Everyone is super friendly and helpful. They always make sure you have been taken care of. The room service is great too. I love the grilled cheese and fries. :) Great meal and not highly priced because its on the kids meal. It really has been my home away from home.,4,1,0,0
4193,KOvfcN3tpUmKezmWTG17rw,"The Hyatt is a decent place but certainly not a place I would recommend to friends trying to get a true Chicago experience.  It's in a good location only a block from Michigan Avenue and a couple blocks from Millenium Park but beyond that, what makes it a 4 star hotel or worthy of any other Hyatt I have stayed at?  A run of the mill 2 double bed room is small.  The hallways are very dimly lit.  The staff there is good and I thought helpful.  However, if you are looking for a really nice room and a nice hotel, look elsewhere.  The Hyatt is a conventioneers hotel and nothing more.  It's large to accomodate large conventions.  If you can get it through Priceline.COM for 75 bucks a night or less, go for it.  Otherwise, look at other 4 star hotels in the Loop or on Michigan Avenue.",3,1,0,0
4194,HHb5nNXWvh8fwqVZ-Fp6tg,"A monster of a hotel; not the place to go for an intimate experience.  It's kind of like staying in a hotel room located at the mall just between The Sharper Image and Spencer's Gifts.  Nice enough rooms, with all the standard Hyatt amenities; but really nothing worth writing home about.  Minus an additional point for the weird dance club island in the lobby on weekend nights.",3,1,0,0
4195,1cGY-P3HSERO72MB93lfQg,"I went here for a conference and enjoyed everything they had to offer. The staff was attentive, courteous and discreet. The luncheon meal was one of the best I've had at a banquet of any type (FYI: caeser salad with creamy caesar dressing, baked chicken breast with a cream sauce, steamed vegetables, roasted herb potatoes, NY cheesecake with a chocolate covered strawberry and mixed berries) The facility is huge, has plenty of space, and is in great condition.",4,0,1,0
4196,-sD0neaBGGslxaML0q6Azw,"Great experience.  They did a superb job with the conference I attended.  Nice envirornment and accomodations.  Food was not great but passable for a conference.  Other than the food, the event was great.",4,0,0,0
4197,3OtAaeG4D66hHM5g5tA3WA,"The Hyatt is one of the largest hotels in Chicago, so there are tons of business people sporting badges on their fronts as they shuttle to and from their conventions and seminars. This is a very big and busy place, so one can easily get lost amongst the various public levels, escalators, and meeting rooms. The main lobby is enormous, featuring what was known as the largest bar in the world. The rooms are pleasant enough, but there is no excitement in the overall standard design at all.",4,0,0,0
4198,JmAEOi6olQxYz6PuGIAp0A,"the good: *convenient location *when they didn't clean out the room in time, they upgraded us to the top floor. the bad: *they forgot to bring us another comforter, and when they did, they literally left it tossed on the bed *it could've been a lot cleaner *there was a mysterious charge that showed up on the bill (it was erased, though.) i suppose i would give it 3.5 if possible, but i'm rounding down to a 3.",3,0,0,0
4199,zIX6HVoXfMs6WxWuuCv6fg,"Great location. I can walk to just about all the major attractions in Chicago. As for the hotel itself, it's no W but it tries. It's more of a trendy business hotel. I stayed in a double room that was pretty updated looking. Service at the concierge was pretty friendly as well.",4,0,0,0
4200,mNz-wpG5gWm2i4JiJKlhSw,"OK, got a suite for a bachelorette party....lets say its pretty dark and dingy in the suite....I was like where is the lights or the windows in this place.  A friend hooked us up with a good price so really I cant complain.  The room wasnt ready until 230PM...yes, I know check in isnt until 3 but we called to see if we could get in early and they said no problem....it was a different story when we arrived.  The staff is nice, however, there was definitely a communication barrier which made it pretty hard to try to find out about the murphy bed, etc.  Its an ok spot and to be honest, if we would have paid full price, the stars would definitely be lower.  Its a pretty nice location and thats about it.",3,0,0,0
4201,YBfeuD--v2lYY-ugpiEQVw,"We were just here the weekend of Dec 10. Check in was fast and simple, take advantage of the check in kiosk if you can. My husband gets a corp discount so the price was perfect for us. The bed was incredibly comfortable, the bathroom was large and over all the room was VERY clean. Check out was easy, just a few simple buttons on the TV. It's a great location and we'll be staying there again in Feb.",5,0,0,0
4202,MFcZ5akRduLRwAJtk4DxJQ,Hard Drive --great place to celebrate a friend's birthday!,4,0,0,0
4203,2pSui8iVX4MYLW-ku9f0CA,"Really fabulous hotel, great accomodations and right in the middle of downtown!  If you have friends in town you should definitely tell them to stay here...",5,0,0,0
4204,gHnr9pZuj,"I've been to this Hyatt twice since moving to the city. The first time was last summer: I'd scored a room for my mom (she was visiting me for my b-day) for only $100 on hotwire during the first week of June. I was really looking forward to hanging out at the hotel with my mom and just absorbing the atmosphere there. Unfortunately for my mom, my dad was being an idiot that weekend, so she couldn't make it for the night. She told me I could have the room and then called them to let them know I'd be taking over the reservation. They were really nice about it and didn't give me any hassle. One of my friends was in town early to visit and so we both ended up taking the room (neener to my bf, who didn't get to come). My mom was really nice and let us order a glass of wine (each) close to midnight (which would begin my 23rd birthday). I took it as a good sign when our total came out to $23 and some change. We had a wonderful time dancing around our room celebrating my birthday. The room was really nice and we both enjoyed the iHome they provide. Did I mention the view of the river was fantastic? A wonderful start to my 23rd year of life. My second experience was last fall when my best friend chose the Hyatt to spend her bachelorette party night at. Upon my arrival I was hassled by a rude member of the concierge because I couldn't remember the bride's room number and they wouldn't give it to me because I ""wasn't on the list"" of the room guests. Not really a big deal-I know they're not supposed to give out room numbers anymore. So I stood there for a few minutes while I waited for a response text from the matron of honor. I got it, announced to her the room number and a ""thanks for nothing!"" (rude, I know, but so was she), and I was up the elevator, lickety-split. The room was the same as the one I'd shared with my friend for my b-day back in the summer-double bed with an iHome. I got there early and in order to commemorate the  occasion (bachelorette party), they actually sent us (free of charge) a bottle of champagne, 4 chocolate covered strawberries, and some chocolate covered biscuits. Score! It was so nice of them. We had a nice night there. Hung out in the cool bar after getting back from the festivities, walked around the hotel, and finally went to bed around 3am. Definitely a classy hotel. I'll stay there again sometime for sure.",4,0,0,0
4205,Ixzzqw,"Wife and I were taking a ""bucket list"" train tour of the US and had just arrived from the West Coast on the Empire Builder. It was late, we were tired and didn't know what to expect for our $79 Priceline room. A King was not available, so we were upgraded to a suite that I am sure was nearly 1000 square ft. if not larger. The notice on the door said the room rented for $1000 (or that could be charged for it). It was on the upper floors and had a spectacular view of the Chicago River and the Wrigley Building across the river. I had a minor problem at the front desk inquiring about my ""Gold Passport"" and the manager upgraded me to Platinum status allowing us access to free breakfast and evening cocktails. I couldn't have been more pleased with the nice lady who checked us in and the hotel manager who more than resolved a minor problem with four days of free cocktails! We spend four wonderful days there before continuing our ""bucket list"" train trip. I am not easily impressed, but our treatment here was nothing short of spectacular. Everyone from the Bell captain, front desk to my infrequent visits to the bars, was exceptional. I had no idea the hotel was ""upgraded"" or ""remodeled."" It looked, to this traveler, like a brand new facility. A side note: Our room had two full couches a conference table with 6 chairs and a full business desk. I asked the front desk what the room was called for my review. She said the room wasn't ""officially"" listed, but could be requested. It had several floor to ceiling picture windows and could function as an office as well as a hotel room.",5,0,0,0
4206,IXawWsRVx4rHrxAzz4NoBw,So I ended up staying at this hotel because of Priceline. I think I paid $125 or so for the night. I was kind of worried because I had heard about people getting really crappy rooms off Priceline but was quite happy with the room that I received. It was quite clean and very comfortable. The bathroom was of a good size also. Unfort I did not get a room of a view of the lake but that was ok as the room over all was nice. This is a HUGE hotel that many conventions use to host the events and the guests. It is a bit impersonal compared to the boutique hotels that I have stayed at in Chicago and else where but what it really boils down to is: are the rooms and hotel well maintained and clean and do I feel safe. The answer is yes to both of these and I'd have no complaints if I were to get another room off Priceline or through the hotels website.,3,0,0,0
4207,K7YR3UhhQ5HfswUB64,"The lobby is decorated a bit tacky, but overall the hotel is nice, and pretty inexpensive considering the location. The concierge was absolutely wonderful, and the guy at the front desk was pretty awesome, too. Rooms are a little small, but the view was nice. There is also a bar around the corner - Houlihan's. The drinks were, (obviously), less expensive than the hotel bar most of the people were locals - you get enough interaction with the tourists in the hotel. Although not 4-star worthy as their website indicates, it was a nice hotel - I have no complaints.",3,0,0,0
4208,QgVx3ewIGwY7kiwi4uoJjA,"#1 choice in Chicago, it has the best of everything and close to the Mag Mile... great for jogging along the river and hitting other hot spots.",5,0,0,0
4209,3bxSnzgEm6tNGxq0ENjHJg,"The Regency Hyatt...is one of my 4 favorite hotels in the city (others being Sofitel, Swissotel, and W). Basically, it offers the most luxurious rooms you will ever experience anywhere, and saying you get much more than you pay for is an understatement. Thick, soft pillow top beds, Oreck air purifiers with ionizer and fragrance inserts, ipod docking station, 5-disc cd changer, large-screen tv, fresh tulips, white callas, or some other exotic variety of long-stem flower in a crystal vase in your room daily, solid cherrywood furniture, brass desk lamps, memory foam pillows with extra pillows and blanket in the closet, 600 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets and comforter that feel like silk against the skin, and the bathrooms...aaaaahh...no expense spared on anything! The layout of the rooms represents a perfect melding of design, aesthetics, and  function.   I have ABSOLUTELY no complaints or disappointments, and that says a lot because I am one picky bastard. Expect rooms to run about $180-237 per night. Also, when you're confirming your reservation, ask for a complementary upgrade to a king on the Regency Club level floor (this is the limited access uppermost penthouse floor). If you're lucky, one will be available at no extra charge and you will be privy to one of the best views of Chicago. This is one of the few hotels that will make you feel guilty upon check-out and as you settle your bill...knowing you would have gladly paid $200-300 more a night for the kind of luxury you enjoyed during your stay.   I can go on and on about the Hyatt, but  I will stop here because the 4-star+ ratings already speak to how amazing your stay will be. RECOMMENDATION: YES...DO the Hyatt Regency EVERY CHANCE YOU GET! Special occasions, for a weekend of downtown partying, whatever excuse you can think up to get you there! Get a king room on one of the upper floors (if you can, do the Regency Club level...there is no better view of the city). Try their website's special promotions when you're booking first, but if you're only seeing $200+, then hit Priceline or Hotwire...they tend to have the best deals for all of the nicer Chicago-area hotels. I also suggest parking your car in the garage about a block away (can't think of the name of the street for sure...but just off Wacker and Columbus Dr..by the bridge). That garage is not affiliated with the Hyatt, but only charges $26 a day.  If you do Hyatt's parking/valet service, expect about $46 (after taxes) a day with in/out privilege. I know...OUCH! ...but hey...it's Chicago. Also: Lobby level floor...huge open restaurant, lower-lobby level...bar/lounge area where drinks are served in the evenings. You will also find the Hard Drive nightclub here, which is situated in the middle of a fountain/pool...so surrounded by water. Check out pics. DISCLAIMER: My experience is limited to the Regency Club penthouse level, however, I had many friends stay in regular king rooms and reported experiences similiar to my own.",5,0,0,0
4210,pyHPjmasF33b5CvL7vQkdQ,"I attended a conference in Chicago last year and the Hyatt was one of the conference hotels. Because of the Hyatt name, there was no decision to make; of course, I would stay at the Hyatt. When we arrived, check in was easy and the staff offered us the opportunity to upgrade our room to a Deluxe room. At only $15.00 more night, I thought the amenities definitely sounded worth it. When I initially entered my room, I was impressed by the design and concept. It had an Oriental feel to it and reminded me of some of the boutique type hotels I have stayed in the past. I noticed on the surface that the room was rather dirty. When I sat down at the desk, the leather placemat was very sticky. On the bathroom vanity, there were numerous soap type stains. I was able to easy rub them off with a damp washcloth. The walls were dirty, both in the bathroom and bedroom. Both the carpet and the bedspread on my bed had cigarette burns on them. This was rather surprising since I was in a non-smoking room. The carpet was more understandable, but I was surprised that a bedspread with two burns on it would be used. I also noticed that the ""plush bathrobes"" promised by the check-in staff was not in the room. I called to have a robe delivered and when I put it on the next morning, it had a big rip in the front of it. I had dinner out, came back to the room and put on my pajamas. I was a bit disappointed that we did not get the ""turn down service"" we were promised. It something I enjoy while traveling and makes me feel a bit pampered. I pulled back the bedspread and noticed much debris on the sheet. Initially, I tried to brush the sheet off, but on further inspection, I noticed there were at least five hairs on the sheets. It was really disgusting. I did contact housekeeping and the sheets were changed by a very nice woman named Sarah. She did have much difficulty finding sheets that were not torn. After 20 minutes, I told her I didn't care if they were torn; I just wanted them to be clean. She did replace the burnt bedspread and apologized that it was used. I also did not receive the daily newspaper. I did call and re-request the turndown service the next night; I received it on night #2, but not #3. I suppose overall I was very disappointed by the room that I received. I did call to complain several times (robe, turn down service, dirty sheets) but no one seemed too concerned about me. I don't know if I should have pursued it more while I was there, I felt like I was being too picky, but when I got home, my husband thought the room sounded terrible.",1,0,0,0
4211,Dq9b7ePbuhDSToVSIr10Qw,"I actually travel a lot internationally for work so I've stayed in my fair share of hotels & can without a doubt say this is the WORST business floor accommodations I have ever stayed on.  I'm not even sure where to start... My reservations were for the Regency Club floor, two double beds because I was traveling with my dad.  My dad arrived prior to me & I had asked that they let him check in.  He was told there were no rooms with double beds & was moved to a suite with a king bed on the 21st floor & they would gladly give us a roll away bed for free.   When I got to the hotel I told them this wouldn't do I wasn't paying good money to sleep on a roll away bed or not be able to use the amenities of the Regency Club which I was paying for.  They were quick to move us to another room back on the Regency Club level.   I have stayed numerous times on the business floors at the Shangri-La in APAC so I guess I had my expectations set too high.  If anything the Hyatt should go take a class from the Shangri-la when they open in Chicago on how to run a business floor.  Anyway I expected a nice sized room with additional amenities, such as slippers, free internet access, & a nice selection of teas &/or coffee.  The only thing I can say nice about our room was the view.   Let's start in the entrance; there was a closet right when we entered the room however the lighting stunk so you couldn't really see anything in the closet & no slippers.   Next the bathroom, this has got to be the WORST hotel bathroom I have ever seen.  The toilet was like a public restroom & the bar to flush was up under the vanity. When you flushed it, it sounded like a 747 was coming through the wall.  The wall paper in the bathroom was coming off the wall & there were no extra amenities that I have gotten at other hotels on the business floor, such as nail clippers, razor, toothbrush etc.  I am paying good money to stay on this floor & didn't just upgrade when I checked in.  There was 1 bathrobe on the back of the door that I guess all of us are supposed to share.  The hairdryer was a piece of crap that if you used longer than 90 seconds on high it would overheat so to blow dry your hair you had to allow at least 30 minutes of going back & forth waiting for it to cool down.  Now lets continue on to the main bedroom.  The beds were nice & had nice down comforters on them the pillows were great & there were 4 on each bed with one in the closet.  The TV sucked the remote control would only work from one exact location in the room which of course wasn't where you were sitting in your bed.  I was floored to find out we didn't have free internet access in our rooms like many other hotels offer business floor guests.  (I did pay extra for this room right????) We stayed 4 nights at the hotel & only received turn down service two of the 4 nights.  Some days we would only get 1 coffee refill for our coffee pot & other days we would get two.  Some days we would get 1 new washcloth some days we would get three.  It was like playing a game of craps.  The only thing that seemed consistent was the morning paper.   Now let's move on to the Regency Club which offers free continental breakfast, snacks throughout the day, cocktail hour & desert hour.  Breakfast was ok the set up of the room is just terrible they toss a bucket of ice in the bar sink & toss in some yogurts & the milk & juice.  There is 1 trash can in the entire room & you get to drink your coffee from a paper cup.  I thought they would at least have a hot pot or two with oatmeal & some other hot items like MOST business floors do.  Nope... you get your choice of pastries, fresh fruit & little individual boxed cereals.  Not my idea of a great continental breakfast.  I've actually had better at a Holiday Inn.   Cocktail hour this was my favorite... at most hotel when you stay on the business floor they have complimentary cocktails & appetizers for a few hours every evening.  While the appetizers were great the beverage service stunk.  It was a serve yourself honor system $6.50 for a beer & $5.00 for some wine & oh yeah pour it yourself.  Don't have cash then please fill out a card with your room number & we will just charge your room.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? I'm still at this point trying to figure out what the hell we paid extra to stay on this floor.  At this point I've vowed to stay at the Shangri-la next time I'm in Chicago (opens 2009).  Desert hour was ok it's from 8:30-9:30 & was different every night.  Cheesecake, carrot cake, brownies, clairs. I guess all I can say is if you have never stayed on a nice business floor at a really nice hotel then you will be fine staying on the Regency Club Level.  If you have stayed in some really nice hotels with really nice amenities then you are bound to be disappointed with your experience at the Hyatt.  I would highly recommend not upgrading to the Regency Club it's definitely NOT WORTH the extra money.",3,0,0,0
4212,smKJVa6Bk2tKmIuBZRbtXA,the best rooms are in the west tower.  We got hooked up with a jr suite in the west tower which is way better than the east tower where we stayed in the beginning of our trip.  Huge suite and everyone was super nice.  The location is about 2-3 blocks from everything but it's a nice walk along the water on your way back.,4,0,0,0
4213,UP9rw8Jk1LVR5bOchM9HGQ,"this place definitely need to be renovated. the radian cooling and heating system is not working as advertised. the hotel is too crowded, therefore the service on the front desk is not desirable. bed, and room was nice. stayed for a couple of months there.",3,0,0,0
4214,wisvj69VcuOs2qJuVY-q4Q,"Hotel was okay.  No pool, rooms are very small and not especially clean or well decorated.  No refrigerators in the room, and only one guest per room can get a cup of coffee because they only leave one pod.  I paid $125 via Priceline, willing to stay again but only for $100 or less.  Don't bother asking anyone at the hotel about parking or public transportation, they actually gave us bad information regarding bus routes and stonewalled us about parking. Parking near the hotel is available at 111 E Wacker for $35/24 hours with no in/out.  You can access the hotel via the concourse level (Bronze), so no need to go outside.",2,0,0,0
4215,-oulhnVEq5hq1h7M6xZTxA,"What more great things can I say about the City of Chicago?  If you are looking for a scenic (right off of the Chicago River/Lake Michigan - - request the West Tower!) hotel with prime customer service, look no further.  From the top to bottom, the staff demonstrates their goal to satisfy.  If you have the means, I highly suggest the executive suites and access to the top floor lounge.  Hyatt Regency is perfect for convention stays, tourist, business trips, or just a weekend get-a-way a half block off of the Magnificent Mile.",4,0,0,0
4216,wzs76-r,One of my favorite hotel lobbies - so good for casual drinks with friends.,5,0,0,0
4217,cHw1znwy-KM49dzfg3Q7vg,"Great location, but for the money would have liked a better view and cleaner hotel. Everything cost extra from TV ($5) and movies($16) to Internet($14/day).  Very busy, lots of guests.",3,0,0,0
4218,A0KSd97tOOW63Y0,"What a great hotel.  Just returned from a two night stay at the Hyatt Regency.  From the moment we arrived until the moment we left I was impressed.  The hotel staff is very curteous and professional.  The hotel itself is clean.  The location was perfect, three block from the Red Line and walking distance to Navy Pier and some great restaurants! The room we stayed in was very nice, the view was not diserable but the comfy king size bed and flat screen TV made up for it.   I loved having the ipod docking station in the room as well.   We got to the hotel well before check in time and were allowed to keep our luggage in storage until we checked.  It was a smooth easy check in. I will tell you, it was a very very busy hotel with lots of people.  There were over 1600 people checking out on Sunday.  So if you like quiet hotels do not stay here! Next time I visit Chicago, I will be staying at the Hyatt!!!",5,0,0,0
4219,x8gkUvXMt9ros2G9n72,"I guess it all depends on your expectations from hotels and what tickles you in that category. I'm pretty picky and I like hotels that are new, innovative, stylish and really go out of their way to make you comfortable. So based on my pickiness, adjust the star rating! Parking: This one just flat out pissed me off. I don't mind paying for quality but getting ripped off is a diff story. So they only offer Valet at $50 per day. I should have the choice to park my own car if I want to in a hotel that has two towers on two side of the street and has more than enough parking space to accommodate valet and self park. When you ask the hotel staff for alternate parking info, the response is ""we don't know of any other parking available"" which is BS. You live and work in Chicago and don't know of other parking lots? Good thing I live in Chicago too and know that the whole area underneath the hotel, the park and some of the surrounding is all multi-level underground parking. Again, being ripped off! So don't get ripped off, if you don't mind a 5-10min walk. Directly next to the hotel's parking on the lower level, you can park for $7 overnight as long as you enter between 3-6pm and leave by 8am. I went in after 6pm so they said it would be $13 as long as I left before 8am. At the end, I decided to just stay in bed so I paid $30 for 24hr period which is still better than $50 in a getting ripped off fashion. In the winter months, that might not be the best choice. Also if you're planning on going in and out, then you might just let them rip you off! Overall: I'd stay here again if I didn't have other choices or if I happen to get it on priceline/hotwire. The lobby is spacious but my favorite feature of the lobby which is the big bar on the front desk floor, is closed during the day!!!!! I'm not a big drinker but I'd much rather sit at that big bar and have lunch! It's amazing how some hotels limit the use of their best feature....maybe they just don't see that as their best feature, who knows. Rooms: I had a junior suite so my room was fairly large with a king bed, desk, very large bathroom, sectional couch and a wet bar. With all that space, I had a tiny tall window which was ceiling to floor but very narrow! The bathroom was large but I just didn't like the quality. It was somewhat older, shower head was one of those ""I can do 15 sprays but they all suck"" type of shower-heads and amazingly, as large as the bathroom was, most of it was wasted space b/c I didn't even have enough counter space to put my stuff out. Good thing there wasn't a lady with me or I would have had to make her use the wet bar for her space needs lol. Yeah right, I'd probably end up using the closet while she uses the bathroom and the wet bar! Thermostat: I'm not sure what the thermostat in the room did but it definitely didn't control the temp lol I put it on all kinds of numbers and used diff fan speeds but I was either getting frost bites or feeling like I was in a sauna. They also have an A/C vent directly above the bed to blow on you as you sleep so you wake up with frozen sinuses! Smart. Staff: Very friendly, very professional Price: When I look at their regular prices, all I think in my head is ""are you kidding me?"" I would never pay that kind of money for a hotel like this. If you're not picky about amenities and their quality the way I am, then this hotel might be a good option. It's right in the middle of everything so if you're in town with family but on business, you can take a smelly cab to the loop while your family enjoys MI Ave., Navy Pier, Grant/Millenium Park all within walking distance. You can even skip the smelly cab on the way back and just walk from the your business meeting in the loop back to the hotel.",2,1,0,0
4220,DKU0Rhq5KrIg2lhvhYpOoQ,"My accomodation arrangements become nonexistent while i was waiting for my luggage at the airport. (a friend completely flaked on me).  I called home and  my husband booked a room through Travelocity at the Hyatt.  I showed up, probably looking a little stressed, dishelved, beaten and the front desk guy was really pleasant and upgraded my room to the Club level - you need your room card to get to these floors.  I felt special, instantly.  And things just got better.  The service at the restaurant was great.  There was loud noises coming from the next door room, - marching music and a phone ringing, seemed liked they were timed to go off every 5 minutes, so i called the front desk and someone took care of it by the time i went to sleep.  Everywhere i went, to ask questions, to buy a snack, room service, everyone was superb!  And my room was super comfortable as well.  Thanks for ending my horrific day on such a positive note. It is interesting that my room was on the 33rd floor as well!",5,0,0,0
4221,pqeRXGZJ5wbxBMfmn4hCjA,"If you can get a room here for a deal, make it happen.  Its value is in it's location near the loop and Magnificent Mile. With over 2k rooms there is a large mall or airport feel to the place.  It's convenient and clean.  Especially for business and tourist attractions. I would suggest traveling out of the loop if your looking for a nice evening of Chicago food and bars.  Everything closes early near the hotel and you pay a premium in this business/tourist part of town. There's no free wireless, but they do have neat little computers set up to print your boarding pass before heading out.",4,0,0,0
4222,TnprAs-4OhWGfiHuKkqDJw,"Not the best. The hotel stay is expensive and then they charge $50 per night for parking. The room had exposed carpet tacks into the bathroom which I stepped on in bare feet. Location is great downtown, but I would definitely stay elsewhere my next visit. Not a 4 star hotel.",2,0,0,0
4223,s1DRrf3ShPf6FRYyjjsTRQ,"I'm staying at this hotel for four days. My first impression as I walked in was ""awesome"" but when I checked in, the room is terrible. Mine has stained that looks like blood, cigars and the room smelled like smoke, even though it's  a non-smoking room. My parents room was so small and stuffy. My friends room were small and stained as well. When I asked the front desk if we can switch, their answer is no. This is not a great hotel to stay in. Trust me. Howevee,It's a great place to hangout at the bar, relax and chill.",1,0,0,0
4224,tcAnuZWT9R8DmVWoc6iG8g,Great location. However their staff needs training. I took a red eye from Los Angeles to Chicago and landed at 5:30 am.  I got to the hotel at 6:30 a.m.   When I checked in I was told by the front desk clerk that my room would not be ready until 3 p.m. I showed her my confirmation for a 6:30a.m. Check in. She repeated herself and tolde there was nothing she could do.  I then asked for the General Manager and he told me he could not do anything but would give me the first room that was cleaned. At 9:02 am I was called on my cell phone and given an upgraded room.   The room was great and the service after the first incident was fine.  The good here is just mediocre. OK for a Hyatt but might look to stay somewhere else next time.   DLR,3,0,0,0
4225,5TILthCxPPVHlkYqC7-6wg,"Our one-year-old son's knees were filthy from crawling on the floor of our 'newly renovated' hotel room. Also, the concierge made a big mistake with one of the services we requested and there was almost always a really, really long line at the concierge desk and it was completely pointless to try to call the concierge from your room, you would just sit on hold for 20+ minutes. (I'm not exaggerating the time spent on hold waiting for the concierge before I finally gave up and this happened on three occasions.) After spending three nights at the Hyatt and three nights at the Palmer House Hotel (which we had to move to because the Hyatt was overbooked), I whole-heartedly recommend the Palmer House and discourage anyone from staying at the dirty Hyatt.",2,0,0,0
4226,vUXkkOBLJICAdivORanroQ,"Just minutes into my weekend in Chicago, I stepped into the Hyatt Regency and thought, wait a minute, did I just walk into Las Vegas?  The massive hotel is a conventioneer's dream.  Two huge towers of rooms and an atrium that was so big it had me looking around for the missing slot machines.  I was lucky to be attending along with a tattoo convention...a very large tattoo convention.  The cheesiness of the lobby continued on to my first room that reeked of the strongest cleaner ever created.  Luckily, they were very nice about changing my room.  The view of the Chicago River and out to the lake was probably the greatest part of my room.  Even with a fancy flat screen tv, I felt like I might as be in a Holiday Inn.  Also, $13.50 for wifi?  Really?  I think I would rank this hotel as two stars but the price can't be beat for its great location.   I was blocks away from Michigan Ave, the Art Institute and Millennium Park. Also, I admit I can't really complain since I got a great deal for his hotel through Priceline.  If you are on a budget or just looking for a place to crash then is the hotel for you.",3,6,3,2
4227,GWT-SOdBlCtgP7guvqSIQw,"All right.  Me, I usually can be found staying in budget class hotels, like Super 8,  Red Roof Inn, and places such as that.  But this place changed my outlook on everything.  Now when I'm stuck at the Budgetel, I long for a place like this.  I stayed here after a north side pub crawl.   The room was fabulous in itself, with comfortable furniture, dark colored upholstery (but not depressing), mini-bar (I do have to admit- I had to have myself a Jagerbomb.  I just wanted to know if the $12 airline-style bottle of Jager was any different than the regular bar variety!) data-port, big comfy beds complete with lots of pillows!  To me that was heavenly.  Not to mention the in-room coffee maker complete with Gevalia coffees (Double-yum!).  So to someone who is usually budget conscious, this was heaven!  The next morning, we went downstairs to the breakfast buffet, and I was even more impressed.  The custom-made omelet I had was off the charts (Swiss cheese and Portabella mushroom!)   and the strawberry kiwi smoothie I had accompanying it was good as well.  The only problem I encountered during my stay was upon check in; they seemed to have lost our reservations.  So the process to get checked in took a bit longer than normal.  But the staff was very friendly and apologetic about the whole situation, which made the wait bearable.  If I ever need to stay the night downtown again, this is my spot!",4,3,3,0
4228,w3G8B2S7-AUxKCLIwxHbNQ,"Oh, Hyatt Regency Chicago. How your Lost and Found department has tainted my review so. I attended the NYE 2009 bash at the hotel and let me tell you, it was a bash and a half. I went with a bunch of friends and we ended up getting three rooms total and all of the rooms were incredibly nice, big flat screens, ipod docks, granite counters in the bathroom, great views, etc. The party allegedly had 2000 people attending but the Hyatt was definitely ready for everyone, checking in was a breeze, and they gave us our three rooms all on the same floor, which was a total perk. The party was a blast - the top level was the band and it had lots of light, and the second level was much more dark, clubby, and had a DJ. I would HIGHLY recommend if you attend the shindig next year to get to the party as early as you can because finding seats to eat was a struggle. Partially because we had a large group but that was pretty much the only negative for the party. You occasionally had to wait a long time for a drink but almost every bartender handed them out two at a time and they were all strong. The party was a huge success, the hotel was beautiful, and everyone had a great time. HOWEVER - upon checking out the next day and heading back to the burbs, I realized that I had left something in the room. Right around the same time, my friend called and told me she had left something in her room too. OK partially our faults because hey, check and make sure you have all your stuff. So I called and talked to the Lost and Found department and they told me they'd look for it and get back to me. They didn't get back to me. I called the next day. They said they still hadn't found it but that doesn't mean that it had not shown up. My friend stopped by the next day. They didn't have either thing. I have called about every other day for almost two weeks now and neither of our items have shown up. Their voice mail message says they will call you back in 24 hours and I've probably left four messages and gotten one call back. I just think it's insane that they have a designated lost and found department ... employees whose ENTIRE job is recovering guest's lost items... and they haven't found either item OR gotten back to us about our lost stuff. So that really negatively affects my overall Hyatt experience, sadly. I understand that NYE was really busy and a lot of people probably left stuff but I have called multiple times and they are well aware of me and what I am looking for.... how could they have not found either thing, almost two weeks later? Bogus. In short, the NYE party is a GREAT value but if you attend next year, MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE WITH WHAT YA BRUNG!!",3,2,1,1
4229,caNvCxnJsSPDVZvPsHxl,"No free wireless anywhere in the hotel! Are you kidding me, people?! Given that the main purpose of this impersonal, convention-style hotel is to enable maximum productivity when a person is on the road, one would think that wireless Internet would be a given. As a Chicago native ... well, for a few months, now ... I assumed my time of tangling with the area's lodging spots (refer to my previous Travelodge review) would be distant, repressed memories. I thought wrong, as it turned out my parents were in town in connection with a recent business event that my dad had to attend. Necessarily, I needed to shuttle back and forth between the Hyatt, where they were staying, and my apartment (which, for the record, is lovely and has a fantastic, unlimited access high-speed Internet connection included with my rent). I'll also add that the Starbucks downstairs is a gouging one, that doesn't even have cinnamon or the full array of coffee drinks that I- along with every other traveler/consumer- have come to expect.",2,1,1,1
4230,oeUV2bnm3Wec8PxZsi5k,Comfortable rooms and beautiful view of the water.  A great location in the city and only a few minutes by car to the University of Chicago,4,1,1,0
4231,Jyo81voCo0rj5H6h4z7kGQ,this is a pretty nice place to stay when u just wanna sleep in and relax. the maid service is great and the complimetary breakfast is aiight. comfy pillows,3,1,0,0
4232,U94GnGycew7n4TffMkp-xw,"I am writing to review HARD DRIVE...the club in the lobby. It's spacious and really non-stuffy like usual clubs. The open bar is good...10-11 and the night we went, there was a promo on Skyy. We tried every flavor :) Fun times overall.",5,0,0,0
4233,0Qoyq,"I came here to babysit while the parents were in town for a wedding. I arrived and went to the front desk to have them call up to the room. Oh no... that is too much to ask. The desk person pointed and barked at me to use the phones to call the room. I then get to the elevator and nowhere am I told that there were two different elevator banks. I go all the way up only to have to come back down and run across the hotel to the other elevator bank.  I knew I'd have time on my hands so I brought my laptop to get some work done. Once the baby was asleep I decided to get rolling on my work.  Imagine my surprise when I was told that I had to pay for internet. Really?  You can go almost anywhere now and get free WiFi.  Luckily, I was prepared and was able to work around this. THEN I ordered dinner. I was paying cash and told them right away that I did NOT want them charging the room and that I was paying cash. The food came and the gentleman who brought it did not have change. My meal (mind you, it was just one meal...chicken sandwich and a diet coke. It was nothing fancy and nothing more) was $28... I gave him $40 and he had to go downstairs to get change. He returned an hour later with it. I was not too impressed with this place and, in the future when I travel, I may just steer clear of any Hyatt.  If they can't get it right in Chicago, I doubt they will get it right elsewhere.",2,0,0,0
4234,0aCXZdtMxFXOpiPbZoApwg,"I spent the last two New Year's at this hotel. They throw a huge party, open bar and food and they give you a hotel room for a pretty good price. The rooms are really nice and some have awesome views! This place gets soo packed and I always have a blast!",4,0,0,0
4235,1zAulFAcFDWDEGGbaNEC5Q,"I wasn't that pleased with this place.  I stayed here last night.  I had stayed here a couple of years ago and would not of again if I had a choice, but I wanted to try priceline, so I entered 4star + for $175 and this is what I got, which really sucks because the online regular rate is like $190.  That's how I ended up here.  It's a total convention hotel.  The service is average to below average.  The place is packed and I think its not well maintained at all.  The hotel room if you look closely is kind of gross.  So what that they have a flat screen and a decent view.  I'd prefer clean sheets and not being afraid to walk without shoes on the carpet.  I mean this would be a perfectly acceptable 2 or 3 star hotel, but four stars??.  I'm in a westin right now which is a middle of the road to bottom level four star hotel and it is wayyy better than this place.  The only positive I will say is that I ordered a breakfast sandwich here this morning and it was expertly prepared.  Don't stay here.  I wouldn't pay $100 a night for this place.  Oh yeah, one last thing $7 for 15 minutes of internet in the biz. center??? Crazy!!!  You would think a hotel that puts itself out there to the business traveler would have a more forgiving policy.",2,0,0,0
4236,1MAoRg74ZSO92T6wQE5crA,"Nothing special, nothing bad. Nice staff, conveniently located. Not the four seasons or anything. Restaurant service was VERY slow, but food was satisfying.",3,0,0,0
4237,my07qIdX4-Zg6SDBeuB3iw,"Beware of the continual over-charging!!!! . First, the lobby, while impressive in a late 80's prom way, is far too confusing. This proved to be a problem in the morning as I apparently entered the breakfast area 'backwards' and was therefore not handed a menu warning me that a cup of coffee, a croissant and a banana would set me back 15 freaking dollars. I asked the man behind the omelet-y bar thing 'which is the free continental breakfast' as was noted on my itinerary from priceline (thank god i didn't pay full price for this place!!!) and he pointed to a middle island. The tub was a little gross and moldy. The toilet didn't flush properly (which I didn't discover until about 9:30 at night (after I spent the day walking throughout the city and was so tired) And....at the risk of sounding impetulant and dumb....the TV they have....how do I say this...sucks. If it's not an NBC Universal company station, Disney or ESPN, they don't have it. Which I found to be ridiculous. It happened to be the night of the season premiere of a show I was looking forward to watching snuggled down in bed and watch...but they didn't have the channel. And it wasn't some arcane channel....it was MTV (yeah, I know....I'm ashamed, but I was on vacation and the Hills is a guilty pleasure, OK?) So...no hills....no hot soak because the tub was so incredibly gross. toilet didn't flush.... Also, with what you pay per night, would free Internet be too much to ask? Or perhaps something less than the 14 or so it was for 24 hours? I can't believe that a huge hotel would consistently nickel and dime you like that. As for the positives: I will say the bed was great- nothing beats a down comforter and the feather pillows were nice. as was the lavender citrus lotion/shampoo. But this hotel..I'm incredulous that someone would pay full price for. No one greets you as you enter....no one asked how my stay was (save for the fellow who hailed me a taxi and was the only person who treated me as a paying customer) I will never come back to this hotel ever. I'm better off paying slightly more for an antiquated 1960's motel.",1,0,0,0
4238,SAoHlsKB2MwKIBLdQFVPrg,"This hotel is a complete waste of money - consistent with my experience at most big chains these days.  No personality. Guest are treated like cattle and nickel-and-dimed. Unbelievable. You'd think in this economy they'd actually try to win/keep customers. The Hyatt charges $250+ a night then has the nerve to charge another $15+ for Internet use (PER PERSON in the same room!), and the rooms aren't even that nice - there was actually construction going on in some places. What is shocking is how people put up with this crap  - they must not know better.  When I was unable to find a place to sit down and eat lunch at the main bar/restaurant during lunch (the place was packed for a trade show/conference) I noticed a bunch of tables that were blocked off. I asked if our party could sit at one of these tables. The answer was no, they are not open until later. Are you kidding me? And forget about using your cell phone in the main conference rooms - they won't work. Amazing.  I checked out after one night, went around the block and found a nicer hotel at a third of the price that offered free wireless (even free access to desktop computers in the lobby so you can print your tickets prior to departing), unlimited bottled water and had superior service - like they actually cared about their customers. Well, they won me over and thankfully they have locations in most major cities. Never again Hyatt. Bye.",1,0,0,0
4239,Mx6N7zhFXBQq9K8sqHMAEA,"This is a review for Hard Drive- the club in the lobby. At first I thought the idea of a club in the lobby was a little odd. The club is sectioned off with ropes, so people walking through the lobby can look in at the clubbers. The music at first was mainly techno/house, but later on in the evening the music changed to hiphop. Overall, it was a fun place, but very pricey. Normal cover is about $20, and drinks were expensive as well- $10 for a shot.",4,0,0,0
4240,rJuIYHwm5X0MqUIc8IsvVA,"Location, location, location and that's about it. If you want somewhere that is in the middle of chi-town, this hotel is excellent for that. I stay there just last week and it was nice that it was in the center of Chi-town but the hotel itself was a little run down. My facet in the sink & bathtub leaked and the walls were so thin that we could hear the neighbors whole conversation. It was crowd too.  Parking is $48 per night and internet is $13 per night. Oh and don't use the mini-fridge. They'll charge you $25 for using it.",3,0,0,0
4241,HYJKwGXHuUJayTdt2Y1T1g,"Check in was a nightmare and so was check out. They also ""misplaced my car"" it was eventually located after a half hour and then tried to charge me double. Along with attempting to charge me for everything in the mini fridge. I guess if you bump it or something you get charged. I got all that removed but still.",1,0,0,0
4242,74DBHxbp-E895PyOpD2bvQ,"Two weeks ago I attended a conference here and had a pair of pants and jacket destroyed by their janitorial staff who dropped a container of bleach cleaning solution which splashed onto me. I didn't realize immediately that any had even gotten on me so I continued on to dinner with some co-workers, but later realized that I was sporting many new spots. Total loss ~$100 and I was just there attending a conference.",1,0,0,0
4243,GKzEQhfTWWCl5q3XTSCLJw,This is one of the best hotels in downtown Chicago.  Its a great place to stay at or even just go in for dinner.,5,0,0,0
4244,FKkPXum2bHnG7rDsbFearw,"Poor service and attitude, excellent location. I just stayed in this hotel for 5 nights for a convention. Housekeeping was terrible -- every day they overlooked replenishing basic items like coffee and toilet tissue.  Room service dirty dishes remained in the hall for over 24 hours. We were charged for item from the mini-bar even though we didn't consume any. They base usage on weight changes so if you merely pick an item up and put it back they charge you. The concierge was unaware of the bike rental facility directly across the street. The room was stylish, but the functionality was terrible. Lighting is poorly designed. Very little storage. This hotel is not cheap and they don't even have the basics down, nor do they seem to care when it is brought to their attention.",2,0,0,0
4245,c-eIS7VlNpPnSX5mn,"The room was nice with a great view of the water. The location is also good. The room was prtty modern and I didn't have any complaints. I pricelined it for I think $75 which isnt bad. Remember, parking is at least $35 a night in this area. Nice place for the money....",4,0,0,0
4246,Q6hIcB7K1i1pOlD-7VZvMg,Just had a great stay for a great price with great view and great service,5,0,0,0
4247,90CdcZ5peSe9JeFpJMEjSQ,"We held our wedding reception at the Hyatt Regency in the Crystal Ballroom.  We also had a brunch the next morning for guests.  Both were excellent.  The staff was very professional and helpful at both events.  And we really, really loved our reception.  The coordinator there, Rebecca, is fantastic.  We did not have the budget to hire our own coordinator so it was really nice to have most of the reception details covered because we were pretty overwhelmed with other details.  We looked at a lot of hotels for our reception and we thought the Hyatt was very reasonable - and the Crystal Ballroom is very cool [it was one of the few hotels with a ballroom with a view that could hold 200+ guests].  In addition, they had a promotion where you could get several nights free at hotels across the country after the wedding [we ended up getting 5 nights free at a Hyatt Regency in Hawaii for our honeymoon - such a great deal ].  We would have loved our reception without the honeymoon promotion but that was a very nice touch.",5,0,0,0
4248,VFwEE5ioM28UodyACqNFxA,"I've been watching reruns of Boardwalk Empire and think this hotel lobby is the perfect place to live out my Margaret Schroeder fantasies (except for the making-out-with-Steve-Buscemi part, no thanks). First off, the place is massive! There's a whole shopping arcade in the ground floor level including the righteous Merz Apothecary. Ascend the glorious staircase to the extravagantly decorated lobby and admire the decor while sipping a cocktail at the turn of the century bar. If you're really feeling opulent, there's high tea on the weekends. The location can't be beat - it's right in the heart of the Loop, close to the historic Marshall Fields building (now sadly a craptastic Macy's). Whether you stay here or just stop in to admire this architectural gem, you'll be transported back in time. Maybe you'll meet your own Jimmy Darmody here....you never know.",5,1,2,2
4249,6TLqQSNn2LUtp9icA5k1ug,"Absolutely beautiful, elegant and amazing hotel.  Super accommodating and great views from some of the rooms. Here's all the details: The hotel is just gorgeous inside.  The main lobby area has a really high ceiling and you can tell that a lot of time and detail was put into this hotel.  There is a bar and lounge area which is just as nice.  This is not a modern and trendy hotel, it is an elegant hotel.   Service is phenomenal as well.  The front desk was so kind to me and understanding that I was freaking out because it was my boyfriend's 30th birthday and I wanted everything to be perfect.  I called to ask them to put some more ice on the champagne in our room because dinner ran late and they did, no questions asked!   The rooms are really nice and you can tell that everything is of good quality.   It is a large hotel, so sometimes the elevator may take an extra minute or the line to check in at exact check in time might be long, but it is all worth it.  It's in a great location as well, right in the downtown loop area.  Walking distance to almost anything your hear desires.   Take a cab everywhere that's far if you're from out of town so you don't get lost on the wrong train.  :)   I have been here for a wedding before and that was amazing as well.   The hotel is a bit pricey, but worth it.",5,0,1,0
4250,Sh,"This place is in a great location and is beautiful, but that's about it.  It is way too crowded, long lines at the check in and check out, people EVERYWHERE and really long walks to the rooms.  Riding the elevators in the morning took longer than my commute to work.  It is just a big hotel with way too many people staying there.   Oh, and my key quit working, which create about 20 minutes of logistics in the morning and made me late for the meeting I traveled to Chicago for in the first place.  Palmer House, while beautiful, has bit off more than they can chew with this monstrosity of a hotel.  Not a good place to stay if you are on business travel.",2,1,0,0
4251,MRlg,"I would say just OK. Way too long of lines for everything, check-in, concierge etc. Bars close too early. Elevator shaft was next to our room so it was constantly making noise. Decent lobby but it is too small for the amount of people everywhere. Some areas near are a little sketchy also.",3,0,0,0
4252,i0GeMxqaXYLJW7gRu37yvA,"I returned last weekend for the Chicago Fire game. Our rate, thanks to the entertainment book you can buy from a local school, was 50% off. For Labor Day weekend, our room rate was $143/night, which was not bad for the location of the hotel (1.5 blocks from Millennium Park). The three stars is because of the bathroom. The bathtub drain didn't work! I had to unscrew the drain and started pulled out hair and a sponge clogging the drain. GROSS. I saw a bandaid in the drain too, but I didn't bother going any further. But worst of all, the maid knew the drain was clogged. When we returned to the room, I noticed the drain was unscrewed and left in the bathtub; we had left it screwed into the bathtub. So I thought, ""Oh good, the maid unclogged the drain."" WRONG. If it wasn't for the location and excellent service right outside the hotel, I would give this hotel two stars. The front door guys are very helpful with directions. They also recognized after our second trip to the hotel, and they always hit the open door button for us. That's service. The checkout process took 10 minutes, since video checkout wasn't working. The ""zip it"" line you call that states you cannot leave a message actually transfers you to someone instead of confirming automatically you're checked out (which is the impression I received). So, keep this in mind when it's a busy weekend!",3,0,0,0
4253,pVEH5NQT6eIF6M4hRHr8jA,"This place double booked my hotel and gave me a voucher to use in a future stay oops, they will never let you use the voucher.  They always have space until you tell them you have the voucher.  Total joke I was just on hold for over 10-15 min trying to get approval again a huge disappointment! I would never stay at this hotel in Chicago and would let everyone else know that the management talks out of both side of their mouths.  What a total joke!  Find a better hotel anywhere but here",1,0,0,0
4254,1RtngJ2mLnEnTm6d9G9B9w,"Got a great deal on this hotel using http://Priceline.com and couldn't have asked for a better place to stay while visiting Chicago. Our room on the 18th floor was clean, but the bathroom was a little small. I love that they use Peter Thomas Roth toiletries as oppose to generic hotel brands. The hotel is conveniently located in downtown Chicago near popular tourist spots (with the exception of Navy Pier), great restaurants, and shops.  My boyfriend and I did more walking than we did public transportation.   My only complaint was that this hotel doesn't have a complimentary coffee maker and you have to buy coffee outside of the hotel or the Starbucks in the lobby.   Also, be sure to check out Balance Spa & Fitness at the hotel if you want to get a massage, nails, and hair done for a day or  night out. Online booking available at http://www.balancespachi… There is a health club there too, but you don't get any discounts for being a hotel guest. Fee to use their gym is $10.  You're better off walking and wandering around Chicago if you want to get exercise.",5,2,0,0
4255,HE9Tr-EYeu7kEQxVxmZCXA,"The only thing this hotel can offer are elegant interior decors. Lots of room for improvement. 1. Took me 25 minutes and 3 phone calls to have a bellman help me take my luggage from my room. I'm surprised by this inefficiency. 2. As early as by 830am, I have a maid knocking on the door yelling ""house-keeping"". Seriously? People are still sleeping! 3. Now this one really kills me. We upgraded the room to be on one of the highest floors. Guess what view we have for paying the extra? Another building's firewall. Seriously? There's no reason for the extra charge if you get the same crappy view, just on a higher floor. 4. Walls are thin, you can definitely hear the hallways and neighbors. Not an entirely horrible stay if you're into interior decor. Otherwise, not much to expect.",2,1,0,0
4256,uB7wfOxnP3lHu-Pjw79-Pg,"The best hotel lobby I have ever seen!! Not many hotel lobbies can compare to the Palmer House lobby. It is breathtaking. An architectural masterpiece! This is my favorite big hotel in the country mainly because of the history, lobby, excellent service, and location. The hotel has three exits/entrances that give you access to three different streets so you are steps away from public transportation, the Berghoff, Millenium Park, and basically anywhere else downtown. The rooms are hit or miss. I have stayed in rooms that were updated and modern. I have also stayed in rooms that were old and dreary-looking. I will say that all of the rooms are very clean so that is always a major plus. The only reasons this hotel doesn't get a 5-star review are because they don't offer free wifi in the room (they charge $7.50 per HOUR to get access in your room), they charge $10 per day to use the fitness center even for hotel guests, and not all of the rooms are renovated. These are all major shortcomings of the hotel but I still love the Palmer House. The Palmer House will always be my preferred place to stay in the city because of the aforementioned benefits that this hotel provides.",4,6,2,1
4257,YwgxG-5ZUJRl6RK5n5CX1g,"This hotel is BEAUTIFUL! It has the most beautiful lobby and check in area I have ever seen.  Also because of this and the fact that it's historic.. it's incredibly expensive.   When you first walk in there is staff ready and waiting to help you.  It has an elegant entry way, 70+ foot ceilings, plenty of luxury seating, chandeliers, and golden elevators.  Even if you aren't staying here it is worth a visit.   The staff is incredibly helpful and the front desk is more than accommodating if you forgot something or need directions.   It is located right off the L and the parking is incredibly expensive.  What I did was park by Loyola University on the street for free (the campus outside of Chicago) and then took the L downtown.   The restaurants provided in the hotel are very delicious but expect to pay for what you are getting.  It's quite expensive.  There is however a Starbucks located on the ground floor that has normal pricing.  But it is packed in the morning!",5,0,0,1
4258,G8S9Foxiiq7InNxT8DuKgw,"Stopped for drinks while wandering the loop. I love this hotel. It is absolutely gorgeous. I wish I was staying there while I visited. Piece of history, well maintained, and incredible service.",5,1,1,0
4259,DNXVBpIti-UZGx4LKignPw,"Currently staying at the Palmer House Hilton during a conference and as old as this building is, I am very pleased with my stay. You can tell that the staff is proud of the hotel because every single staff member, I had the honor of meeting, was very friendly and eager to assist and the hotel is beautifully maintained. The lobby was exquisite...if you appreciated art the way I do, the art on the ceiling will have you walking straight while staring at the ceiling...needless to say, I bumped into a lot of people. Check-in was pretty smooth. Tyler took good care of us allowing us to check-in a few hours early and was happy to answer all of our crazy questions. Our room was on the Executive Floor. Key entry to ride the private elevator to heaven :) The elevator even had a bench for those people who are to lazy to stand lol. We arrive on the 23rd floor and excitement sets in. Let me tell you, Exective level is where its at! Snacks, soda, water available 24/7, Hot hor d'ourves available from 5-7pm, Complimentary contiental breakfast available every morning (not talking bagels and juice...Cold cuts, boiled eggs, plain yogurt, granola, breads, muffins, cereals, juices, coffee, hot oatmeal...sheesh What a spread!!), The room was very clean with a pleasant scent. The bed linens were plush which made it very difficult for me to leave each morning. Only gripe I had was it took me at least 5 minutes to at least turn on the shower each morning....I even had to call the maintence man one morning to demonstrate how to turn it on....he mumbled something about a German design...blah blah. Also, enjoyed a wonderful and filling lunch at Lockwood Restaurant in the lobby.  Try the Ahi Tuna burger and fries.....do yourself the favor, you deserve it! :)",4,2,3,2
4260,Oa98R6iKSAzb813Q7pRmlw,"The only reason this hotel is not getting 5 stars from me is the price. Normally my work pays for my trips, and did on this occasion, but I respect the folks out there reading this who may not be flushed with cash. This is a pricey hotel, and is probably a little bit more expensive than it needs to be. The building is old, and thusly, the rooms are not quite as spacious. However, my room did have an attached ""living"" room with chairs and another flat-screen tv, which helped stretch things out a bit. The lobby truly is spectacular. You come up from ground level by way of escalators and find yourself floored by the cathedral-esque painted ceiling and detailed architecture. Since the room was not ready by the time of check-in, the hotel offered $50 in hotel services for the wait. That $50 was used towards the amazing high tea they offer daily in the grand lobby - best high tea I've EVER had! Lots of food and you could also get a glass of champagne to boot. There was one gentleman with thick-rimmed glasses who would work the desk and he was just so helpful and delightful. He was extremely knowledgeable about the city and could provide both flashy and mega cheap-but-awesome places to go.",4,1,0,0
4261,hr-WoxvMy9qc4whNCYRtgQ,Beautiful and well maintained hotel. Great ambiance and professional staff!,4,0,0,0
4262,YJt7ZReE9iFP183OuS8EHA,"This is a historic, nice, and pricey hotel in the heart of Chicago. The good:  helpful concierge, clean, complimentary drinking water near all entrances, central location right on the El Train line, rooms equipped with mini-fridges, and beautiful lobby, bar, and restaurant. Could be better:  room size, price, and parking cost. Overall, if you are willing to pay around $170 a night minimum, don't need a lot of room, and prefer to be centrally located, this is a decent proposition.",3,0,0,0
4263,YWgneSIHJxE5afDCABhlYA,"This hotel is like the Waldorf Astoria of Chicago.  Its oppulent, its grand, its a Hilton, but its a tad bit musty.  The location is fantastic and the its huge.  The lobby is gorgeous too.  The housekeeping staff is friendly and efficient.  The front desk was hit or miss for me (one agent was less than happy to check me in, the other was incredibly gracious).  The rooms are nice.  The decor is cool and modern, but in line with the existing style of the hotel...sort of Hollywood glam (but in Chicago).  The beds are comfy...but my bathroom was tiny....I mean, extend your arms and you are touching the shower and the door with the sink in front of you and the toilet behind you...TINY.  Elevators can be a bit slow, even though there are like 10 of them...perhaps a few were in repair?   Bottom line:  If you can score a good deal.  Stay here.  I'm not sure I would splurge on this hotel though.",4,0,0,0
4264,b7lWNl9INXToKdTlzBN67A,An absolute stunning hotel. The details are superb. The staff is curteous and helpfull. I love the restarant and bar in the lobby. It has such great energy. The bed and linens were so comfortable. Check-in was quick and efficent. Our bags arrived to our room with in 5 minutes. The location is perfect right in the heart of the theater disctric. You can walk to everything including millenium park. We will be back.,5,0,0,0
4265,j2O1qav-JrFS0Pgm6FMP3A,"The hotel was a good one.  The lobby looks great although I only spent time walking through it to and from my room to the city streets.  It is based on an older building so the fixtures and decor are of a different era which is a good change of pace if you're looking for it.  It has a decent fitness area although they charge for use of it.  Just a couple blocks front Grant Park with is good and close to a number of good restaurants.  When coming back to the city, I'll definitely will consider staying again.",4,0,0,0
4266,hlY8MKpNxqpPzz5k1JBmdw,"This is a grand old hotel.  Grand in the sense that the lobby and common areas are sort of spectacular.  But it's like that person at the bar before last call....at 2:00 am after a few beers, he or she may look very good.  But peel away the beer goggles and the 10 you went home with suddenly becomes a 6, 6.5 tops.  Of course, I'm happy with a 4 so I'm not really complaining. Having said that, this isn't a bad place.  The staff is nice,  beds are super comfy, the place is very clean (though some of the areas are a bit worn) and the location is awesome.  This place is giant...with so many wings you may get lost going to your room.   You are very close to Millennium Park, the waterfront, theaters, even the Miracle Mile is a short walk away.  The lobby is truly breath-taking.  But it's not all lollipops and unicorns....the breakfast offered on the Executive Level is incredibly weak.  Oatmeal is the only hot food offered and the set up is almost aggressively inefficient.  Speaking of inefficient, you'll spend more time waiting for the elevators than sleeping in your bed.     I've stayed here twice and my first room was very tiny, but my second room was nice and spacious. If you get a good deal, it's definitely worth staying here.   I also think it's funny that the Palmer House is located a few blocks from Wacker Drive, but that's just because I'm incredibly immature.",3,1,0,1
4267,FPjQhdDurrxwE2uo-vcZkA,"I had a hard time trying to figure out if this was a good hotel, not good hotel, or a very good hotel.  In this instance, I'm going with the middle of the road because the negative and the very good offset each other.   First, we booked this hotel through Priceline for $140/night for two nights. I thought that price was pretty good for early summer.  It's located right near the blue line (easy to get to after you arrive at the airport) and it's between most other loop lines (easy to get around the rest of the city).  The place touts itself for its history within the city and the performers it has hosted.  This is to say, good first impression. Upon checking in, we were offered an upgraded room with a king sized bed for $49 more.  We opted not to upgrade and they gave us an upgrade to a queen sized bed for free-- nice touch!  Our room was spacious, though it had one chair, a desk, and a TV stand along with the bed in the sleeping area leaving it looking empty.  The bathroom was on the smaller side, but it had some nice Peter Thomas Roth bath products.  However, the bathtub was majorly clogged.  Sad.   Outside of that, the room I had faced east, and the room filled with sunlight no matter how tightly I drew the blinds.  It made it hard to sleep past 7am.  As far as the rest of the hotel, the staff and front desk were friendly and helpful.  Checkout was easy, and we were able to leave our bags with the hotel for a couple hours before catching our train to the next destination.   So, the Palmer House was nice.  I wasn't blown away, but I was happy most of the time there.    In all my traveling experiences, I think it's worth staying if you can get it for under $150.",3,1,2,0
4268,aUlO2DNV7LQIdF8T7QS4jw,"The room I stayed in on the 13th floor was quite comfy. 2 of the 3 nights I passed out in the king size bed with various items (ie room service menu, cell phone, etc) scattered around me. The sheets were clean and cozy, the pillows aplenty & satisfactorily poofy. The room appeared recently redone in an art deco style. I can dig. No peeling wallpaper to complain about whatsoever, not even in the bathroom. Yes, the bathroom is compact to the point that closing the door is awkward. Not so great for couples hot hotel seduction, but I was here for a conference. The raised sink as literal wash basin on counter was obnoxious. Also low. I'm tall, quit annoying me with sinks at my knees please. I did not find I was lacking for towel-hangage space, though yes the toilet is like a space rocket. So, too, are people next door if you happen to be so lucky. Very thin walls. Like, hearing people's entire conversations over HBO at midnight thin. All that is redeemed by the Food. The Palmer club is turkey, tomato, Gruyere [chorus of angels], bacon, and a black pepper mayo on multigrain bread. With truffle potato chips. The Sweet corn soup has chorizo, is light, tangy, carries a touch of heat. And, oh, yes, Bertha's brownie. I know not who she is, but I am proud of whoever created this dessert in her name. The brownie, with its fudge syrup and nuts, was good. Maybe not as good as the chocolate ice cream that accompanied it. Definitely not as awesome as the chocolate mousse. Omg. Also, eggs benedict. Not absolutely mind-blowing, but pretty near perfect. Only downside to the room service is that the 'late night kitchen' closes at midnight. At first, I did not realize this when I returned much later from my romp around the city.",4,0,0,0
4269,UlxFSqW-iS3N57L5Am4anQ,"It seemed like a great Priceline deal, nice-sounding hotel in the Loop... until I check in and discover that parking is an astounding $62/night. The desk clerk says ""well after all, it IS Chicago."" I asked him to have my car stolen; after all, it IS Chicago. The walk to my room was reminiscent of the Big Wheel scene from The Shining.  The room is Grandma-fancy, along with Grandma-pathetic electricals circa 1983. Is that really a double bed? I didn't know hotels had rooms with just one double bed, other than maybe the Y. The room is clean, but tired. Room service shuts down at midnight, again kind of Grandma. I'm sorry - I am a guest here but I have to pay extra to use the fitness room? Barf that. Would I book here on purpose? How many stars am I holding up?",2,2,1,4
4270,-Nudr-XRxYSV-KfPrPPmGA,"I really go back and forth between three and four stars for the Palmer House. On the plus side: - Beautiful Lobby - Friendly Staff - Good price for the location On the downside: - AC in the summer and heat in the winter is not quite enough for what you need - I ordered breakfast off the menu on the last visit and it took almost 45 min to bring out anything (this includes the orange juice) Rooms are fine and comfortable. The hotel is very large and the floors can be a little bit of a maze. Overall I would stay here again based on the price, location, and acceptability of the rooms, so I guess I will go with four stars.",4,1,0,0
4271,1nBErPsolJLdBOSI7WY3CQ,"We stayed here for 2 nights on a weekend trip to Chicago. Good location right off of Michigan Ave. Small rooms and poor layout (TV to the left of the bed) but we didn't spend much time in the room so it didn't matter too much. Nice bathrooms with Peter Thomas Roth products. The second floor lobby is beautiful. The hotel is historic without looking/feeling dirty or old. We booked the hotel through Priceline and weren't treated too great upon check-in. We were told we were in a smoking room and that it was the only room available. When we expressed our displeasure, he found a non-smoking room acted like he was doing us a favor, when really he just lied to us at first. This has happened to us at other hotels too, and it's something I just don't understand. I wouldn't mind staying here again.",3,2,0,0
4272,kX3XvIrwCbNozonyI0ahHg,"Getting nickel and dimed is an accepted reality on domestic airlines, but now I can announce this trend has made it to the hotel industry, too. They have a fitness center, but it costs $10 per trip and closes at 9:00 pm. WTF? Others have mentioned the extortion they charge for parking. You might not be surprised that they charge for Wi Fi, too. The lobby is ostentatious, the ceiling more Staten Island than Athenian. The rooms are on the small side, ugly interiors, and no apparent thought to the arrangement of furniture, TV, etc. The elevators are excruciatingly slow. If you're on the 19th floor or higher you have a choice of 3, so you can imagine how quick that is. The bathrooms were OK. There are a few stores in the lobby. Location is solid. You can do better.",2,0,0,0
4273,S79Dcb2nCP0gKBLogsjWKg,"What a no brainer. This hotel is the right place for a family visit, a romantic visit or a business trip.  This is a fantastic hotel that has great charm. The hotel and service will blow you away.",5,1,0,0
4274,CE208CSDi0ibe-hOQFTRLg,"I'm feeling slightly charitable by rounding up to 4 stars for our Memorial Weekend trip. I'll break it down. Where I always start... Bathrooms: This one was fairly clean - a solid 8/10 but it loses major points for being the size of a brook closet. It was difficult to get in and out of to close the door, and there was no good place to put wet towels after our showers. I'm smaller than an average size woman, and I had some trouble maneuvering. The updates that were done to the bathroom did give it nice modern appeal. Toilets and shower were extremely noisy. The middle of the night bathroom trip could have woken the dead from their slumber! Room: Decent size room for the price. We were told we had a queen bed, but ti felt a little snug for a queen. The bed sunk in the middle a little bit (I would assume with a bed that size that typically only one person would sleep in it at a time). Linens were comfortable and enough pillows. Decor was nice and looked as if it had been recently updated. I liked the modern color scheme. The wallpaper on the walls was peeling in multiple places. Seems like such an easy fix that just wasn't done. Location: Just a few blocks away from Millennium Park and Grand Park, steps away from all color el stations and a block away from State Street shopping. I have no complaints with it! We actually walked almost everywhere the whole weekend because of the nice weather. Overall, the hotel itself was beautiful. I wished they would have cranked up the AC a little bit more in their common areas with the highs in the mid to upper 90s in Chicago. And their lobby is on the second floor which I found to be strange and somewhat frustrating as the signage wasn't terrific when we were checking after walking with bags on a warm day. Plenty of elevators (they are split in sections of rooms which was nice for a building that size - never waited more than 60 seconds). All common areas were neat and clean, the staff we did encounter was quite pleasant. Worth the money we spent on a hotwire deal, but I'd never pay full price for this place!",4,1,0,0
4275,-PxjVc3iFin8nsUoOBTCqA,"The s/o and I made the Palmer House our home during our week long vacation in Chicago and although we only stayed for a week, it was difficult to leave behind...Chicago and the Palmer House! Location was key for the both of us as it would be our first domestic vacation where we relied solely on public transit.  With that said, the PH was just around the corner from the Red line and one block away from the Blue line which can take you to O'Hare...saving you lots of money on cab fare! Stepping into the hotel was a little was odd as it was a cold, stale looking interior until we took the escalator up to the lobby where a ceiling mural of luxurious art greeted us; eat your heart out Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.  The lobby alone was rich in history and grandeur.  Check in was quick and friendly. There was just one elevator bank with eight cars, unless you were staying in the Executive floor and you had your own exclusive elevators to use.  Our room was located on the 8th floor, where the fitness center was located as well.  The room was of decent size and the decor although fairly newer, was kept in style of the hotel.  The bathroom was very small, but functional.  It could've used some ventilation system as it would get quite steamy during a hot shower so, we had to always prop the door open.  The room had a walk in closet and safe big enough to hold a laptop. However, our room did have a connecting door to each room on both sides of us.  One night, we could hear deafening cries from an infant in the room next to us.  I wanted to complain but I felt sorry for the parent who had to deal with it.  Then on the Friday night, we could hear music radiating  from the Ballroom (not sure how many floors below us) for a wedding or something.  But all things considered, noise wise, I would consider ourselves majorly lucky as we were placed in a room facing other rooms (Imagine a ""U"" shape, we were on one side of the ""U""), otherwise we would be hearing cars and the above ground train on Wabash. A couple other pros I should mention was the HSIA was complimentary, which is pretty rare for full service hotels, not to mention, the signal strength was excellent. The other pro was having a Starbucks on the ground floor. Overall, our stay was very pleasant and made our trip to Chicago totally enjoyable knowing we had a comfortable room and cozy bed in an amazing hotel!  Chicago was an awesome city and when we come back, we're staying at the PH again!",4,2,0,0
4276,wadLIghjek7U-I3U9Ntqsw,"The location is super, just a quick walk to Millenium Park and a few blocks to an El that brought us right back to Oak Park for $2.25 each. We had scored a great deal on an Orbitz-type site so we decided to take a mini-trip with two kids (ages 10,12) to The Palmer House. Everyone here mentioned the ""wow"" factor of the lobby, which was lovely. But, the room, the view and the bathrooms were surprisingly ho-hum. Our 10th floor room overlooked a fire escape and the metal sides and roof of the pool. We couldn't see the street at all. The bathroom-aside from a posh sink-was similar to my grandma's. (No offense, grandma) Very old-school 1950's with old tile that needed a good scrubbing, old tub, very small. The indoor pool is small but it has a deep end that went to 8 feet and a hot tub, which the kids loved. We basically had it to ourselves at 5 pm, but by 9:00 in the morning it was near capacity. The only other thing we didn't like was the maid knocking on our door at 8:00 a.m. to ask if we were leaving yet. We said, ""No, check out isn't until noon so we planned to stay until then."" And she said, ""No, check-out is at 10:30. 11:00 at the latest."" We called the desk who said that it was actually noon.",3,0,0,0
4277,SQEviXWP5uXb1Et0h6kwMQ,"This is an incredible hotel.  With an expansive conference center, a basement Starbucks, and nice rooms, the Palmer House is an incredible place to work and stay. They have everything from nice single and double rooms (I got to try a double room for 2 nights) to giant suites (which I didn't see, but I did see one of the suite-getters get a free bottle of water, so score there).   The hotel is also convenient to the Miracle Mile, Lake Michigan, and Millennium Park, so scenery. Overall, Palmer House is a massive win.",5,1,0,0
4278,kd9,"Stayed here while attending the IRCE2012 conference.  This as one of the 4 or 5 hotels recommended by the conference and also the most expensive.  Probably b/c it's located in the middle of downtown - walking distance within about 15 Starbucks in a 1 mile area! Location: 5 stars Rooms: 2.5 stars (thin walls and doors - so I could hear clearly the conversations happening in the rooms around me).  I paid $300 per night, but had a view of scaffolding into the brick walls of the building next door.  Probably still better than my coworker whose room faced the train tracks. Layout: 3 stars - it's confusing - multiple buildings of various heights and my 8th floor room had 3 different elevator locations I could take. Decor: Rooms are very dated (dated, not classic mind you) - well maintained, but dated in decor and layout. Amenities: 3 stars.  Good water pressure, bright / clean bathrooms.  But you have to pay for use of the gym?  That really sucks. Late check out will cost you extra!",3,0,0,0
4279,RxP7MH5HEevk,"Attn: Mr. Todd Temperly What happened to the GOOD OLD DAYS?  When Hospitality meant something... When you call yourself ""THE Palmer House"" you are creating a allegiance to your brand.  You are failing to live up to the brand that was built for you many decades ago.  The fact that movies stars of years past would flock to your hotel simply based on the name and the brand that was built on SUPERIOR HOSPITALITY.  The hospitality recevied by those customer is absolutly a thing of the past.  Unfortunately, you have failed miserably to accomplish anything other than outstanding luggage service.  What a shame?  You are actually calling yourself, ""THE Palmer House"".  Boo Woo Woo, you are embarassing THE CITY OF CHICAGO. Just a note on how our company's corporate travel policy works.  Each week we are assigned a client to visit for 5 days.  We're generally given notice sometimes 3 days, sometimes 5 to7  days and sometimes weeks in advance notice. We're given a budget for just about everything, air, hotel and car + a daily food allowance and other incidentals like dry cleaning, fuel etc.  As contractors WE HAVE A CHOICE!!!!  The key is to create a pleasant and enjoyable experience for yourself in your home away from home. I am a contract technical trainer for a company that employs 15,000 other contract trainers.  (Notice no large caps in titling as it is not that important to me.  The important thing is to get the job done, and I am proud to say we do that!!)  In the 18 months of nonstop travel week to week all across the country I have only experienced the feeling of being so belittled and unwelcomed by a hotelier in the hospitality industry one other time and they will not get my repeat business either. It is a shame that I would have to interact with your hotel front desk via phone and front desk managers via phone and in person (Kim over the phone and Vera in person)  5 times and miss my check in and revise the reservation 3 times to accommodate your staff in the handling of a corporate preauthorization to pay for my stay (at your oh so fabulous facility).   When I told the front desk manager to note that I would pay for the first night or two out of my pocket was a moment of insanity for me.  After experiencing this cavalier attitude in person, I recall that I HAVE THE OPTION TO CHOOSE.  Thank Goodness for that.   Thank you for giving me the OPTION TO CHOOSE!!!  I'll work as diligently as I can to stick with my normal policy of patronizing the local boutique hotels who live and die by their level of hospitality.  For example Kimpton Properties, YOU ROCK!!!     Vera, your front desk manager was so arrogant as to tell me she would have been doing me a favor in accepting the preauthorization.  However, as she put it, she couldn't even accept the preauthorization from me because it wasn't on 'your form' and the form wasn't turned in 1 week in advance of my stay.   I don't know if I received this treatment because I'm a professional busines traveler and you don't work with business travelers. I don't know if I received this treatment because I'm a woman busines traveler and you don't work with women business travelers. I don't know if it's because I'm a human being with a heart and soul that should be treated with courteousy and respect, an you don't work with human beings. I don't know if it's because I'm a black travelers, and you don't work with black travelers. The Palmer House is definitely not my kind of place.  Your staff is cold, cavalier and fails to provide a business class of professional hospitality.   Good Luck!!! cc: Hilton Corporate HQ 7930 Jones Branch Drive McLean, Virginia 22102  USA cc:Yelp.com",1,1,0,2
4280,KezkZiWxetiA5Kvc9YaCsA,"I stayed here for 5 weeks on a business trip. Had a total blast! The rooms were outstanding and it's in a great location for people who are working with businesses in the loop. Spent way too much at the Starbucks in the lower level, as well as the bar in the lobby. The architecture here was unparalleled. Internet not included in rooms and neither is the fitness center, which are both pretty big cons. I would definitely stay here again! Even if I had to pay for it myself.",5,1,0,0
4281,ftUMSLBOzjanrVLAbmDNqg,"Old hotel so the bathrooms are a little dated, other than that it's great.",4,0,0,0
4282,bQRv,"I wanted to enjoy this hotel so much, because I love classic architecture and the location of the hotel is amazing. You walk into the hotel and the lobby is gorgeous, with an outstanding bar area and shopping area downstairs. However, after my 2 days I have to say my stay was completely miserable and at least Chicago had enough to offer to save my trip. The rooms are tiny and whoever came up with the design to put the tv at a 90 degree angle to the bed wasn't thinking very clearly. The bed was apparently a king, but definitely felt more like a queen. Now, a small room with a strange design doesn't get you 1 star, but watching an inch long cockroach walk around your bathroom at 7am in the morning after you wake up tends to ruin an experience. After spending 5 minutes smashing it with a metal trash can and STILL not fully killing it, your day just can never be the same. I went to the front desk before leaving for my business conference and the front desk person said that they would have a technician check the room for holes / infestations and would get me a new room set up. When I came back from work, the front desk had no record of me ever filing the complaint and no record of there being a cockroach in the room. So I had to retell my story and show them the picture of the massive insect. What scares me the most, is that how can you let a possible infestation just leak through the records? What if it was bed bugs (which if you google the hotel, clearly they have had issues) or something nastier than a cockroach? The front desk person went back into their managers area (for 15 minutes I was standing there waiting) and came back to let me know they had given me a new room further away from the elevator (as if that somehow means less chance of bugs or something) and 50 bucks in food coupons which only work at this EXACT hotel. The new room was nice and spacious, with a great view of the ventilation system on the 8th floor and a wall blocking anything else. To finish it off, I woke up the next morning with hives, either from something in the sheets or due to stress (I wonder what could have stressed me out). I literally and figuratively am allergic to the hotel. The rooms have nice amenities, but it can not hide the fact that the infrastructure is old and needs much better maintenance. The lack of customer service and hospitality, after knowing that I dealt with a miserable morning was also saddening. No way I will be spending another trip at the Palmer House.",1,3,0,2
4283,BK4iTvueUu3WyDVUt1ws1w,"I stayed here and the rooms were ultra tiny.. I couldn't believe how small they were... They were very dated as well. If you like being taken back to 1940s style.. Than this is the place for you. The lobby is grand and has a lot of character.. Service was nice, for what I used..",3,0,0,0
4284,IRBwIERKYyCbd63JFXVo3g,"The Palmer house is the epitome of  posh and outrageous glamour.  The 60-foot ceiling lobby is dripping with ornate baroque decor: golden winged angels hoisting chandeliers, lavish elaborate carpets, marble archways, and full-circle velvet sofas at the hub of a bank of golden-doored elevators. The hallways of the rooms promintently display black-and-white photos of the stars of the ""golden age"" - singers, musicians, actors of all kinds grace the silent hallways. There appears to have been some renovation based on other reviews and the curtains of other rooms I noticed from my window.  My room on the 17th floor was quite lovely - art deco furniture, lovely colors, ""Hollywood-style"" decorative bathroom and closet door handles were a reminder of a past golden age. A few minor annoyances - no coffee maker in my room (big, huge boo for a business traveler.)  The buttons on the phone didn't connect to... well, anywhere (wake up calls, etc.) No free internet except in the lobby (which seems to be pretty typical these days.)  The instructions for the check out process are incorrect and you can't set a time for checkout.  So, I accidentally checked out when I wasn't ready to leave for a few hours (in conference meetings all morning.)  The phone operator didn't understand this predicament and kept forwarding me to non-answering numbers. Besides that, the desk staff and concierges were all very nice and professional. I really didn't have a problem with the hotel being on the second floor.  With a Starbucks on the 1st and easy access to 3 main streets, I was pretty happy. Having a martini in the hushed, lavish lobby was dreamy... We'll be back!",4,0,0,0
4285,4svdunJFOX5ytePIJ7XlQg,"I will not stay here if we go to Chicago again. Rooms are dark and need updating. Bathrooms are well lit but tiny. You can hear EVERYTHING   Seems like the walls are made of paper.  I knew every time our neighbors went to the restroom & when they left.  Lobby is beautiful but does not reflect the quality of the rooms. However, the sheets & bedding were clean & nice (the only reason I gave 2 stars). don't stay here.",2,0,1,0
4286,cE8Yo-u-VhDfT6nOcfMYmg,"We loved our stay at the Palmer House Hilton.  The location is superb, quick access to all sorts of public transport (El, subway, bus).  The hotel has a great historic feel.  Rooms were comfortable and well kept.  Staff was very nice.  Lobby is a gorgeous place to sit. Being historic, the walls are a tad thin, but we slept fine, neighbors didn't keep us up.  Everything in our room worked well and the products are nice (Peter Thomas Roth) Overall, great experience and I'd definitely go back.  We booked with http://Hotels.com and the rate was fantastic, billing was quick and easy.",4,1,0,0
4287,e36FEJ3K7-abrutfZBUlJQ,"One of my favorite places to stay in Chicago.   Location 5* Architecture 5* Lobby Bar 5* Rooms 4* I love this hotel.  First of all, as a person that stays at the Hilton a lot, this works for keeping my Hilton status up, but that being said, this is an awesome hotel. The building is beautiful, with ceilings covered in paintings, reminding you of the glory days, where people dressed up to go out, and lavish lifestyles prevailed.   The lobby bar is a great place to hang out for drinks and watch hundreds of guests and even locals come to quench their thirst.  Their is a high end restaurant in the lobby as well, but I never did make it inside - it looked good. My morning Starbucks run was simplified, since there is a Starbucks on the first floor.  No, it wasn't one of those fake Starbucks that just serves some, it was a full fledged store.   If you are looking for a very reasonable hotel, located in a great location, you have to try the Palmer House Hilton.",4,19,20,10
4288,pQxlWHh,"The Palmer House is one of the most famous grand hotels in Chicago. The lobby on the second floor is gorgeous; there's lavish furnishings, majestic ceiling, and of course, impeccable service by their well trained staff. As far as location is concern, it can't be any better. It's in the historic Chicago loop, close to corporate office buildings, Michigan Avenue, the Art Institute, theatre at Randolph Street and State Street shopping. But come evening, this area can be a little quiet but walking north from the hotel will get you to Grand/Chicago Ave where restaurants and clubs are. The executive rooms have wonderful perks such as private elevators to the rooms and all day snack bar offered to executive guests only. However, the rooms are a bit on the small side though. The room that I was in, had two bathrooms but the bed took up most of the bedroom space. Despite that, Palmer House should be on your places to check out in Chicago, especially if you like grand old hotels. Be careful not to walk past the hotel though because I find it hard to recognize it from the street level since loop buildings are so close one another.",4,0,0,0
4289,DOHI5lrS,"Do not stay there. Service was rude, they only provided a smoking room, refused to provide a non-smoking room, rooms were knob & tube, no free bottles of water, expensive food downstairs, and overpriced on the whole.",1,0,0,1
4290,X9XVpTsIMLGn9LPNJ7pVLA,"After reading some reviews about this hotel I was a bit apprehensive about staying here. But, I must say that the Palmer House was a pleasant surprise! Nice historic hotel with a great location near the loop and the Art Institute. The lobby is beautiful and retains a certain grandness that can't be replicated. Check in was smooth and the rooms and bathrooms were very clean. Housekeeping was quick and efficient...and Holy Margin Erosion Batman, FREE wifi. I would give this hotel four stars even if I had paid double of what I did. Looks like this hotel has deals going quite a bit through various travel sites. I found that booking directly with the hotel got me the discounted rate without prepaying the entire amount. When I return to Chicago I will certainly stay here again.",4,0,0,0
4291,OguUuM9ZGquAxVwonapFlw,This place is truly a gem...I stayed there and the reservation had gotten screwed up. The staff was extremely nice and upgraded me to the Executive Duites. Staying here gave us access to their free apéritifs. We also were given free breakfast vouchers,4,0,0,0
4292,1qzi8wiyrDe4vRjz5k7zLQ,"I stayed at the Palmer House for my wedding last weekend.  The experience was just fine, but not outstanding. If it were just me and my husband for a weekend, I might give it 4 or even 5 stars, because -It's beautiful -The rooms are lovely and clean, albeit a bit dark -Beds are super clean and comfy -Great location -Friendly, helpful bell staff -Great room deal However, I was arranging lodging for my wedding party with 5 rooms. The very cool and detached attitude by the staff left me nervous that my older/international guests would have problems with the impersonal service or that the end of my stay would be marred by a billing problem . We booked 5 rooms for myself and my wedding party and our guests booked another 6-7 rooms. When we booked and paid for the 5 rooms, I asked if any of the rooms had  a mini-fridge (for my cake) and the front desk agent looked past me and said, ""no that's an extra $40/night""  After spending $2500, I felt a little put out.  Later, I was checking a room quote for a friend and noticed that the rate for an executive level room was just $15 more a night. I wrote the concierge and asked if I could upgrade. I was initially told that I would have to pay an extra $40 to upgrade. Unless of course I cancelled and re-booked. I had to write 3 emails to get a response to this. I would have paid for upgrades for all the rooms at $15, but that was not an option. The final resolution was a free upgrade for myself and the assurance that the concierge was available to handle any needs I had.   I needed to change the names on a couple rooms and each time I called the Front Desk, I was on hold for 20 minutes.  Each conversation started witht he agent telling me they couldn't change it because I booked it elsewhere, then I would insist that I confirmed and PAID at the Palmer directly, more time on hold, and then changing the name. Finally, I emailed a list of guests to the concierge a couple days before the event, in case people got lost or had a problem with their reservation. It was met with radio silence. All in all, everything worked out. But it was nerve-wracking! Great hotel for a romantic weekend, but try a smaller one for a group.",3,0,0,0
4293,UlzKng6Hqsz32hiUqNO-cQ,"This place is great and bustling with people. Staff is friendly so be prepared to hand out lots of $2 tips. The beds, bathrooms and living space was greatly decorated and comfortable. Amenities were good as well as in the nice pool lounge, Tea room and the gym was great. Be prepared to pay $10 each day you use the gym eh j the hotel fails to tell you over the phone. The hotel is very well maintained considering its age, and maintains the lavish look even tho the rooms ate greatly reduced on priceline. There is a Starbucks downstairs which pleased all of us in our party and it's not far from Michigan ave. great shopping and eateries nearby as well. I would def come again and stay. Happy hoteling!!",5,1,0,0
4294,0clyc7PoWu85m-OU2HPo6g,"I really enjoyed my stay at this hotel,the location is awesome! It's in the middle of everything! On block from Michigan Ave,The Library and Museum all within walking distance.   There were no double rooms available by the time we checked in so a king would have to do for my son and I,they did offer a rollway if needed. We had a pretty large room it was a corner room with windows on two sides and quite a bit of room. The lobby itself takes your breath away and it stays busy it's full of energy. I will return and this will also be a hotel I return too.",4,0,0,0
4295,MAL2PjMJRU2B73JbuIJbZw,"I was able to get my room for $95 during St Patrick's day weekend and there is so way I could have topped that. The location is so convenient! The Art Institute is a 5 minute walk and there is so much to do just within a 2 mile radius. The entire weekend the entire staff was so nice and so hospitable. This was m first time staying in the loop and the next time I'm in Chicago, I will stay here again. In defense of the nay-sayers: -Parking is expensive but it is the loop in Chicago, so no matter where you are staying you will have to pay an arm and a leg. If you don't use the valet, your car is parked across an empty street in a secured building and it is a one minute walk. -The rooms are on the smaller side, but  for a weekend in Chicago, who really spends too much time in their hotel room? You still get a bed, a desk, a closet, and an extra chair. -The entire weekend I was able to connect to the wifi from the Starbucks around the corner and I was on the 15th floor.",4,1,0,0
4296,22q7Qrv7JuibIfC5IdGHyg,"Treat me well and I'll come back. Treat me bad and I'll yelp on you! Find somewhere else to stay. At check-in, I was lucky enough to be helped by an arrogant, entitled gentleman who didn't find it worthy of his time to share with me how I could find my room, where the pool was or even how to access the elevators. I couldn't even get the jerk to smile.  I didn't think much of it until I was checking out (more on that later) and heard another staff member graciously and cheerfully speak to patrons. Now, I have a lot of respect for housekeeping staff. They undoubtedly work very hard... but what I did not appreciate was 1) how late the rooms would be cleaned. I got back to my room at 4pm once and it was still in the state that I left it in 2) when I would leave my room in the mornings, how my housekeeper would ask me if I wanted my room cleaned. When I answered yes, she had to make sure I was certain of my decision and would then be disappointed. What the hell?! I get that it would be nice to have one less room to clean, but isn't that your job? 3) noisy and inconsiderate staff. Because the walls are paper thin at this hotel, I could hear EVERYTHING going on in the next room.... including the HUGE fuss the staff made about the room next door... at 7:30AM!!!!!!! Apparently, when my neighbors checked out of their room, they left behind quite a bit of broken glass and furniture. The staff cleaning up IN the room thought it appropriate to YELL OUT to other team members down the hall to come see the wreckage. I could distinctly hear the chatter, the furniture being moved around and even the noise coming from their walkie-talkies.... all at such an ungodly hour. Unforgivable. Plumbing was a nightmare. Not only was the flow from the shower head poor, but, if a housekeeper was cleaning next door and turned on the water there, my water pressure got even lower!!!! Did I mention that the bathroom is tiny?! Don't rock back and forth as you brush your teeth - you might just fall into the toilet! So here's my biggest gripe....an hour before check-out, I review my invoice and there's clearly an erroneous charge. I never dined in the hotel's restaurant. I try reaching the front desk SIX TIMES and no answer. I ask concierge to connect me and still no answer. Finally, 15 minutes later, I try again and get a live person on the phone. I explain that I never dined at the restaurant. No problem, he says, he'll remove the charge. Says I need to come down to pick up a new invoice.  I gather my belongings, head downstairs. A new staff member prints out my invoice and the charge is still there. I contest it and make reference to my call earlier. This dude says that there's nothing that can be done. In fact, because I didn't get the name of the person who said he'd waive it, I'm stuck. The charge needs to be ""investigated"". So hold on... I just spent over $900 staying at your hotel and you're gonna squabble with me for $17?!  Of course, I asked to speak to the manager. So Ms. Rasha comes out and says I should go home. If the charge isn't legit, she'll credit my account. I tell her that's not going to fly with me. This is my company card and each charge needs to be substantiated. I know I didn't dine at the restaurant in the hotel. IN FACT, I wasn't even at the hotel at 9:30pm last night. So she tells me, that 9:30pm must have been when the charge posted, I must have eaten there earlier and just simply forgot. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!? I tell her no, I haven't dined at their restaurant PERIOD. She offers to go through last night's receipts and get this, if the name on the receipt matches mine, I have to pay for the dinner. Why would I try to get out of a $17 charge if I had actually authorized it?!  She says to come back after 30 minutes. I go back after 45 minutes, and a new staff member tells me she's still looking through receipts. Fine. I go make myself useful and come back 25 minutes later.  The new staff member goes into Rasha's office, comes out, and prints me a new invoice without the charge. No explanation. No apology. Nothing.  I asked her what happened and she says ""The manager removed the charge. It was posted to the wrong room.""   Does the manager not know anything about customer service? Does she not have the human decency to come out and tell me this in person after she had me wait over an hour?  I ask her to call out Rasha and the latter comes out with an indignant look on her face. I tell her that I'm appalled by her customer service and thank her for inconveniencing me. Her reply? ""You're welcome"".",1,4,1,1
4297,7JJGlZx88CfK1UEYM2QlfQ,"Oh how I wanted to enjoy my stay at this historical Chicago hotel. I really hate to write a negative review of this place, but I call it like I see it. My wife booked our room on http://priceline.com. That was probably our first mistake. We ended up getting a room that was fit for a stowaway on the Titanic. Our section of the hotel must have been undergoing renovations, because it was dark, dingy and not well maintained. Our room was small with a beautiful view of the fire escape and alley. To make matters worse, they gouge you for a $10 fee to use the fitness room. Not cool at all. I'm sure the Palmer house was the picture of elegance in the 50's. Unfortunately, the part of the hotel they stuck us in was dingy, poorly lit and outdated. I guess they treat their http://priceline.com customers differently. I doubt if I would ever book another room or even recommend the hotel to my out of town friends. Yes! It was that bad.",2,4,2,4
4298,iffeAFvLpFi8kdvcCzfSxQ,"Oh Palmer House, you seductive temptress. Look at this location!  Look at this building!  I want to die every time I go into the lobby it is so beautiful.   Ahh, but this is how they suck you in!  And how it just masks the greatly unfortunate experience from then on. Twice I had someone new at Registration.  And both times, instead of finding out the correct information, they tell me something completely different and wrong and completely waste my time. (1st time was in trying to get approval for me to check in without husband present, whose name was on the reservation.  2nd time I asked about a mailbox, because my letter was too large to fit in the mail chute on my floor. But to be fair, when I went to someone who knew what they were doing about my check in issues, it was fixed immediately.) So check in is at 3, right?  Exhausted,  I get to the room, throw down the bags, and call room service for a pot of coffee. Room service is ""closed"" until four. But the helpful pre-recorded message assures me that the restaurant downstairs, Lockwood, would definitely be able to help me!  I call Lockwood.  The chick on the phone says ""yep, come on down and get your coffee here"".  Oh, OK thanks, but I can just go to Starbucks for that?  Why would you have any service unavailable at the same time you have people checking in?   And speaking of the room.  I was ""upgraded"" because of the mix up at check in. My upgrade was to a small room that would have been beautifully decorated in 1990, complete with a large armoire that held a tube TV.  My view was of a fire escape (and most likely the alley below but I was too high up to see that far down.) Quite a bit different than the rooms they promote on the website.   I decide to check out the fitness center.  This is on a lower level, but when the elevator doors opened you would think you were in a completely different hotel.  Beautiful, modern decor in chocolate, greens and peacock blue.  The fitness center looks like a spa from the outside.  There is a woman at a desk who asks you to sign in.  Just as my pen hovered over the paper she adds ""Oh and by the way there is a $10 charge per day to use the facilities"".  Wait...what?  Are you serious?  Gah!  No thanks.   I just feel like my entire stay was non-stop irritation.  Are hotels the new airlines where the idea of service is dead and you are nickel and dimed to death?  I guess so, at least in the Palmer House.  Such a very serious let down.",2,6,2,1
4299,FQin4Hr0WCXf1DYIKVwUxQ,"When I walked into Palmer House, I felt like I was walking into a movie set. It was so luxurious and beautiful. Grandiose and amazing. I paid a pre-negotiated rate for $85 and never was I treated like someone who paid a negotiated rate. I took advantage of an upgrade to a double room in the executive suite on floor 23 for an additional $55. The room was wonderful. I am a HUGE fan of two beds/two baths. The room had two closets, safe, bathrobes, a flat screen and IPOD clock. Amazing showers and pressures. The beds were very comfortable. The only thing that could have made the room better was free wifi.... HOWEVER on the exec floor there were computers available. Also on the exec floor was a bartender, free non alcoholic beverages, snacks, appetizers, and breakfast. The parking is ridiculous but we paid overnight parking up the street for $12. The hotel is next door to Miller Pub which had great food for the value and a wider variety than I thought for pub food. Location.....wonderful for sites and shopping. I DEFINITELY will stay at Palmer House again.",5,0,0,0
4300,R0ayciGAsvJaGIStcxQNwA,"Amazing lobby! The room was beautiful as well but it's hard to compete with the splendor of the lobby. The only thing that was problematic was the wait time for the elevators every morning...you must plan at least fifteen minutes for this. We waited and waited and then finally gave up and took the stairs. However, twenty-three flights of stairs with luggage is not optimal.",4,0,0,0
4301,n5Oj-qPv1B8LnkOF45MgGA,"Let's run the numbers on the Palmer House: * 2 Hilton staff at the check-in desk * 6 dudes with walkie-talkies in $60 suits, pacing the lobby area and leering at customers * 20 minute wait to check-in Bravo Hilton. I'd suggest that a historic Chicago property deserves better.",1,4,1,1
4302,Z5TMUHIT3-WZqCR-xAIEDA,"Giving this hotel only two stars breaks my heart. I have a big old soft spot for the Palmer House, as it was the hotel I stayed in on my first trip to Chicago nearly 20 years ago. Back then I thought it was the most luxurious hotel in the world and will always remember that trip fondly. So I was excited to go back, and there were elements of my stay that lived up to my great memories. Fabulous location. Gorgeous lobby and common areas. Unfailingly polite and cheerful service from check-in to room service to housekeeping. Good-sized, relatively quiet room on a high floor. Nice lounge with tasty drink selections. Three big disappointments, though: 1. My room, albeit spacious, was tired and dated. I was surprised at how annoying it was to have an old tube TV stashed away in an inconvenient armoire instead of a flat screen on a more accessible bureau-top. 2. Hotel wireless was expensive and slow. I don't mind paying extra for premium wireless service, provided I actually GET premium wireless service. But I didn't see any real difference in what I got for my $19.99 at the Palmer House than I would for free at any Courtyard by Marriott. 3. But the real reason for the two-star review: My bathtub was a deathtrap. I am not kidding. The liner had separated from the tub frame and was all warped and spongy, so every morning it felt like I was taking a shower on a trampoline. It kept me so off balance I had to shampoo with one hand while clinging to the soap dish with the other. I could not imagine being an elderly person trying to navigate that dangerous enclosure. It's a wonder someone has not fallen, broken a hip, and sued them. My colleague, who has more Hilton points than I, stayed on one of the renovated floors and told me his room was really nice. He also snuck me into the concierge lounge, which was very comfortable and served up great wines and tasty hot and cold appetizers. So maybe the moral of the story is...stay at the Palmer House but on a concierge floor. That's a solution I could live with.",2,1,2,0
4303,7p4LWFQweoWMb0W9XuSTLg,"Architecturally amazing hotel...this place is the epitome of the word grand. Some hotels are beautiful, and modern, which is nice...but a beautiful hotel with history and old time charm is priceless. The service, from the check-in staff, to the bartenders in both the outer lounge bar (which I loved), to the bar just down the hall inside the hotel is super friendly. The open sitting area near the bar is comfortable and welcoming. There are bar tables off to one side with iPad's in upright holders, for anyone's entertainment. Bonus...they lowered their valet prices, which is nice, since the hotel rooms are quite pricey. At least you don't have to take it up the yin yang from all directions. I can't forget to mention that there is a Starbucks in the building as well...this is a definite plus for coffee drinkers like myself. The rooms are a nice size, but most importantly...clean! I recommend this hotel to anyone wanting to experience a beautiful Chicago hotel with old time charm.",5,1,1,0
4304,7K-cXl83zddzFQopmHVkog,"I was able to negotiate my way to a decent deal for a three night stay in Chicago at the Palmer House Hilton. It was my first time negotiating on Priceline, and I believed it to be a great deal on a long Summer weekend that would get me out of Cedar Rapids.  The Palmer House proved to be a great experience, and not just because its a Hilton either. After doing some research I found there was certainly some history to the location, and I have to mention that they have done a decent job at preserving it. I was given a room clearly meant for one person, partly because I told them it was just me and also because I didn't mind not getting extra space. My first thought after entering the room was more a long the lines of ""This is the most perfect 1 bedroom you could find""! One could argue that another perspective would be- ""This is an extra store room""! Don't get me wrong, it was a small room that I greatly admired...clearly for one person. Other than that, the amenities and everything else was pretty good. You do notice the age of the property at times, but it does sell itself as a historic venue in Chicago. The lobby itself is quite a beautiful! The ceiling tapestry, the swanky bars, and the excellent decor makes it a place to be on any given night! Definitely a great place for a few drinks with friends to start off the evening. The service was very good and attentive, although I hardly needed anything after my initial check in. And you cannot beat the location that the hotel is in! Fairly close to the CTA lines, and being right in the Loop is a big plus!",4,0,1,0
4305,pyixBQMRkJyVvkIzvpW3lw,"I love the Palmer House Hilton.  Love, love, love it.  But let me be clear: staying elsewhere in Chicago is not a live option for me, as the only time I'm in town is for a philosophy conference that is hosted at the Palmer almost every year.   I imagine one can find an equally beautiful hotel with larger and fancier guest rooms for $185 (plus $30 occupancy tax) elsewhere in the city.  But the lobby!  The friendly service!  The location!  The excellent lobby bar and restaurant!  The street-level Starbucks!  The free internet in the lobby (both floors) and the elevator waiting area of each floor! So I'm a fan, although one can see from reading the other reviews that there are good reasons not to be.",4,0,0,0
4306,LtnrZyABl1V9wv8BkXa4zw,"I tend to stay at Hiltons when I travel for pleasure for two reasons: 1) They are usually very clean and nice at all levels in the chain 2) A friend works for a property and I can get a deal. However, the Palmer House is exceptionally awesome.  Located in the loop only a block and half from Millenium Park its less then a 10 minute walk to Cloud Gate aka: The Bean which just mesmerized me finally seeing it in person.  I was a bit obsessed with it. The hotel lobby ceiling is amazing and the overall decor is great and the room was clean and recently remodeled.  The only downsides were: 1) No fridge in room (I am sure I could have gotten one of if I asked) 2) No Coffee maker in the room 3) No HDTV I didn't realize there were hotels without these anymore Also, the concierge Phillipe is top notch.  I had mentioned on Twitter I was looking on best way to get to the hotel and places to eat around there with good beer.  Not sure how he found my tweet but he did and within minutes we emailed back and forth and he provided me with great choices.  His service and knowledge of the area is impeccable. Bottom line is this is a great hotel, that is clean, nice and has a world-class friendly staff.",4,1,0,0
4307,QCTr2wQLYofLVdiBOMwqzA,"We were extremely happy & satisfied with our stay at the Palmer House Hilton!  We got a GREAT deal through http://hotels.com on the room rate.  The rooms were very clean and nicely decorated.  The location was perfect...we were within walking distance of everything (shopping on MI Ave, Millennium Park, Art Institute, Aquarium, Field Museum and train stops).  Also, the concierge was super helpful with recommendations for restaurants and directions.  The hotel itself is beautiful (the lobby is amazing) and there are lots of areas to sit and meet up with friends.  There are two bars located in the hotel...Potter's Lounge was our favorite spot to grab a drink before dinner.  There is also a Starbucks on the street level with has a lot of sitting area as well.  Honestly, a great hotel!",5,2,0,0
4308,ser5VJe3b,"I booked a room for my mom as a surprise so she could come downtown and enjoy the night not worrying about taking the train home to the suburbs.  The Palmer House is old, but the rooms were still very nice.  There was a White Sox convention in town which I thought would pose an issue with noise/crowdedness but actually it was no problem at all.  I met her at the hotel with my brother and checked out the hotel room.  It was a pretty small room (double beds) but the décor was really nice.  I liked the colors and the peacock themed decorations.  The paint on the doors was thick which showed its true age but all in all I think the room wasn't bad.   The one issue was the elevators didn't work too well.  We had to walk from the pool floor on 7 to their room on 15 using the stairs because we waited and waited for elevators and they never came.  My mom and bro enjoyed some time in the hot tub and relaxed.  The Palmer House is in a great location - centrally located downtown and near anything you could need in the city.",3,0,0,0
4309,7i4Ga,Good place to stay and convenient to anything you want to do.,4,1,0,0
4310,BC2A9A,"Beautiful hotel with a beautiful staff! I checked in at the odd hour of 4am, granted their computer system was down, but that did not stop them from providing me with my room immediately and making sure i was completely satisfied. The room i was in was perfect! I have never felt so comfortable in a hotel bed. 4 pillows of heaven were surrounding me! After catching up on my sleep I got ready for the day. The concierge gave me 20% off at Macy's, after I told her that i felt like shopping. The hotel doorman got me a cab immediately and soon enough i was knee deep in the shoe department at Macy's! I could go on and on about how wonderful this experience was but its too much to re-cap on! A++ I will return!",5,0,0,0
4311,T70X7FBWlavzvbQdJxP3Iw,"So so nice. The staff was professional and wonderful, room service was prompt and delicious, the lobby was magnificent. The only thing I missed was a coffee maker in the room, but with Starbucks in the lobby, it all worked out. I didn't like having to pay $16 for wifi every day or pay to use the gym. If they weren't nickle and diming me, I would easily give this hotel 5 stars.",4,0,0,0
4312,7rMQny73ToJdzw0mZHwSCA,"Wonderful, venerable Chicago hotel.  Stayed here for three nights in early June.  Great location near Millenium Park, Grant Park, Michigan Avenue, the works.  Not exactly a steal of a deal but not too bad for a solid downtown hotel.",4,0,0,0
4313,iEL,"Experience a part of the rich cultural history Chicago has to offer by staying at the Palmer House. There are tours of the facility available, but simply walking around and taking in the beautiful architecture and style of the hotel is a memorable experience.  The lobby alone is worth just walking through if you're passing along the street.  Grab a drink and sit a spell, you probably won't regret it.  This is Chicago - live a little! It's an upscale property, but look for seasonal specials if budget is going to be an issue. The rooms are beautiful and surprisingly spacious (our room even included a walk-in closet), and tastefully appointed. There are iPods available for guest use in the lobby for internet browsing, express check-out, even reservations. The location of the property great and walking distance to the Art Institute of Chicago - also a highly recommended place to visit if you haven't before.",4,0,0,0
4314,dJX4W7-KSVb471VjuPkLEQ,"Random fact: the Aflac duck & the three Budweiser penguins stayed at the Palmer House. My company's annual meeting was being held in Chicago this year at the Palmer House.  Unfortunately, our staff would be split between two hotels.  I was one of the lucky ones who got to stay at the Palmer House...or so I thought... Being a Hilton hotel, I expected so much more from the Palmer House.  I looked at their beautiful rooms on the internet and upon checking in noticed that they received a plaque for being a historic hotel.  Apparently, it being a ""historic"" hotel only meant it was old and creepy. LOBBY: Absolutely beautiful! The walls and ceiling has such amazing and elegant detail.  However, note that the lobby is located on the second floor. ROOMS: My room did NOT look like the rooms on their website and felt quite cold and creepy.  I walked into an outdated room the size of a large closet or tiny bedroom with a double size bed.  Who still has double beds?!   The edge of the bed was extremely close to a door that opened to a tiny closet that had a safe, iron, and ironing board.  My coworkers and I compared the bathrooms to something you might see out of a horror movie like The Shining.  There was also a TUBE tv.  Free internet?  Nope, they charge...and there isn't wireless internet, you need to use an Ethernet cable. LOCATION: A block or so from Millennium Park (home of the bean) Close to the Blue (Monroe Street exit) and Red (Adams Street exit) train lines A block from State Street shopping area Do yourself a favor, spend the extra money for one of the hotels located across the river.  You'll probably be a lot happier.",2,1,0,0
4315,5PUJTqSX,"Rooms are super small and the service is eh... I've stayed at quite a few hotels and this one got me irked enough to jump on Yelp for a review. (1) I called before my flight to put my wife on the reservation since I was coming in 4 hours after her. They assured me this was done even after I asked them how they would do it since they didn't ask for her name. They take the name but I am skeptical. I land in Chicago and sure enough, my wife has been wandering around in 30* weather like a hobo in California clothing. They apologize but that's about it. (2) The guy at the desk was a smart ass. He asks for my ID, I give it to him. He then asks if I go by an alias, I tell him I use my nickname (DJ R***) often (my name is D*** R*** Jr). He finally says, OK, why are you using a different name? I'm a nice guy and will accept it, but most hotels will not. Really? I've been traveling frequently for the better part of 10 years and have never had a problem. (3) I get to the room and damn near hit the bed with the door... THE ROOM IS THAT SMALL. Heel to toe (size 13 show) 4 steps to the door from the bed and 1.5 steps from the wall to the bed on the other side. ARE YOU SERIOUS? Yeh, they put a desk but it's so close to the foot of the bed that it's more intrusive than useful. There is a dresser and TV but it's tucked in a corner rendering the TV unwatchable. (3) The bathroom is tiny and using the toilet necessarily puts you into the wall. When I got here, I immediately started looking at other hotels (like the Wit where I stayed a couple months ago) but was talked down by my exhausted wife. I wanted to complain and probably will... never again Palmer House, never again.",1,2,0,0
4316,2zghdGvp58,"The lobby deserves a 5, but the rooms have a Hilton feel to them.  I loved hanging out in the lobby with a drink (and scoring the only wifi I could get).  Service was really good tho once they forgot about my order and, to apologize, brought me a free glass of wine as well as a little snack, and the manager came out to apologize.  I wasn't even upset, I just reminded them that they didn't bring my order.   My room was quiet and well-appointed with a large closet, but the lobby looms large in my memories.",4,0,0,0
4317,u3KsuxmEq0-uKGfokMsMxA,"The Palmer House is very beautiful and has an impressive lobby- so 1st impressions were great!  The restaurant and bar in the lobby looked great, although we never ended up dining there.  Location was fantastic, we walked everywhere and found great sites and restaurants.  $250 a night was about right for the cost per night, much higher and it wouldn't be worth it. Our check in was great, the staff person was fantastic, offering us great food recommendations and was very friendly.   He offered us the option to upgrade to the executive tower/room.  It was $45 more per night, it included a bigger room, that didn't look straight at another building, a DVD player, WiFi, and the executive lounge that offered free continental breakfast each day, non alcoholic beverages throughout the day and happy hour appetizers and snacks each night.  We went for it and I think it was worth it.  The room was comfortable, the lounge was great to pop into to grab a drink or snack.  It would have been better if a drink or two was also included, but the bar was open from 3-11 each night, so it was nice to have access to that.   The executive floors have their own ""express"" elevators, a business center and some cozy couches/chairs with TV's. The only downside that I can mention is that they ""concierge"" was non responsive and even when we left a message on their line, we were NEVER called back.  Really?  That seemed strange.  But we let it go.  Also, the maids were not the greatest.  They made the bed but failed to take our breakfast dishes (they just left them all on the tray), and they didn't change out our towels, instead, just folded them back up and replaced them (we could tell, because one of them had corn flakes on it from a spill we had earlier).",4,0,0,0
4318,bPHrLkuNwwmi9PBROnXZBw,"Over all it was a nice hotel, but nothing special in my opinion. The hotel appears to be fairly classy with a swanky lobby. The hotel floors are reminiscent of a maze, having to pay close attention to signage in order to get to and fro. The rooms are nothing to write home about, at least the standard room. 2 beds, dresser, closet, tv, etc. The bathroom was exceptionally small, but it is an old building, so I'll over look it. During my stay I didn't try the either the bar or restaurant, but it is close to plenty of other options one can choose to eat and drink at.",3,0,0,0
4319,7RpOLkiz83Ranfxctj9,"Two weeks ago I celebrated my birthday in Chicago and had the great fortune of staying at the Palmer House Hilton for five days. There are many adjectives that I could use to describe the Palmer House but the words elegant and character are at the top of my list. This is an absolutely terrific hotel and if you have never stayed there, at least do yourself the favor of dropping by for a drink or lunch. This hotel has it all and the overall rating of three and a half stars on Yelp is ridiculous. I have travelled the world and if this is not at least a four star hotel then I do not know what is. From time to time unfortunate things happen, but some of the reviewers gave this hotel one star. Really, one star, are you kidding me? This is what one would consider to be a ""grand"" hotel. The second floor lobby is exquisite. The furniture is lavish, the ceiling will invite Sistine Chapel comparisons (ok, I am exaggerating), and the famous Empire Room will make you say ""Wow"" out loud. The hotel is replete with beautiful pictures of the great performers that once performed in the Empire Room. I saw pictures of Jack Benny, Pearl Bailey, and the most beautiful picture of Dorothy Jean Dandridge I have ever seen. Make sure that you take the time to see all of the beautiful black and white pictures. The second floor lobby also has free internet and plenty of tables and chairs if you want to avoid the internet fee, which, by the way, was very reasonable. My room was beautiful and classy. The bathroom was old-fashioned yet bright and the Peter Thomas Roth toiletries added a nice touch. The color combinations used on the curtains and bed linens made the room look elegant and I immediately felt that I received a bargain. The service was amazing. A very classy lady named Tatyana from Bulgaria checked me in. I told her I was excited to be there for my birthday and after a brief chat she upgraded my room. Two days later when I returned for the evening there was a nice bottle of wine with a wonderfully hand-written note thanking me for visiting and wishing me a happy birthday. I thought it was so cool that I saved the cork and the card is part of my screen saver collection. Efficiency accompanied by courtesy is a rare combination in today's world. The courtesy extended by Tatyana was impressive because of its rarity and its genuineness. The hotel is centrally located near the blue and red subway lines obviating the need for you to take a cab from Chicago's O'Hare airport. You can walk to Millennium Park, the Navy Pier, The Chicago Art Institute and there are good restaurants nearby like ""The Gage,"" the upscale ""Russian Tea Time"" or casual Bennigans. For your morning coffee go around the corner and have Dunkin Doughnuts! This is a fantastic hotel and I look forward to spending my next birthday there!",5,0,0,0
4320,RMVFAm65njkSHar95Sf4uA,"I will never ever ever again set foot in this hotel ever again.   I don't even know where to begin. I came here in hopes for a relaxing spa day with my girls.  I know parking is crazy expensive in the loop, but they have 24 hour valet which is much cheaper so its fine right? No.  I get to the front and the bell man says no valet.... I point the sign that says 24 hour valet in confusion.... man says no... and i think to myself- WTF? ??  so... I end up having to park in some garage across the street and the bell man assured me I could get my parking validated. So fine.   The elevators are SO small.. and old... and seriously I thought I was gonna get stuck in one.  But that is not why I am giving this hotel 1 star.  I am giving this hotel 1 star because I have never experienced such nasty service at any other hotel before. I had to get my parking validated after our time at the spa.  The spa sent me downstairs.  First I got to the concierge.  They can't validate it.  So then I am sent to the front desk... There's a crazy line of people checking in so I thought - well- validation takes 30 seconds so let me just ask someone to validate it.  I go up to someone real quick and ask politely... he responds with a sarcastic rude tone- ""you want validation??? stand in line and you'll get it""   Are you kidding me? I did not respond because I just didn't know what the beep to say to his rude a$$.  How do you seriously talk to a customer like that???  I'm still in disbelief.  Then I stand in line.  After 15 minutes, I finally get to someone and ask him to validate it.  He informs me that since I was not a guest at the hotel, I cannot be validated.  I told him about their valet service not working and he said that its not working today bc the president was at their hotel the day before- what does that have to do with anything?!?! I told them the bell man dude in the front of the hotel said I could be validated, but again I got attitude from this front desk guy.  Then I told them that the spa said the front desk could validate me-- he said go back up to the spa so they can validate me-- but hello they are the ones that sent me downstairs!?  He said he needs proof from the spa... I offered to show him my receipt from the spa but he wasn't having it.  I mean, did I look like a young illiterate teenage punk to these people or something? I'm a freakin 30 yr old physician. WTF. I have NEVER experienced this type of stupidity and crappy service and disrespect of customers from any hotel in chicago before-- not the elysian, not the intercontinental, not affinia, not sofitel, not the W, not the Wit, not the Dana, not the Amalfi, not the Trump, not even the freakin comfort suites!  And also, I kind of was a guest at the hotel--- how bout the fact that I was a guest at the hotel's sorry excuse of a spa and each of my friends got 2 services done and we spent half a freakin day at this crap hotel.  I was fuming but left.  Got to the parking garage and saw that I had to pay 30 some bucks for parking, which would have been around $14 or less if they had their ""24 hour valet service"" working, OR would have been zero dollars if validated.  That's just not the point tho, I have money to spend, but after the responses and attitude I got from these highly untrained workers, it was just really disappointing.   There is SOOOO much more to this story but I have lost the energy to tell any more of it.  All I know is that for a hotel to make themselves out to be so prestigious, they sure do treat their guests like dirt.  I will NEVER be back here.  I would never recommend this backward hotel to anyone ever. OH- and their SPA SUCKS btw.  NEVER AGAIN... stick to the Elysian (Waldorf Astoria) people.",1,6,1,1
4321,zmNFF630GeXfHbLYgn5Y6g,"I have been to motels in small towns in India that offer more emenities. Seriously. This hotel was one of the worst I have stayed at in terms of convenience. Big giant old tv in the room. NO fridge. Tiny room for over $200/night. I was here for a corporate event, and even the customers who came to visit during the day were complaining about the confusing layout of the hotel. Its ornate and beautiful, but that's about it. There are two places to eat at the hotel, that's it. One is closed during the day. So, one place to eat. ""Good luck getting breakfast"" the lady at the front counter joked no too long ago. She was actually very nice, and it was kind of funny, but... I was hungry and it's raining outside :P So now I'm at the corner street bakery. Kind of a shame, because there is so much history behind the hotel. Made as a gift for Palmer's wife in September 1871 it burnt down 13 days later in the great Chicago fire. Only to be rebuilt in plush opulent style and setting by 1873. It was the world's first fireproof hotel. It also boatsted telephone and electricity in every room, and something called an 'elevator'. They promoted it by saying it's a train between floors connected by pulley & rope. Palmer took out a $1.7 M loan, at the time to rebuild it, the largest loan for somethig like this. (I think that number is correct). In 1925 it was rebuilt again, this time going from 7 stories to 25 stories. At the time, the largest hotel in the world. In 1943 Conrad Hilton bought it for $20 million. And so, began it slow descent to wired wifi and big booty television sets. The Internet- you have to be plugged in to your room for the wifi to work!!! THAT'S NOT WIFI!!!! Or, you can get ""wifi"" in the hotel lobby, for $8/Hr. $20/night to be plugged in. And the cable is so short you kind of have to sit at the uncomfy desk, no laying in bed surfing the web action. I asked if I can check out an hour later. There is no one after me staying in the room, but, apparently it is hotel policy to Charge $50 if you check out at 1pm. This place is a joke. DO NOT STAY HERE. Instead, check out an air bnb, that's what I'm doing for the rest of my trip here :) Oh, also... This place is haunted... Heard multiple people say they heard whispers ;) PS: Paris Hilton sucks too. There.",1,1,1,10
4322,aFB7AaDjaKlVDWXmvoYVOw,"Good located, large hotel with all the service you need. Stayed there on  a business trip and did badly miss the free wifi - come on, that is a must! you loose a star on that one. But the hotel gets the back from the very helpfull Congolese.",3,0,0,0
4323,k0yweaL0FL4JdnkrQU-j3w,"Bedbugs! We stayed here for a week but found a bedbug the first night. We demanded they move us to a different room on a different floor and wash/dry clean all our stuff, which they did. But they didn't even offer a discount on the room! Besides the bedbugs, the room generally was run down and didn't feel clean. Would never stay here again.",1,2,0,0
4324,52kSaicvXqtlhsEZPFcPTg,"In every corner of this grand old edifice -- in both basements; in the beautifully lit Palmer Lounge; in the Empire Room; in the ornate lobby with its glorious circular bar -- in every single room, and from every possible direction, you will feel the gnarled, grasping claw of rapine reaching into your pocket. For the love of God.  I'm willing to pay three hundred dollars a night for a hotel.  What I'm not willing to do is pay two hundred a night, then be nickled and dimed for the third hundred.  As I check in, I'm informed that the valet service will cost 60 dollars a day.  It's not uncommon to pay for valet service, but 60 dollars seems a bit steep, and it'd have been nice to choke on that figure before I surrendered the car.  Use of the internet costs 15 bucks per day -- unless you want a porn-streamable connection, and then it's 20.  Use of the gym 10 bucks per day.  There is a cheap plastic cork screw sitting on my desk, and I will not be surprised one goddamn bit if a nominal rental fee for its use magically appears on my bill tomorrow morning. And in this fashion, a high end hotel turns in a low-rent customer experience.  A particular shame given that the service people are consistently and exquisitely gracious.",1,9,5,8
4325,mGIAo9EZLl7J1gYi4H1XvQ,"Beautiful hotel in a great location with friendly staff. The one-bedroom suite is a must- give yourself a little more room and a little more view. If you're looking to self park, it's a bit of a walk- about 1.5-2 blocks. I wouldn't recommend self parking in the winter time. If you're looking to walk around at night, this is not the hotel for you.. not too much going on after the shops close around here. Some rooms do come with a refrigerator- if you need it, ask for it. Food and drinks are pricey and not too special. I'd suggest getting out and finding one of thousands of great restaurants Chicago has to offer.",4,2,0,0
4326,8UfXxPWkqJiQaL1Z3Q7OQg,"In general I dislike Hiltons.  You always pay to much for what you end up getting when you stay there.   This Hilton you could buy wifi for $7 an hour in their Starbucks. And the elevators were SO FREAKING SLOW.  HORRID. Staff were not friendly - even the peeps behind the desk at the Hilton Rewards check in line were very put out by all the distasteful guests that were showing up and wanting to check in.  The nerve of us. Never again.  Not ever.  And seriously, Hilton, I am doing what I can to stay away from you in general if I can from now on.  You just are not worth the money. Its not me, its you.",1,3,0,1
4327,lSgfJWCQYhAGy0uVOqi0TA,"Three dollar signs is right! Historic building right smack in downtown Chicago? Yup, you get what you pay for. Swaaaaaaaan-ky! Luckily the university program I was with helped with costs, and even then, G-W-0-W! But all that aside, if you decide to treat yourself, definitely do Palmer House. Millenium Park, Chicago Institue of Art, Michigan Avenue, metro stops, & yummy eateries are ALL within walking distance. The hotel rooms are nice and cozy, the light up mirror in the bathroom help you see every pore on your face --perfect for tweezing eyebrows & perfecting your make-up, the bath towels are super soft, the hallways are covered with old photographs, the lobby is beautifully & elegantly decorated and the staff are super helpful.",5,2,2,1
4328,FMpu,"Now, I was prepared not to write a negative review despite the fact that this hotel charges an additional $20/day for internet (there is no wireless - you have to plug your computer in like in the Middle Ages). I was prepared to ignore the fact that the gym costs extra. I usually love any hotel, so for me to take the time to write such a negative review means something is wrong. After I got home on Monday, I realized I had left a dress hanging in the closet in our room. I called right away, and they directed me to the Security/Lost and Found department. I was on hold for 20 minutes, and finally spoke with a woman there. I explained what had happened, gave my room number, described the dress, and provided my contact information. The woman told me that she would have someone check the room right away and call me back later in the day. She never called me back. I called again in the evening, and got a man on the phone. He told me that a couple had checked into the room and that they could not find out if the dress was in there until the next day. I called back on Tuesday, and they told me that the couple had checked out, and they would send someone to look for the dress, and then call me back. No call. Then I called a couple hundred more times, to no avail. On Wednesday, I had to leave the country for a week, so I made a last call from the airport, and was told they would check and call me back. Nothing. My girlfriend then called them for me on Friday and Saturday, without success, because another couple had checked in by that time, and apparently it was impossible to find out whether a dress was hanging in the closet before they arrived. Finally, a full week later, I called and got a man named Michael in the Security Department. He got someone to go to the room and look for my dress, which was (unsurprisingly) gone by that point. Michael apologized and told me that his supervisor was out of the office. I then asked to speak to a Customer Service representative. The hotel operator transferred me to a voicemail. When I called back, she transferred me to the front desk, where I spoke with a woman who informed me that the hotel ""doesn't have a Customer Service department"" and hung up on me. I called back one more time, was again transferred to the front desk, where I spoke with a woman named Nikita who told me that the front desk ""handles customer service."" She then transferred me to her supervisor's voicemail (Ms. Cruz), which stated, ""I am in the office all day but unable to take your call."" Is that even a thing? Every single time I called, I was on hold for 10-20 minutes at least. The total disregard for customer service was both ridiculous and time-consuming. I would encourage anyone who wants a smooth experience to avoid this hotel.",1,3,0,1
4329,F5gH3nB759ByULLjgdHEtA,"The architecture in this place is amazing. I've stayed here a handful of times in the past few years (as a getaway). My most recent visit brought a few good surprises. 1. The valet/parking people have really upped their game. I have no desire to deal with parking when I'm in the loop and they just dropped their prices by more than $10 (I know right, in this economy?). 2. The food is phenomenal. 3. The staff inside the hotel are friendly Downsides: 1. Don't get a room too low to the ground, the view sucks 2. The front desk is more like a zoo than a service station. Although they do ""care"" they are very busy and unless you are Ghandi your personalized service is not going to be very personalized. 3. State street is home to some of Chicago's finest homeless community. If you venture more than a couple blocks south after dark you might get shanked.",5,1,2,3
4330,BgmVo1nhayOUxRlHMAkqHQ,"Went here for Afternoon Tea yesterday and had a very nice time.  I loved sitting in the lobby, as the ceiling and surroundings are so beautiful.  The jasmine pearl tea was delicious, as were the scones.  These scones were delightful and the best of the foods presented.  The sandwiches and desserts were fine but nothing I would readily seek out again. I may come back, as this was  a fun and relaxing experience.",4,0,0,0
4331,CtiAtsYErLiWD5qCo0ZTHA,"I stayed here recently. It is an iconic property, but I would recommend the lobby and restaurants over an actual stay here. The rooms just seem extremely antiquated and dated, and they are not as comfortable or visually pleasing as one would hope. It's probably just a matter of personal taste, though! The lobby area is one of the most grand and gorgeous in all of Chicago, and I recommend it without reservation for drinks/coffee/food/etc.",3,0,0,0
4332,tZf9pVEjzz2JhZ5Wdqx,"Beautiful lobby with impressive ceiling.. Great Location.  (next to 2 train lines) Superb toiletries..  Can we say Peter Thomas Roth?  And yes, I'll confess,  I helped myself (stole) a few hand lotions from the maid's cart.. Comfy bed.  Not the heavenly but the kind you can sink into nevertheless. Vent-less bathroom..  My biggest gripe..  Put it this way, bathroom is right next to the bed..  Husband takes care of business and opens door. Omg, shoot me!  Now!",3,2,2,7
4333,hTMHbxx2nK9FevC2LwPUtA,"So I didn't say here, I just attended a conference.  As far as conference facilities go it seemed nice.  The rooms were generally clean, there were clean glasses and water for the discussants.  When there was a coffee bar set up, it was replenished.  Same with food at receptions.  Over all it seemed on par with what I would expect from a hotel's service during a conference.",3,0,0,0
4334,d6wli6Yv5a,"I stayed at the Palmer House for a couple of days last week. The hotel is old and beautiful. The rooms are on the small size for the price. I had to close the bathroom door to get to the mirror. The location is great for access to State St. and nearby restaurants and shopping. I was not overly impressed with the hotel food service, but the hotel staff was very friendly. The cleaning lady for my floor asked my how my day was going and if i needed anything. The room was clean and well kept.",4,0,0,0
4335,1JwDfdGaRuPt,"This is a wonderful old hotel.  It is huge.  I got lost multiple times trying to find my room or the elevators, although I suspect this might have been affected by my intake of alcohol. It is a great location, right next to the L plus across the street from the millineum park.  Lots of restaurants within a short walk (try Exchecker!) My room was very nice and relatively spacious.  I say ""relatively"" because i saw some of my coworkers rooms and they did not get the HHonors upgrade like I did.  Everything worked well and the toiletries were not the standard Hilton stuff. The only negatives I experienced were the fact that they do not have wireless Internet in the rooms. Finally, the lobby is gorgeous, both in architecture and in the patrons who we filling every available seat happily drinking.  We took occasion to eat at the Lockwood Grill based on my Yelp research and I was not disappointed.  Plus I could charge it to my room and get even more HHonors points!",4,2,1,0
4336,P3SXsPRQDaAE3lgZi6DTBQ,"A very nice older hotel on the south side of the loop, the Palmer House Hilton is a stunner when you walk in.  The rooms have recently been updated and the decor is tasteful and appropriately retro-esque. NOTE TO FAMILIES:  These are nice, big rooms!  If you get a double double, you can also fit both a rollaway AND crib in there - no problem.  Looks like there are lots of adjoining rooms available also (yay for older hotels!).  Bathrooms are not as big as the bedrooms in terms of scale, but nice. WI-FI is not free!  This is pretty ridiculous in my book.  I think it's $8 per day. PARKING overnight through valet is a whopping $61!!!  Do yourself a favor and park at one of the many lots surrounding the hotel.  You'll save 50%. KUDOS to the housekeeping staff.  They kept our room beautifully.  (Tips do help)  Big bonus:  forgot a necklace in my room when we checked out.  Went back two hours later and the maid had turned it in.  We've had things stolen at other hotels, both after check out (only to turn right around and stuff has ""vanished"") and during stays - so THANK YOU to the woman who cleaned our room.  You clinched the fifth star of this stay!!",5,2,2,3
4337,k8O3rGlZPYHEqTdXrGAMBQ,"Anyone else come here for the MUNUC conference back in high school? Good times. I have to admit that The Palmer House is my default for staycations back home, just for the nostalgia and the sheer beauty of the place. Last Christmas, my friends and I let ourselves get upsold to the Executive Floor for a weekend and it was just what we needed. I gorged myself on the breakfast, snacks, and nighttime hors'doeurves right down the hallway from our extra-large suite. Excellent. Also, bathrooms are much nicer on the Executive Floor, with dual showerheads and ambient lighting. The age of the hotel is really starting to show though, and they haven't gotten around to updating all the rooms, so it's a total crapshoot as to whether or not you get a good one. And after having stayed in both styles of rooms, the older one definitely feels...well, old, almost grandmotherly. Internet is also ridiculously expensive when free WiFi is becoming the standard. If you want a historic, gorgeous hotel, and really don't mind getting nickled and dimed here and there, this is the place for you. There really are more comfortable and higher quality hotels out there for the price, though.",2,2,0,0
4338,WfgIdtBaDlkh1W,"The Palmer House is a worthy destination if only to spend time in it's magnificent lobby, which resembles more than anything, the most opulent and bizarre of Masonic Lodge interiors. Sadly, the current management of the hotel leans totally on it's great historic beauty; it in fact exploits it. What should by all rights be a ""luxury hotel"" (which one expects when reading about it's historic beauty), fails miserably; the experience can be characterized by mediocre service and a noticeable lack of amenities; it is a wasted treasure, misunderstood and poorly managed by it's current overseers. On a specific note, we were very irritated by the terribly inconvenient internet situation, they had NO wireless and charged $14.95/day for a direct cable connection at a desk in your room - this means you are chained to the desk for all internet activities. This was a real inconvenience. (but do see my photo of my handsome husband, Jon, chained to the desk by a short DSL cable!). Having said all this, the location (in the heart of downtown) is great - very convenient to public transit and taxis, centrally located with easy access to museums and many interesting neighborhoods and with several excellent restaurants nearby. And honestly, the huge, spectacular, historic lobby, in all it's splendor, makes it all worth it. The rooms are clean and acceptably appointed, if not inspired. The price is reasonable and it's a far more interesting place to stay than the cookie cutter hotels one tries to avoid. In a nutshell you will be sufficiently comfortable and you will get your moneys worth from the sheer character of the place.",3,1,0,0
4339,Le7GG8d0agEyhK1r3caR,"I've stayed at many Hilton properties.  This one is good, but definitely dated. The biggest complaint is the bathroom. It was remodeled but the sink was so small that I could hardly find room for my razor and toothbrush.  Also, the view from my room was non-existent. A wall.  That said, the bed was comfortable and the normal Hilton Honors perks were provided.  It just doesn't excel in any category.",3,2,0,0
4340,JPxCfu5dqK7NiHBbiYEBCg,"We had an AWESOME stay here. And I must say that the $35 late check out fee is the best $35 dollars I've ever spent. We had to check out by 3 and conveniently we needed to leave by 3:15 so it worked out great. As others have mentioned, the lobby is awe-inspiring. This is a lovely, lovely hotel aesthetically.  The room was large, clean and comfortable and the soap/shampoo/lotion etc. all smelled divine.  There is a Starbucks in the lobby which for me is a big plus. I NEED to start my days with a shaken green tea/lemonade. This property is close to a lot of Chicago's most awesome attractions. We did the architecture tour which was just a short cab ride away, went to the Hancock Building, did some shopping on the Miracle Mile, hung out at some cool places in the Viagra Triangle, walked to Millennium and Grant Park. Right outside is a train line. And across the street is a Walgreen's, next door is a pub, plenty of restaurants around (including two in the hotel itself) and a 7-11 just on the corner. We will definitely be staying at the Palmer House on our trip to Chicago next year. Friendly staff, BEAUTIFUL hotel, great location. Nothing to dislike!",5,1,1,1
4341,FliRxj4NrYVR,"If you are offered an upgrade to the executive floor for $19, take it.   The regular rooms are TINY.  The rooms are ok as far as style goes, just a little outdated.  Old, CRT TV's, no wifi in the rooms, and the bathrooms need major overhauls.  The showerheads are out of a dollar store with lousy pressure and the sealant around the tub and toilet was peeling up or missing. The staff was great, 'nuff about that. Wifi is sold by the hour in the lobby, $7.  Wired internet is available in the rooms for $15-20 a day. The hotel overall is very nice, there is a CVS and parking across the street.  We may come back, but not to the regular rooms.",3,2,1,1
4342,EC,"I love old. The history, the people who have gone there before me, the beauty and grandeur of a time gone by, these are all things that draw me to historic places and hotels. The Palmer House Hilton is no exception. Its perfect location close to Millennium Park, nearby shopping, theaters and all that Chicago has to offer makes it a perfect choice when in Chicago. Built in 1871, the Palmer House still exudes the charm and grace of an era gone by. The lobby is breathtaking with it's soaring ceiling painted in 1900 (one of the most photographed ceilings in the world) and the gilded figurines done by Tiffany oh so many years ago. It's quite splendid. As for the rooms, they are okay. They have been upgraded over the years but know given the size of this hotel (over 1600 rooms) that this place gets alot of use so some areas feel a little worn out. On this visit- my room with the soaring ceilings had a large king bed (with some comfy linens) and the bathroom was recently redone. On the down side- there is no coffee maker in the room (it's a Hilton- what Hilton doesn't have free coffee?) they charge a daily fee for Internet use, the TV is bulky and old, there is no mini bar, and because it is an old building, the rooms can greatly vary in size. But here's a trick. If you want those big fluffy towels that I've come to expect from the nicer hotels, tip your housekeeper. The first day I was here- the towels and toiletries were functional but not fancy. Day 2, after I tipped the housekeeper? Sumptuous thick towels and upgraded toiletries. Coincidence? I think not! If you want a drink- try Potter's Bar. And for breakfast, lunch and dinner- Lockwood Restaurant located in the beautiful lobby is open. While there may be a line for weekend breakfast- tell the hostess that you are fine with the communal high top table and you will be seated immediately! Room rates vary so do a bit of negotiating and you should be able to get a competitive rate to other places in the city. And leave the car at home. Valet runs $61 a day (with in and out privileges) or you can park it yourself for about $15 less at one of the nearby parking garages (my favorite is one block south on Adams) It's a piece of Chicago history- still vibrant today. I love the photos of all the famous people who once played in the Empire Room that line the halls of this hotel. I love the opulence and grandeur that are the public spaces. I love afternoon tea in the beautiful lobby. And if I close my eyes, I love that I can almost see the generations that have gone here before me.",4,5,3,0
4343,uz4iW17Louqcc-kZ,"Ok, so I'm admittedly an architecture and history freak.  This place had me sensory functions hitting all cylinders!  The lobby has an incredible ceilings that words really can't describe.  Every nook and cranny of this place had such great architectural detail it was just overload for me.  Freaking OVERLOAD!  It wasn't just old school stuff either, there was a mix of touchscreen monitors for flight schedules (how cool is that?) and updated elevators so they weren't slow as molasses.  Nothing worse than a slow elevator in an old building.   The Lockwood Restaurant provides a nice bar on the main lobby area and you can catch a great cup of coffee at Starbucks downstairs at the street level. The most amazing thing was every time I would ride the elevator and people would get off on their floor I would notice that every elevator lobby on each level was different and had it's own design.  Whether it was a piano as the main piece or a circular couch, each lobby had a unique flair. On top of all this, this hotel has been privileged enough to have guests such as Mark Twain and many great presidents and one stay and you will realize why.  Simply amazing!",5,2,1,1
4344,7CO1pU8fdpP7nbze4AhLWA,"Golden peacock embroidered doors and bright hollywood like blue illuminous lights entice you, elegantly into the world of the Hilton. Not just any Hilton but the Palmer Hilton. Door men available 24/7 becking to your every call, every eyelash, every breathe. Monroe street, named after one of the most iconic women in the world, her beauty bedazzled and created a vision. A vision many like to recreate, renew in her honour. The same can be said by the centre piece- A golden statue of Romeo and Juliet. This hotel was made in the name of love. Sure the ending was no fairytale, but what real life story is? Its the journey that counts...I dont think any couple could put that across better. This is what the Palmer is about, falling in love and leaving. The lobby was sensational, something a Leonardo Di Vinci would be proud of. In fact I don't think I'd be surprised if someone said he heard this place was being constructed so he came to life to leave his final masterpiece. A bold statement I make, true as hell I mean it. It wont disappoint you. A historical fact about this outstanding and prestigious hotel, Its the birthplace of elevators. That's right, the man that constructed this hotel had a dream. To build a hotel that kissed the sky and gave people a taste of heaven, in the most versatile, incredible city in the world- Chicago. The winds may shake my faith, they may shake my soul...But the windy city will not shake my love for it.",5,0,3,1
4345,ZPwC088xWS1TZ5jnd5E0dg,"If you don't stay here, do walk in and see the lobby. Stay for lunch or just a glass of wine. It is one of those amazing grand old hotel lobbies. Plus the food is good and the service great. Second, if you want a hotel with a great gym, this place gets $10 more from you but it is a great big gym with tons of stuff. Plus the space is cool- they covered a section of roof amongst the towers, so it has a dramatic feel. And great gear and a lot of it, In addition to hitting you up for the gym, they also get $9.95/day for the Internet- and it is a wire. I had to work so plugged in laptop and played Netflix on the iPad at my desk, versus the usual sprawl on the bed in front of tv (and their tv's are old). Room-service service good, food OK. Comfy bed. Pretty deep tub that is bath worthy if you have such an inclination. Quiet.   The rooms aren't luxe but are nice. It is a great location. Orange line drops right across the street if you fly and train in from Midway.",4,1,1,0
4346,-G6,"Oh my God.  This place is SWANK.  And not trashy swank like Vegas, but I'm-from-old-money-so-suck-my-balls swank.  And that's definitely a good thing.  We felt like such hobos with our non-designer suitcases and 3 duffel bags full of beer.  I mean, valet parking alone was $60.  They mean business! I don't know how she did it, but one of my fellow bridesmaids got us a room for $95 a night.  Holy bajeezus, man.  Nothing skews your sense of power more than a high class hotel room for that little money.  I wanted to freak out and just start breaking things, rock star style. ANYWAY.  My only gripe with the room is that there's no mini fridge.  Wtf?  How's a girl supposed to keep her liquor chilled?  We made do with a bathtub full of ice.  Incidentally, we also couldn't get the drain to stay plugged, so I guess fun sexy bath time is a no-no.  On the plus side, the closet is huge.  So big, in fact, that we made our guy friend sleep in there.  He loved it, haha.",4,4,1,5
4347,DQKF2VZEoILXXSJOoCKJXg,"Location is great.  I got upgraded to an exec room where you take a special elevator, it made me feel cool, so maybe that's why I give 5 stars :)  The inside is very pretty and fancy and the rooms are your standard hilton type rooms which are nice.",5,0,0,0
4348,GZpTwDyNxmjAiSgSMWx7pg,Beautiful hotel even if the executive rooms are a bit small.. just adds to the charm!,4,0,0,0
4349,lY8CQ4b7yqdT0XLTM6vijw,"Talk about strong energy, check out The Empire Room, their historic show room circa 1910, Liberace,, Durante, Sanatra and Sofe Tucker have graced that stage. Located just off the lobby and up the Grand Staircase. If the walls could talk, I'm sure you could sit and listen for years. Very Nice Historic Hotel, Very Small Rooms, tiny bathrooms, but, the service was wonderful. The Vibe, It's there ! This hotel was featured in the 2007 Movie ""The Fugitive""",4,0,0,0
4350,xKDturq5wECRM,"Do you like small, confined areas? I have a deep appreciation for the Palmer House for its historical significance, but not for the insignificance of the size of the rooms. The interior of this hotel is something to truly marvel at. The rooms are small, so get ready to get packed in if you are staying here or plan on spending your time outside of your room. The hotel is in close proximity to most everything downtown, so you will not have trouble getting around. I'd suggest stopping for a drink at Potter's or dinner at Lockwood restaurant, but not actually staying at the hotel.",3,0,0,0
4351,eCYxJr6XVxNJvo-yBdvhlw,"Walked into the lobby and the first thing I thought was, ""Wow, this is LUXURIOUS.""  This place was way more elegant than I expected.  Nevertheless, it was a great place to stay.  Our room was huge with plenty of floor space and had two bathrooms...sweet!   Location was GREAT!  The hotel was within walking distance from Millennium Park, which was exactly what we were looking for.  The hotel staff was very friendly, accommodating, and helpful.   Downside:  Overnight parking was a b*.  The hotel charged some ridiculous amount for valet, so instead we circled the area to find a nearby lot.",4,0,0,0
4352,sENJasC9pHZmZuv5LLUhJA,"Wow. I'm a Diamond Hilton Honors member so I arrived, got an upgrade to the Executive Level and a fabulous rate on a good-sized room with free internet. The Executive Level offers the beautiful people complimentary coffee and a light breakfast, sodas, bottled water and snacks in the evenings. There is a cash bar. I would have liked free drinks but that would have been too good to be true. The lobby is beautiful and romantic and I enjoyed a few cocktails at the Lockwood bar in the lobby.  Every staff member was smiley and friendly and helpful. I had a little orgasm in my pants over the whole experience!  I stayed for three nights and I cannot wait to go back.",5,3,1,3
4353,frCJmvrgtX3K2vUc0CGOXw,Beautiful hotel. Perfectly located. The rooms although stunningly decorated are a bit small. This is a hotel to visit if you want the extravagant atmosphere. It is very large and although there are many entrances and exits (it covers an entire block) it is a bit like being a hotel hostage. There is a starbucks and many other shops to enjoy which is nice.,4,0,0,0
4354,UT7tzqaxEhQG2Y8fHqisZg,"The only thing I liked about this hotel was the lobby. I went to Chicago for a cousin's wedding and we decided to stay at the palmer house because it is such a historic place. When we first got there we stood in a long line to check in and when I finally got to the receptionist he was not very friendly and freaked out when the reservation was under my moms name and not mine and made my mom come down out of her room to confirm I was telling the truth. Anyway when we got to our room it was rather small. No coffee pot, no fridge, a large old box TV. The room was clean but nothing special. When I was getting ready for the wedding I needed to blow dry my hair and the blow dryer in our room didn't blow hot air so I had to go to my moms room to get a blow dryer. This gets me to my next point: THE ELEVATORS SUCK! Well first off all they put me on the 12th floor and my mom and her husband on the 18th floor. Not necessarily a big deal but the elevators at the palmer house are in three different groups and go to three different groups of floors. What I mean is in the lobby I had to get in the elevators for floors 10-15 and my mom got in elevators for floors 16-20 or something like that. So every time I needed to go to my moms room or vice versa I had to go all the way down to the lobby and then catch the other set of elevators to her floor. HUGE PAIN IN THE ASS! Also because we were there for a wedding, I was supposed to receive a gift bag with snacks and info about the wedding. Well I never got mine and I spent 20 minutes running all over the hotel looking for it with no success. Also at the Palmer house if you need to use a computer or the internet you have to pay a big price. Anyway my mom had to do a reading in the wedding and she lost the piece of paper so I went down to concierge and there were about three of them standing around doing nothing and I asked if they could print this off for me really quick because it was an emergency. They rudely told me to go to the business center and print it off myself. Anyway the service in the lobby SUCKED. However I will say that the cleaning staff was extremely friendly and helpful. Usually when I stay in a hotel just one night I don't need the staff to clean my room so I put the DND sign out. Well we were leaving to go see the sights one morning and the cleaning lady was right there and said oh I was about to clean your room and we said it was fine and then she suggested to give us at least a set of clean towels. VERY NICE CONSIDERATE CLEANING STAFF. Also avoid the restaurant they have in the lobby. The Lockwood I think. Horrible experience. See my next review. But I probably won't be staying at the Palmer House Again. There are many much nicer hotels in Chicago that offer fantastic customer service. And I only gave them two starts because the lobby is beautiful and the housekeeping staff rocks!",2,0,0,0
4355,FYmE3ukyH4bj5KxWNn8ZoQ,"Cons: I got a great deal to Palmer House, which is why I stayed there. Before my trip I added a day to my reservation... That caused an issue. When I got to the hotel they couldn't find my extra day, which was cool because they eventually found it. I was told it would be corrected in the system and put as one reservations rather than two.. Great... that is until I tried to get into my room at like 1am and my key wasn't working! Apparently the woman forgot to fix the error in the system & I was checked out. That was fixed and they checked me back in after about 30 minutes. Next they didn't clean my room the day of the ""check-out situation""... I don't know if it is because no one was supposed to be in the room, but I think that it's disgusting. I was annoyed to enter my room and see my bed still unmade and no new clean towels and wash cloths. Lastly, I was supposed to receive a non-smoking room and received a smoking room. By the time I checked into the hotel I was so exhausted from work & my flight that I didn't even care and bought a candle to try to help the smell of the room. Pros: Nice Lobby, Decent rooms, Lounge/Bar in the lobby, Comfortable bed, Crabtree & Evelyn products in the bathroom.",3,1,0,0
4356,IwD10pQ1ZPKQigyvIswdNw,Great location and nice ambiance! The gym is one of the best hotel fitness centers I have seen. It's a great place to bring clients for a drink. Service is generally slow.,3,0,0,0
4357,BZ5a4yVcnamG6xkseeR2,"Went here for tea.  We had a groupon.  Of course, who doesn't go ga-ga over the lobby at the Palmer house!  What a beaut!  So we sat up on the sort of balcony and had a tray of finger sandwiches served to us.  Most were really good.  The tea was a nice selection.   I got an excellent pot of jasmine tea.  Then we got a tray of delicious desserts.  We were stuffed by the time we left.  Nice ambiance, nice food.  Fun!",4,0,0,0
4358,ujZKP6dJ44YTsKy,"Considering this place is a 4 star hotel, I was slightly disappointed with the room decor. The hotel lobby area was so grand and beautiful. I was sure the rooms would be just as nice. Unfortunately, I was slightly let down once I walked into my room. The lighting could've been a lot better, the bathroom door didn't close correctly, and the TV they had was probably the oldest TV I've seen in a hotel room in a while (it wasn't even a flat screen...WTF?). I don't like how these ritzy type hotels charge for internet. I mean, if you're going to charge us that much for a room, at least provide us with some internet so we can get work done, check our emails, Yelp...you know? But other than that, I was comfy in my room. Location was great, next to Millennium Park, short walk from the Cultural Center and Art Institute, and a bunch of restaurants nearby. There was also an entrance to the subway line right in front of one of the hotel entrances. I'm not quite sure if I'd stay here again. Depends on the neighborhood and prices and everything. I wouldn't say that I would never consider this place again, but maybe I'll check out something new if I were given the opportunity.",3,1,0,0
4359,m1bU9zmiYgfe0YlLd07KTA,"My husband loves this place, hence our stay. I've been three times and the lobby is a wonderful place to people watch and hang out. Most of the rooms have been updated, which is also nice. It's about a mile from the more popular stores on the strip, so if you're a walker you'll like that, if you're not that won't be so fun. It's a nice stay, nice staff and a Starbucks on the street level. I'll stay again.",4,0,1,0
4360,CRxlBqE9mhRX7vHMdkJJvA,"Really nice hotel. One block from Millenium Park. We stayed here for 2 nights and it was a really convenient location. Close to a bunch of subway stops. In the Theatre District, you will be able to soak up a lot of history just walking around the hotel itself. The hallways are filled with pictures of performers from days gone by. The furniture is all really nice and fits the decor of the hotel. There's a couple restaurants that we did not get to try, but I'm sure they're pretty good. I'm sure they're probably pretty expensive as well. All the staff was really nice and would not hesitate to stay here again.",4,0,0,0
4361,wezMM1l7,"This place was disappointment to say the very least. At first glance it looks grand and ornate, but don't look too closely or you will be sorely disappointed. Front desk check/reception was rude, arrogant and reluctant to be helpful. Did I mention RUDE? On a positive note, the housekeeping staff was first class, professional and very helpful. In my humble opinion, the housekeeping staff should switch positions with the front desk employees and this place would be, without a doubt, five stars. I will avoid Hilton's whenever possible. Based on rudeness and arrogant front desk , I would have given a minus star if I knew how.",1,0,0,0
4362,S8aGCEa5mFGZyIbc6Xq1lQ,"The lobby is gorgeous and was beautifully decorated for the holiday season. great location, central to many things and easy to get around on foot. you have to pay for parking, which is about $20 a nite, which adds up. the hotel rooms arent as grand as the outside of the hotel. the first nite, we had problems with the bathroom sink. but the beds are comfy. there's a starbucks down below.",3,0,0,0
4363,LpS2C0p46wgfQvBq9agCWA,"We recently hosted our daughter's wedding at the Palmer House Hilton, in their Honre Ballroom.  Jane Himmel, Senior Catering Manager, is unequaled in her professionalism.  The event was wonderful thanks to her guidance and the food was out of this world!  Everything was handled from the beginning and we were able to enjoy the event, confident that all the details would be handled.",5,0,0,0
4364,Vl7HBXEWCLrn5uK1WXy7Pg,There are no major complaints on this hotel that I have. And I did enjoy the pool and hot tub. Our stay was short and we enjoyed the staff and cleanliness. We have traveled to several bigger cities that provide free internet and health club in the rate. I was expecting more from this hotel. Some other minor annoyances leaves me feeling underwhelmed. I'll try somewhere else next time.,3,1,0,0
4365,LCq8Yn9mIpXsMFtmDqROHw,"This gets 4 stars instead of 3 because I am in absolute, mad, historically infused love with the lobby and the building.  This is a grand dame.  The lobby and ballrooms are the stuff of guilded age fantasy-- Tiffany doors, lots of gilding.  I just finished reading ""Devil in the White City"" so I enjoyed the continuing history lesson.   Although I did not partake of the restaurants, the high tea looked adorable and the bars looked elegant and pleasant.  They have a Starbucks downstairs!! The staff was increadably nice and helpful. The beds were very comfortable, piled with high quality pillows and down comforters and laid out with soft, high thread count sheets.  They were wonderful and relaxing.  The room was large, pretty and clean.   The price was not bad-- $118 for a king sized room on New Year's Eve weekend, using our AAA discount. Problems: the noise and the bathrooms.  Our room was near the El, so we enjoyed a muted whoosh every 15 minutes or so.  The windows were double paned, so it sounded like a very heavy gust of wind, rather than a Blues Brothers tenament teeth rattling.  The walls were not soundproof, so I know when our neighbors used the loo or when the maid pulled the cart down the hall.  Also the bathrooms were very small.  Very, very small.  And spartan.  Certainly not fitting with the rest of the place. Also, bring change.  There are no coffee makers, and the $2.50 soda machines don't like dollars.",4,6,5,1
4366,Pda9htt4m3mrODWCF42Zcg,"Absolutely gorgeous hotel "" the longest continuously operating hotel in North America"" with lots of stories to tell The bellhop Steve was extremely helpful and a super nice guy... Nicolas, a part of the cleaning staff was very friendly and went far beyond his job duties   He gave me a quick tour of the hotel and shared some of its history with me... the empire room is a sight to see and the lobby should be on any tourists must-see list The rooms are a bit small and like has been said earlier, the walls are thin but I only paid $75 a night on priceline for a hotel that is as centrally located as can be",4,5,5,3
4367,04lAmB,"Grande- with the extra 'e' at the end. Stayed 4 nights. Room: Large. But that might not be what you get. The building is sliced up somewhat asymmetrically. I sprayed the walls with Luminol like on CSI and didn't find any arterial spatter or jizzola. (that would be funny and gross) Clean and tidy except for a squished mosquito on the wall. Quiet despite being right on the main drag AND next to the 'el' train. Staff is professional and helpful. Skip the restaurant for breakfast. And probably skip it for dinner. The Bar and Lounge are the pits. Borrrring alcohol selection. Dullsville. Dog whiz on tap.  A hotel as nice as this serving mass market Scotch is sinful. Pool is a disappointment because 1) it's small, and 2) because the chlorine is so scortchingly strong! I used to have nipples but they got bleached off. Hot tub- Good. I hung out with 8 guys from the American Gay Volleyball Assoc.. They were a little nervous with a straight guy in there, but I told 'em I was from San Francisco and they relaxed right away. Plus I know which pocket not to put the orange handkerchief. That won me some points. If you like to have yourself photographed, this is the place for it. No matter where you stand, you'll look good. Weddings seem to occur every 15 minutes. Cons: - It's big and tall. I forgot my sunglasses in the room and if fell like a 2k run back to get 'em. - The Hilton chain buffed away some of the charm. The sucky bar, the Charfucks in the basement. Stuff like that. - The period this hotel flourished in feels done and gone. They need a jazz trio playing real jazz in the lounge. Bonus tips. The fireplace in the room isn't real. Don't burn your free copy of USA Today in there.",4,4,5,8
4368,LnZ6EZBdviLT6Shf5GjQnw,"If you're looking to spend a lot of time in your room, you probably won't like the Palmer House. The rooms are fairly small, though certainly clean and well appointed. I stayed in a single room -- which is to say it had one double bed -- and it probably wasn't much bigger than your bedroom at home. Depends on your home, of course. And it's hard to judge, since in addition to the bed, there was a desk with a chair, a no-longer-in-service minibar, a side table, and an armoire with a TV. More furniture than would fit in my bedroom. But I digress. I've seen single rooms with king sized beds that were larger than this, and the double rooms are quite a bit larger. But if you're staying in downtown Chicago, what are you doing staying in your room? So what if it's small -- it's within walking distance of everything. Get out! Also, the Palmer House has an honest to goodness lobby, where you can sit and relax and have a drink and even eat, depending on the time of day. And it's a huge and beautiful lobby. So if your room is small, but you don't want to leave the hotel, and you aren't completely afraid of other people, hang out in the lobby. The Palmer House was built at a time when people socialized. They enjoyed it, even! Socialize. The registration area is surprisingly tiny, and the hotel is undergoing renovations, so only one entrance is available (on Monroe) and some areas are blocked off. The hotel is a destination spot for proms and business meetings/conventions/seminars, so be prepared for some congestion. And elevators are slow. But these are minor quibbles in a grand old hotel. Don't expect the latest Vegas luxury resort, and you'll be fine. An historical side note: the chef at the Palmer House invented the brownie, more than 100 years ago. The Palmer House still sells their signature brownies. At 10 bucks a pop. I passed.",4,6,2,1
4369,xZptrZkDY5Jrrvx9OEx2Gw,"I would live here if I could..okay, maybe not... but Palmer House Hilton has been the venue for a number of conventions and events I've attended and every time I'm here, I never want to leave!   This hotel is classy and worldly.  Not pretentious classy, more sophisticated, aesthetically pleasing and I feel like I'm on vacation in early 20th century Europe.   I just love the majestic ambiance of the entire hotel- the ballrooms, conference centers, and lounges are beautifully classic! The facilities are gorgeous (and squeaky clean).   I was here one week for a work convention, and the next weekend for the White Sox fest.   My every experience here is magical, no matter what the occasion is! My imagination has a lot of fun here, which it doesn't get enough of as an adult:)",5,4,4,4
4370,ejIQYg-1H-sGZcpgCXMMkQ,"The Palmer House is absolutely amazing. Because I get a specialty discount, I was able to stay there twice for $110 a night for our anniversary. Living in Chicago, it's important to have a place in town where we can go and just have a great experience and feel like we're on vacation. Whenever a family member from CT is coming to visit, I always recommend them to stay here. In fact, my parents are coming in a few weeks and they'll be staying for just $217 a night which is really great for downtown hotel. When you first walk into the Palmer House, the first thing you are greeted with is a beautiful lobby, high ceiling painted like the sistine chapel. This lobby is gorgeous and I don't think I've ever seen one like it anywhere else. There is a bar and restaurant attached and both are very high end. Upstairs, the rooms are spacious and funny enough even smell really good! I don't know, but something about the whole place just feels rich. The bathrooms are all granite and marble and everything is always clean. The pool and hot tub are immaculate and top quality, but get a little busy with families and small children. The hotel is in a great location, I think 0,0 right at the point where the streets become N and S. Anyway, its right near the park and in the busiest shopping area on State St. also not far from Block37 and the Chicago Theater. Not just a great hotel - amazing hotel. Good enough for even Chicago residents to stay at for a night away.",5,0,0,0
4371,ZAzL4jY43JDp0LhreidTrw,"Hotwire landed me here for $75/night.  Since I wanted a Loop hotel that wasn't a hooker hotel but still within my ""work is NOT paying for this"" budget.  So I was not unpleased that I'd be staying here.  My grandparents' best friends had honeymooned here, so it had some third-hand nostalgia going for it.  Throw in a fab location, and I was thrilled when I walked in. If the hotel were a person, it'd be old-money.  (Like the cranky great-aunt you hope to inherit from.)  But like old-money, there's some rust around the edges.  The lobby is amazingly gorgeous.  No hands down.  The guest rooms... kinda small and shabby, for a Hilton.  The closet and bathroom were tiny.  There was only about a foot of clearance betwixt door and dunny in the loo, and that doesn't really work.  There was only about 6"" of vanity space on either side of the sink.  I'm sure this was standard when the place was built, and it's modern standards that have changed.  But still.  It's a bit cramped, and it was just me in the room. Realistically, it's an older building, and a skyscraper at that, which is going to entail lots of structural support to work around.  Revamping the guest rooms would probably entail knocking down walls and re-doing entire floors, which would be disruptive to other guests, a loss of revenue, and there'd be fewer rooms available in the end.  (I think.  I'm a CPA, not an architect, but to my amateur eyes, it does not look like it'd be an easy remodel.)  Sorry.  HGTV moment.  Where was I?   Also like old money, this place can be cheap in irritating ways.  $15 (or more) for internet in your room, and wired at that, so no surfing while sitting in bed.  $7 for an hour for internet in the lobby.  WTF?  On the one hand, if I lived in Chicago, and the lobby had free internet, I'd be inclined to take up space there quite often.  On the other hand, $7 for an hour of internet in the lobby??   I've never been somewhere where internet in the lobby came at a price.   (There was too much stone for my T-Mobile smart phone to get any signal.  Which meant I missed a couple calls.  Grr.) Thanks to Yelp I was forewarned about early check-in fees and late check-out fees.  I was honestly surprised that storing my luggage didn't come with a fee.   I didn't interact much with the staff, but they seemed very professional, especially at the front desk.  (I'd put my hotel room keycard behind the magnet closure in my purse, so I had to get it re-programmed at 1:00am.  They asked for ID, which is reassuring, for safety reasons.) I'm glad I came here, at least once.  The public areas are beautiful, and I like pretty architecture.  I probably wouldn't seek it out again as a place to stay, though.  I would, however, definitely be willing to meet people in the lobby for cocktails.  As long as we didn't expect to use our cell phones to find each other.",3,3,3,5
4372,BdGSipi3nBmbrWDV,"I reviewed my reviews and can't believe I'd never reviewed this place.  This is my favorite place to stay in Chicago.   It is absolutely stately.  I feel like I'm staying with ""history and elegance"" every time I'm here.  I get a nice corporate rate.  You can't beat the location, so close to the El.  The other reviews do a nice job of describing the beauty. Finally, please pay attention to this simple tip: Get your Hilton Honors number before you stay here and be sure you present it before you check in, everytime.  The points add up quick in a high dollar place like this.  Once you get Diamond status, you are comp'd to the Executive Level, where you get free breakfast and evening hors d'oeuvres.  You get your own elevator (down stairs) that goes express to the upper levels.  The view of the lake is phenomenal from the breakfast room. This is a grande dame from another era, still breathing life into the Loop.  Stay here once, regardless of the cost.",5,5,3,1
4373,naSulcC1TyQFnk6BEbN1jw,"This hotel is absolutely fantastic! In every possible way. Despite the fact that the main lobby was closed due to the fact that they were completely stripping it and renovating it, I still had an amazing, two-night stay there with my father, my cousins and their 2 dogs. Yep, dogs. They are pet friendly there... The rooms are gorgeous and the beds extremely comfortable. The carpet is dark in the bedrooms which is awesome because it absorbs the light although the marble floors in the bathrooms are really, really cold. The hallways air conditioned to perfection and the elevators are numerous... I counted 11 when I was there two weeks ago. Absolutely nuts, but in a good way. The concierge staff is friendly and the bar is well stocked. Speaking of the bar, the sitting area and the entire bar room is breathtakingly beautiful. Absolutely gorgeous! I cannot wait to return to Chicago and hopefully stay there in the future. This is one of America's fine hotels. And it shows.",5,4,3,0
4374,gvhexqhA38nvR8TXSvQd1w,"Having worked at the Ritz Carlton during my younger days, I'm somewhat of a hotel snob. When you're used to providing exemplary service, you kind of expect it when you stay in a hotel right? I don't mean to be a snob but this is one industry where customer service is everything. You're leaving your home to sleep and eat somewhere else. You should feel like you're staying in a second home. My family and I took a family vacation to Chicago to bury my Grandma's ashes and do some sightseeing while we were there. My Mom booked this hotel from Priceline so I was skerred all the way there. I'd never seen the PH so I was skeptical at best. They were doing some work on the front of the hotel and it was a mess but they were very careful not to inconvenience the guests which was much appreciated. Nothing is worse than fearing for your life by entering a door. (It came out beautiful by the way). When we arrived, we were given a key to my Mom & sisters room and another key to mine and my brother's room. My room was SO small and on a different floor than my Mom's room so I asked if they could move us. Good thing! We got a room that was twice as big and had a better view. You could have put another 4 beds in that room and it wasn't considered a suite. Sweet for us! The lobby is amazing and gives you that feeling of old-world Chicago. It was like getting in a time machine but not in a bad way. Everything was well maintained and all the employees made us feel like they were honored we were there. We even got a nice note from the front desk worker a few hours after we checked in. The hotel bar is a little pricey and stuffy so we opted for the dive bar next door with all the pictures on the wall. Help me out with the name here people, I loved that place. It was literally next door from the entrance that faces the El. I was worried about the location of this place but we managed to walk everywhere we needed to go. It was really nice having Corner Bakery on the corner too, they have great breakfasts. Didn't try the breakfast in the hotel because we were usually in a hurry to go on an adventure. I guess the only reason why I can't give them 5*s is because I'm still and always be a hotel snob. You're going to have to ramp it up to mimic the Four Seasons or Ritz for me to max it out. I did love this place though, I'd recommend it for people staying in Chicago & not wanting to spend a billion dollars on a place to stay.",4,3,3,2
4375,jed,"I lived in Chicago for a few years between high school and college (sometime shortly after Gutenberg had printed his first Bible).  I was too young and too poor to enjoy many of the places I would have liked, so when I registered for a huge scientific meeting in Chicago I chose The Palmer House as my hotel. When I was explaining my choice to some colleagues I told them that it used to be very elegant, but now was a little worn and frayed around the edges and the plumbing was a little iffy.  One of the younger members of the group said ""That sounds just like you, Dr. Rick"" to which someone added ""When the hell was Rick ever elegant?"". The service was perfect and the room, albeit small compared to newer hotels, was very comfortable and quiet.  I have a 3G wireless widget  for my computer, so I didn't have to pay for their expensive Internet connection.  A coffee pot would have been nice in the room, but there's a Starbucks on the street level.  All in all, my stay was pleasant and since it's so close to the museums and other downtown attractions I'd stay there again if I had more time to enjoy the city.",3,4,3,3
4376,0AobeQFCa8CpDL3tIaFwzA,"Busy, busy, busy.  I think I counted seven large events going on at the Palmer House during the two nights we were there.  Think a medley of professional salsa dancers, junior high cheer squads, and large wedding parties.  I found that most of this activity was contained on the first few floors and didn't really translate to much traffic in our hallway. I agree that the rooms are small - but really, how much room do you actually need to sleep? - There is so much going on right outside the hotel that I find it hard to see why people would want to spend the entirety of their stay indoors. And if they did, the beds in the newly renovated rooms are plush and the shades completely darken the place.   One thing that bugged me was the lack of cell phone reception throughout much of the hotel.  I could hardly get a signal - which either says something about Sprint or something about the bunker-like construction methods used in the 1800s.   Regardless, the rates we paid (via Priceline) were super cheap, about $80 before taxes and fees.  So, I can deal with a small room and having to call for more towels or pillows.  One thing that bugged me was the parking, it was super expensive (about $30 - and that was the special deal).  Anyway, you don't really need a car here because you are steps from the El and a lot of other points of interest are right outside your door. Bottom line: if you get a good price, go for it.",4,3,3,1
4377,J9oXfh,"Last time I was here I had bad luck with drinks which is rare because I tend to pick great drinks, but when I went last week their winter drink selection was over the roof. I was absolutely in love with it! Drinks: *Berthas mulled wine (red wine, orange and lemon zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise, cloves, vanilla bean, brown sugar, honey): I absolutely loveeeeeeeddddddd this drink. It was pretty much wine that was hot. I know it sounds weird, but it was really, really good. A must try if you go. My boyfriend drank like half of it because he also liked it so much. *Winter dream (absolut vanilla, st german, baileys, whipped cream, cinnamon): this drink was also good if you are a Baileys lover. I wish I had more of a Baileys hint to it though. It is sometimes hard to find seats here and my only complaint would be that I hate it when kids are taking up half the seats. For goodness sakes, it's a bar area and they don't drink, why the hell are they there? Other than that this place was very nicely decorated for Christmas, and I always seem to have a great time here (last time not so much with the drinks though, but this time it was great). The lobby ceiling is amazing.",5,1,0,0
4378,MPq33N,"-1 star for no mini bar or mini fridge in the room. The BEST part about staying in a hotel room (other than having your bed made for you) is raping the mini bar!! -1 star for no wireless internet in the room. I will not be subjected to sitting stationary at a desk when there is a perfectly good bed from which to surf the net from. A lot of business people stay here and it is 2010...get with it Hilton! -1 star for no airport shuttle! Total bummer, and less expensive establishments general provide this service! Other than those major complaints, this hotel is GORGEOUS! The reception/bar area is decorated classically. The rooms were large, clean, and didn't make you feel like you were sleeping in a hotel straight out of the 80s and the hotel is in a great location very close to Millennium Park! For some reason it was hard to get a hold of the concierge and I was put on hold more than once for longer than I deem appropriate at such a hotel. Twice I even hung up and called back and got an answering machine rather than a real person! Me thinks they need to hire more staff! I also requested that a wireless internet bridge be delivered to my room when one became available; a request that was ignored and never followed up on to explain whether there was availability or not. Boo for customer service. On the plus side there is a full service Starbucks on the ground floor which saved my life - twice! However, next time I'm in town, I'll most likely be staying elsewhere...",2,3,1,1
4379,9T9jysrm5fqsoKda5iffjw,"Despite the fact that the lobby is quite nice, my room is huge, and I got a reasonably priced air/hotel package, I just can't give this hotel more than 2 stars. I'm writing this review from my hotel room, and am paying $14.95 a day for the internet connection. I guess that's not so unusual, and at least there are three differently priced connection options based on speed (I went for the cheapest). But I just feel nickel-and-dimed! It really started with the $25 extra fee for early check-in (about noon). I've never heard of that before. Kind of ticked me off right when I got here. I was pleasantly surprised to find a huge room. But was very surprised to find a teeny tiny bathroom, especially given the size of the room. The bathroom is so small, that even though I am the only person in my huge hotel room, I can barely get into the bathroom and have to squeeze around the door, then shut the door to have room to stand at the sink, or anything else. But first I have to get the light to turn on, so it is not pitch black when I close the bathroom door. This is a major production since it is kind of stuck in the ""off"" position. To add insult to injury, although there is a magnifying mirror attached to the wall (the kind you can use to put on makeup extra-carefully), it's attached at a height designed for someone about 6 feet tall! Since I'm 4'11"", I can't actually see myself in the mirror. It just taunts me by being there. On to the actual room. Clean. Comfortable. Wait, why am I only giving this hotel 2 stars? Well, there is no coffee maker! I can't remember the last time I stayed in a hotel where there wasn't a small coffee set in the room. I guess they want me to buy the starbucks in the lobby instead. But I was kind of counting on the coffee set to heat hot water, so I could make my Trader Joe's instant oatmeal packet in the morning for breakfast. Hmmm. I guess they'd rather I bought the hotel oatmeal for $5 a bowl. And I also guess I could ask for a coffee set to be brought to my room. Would only cost $8. *sigh* Well, at least I brought workout clothes for the 4 days I'm staying here. At $18 per day (or $45 per 3 days), it's a bit pricey just to be able to work out for a few days, but at least I'll be able to use the spa amenities too, right?. Well, luckily I checked out the fitness center before paying, because I just don't like it. Most folks would probably like it fine, but the elliptical machines (only thing I use) here are *again* made for someone 6 feet tall, not someone my size. And the spa amenities aren't all that appealing. And since there are no 24 hr fitness locations nearby (I'm a member), I guess I brought my workout clothes for no good reason other than to use up the space in my luggage. Okay, this review is getting kind of long, and a bit too whiney. So for my last issue with this hotel - I tried calling the ""guest service hotline"" several different times since I've been here to ask some questions, but I don't think they actually staff the ""hotline"". On four different attempts, I only once reached an actual person, and I let it ring about 20 times each attempt before giving up. Last night all I wanted to know was where I could get some ice. When they finally directed me to the room with an icemaker (near the elevator), it was a room with peeling paint, cracks on the wall, and a flickering lightbulb. Yech. Tonight I wanted to ask some questions about getting back to the airport. I guess I'll just have to figure it out myself.",2,9,2,2
4380,1V,"I would totally stay here again if I got another sweet deal via Priceline or such. Go lower than you'd think! It's got a happening lobby where the bar and restaurant are integrated and it's energetic to say the least, even on Thursday nights. Old school glam... our double had two full bathrooms included, and the materials are heavy, rich fabrics. *I'd avoid valet if you can... you can park 24 hours and go in and out as much as you'd like, but it's $51.",4,1,1,1
4381,pkiTLtTXnRTxU9XuI0H38g,"I stayed here over the weekend while in town for the Dave Matthews Caravan.  I noticed that rooms were going for 200+ a night, however, my friend got an amazing deal on Priceline for 90 bucks/night. When you walked into the room, instantly, I knew why the room was so inexpensive.  They gave us a queen size bed after informing us that they were all out of king sizes (we had a late check-in).  The bed seemed to take up the entire room.  When I looked out  the window, my ""view"" consisted of brick walls and the windows of other rooms.  I now realized why other rooms had their curtains drawn. The bathroom was fairly large, however, we couldn't get the stopper to stay up and keep the bathtub from filling with water, not to mention the fact that the the bathroom had no ventilation of any kind, which makes for a pretty stinky deal, if you catch my drift (pun intended). All in all, the room served its purpose: Sleeping, showering and changing for a very short stint in Chicago.  If I were on ""vacation"", I would have definitely opted to upgrade to a suite for a more comfortable stay.   The pros of the hotel: Nice bar, lobby/lounge area, Starbucks is conveniently located downstars.  It was conveniently central to everything: Millennium Park, Grant Park, a few blocks walking distance from Magnificent Mile. However, the best part about this hotel: It had a UPS connected to one of its South entrances, which was open on Sunday!  I ended up getting stamps and sending postcards to family, as well as mailed a t-shirt I had purchased for my niece.  That UPS was the saving grace of my trip.  Had it not been open, I'm sure the t-shirt would still be sitting in the corner of my room, a miserable heap, begging to be shipped to a pretty princess in San Diego.",3,0,0,0
4382,v6Gd7ElX69ezxlGA8,"The front desk staff saved this review from dropping to a one star.   So for this latest trip we arrived later in the evening, and the first notable occurrence was the doorman yelling at the cab driver for not opening the trunk fast enough.  Then when he did get it open one of my camera bags fell flat on to the ground, directly on to my laptop. Luckily it survived unscathed, but it wasn't the best beginning to the trip.  The lobby at the Palmer is always packed like the MGM Grand or something, and with all of the hotels in downtown Chicago I can't really figure out what the draw is.  There was no line at the check in desk despite the crowd, so we were able to get up to our room really quick.  Then we opened the door. Now when you book a room on Hotwire technically you aren't supposed to get many options, but we did book for two adults... and it's a big assumption on the part of the hotel that these two adults are married or a couple as only one person's name gets entered in.  So we were a bit shocked to see that inside our very tiny room was a single double bed.  I mean this the U S of A people... double beds should be legislated out of existence by now.  My wife calls down to the front desk asking to switch to a different room and is told we can't be moved until Sunday.  Then I call and we can magically get moved that very night.  Definitely happy about the move, not sure why the voice of a male was needed to make it happen. The rest of the experience continued to be pretty lackluster.  Every single morning we were there at around 8:30am the cleaning staff would gather outside the door to our room and from the sounds of it were conducting their staff meeting. Well, I'm not being serious about the meeting part, but they were seriously LOUD.  Want to sleep in at the Palmer?  You can forget about it. Also be prepared for all sorts of typical downtown Chicago hotel nickel and diming.  We didn't want to pay for the internet, so we decided we'd go down to hang out at the Starbucks inside the Palmer because all Starbucks have free wifi now.  Not this one.  Palmer shuts it down. Eh, I could say more but you probably get the point.",2,5,0,2
4383,JKknzjO2zv3wa,"I Pricelined a hotel in the loop and ended up with the Palmer House for a last minute trip to Chicago on June 2 - June 6. Thanks to reviews I read on TripAdvisor I knew to request a room with 2 double beds and 2 bathrooms - I was able to get one on the 20th floor at no extra charge. The room was huge and very comfortable. We didn't have a view but that didn't matter much to me. What a great location!  Walkable to Millennium Park and The Art Institute of Chicago. The hotel is also right by major bus lines and the CTA red and blue lines. We took the blue line from O'Hare and only had to walk about 2 blocks to get to the hotel (trip was about 45 minutes). There are 3 hotel entrances so you can enter/exit on Monroe, Wabash, or State streets - very convenient. Just be aware that the Wabash and State street entrances close after a certain time in the evening, probably around 11pm.  Also be advised that lots of eating establishments in the area close early - you'll be out of luck if you're hungry at 9 or 10pm! The hotel has about 12 elevators but they only service certain floors so we only had access to 3 and they were VERY slow. On a side note, I have Cingular and I had very spotty reception in the room. Lots of dropped calls. All in all we had a great experience at the Palmer House. I would definitely recommend it if you are able to get a good price on Priceline.",4,3,1,0
4384,Gdb7NKmdmbCQ6VZ2Ul,"One of the most beautiful hotel's in the city.  The atmosphere is wonderful the way the hotel is laid out with the main floor a cozy bar and restaurant.  LOVE to stay here.  The staff is very helpful and the food is wonderful.   We had a suite and the bed was so comfortable I had NO trouble falling asleep!  The bathroom was small, but the room was a decent size.  I thought the entire staff was courteous and the check out line even though long we rather quick.   I would recommend this hotel if you are traveling with family or for business or just looking for a weekend away with your hunny!",5,1,0,0
4385,-6Bxknck9UIofv8E7sk9kg,"This hotel is BEAUTIFUL!   It's a little weird because at street level you have to take an escalator (around the back) to get to the lobby.  But once you start going up the escalator, you enter the most amazing lobby I have ever seen.  I just kept thinking what a beautiful wedding you could have there!  (But, I don't live in Chicago... and I doubt they have weddings in their lobby). My room is huge - but I heard some of my coworkers complaining about small rooms.  Maybe I just lucked out.  It also has great decor, and the beds are oh so comfortable.  The mirror in the bathroom is lit from the back - so it's excellent for getting ready. The service has been amazing and the restaurant downstairs is delicious!",5,2,2,1
4386,qENwuXJ4,"Really pretty hotel! Walking in and seeing the reception/ bar area it's rather breath taking. Painted ceilings and just really pretty architecture inside. The halls to the rooms are a bit confusing as we got lost on our first go round, but all the maids in the hallways working were super friendly and directed us correctly. The room was really cute and very spacious. We had a double bed room and it also came with desk, a large comfy chair and ottoman. TV was old school CRT but no big deal. I peeked into other rooms as we would walk around the halls and some were not nearly as large and others appeared to have rooms within rooms. Bathroom was pretty standard and the tub made me feel claustrophobic without a curved shower rod. The bed was comfortable and I really liked all the decor of the hotel inside rooms and inside the halls. We had an issue with the shower and the maintenance guy came right away and we also got extra towels very quickly after requested. Concierge was super helpful and friendly and booked us our tour bus tickets online to save us 10%. Also, great people watching in the bar area. Careful though, I got caught checking someone out. http://Embarassed.com I enjoyed my brief stay here and found the location to be very convenient.",4,2,3,3
4387,odVRab,"We were sixteen and both in town for a youth conference. We were pretending to be delegates from the United Nations and we had a mock General Assembly with all the ad hoc committees and panels to boot. I was representing the US in the OAS (Organization of American States), and she was Argentina. We shared glances across the room, and as she spoke from the dais, I drooled. Now, I was an early bloomer they would say, and it was proven by my winning the coveted Congeniality Award upon our return from solving the world's problems (later this award would be renamed ""The Corey Hart Award""). Wink wink. Argentina and I had a quick love affair, skipping out of our small conference room to co-author resolutions on Cuba-US treaties and make out. It was in a cold Palmer House stairwell that I made it to second base, and it was in the not so private double room where we sealed the deal. Well, we almost sealed the deal. We were sadly interrupted by the pounding on the big and heavy Palmer House hotel room doors by the chaperone of my group. He was tipped off to the evil goings on inside the room by my roomie sulking outside in the hall. That rat! Well, needless to say, I've had a long long love for this hotel. It's been recently renovated, and through its renovation, never shut down! This they've done before, making it the longest continuously operating hotel in America. The hotel reclaims its older charms with this latest renovation, and the room upgrades were a welcome touch. A walk down the halls and you can see pictures of what the hotel looked like in the past, as well as catch glimpses of what kind of wild parties were going on back in the day. In the ballrooms, in the bars, and in the large large suites. The staff, service, and accompaniments are like any you'd find in a top notch Hilton property, and the location is great. Love blues? Then stay nowhere else, for here you're blocks away from Buddy Guy's Legends, a must visit. You're also close to the Chicago Theater, the landmark Marshall Field's (I refuse to refer to it as Macy's), and head toward the lake for access to parks, museums, and the South Loop's only Panda Express. Visiting in winter for Christmas? Walk West to find the christkindlmarket on Washington between Clark and Dearborn. There you'll find large, bright trees, a beer garden, and dozens of stalls peddling all sorts of Austrian, German, and Bavarian goods, gifts, and foods. I bring everyone I show around Chicago to the Palmer House, and it never disappoints. There's always oooohing, ahhhing, and wows. The majesty of the reception/foyer/seating/lobby area is well... simply timeless and breathless. This is an American icon without a doubt. Tip: steal your girl/guy away into a stairwell for me. And tip the concierge already!",4,5,1,5
4388,CmkyJGoY4ubEZNehV2aJkA,"I came to Chicago for the first time with my architecture school classmates.  We were all a bit hesitant about spending so much for a hotel (as most college students are) but in hindsight it was a wonderful decision.  The staff was very courteous and prompt, especially while dealing with our group of about 45.  We had a maintenance problem in our room that was fixed right away.  The amenities were great- and well taken care of.   The location was great, with easy access to transportation in the area.   It was a most enjoyable experience... a simply stunning building... and I recommended it to anyone staying in the City.",4,2,1,0
4389,7vP8LqNqyNiZe4-1DV1t0A,"Shhhhwanky. As I type this review, I am sitting in my room at the Palmer House Hilton.  I am in Chicago on business, and found this hotel after checking hhonors because the W (the preferred hotel in Chicago) was sold out.   Overall, the room is very nice, albeit very small (on the 13th floor).  The lobby is huge, and reminds me a lot of the Westin St. Francis or the Sir Francis Drake back in SF.  It has that ""blue hair appeal"" that makes a 28 year old feel a bit out of place.  If you're into flirting with GILF's or something, this place is a goldmine.  The hotel staff are polite and helpful.  The bathroom is the size of an iphone, at least the one in my room is.  If you stay here, ask for the state/adams side rather than the monroe/wabash side so you don't have to listen to the L trains every few mins.  This side is much quieter. I'd stay here again (especially with the double points hhonors promo), but this definitely isn't my favorite hotel on earth.  Its a clean, nice, and moderately opulent hotel suitable for its 250/night price.",4,2,0,1
4390,Z9X15HQzxTAetc1k9mq-zQ,"The Palmer House really exceeded my expectations - it's one of the best hotels in Chicago I've stayed at.   The lobby exudes old-world elegance...it's very European.  The staff was helpful, and the room was large and well decorated.   I was staying in Chicago on business, and the hotel's proximity to everything was excellent.  There are a number of great restaurants nearby, and it's only two blocks from Millenium Park - where I was fortunate enough to catch a free outdoor Blues concert.",5,2,1,0
4391,C,"Like many http://tripadvisor.com reviewers said, the walls at the Palmer House are paper-thin. I was awakened by my neighbors' coital activity. Not my idea of a morning call.  And I stayed in the renovated room. Aren't things suppose to improve with renovations? I'm with Jenelle. While the lobby is gorgeous, I'm not resting my head there. I love gawking at hotels, but ultimately, what rates the hotel is its comfort and location. The Palmer House merits its 3 stars with its comfortable bed, tightly-drawn curtains and location. A short walk to Michigan Avenue, Millenium Park, Art Institute and the Theater District. What more could one ask for, except a little more quiet, unless that wink-wink-nudge-nudge sound system is your kind of thing.",3,1,0,3
4392,JUmxjfcfXLrO4z9YqEkWiQ,"The pros- Excellent lobby, everyone that works at the hotel is very nice and will take care of any problem you have quickly.  You can't argue with the location and with that comes a heavy price tag.  I can't complain about the actual price for the room but all the extra add ons really get you.  Its 25 extra for a third person in the room.  Thats a bit much.   Internet was 15, I didn't use it since I have a smart phone but 15 for internet is def. on the high end.   I had no issue with the room, bed was really nice and bathroom decent. The cons-You hear everything that happens on your floor, from someone flushing the toilet to entering their room.  This is one of the loudest hotels I have stayed at.   And when you pay around 300 a night, it would be nice to actually get a few hours of sleep.",2,0,1,0
4393,CwarzaVl1Uxdvvxeom5xvQ,"No one can question the beauty of this location, but when trying to get some sleep for the 1 night of vacation that I had, I was woken twice by the noisy drunks in the hall. No, Palmer House is not responsible for their behavior, but they are responsible for the entirely non-soundproof doors!   Beds were lovely, tv was very nice, etc, but there were a couple things that were broken in the bathroom.",3,0,0,0
4394,6OpXl-CyKFcFwNbqhpp9kg,"I am so disappointed by this hotel. The rooms are small, the food is bad, and the lighting is fluorescent. All of which I was willing to overlook until I tried to get a bottle of water. There are no mini-bars in the rooms, the vending machines on my floor were all broken, room service wanted to charge me $10 for a single bottle of water, and when I called the front desk to complain they said that I could go down 12 floors to get a bottle of water from them if I wanted one. Water should not be so hard to come by.",1,0,0,0
4395,hro9zIoqmbtt8b6zx-MvVg,Everything but the room was great. I didn't like the room because it was very small. I guess it's because this hotel is old so the rooms have not been refreshed in quite sometime. But lobby and the services the hotel provides are great. ----------------- EDIT: Looks like they did some renovations.. rooms are awesome now.. Definitely a good place.. i upgrade my starts on this,5,1,2,0
4396,BF9ZHawyWsFVzHA6MAETPQ,"I really want to like this hotel, and in the past have stayed frequently.  The truth is that the rooms are small, and old, beds soft.  The customer service here is horrible, especially the front desk.  This is more of a hotel where conventions stay rather than a business or vacation hotel with personal attention. Called for room service last night - held for 15 minutes then hung up.  Called the front desk to change my reservation (to leave early) and was also put on hold for 20 minutes, hung up on this too. I am done!  Can't stand the lack of service or caring from the staff.",1,2,0,0
4397,qA5zPPxPBUPZWeBryfMHPA,"Since it was New Year's Eve, I will need to start out this review by saying that I didn't really pay attention to specific details of my experience at the hotel. I do know a few things though. Enter the Palmer House Hilton: location is decent. If I were a guest staying downtown and wanted to experience the city, I probably wouldn't choose this location unless you want to be closer to Millenium Park. Walking into the hotel, it's gorgeous. It's massive size reminds me of hotels in Vegas that go on for miles. In fact, I believe that the lobby with all of the bars, etc. also reminds me of a Vegas hotel (without the casino of course). I wanted to get there early to have a cocktail prior to leaving for my party, but ended up falling behind. Never EVER wait until after 5 to check into the hotel on NYE. The line was nuts. Lucky guests waited in line while others in their party got them drinks from the bar. I knew I should have brought another person with me. Oh well. On the website, I was notified if you are staying on the Executive Level, there is a quick credit card check-in option to avoid long lines. This was not the case when I got there and the lady at the front desk never heard of that. Interesting. Perhaps something for them to look into during crowded periods? Though, for my long wait, the front desk lady gave me late check out at 2pm for free. I chose executive level because 1) it sounded cool 2) I figured it would be quieter with more business people (or just less children). Little did I know it also comes with breakfast and appetizers from 5-7 on a special floor. Fun stuff. The room was NICE. It was large and came with a couch, tv, desk, nice bed, and decent bathroom. The bed was comfy. Or it felt that way after my NYE partying. And it's not squeaky and has plenty of pillows. I just hope they wash their sheets. Vending machines. All I wanted in the morning was a bottled water, but did not have enough 1s. So I thought since it was $2.50, I could buy two and use a $5. Well, I found out it only takes 1s. Not cool. I don't like to use the glasses in the rooms due to shows about how they are never washed. I was forced to use one. :( I didn't end up using my late checkout since I got about 3 hours of sleep (it was New Years!) . I checked out on my phone to avoid lines and grabbed some ""breakfast"" in the lounge upstairs right before it closed. It was pretty much picked through, but I got a sesame bagel and chive and onion cream cheese. Definitely needed something in my stomach. All in all, I really enjoyed staying on the Executive Level. I did feel cool. We had separate elevators where you have to insert your key to get in. And the elevator was right by the front desk. I'm not sure where the other elevators were located, but that was pretty convenient. The hotel definitely served its purpose and I would stay here again if I'm in the area.",4,1,1,1
4398,vp0eumnnkQec8aXLR2wkCA,"I spent a few years working in hotels before moving becoming a meeting planner so I feel like I can give a fair judgment of a hotel and I am just not sure I would return to the Palmer House. I understand it's a historic hotel, however I was in room 21-167 and beside the room being the smallest hotel room I've ever been in I don't think it was maintained very well. The carpet is worn and and needs replacing (felt the same about the hall and elevator landing) There was black hair on the shower walls, mildew on the shower grout, trash BEHIND the trash can in the bathroom, and it looked like the bath amenities had been used and not replaced. The woman who checked me was was in training according to the badge she was wearing but it took her forever to check me in, she didn't say more than 2 words to me so it was mostly awkward silence. The remote in my room didn't work and when engineering came up with a 2nd one that didn't work. I was told that they were in the middle of a shift change so someone else would have to come up and it took almost 30 mins, that guy brought a remote & did something to the TV before telling me it was fixed (I was working at the desk). However, when I went to turn the TV off the 3rd remote wasn't working either. Because I arrived at 1:30pm, left at 4pm, returned at midnight and went straight to bed, got up at 6 am and left at 6:30 for a flight I didn't say anything to the hotel, it just wasn't worth the hassle of moving. However, if I had been there any longer I would have complained to the front desk. No wireless Internet in the guest rooms. They get 3 stars because: Convenient location, the doorman who got me the cab to get to the airport was very friendly, and the 3rd star out of hope that I just had an off experience. The hotel has a ton of history in it and has been around forever, plus it's a Hilton which is an overall good brand.",3,1,1,1
4399,8W51WfdSQ--C8jp-yWwGOw,"I'm going to give Palmer House three stars, due to the fact that our stay there was just over a year ago, and a few things have changed since then (which I just learned of when booking another room for next month).   If you will note the photos that we just uploaded, Palmer House doesn't look like that anymore, nor does the Lockwood Restaurant and Bar look like that anymore.   As they have completely remodeled.   And another thing of note is that Chicago imposed an indoor smoking ban just about a year ago.     While the hotel was most certainly grand, like 3 star (on a scale of 1-3), luxury abounding, I'm not staggeringly impressed by that sort of stuff anymore as I have seen enough of it.    But it's nice if you are with your wife.     We arrived at 11pm and while I had reserved a NON-SMOKING room, apparently they were having a large convention and I suspect they gave away my room.    I had a room number and they gave me a new one.   And what was it?   A smoking room.   I was told that was the last room left (which was likely not true) or they just bumped me as we arrived late in the evening.     I was like ""Oh fuck me...""     And since we didn't feel like trying to find somewhere else to stay, having just valet parked our rental car, we decided to just stay.   Upon entering the room it did in fact smell like a pink sheet trader had been chain smoking stogies.   Revolting.   And I say that as a man that enjoys a cigar after drinks.    It was just stagnant.    Horrible I tell you.   I complained when I checked out, complained on the phone when getting back home a few days later, and Hilton never offered to make amends for this in any way.    And to be honest I don't remember if I called my credit card company or not, I don't think I did, but they probably would have covered me, as this was not what I ordered.   Regardless of this initial bad experience, due to the history and location, we will be staying there again.   But this time I told them that if you stick us in a smoking room again, I ain't paying for it!",3,2,1,1
4400,sYwOD0UienYmAEfE9H9WCw,Words cannot describe how terrible this hotel is. I decided the empty airport is a better place to stay the night rather than the disgusting room that cost me $170. I've stayed in roadside motels that were better.,1,1,0,0
4401,COdB-lFtIhfAvDha0YP-EQ,Great character and history. Gorgeous lobby. Kind efficient staff. Small rooms. No ventilation in bathroom.,4,0,0,0
4402,joO2Pw0RsHHYtUvEFN4tOw,"Wow - great spot for a party! I hadn't been to the Palmer House since I was a kid until this week for a work event.  I have to say, it was one of the nicest work events that I've been to.  From what I could see, everything was done beautifully.  The meeting rooms/ball rooms we used were beautiful.  The coordination of moving a large group through the hotel was done nicely - with staff members directing the group.   The sound for the meeting and the band later was fantastic.  Everything was set up nicely in terms of food, bars, dance floor, tables.   Based upon the fact that most people stayed until the end of the night - dancing up a storm, I think that the party was a success and I think it was a great venue!",4,0,0,0
4403,84TM2N2une0IVcBSb1ZLbw,"My friend and I spent the night at the Palmer House for New Years Eve. The room was nice and clean. I absolutely love the old time feel of this hotel. The staff was friendly. It was great that they had hired extra security to keep out anyone who wasn't a registered guest from heading up to the room. I was expecting a ruckus night of morons running up and down the hall. But it turned into a peaceful, alcoholic night of sleep. It was a great place to crash after a night of horking down free shrimp and downing a couple pitchers of pink lemonade at one of the Chicago bars. One thought kept haunting me though: I really hoped they changed the linens (or burned the beds) after IML.",4,1,1,0
4404,x36qTpNB01HH64sb,"Gorgeous hotel, holy crap.  I was pretty in awe when I walked in the doors.  The location is truly wonderful and central.  The staff was very professional and helpful. I've stayed in quite a few hotels while in Chicago, both upscale and not-so-much, and this one has been my favorite.   My only complaint is the layout is a bit confusing and took me about 1.5 days to figure out.",4,1,0,1
4405,pdM8-iPF,"I stayed here last summer after booking a room for $89 on Hotwire.  I've come to be a little wary of using Hotwire for booking nice city hotels, as you occasionally get crammed into the tiniest room on site - but in this case, they offered me an upgrade to the executive floor for $20 or $30 and I jumped all over that.  For the small cost of an upgrade, you get to ride the fancy schmancy executive elevator and have free snacks, sodas, and appetizers in the evening.  It was money well spent.   Overall, the hotel is stunning.  It's one of those grand old hotels where the building is sturdy and glamorous, even if a few things seem slightly outdated.  The service was great and I didn't notice any significant amount of noise during the stay. The only minor flaw in the whole experience was the breakfast.  It was fairly pricey given the quality of food served, but it was still good - and the atmosphere of their restaurant is very opulent, too.   Although I love sampling lots of different hotels in every city I visit, I would definitely return to the Palmer House on a future trip.",5,1,1,0
4406,Jdx2jOrQsyvhw-ZH1q6fvQ,"We stayed at The Palmer House for a wedding last month and overall we had a good experience here.  We booked the room on Expedia; this was a first for me.  Of course, you never know what you're going to get (at least that was the lesson learned).  We arrived at the hotel at about 3:30 pm just about check in time.  After being completely amazed by the grandiosity of the hotel lobby and the friendliness of the door men, we were met with the line from hell.  Seriously? Are there this many people checking in right now? Actually, their computers were down, so check ins were being done...I actually have no idea how they were doing them, but it took a while.  As we stand in line, hotel staff are walking around handing out glasses of sparkling wine.  Okay, I can live with this.....two glasses later, we are checking in.  When the man at the front desk sees my reservation, he mysteriously disappears to the back for what seemed to be 20 minutes.  Upon his return he says he upgraded our room to a queen bed.....from a twin??? WTF! Why would you have a twin bed in a hotel? At least that's what both my boyfriend and I heard, but we were too stunned to ask more questions.  We were also given a cute little gift bag that we later realized was not from the hotel, but from the wedding party   So our grand upgrade was a small room with not much of a view and a tiny, but beautiful bathroom.  Since we were not planning on spending much time in the hotel, this was perfect.  We needed a place to sleep and get dressed.  We were walking everywhere, so we didn't need the gym and we were not driving, so valet and parking wasn't a concern. The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance to Millennium and Grant Park, the Art Institute of Chicago, Navy Pier, Wendella Boat Tours, and a ton of shopping and food options.  The wedding events were less than two miles away, so it was a pleasant walk when we wanted to or a short and inexpensive cab ride when we didn't want to walk.   We had the brunch buffet at the hotel restaurant, Lockwood, one morning.  The food was good, but it was way overpriced.  Although, I'm a sucker for lox and bagel fixings every time, so I was happy.  Overall we had a great experience.  The convenience of everything close by, made our stay here worthwhile.",4,1,0,1
4407,rFY5ldLOMDdB1e-U,"Gorgeous hotel! I loved staying here - thanks to good ole Priceline bidding for $65/night. Nice. Valet w/ In & Out privileges for $51? Not so nice. But self-parking at their lot is just a few steps away for $36. My dad chose to park a block away for $25 all day/night. Internet is also $15. I'd rate this 3.5, but will give it 4 instead of 3 because it's so pretty inside. I'm easily swooned by this type of decor. We stayed here for the sole purpose of sleeping - I didn't even get a chance to see the pool or anything else. We road tripped from Houston to Chicago to Niagara Falls all within a week! Our room on the 21st floor wasn't small, we were in a corner room so one view was skyscrapers, the other Millennium Park. No complaints regarding room size/view! I didn't realize we were right next to the train tracks, but the sounds didn't really bother us. We got settled in around 9 PM on a weekday, didn't know where to dine or what was open, so we just wandered and hoped to find something. Sadly, most restaurants were closed or closing by then and the few places I had wanted to eat (via Yelp reviews) were too far. I'm definitely researching more in advance next time! The bellhops were all really nice - taking bags to the room once we were settled in, storing our luggage, etc. I saw the receptionist offer everyone else in line bottled water - but didn't offer us any! Concierge was not helpful when we were trying to find information about Chicago Trolley tours. She just said ""wait at CVS and you'll see someone there."" No one was there! Luckily, the Palmer House is one of their stops and we were able to get on when it stopped at the light. The Corner Bakery Cafe is right next to the hotel, so we ate there for breakfast before going on our tour! I don't think I'll be paying $4 for a banana at the hotel restaurant anytime soon.. If you do want to eat at Lockwood & if the bellhop brings your bags up, they should offer you a 20% off coupon to Lockwood. I'm totally in love with Chicago now (visiting in the summer helps) and I would definitely stay here again if I got this deal.",4,1,1,0
4408,UqwATnxE1vLHiY06l7,Ah the Palmer House. Old world craftsmanship my friend. They dont make them like this anymore. Amazing lobby. Great rooms on the 13th floor. Some are ridiculously huge. Bars and the restaurant are servicable but I still love this place. I find myself in rotation between here  the James and the Conrad  when I hit the big city. Always happy to go back to the House...,5,1,1,0
4409,brhwRDXS8i3qjxseEU14Pg,"I was here for a conference and if I had a choice, I would never have come back again.  Granted, it had a nice lobby and had a great sense of history to it, but it wasn't worth the 300 a night. I wasn't staying in the lobby, I was staying in some tiny little room that has a television off to the side so you had to strain your neck to watch it.  It had only TWO towels per room (what if we want to take more than one shower a day?).  The pillows were flat and the walls were incredibly thin.  It was hard to fall sleep and stay asleep as the hallways can be really loud.  Also, the maid service knocks on your door at exactly 8 in the morning to try to clean your room.   All this might have been forgivable if they didn't try to nickel and dime you every  moment.  They charged an extra fee for internet service and they charged you 15 dollars to use the gym.  They were also undergoing renovations so there was only one entrance from the street.  Not the greatest hotel experience, but I guess it was slightly better than motel 6.",2,2,1,0
4410,V3QHIPQTNGGjirLksXQUDA,"I stayed in a room with double queens. The room itself was big and had 2 closets.  The bathroom was tiny! You could barely close the door without getting stuck between the door and the toilet, haha. The rooms were always clean when we returned, with fresh towels.  One time, though, we came back and our bathroom didn't look clean.  Turns out, the toilet stopped up.  My mom called the front desk who immediately sent Maintenance.  He knocked on our door within 5 minutes, fixed the toilet in 5 minutes. 5 minutes later housekeeping knocked on our door, apologized about the mess and the toilet and cleaned our bathroom.  5 stars for maintenance/housekeeping! This place is already on the expensive side and everything else was an additional charge (for a nominal fee). Can't they just say the nominal fee is going to be an arm and a leg? I had every intention to workout at the fitness center until I saw that you had to pay a nominal fee to get in the there. We decided to try out the hotel.  And I had an expedia ticket of $10 off a night.  We weren't impressed enough to return. Convenient phone/tv checkout to avoid the front desk. Starbucks at the street level. Door men who look fancy but don't really do much.",3,0,0,0
4411,72cd2w1W8thrkfKjMU7sVA,"My last name is Palmer so this place had me from hello. You walk in and the old time flare hits you immediately. Honestly, everything inside is stunningly beautiful.  The hotel is located in downtown  Chicago with entrances on state street ( a nice shopping area), so you really just can't go wrong with it. There is a starbucks and convenience store inside, very nice bar, convention center, and impeccable rooms.   It's also one block down from DePaul University. My room had two double beds with a ""lounge"" space with two chairs and one ottoman. My only complaint about the room was the slightly crammed bathroom. I could have used an extra foot or two. This place is pricey, but definitely worth it. The staff were top notch and they catered to my every need.",5,0,0,0
4412,rz0oV0amddunqyZMm0tiCQ,"Enjoyed my stay while on a business trip. The Palmer House Hilton is nearby a variety of city attractions, great shopping, modern and swanky restaurants, great lobby! The concierge staff were very attentive, great room service, although a bit pricey but the food was great....though do not use the business center and gym, you have to pay for the service (WHAT!?!?). I very much enjoy my room on the 29th floor, the only down side was the bathroom was on the small side and very little counter space.",4,1,1,0
4413,7Z,"I'm sorry... I don't see the big deal. If my bed were in the lobby I would give this place 6 stars, but it was not so... Valet:                     GREAT Front Desk:          GREAT Cool Furniture:    Check Boutiques:           Check Room:                  Small and decorated by my grandma Tub:                      The best place on Earth!! I took 3 baths in 24 hrs Bed:                      Like Sleeping on AIR! I was going to give this place 3 stars but the tub is Olympic size and carries two of the four stars. Third star goes to the staff and the fourth star actually goes to....... Millers Pub!",4,1,1,0
4414,1FxNP,"Got a great rate for $90 ($110 after fees/taxes) on Priceline. Very beautiful lobby, and you can't beat the location. The room, although minuscule, was clean and comfortable. The staff was very friendly. They manage to keep prices low by charging for everything that isn't basic. If you are looking for a comfortable place to stay in the loop, you simply can't beat this place. Do your self a favor, though, and only sleep there. The city awaits!",3,0,0,0
4415,j1mW0ycVQG0wUW4wLW,"The Palmer House was my go-to hotel in Chicago for several years. I'm not so hot about it anymore. Here are the goods and bads: THE GOOD: Great location in the loop. 1-2 blocks from all El lines. Walk to clients, restaurants, theaters, museums, etc. Old school decor and charm with a beautiful lobby. Many rooms are reasonably large (though if you scrounge for the cheapest rate it's on one of the tiny ones). Good prices at times. Stayed 3 nights around New Year's Eve for about 300 all-in. THE BAD: ""Old school decor"" also means poor room lighting and tiny bathrooms. Deteriorating service for Hilton HHonors members. Staff takes an attitude of, ""We've provided the minimum guaranteed benefits, and that's all you're going to get."" It's a shame because they used to go the extra mile.  Prices are often high (200+/night) at which point there are usually better values elsewhere downtown.",3,1,0,0
4416,bGWT2jrd6,"BEAUTIFUL!!! I was amazed by the lobby and all the history that went with it. I loved my stay there. All the staff were awesome. The only complaint is that there wasn't a flat screen TV, but that is a small complaint. The peacock theme in the newly-remodeled rooms is well-done and I loved it. I would definitely stay there again.",5,0,0,0
4417,5dF-cQNtgV9VG-GJ1LQRdA,"I didn't stay here, but I love this hotel. I can only imagine, based on the common and conference spaces I've been in over the last two days, what the rooms are like. The lobby is beautiful. Look at the ceiling and fixtures. Breathe it in. Sit a spell. And the conference areas are solid. The catered food is good, and the coffee strong. And the wifi? Provided by the conference organizers, sure, but the signal has been strong in almost every single room I've been in, even the breakout session rooms with awkward pillar-dominated designs. Minus one star because the traffic flow for stairs and escalators isn't always clear. Outside of using the elevators, the floors don't connect well, and it can be hard to find your way around.",4,1,0,0
4418,e6zvRwcn-ZooWHimZPqPBw,"I think the Palmer House was once a nice hotel. The main level is gorgeous and the hotel is capable of having top-notch formal events. As a place to stay however, I found it lacking. The place just looks extremely tired. The decor is straight out of the 80's and I think the appointments haven't been updated since. The hotel also does not offer free Wi-Fi, which for the price (this hotel is no bargain), is not acceptable.",2,1,0,0
4419,jxJ-aquB-o9gt41ZI-,"Gorgeous foyer. Clean rooms. SMALL rooms. I prefer River North, except for the proximity to Grant Park and the ArtIC And there's a FANTASTIC Chop House in the same street (Something Chop House and Wine Bar.... hmmm... When I remember it I'll post it back), but seriously, it's in the same street (perpendicular to the lake, not parallel) and it's got THE BEST stuffed mozzarella appetizers. I still drool at them. And evidently they have really good steak.  But again, this comment is lost on me...",2,1,0,0
4420,RRWjQqiEtRAqtvuDEpeosg,"Got an unbelievable price of 90$ per night thro priceline. Then, upgraded to concierge level for 40$ more.. Totally worth it! Concierge level gets a free breakfast, which is an extensive spread!. Also, the toiletries are super! Beds are great. Views can vary depending on your rooms location. Great location as well.",4,1,0,0
4421,L6nFEVCqjJ,"I'm staying at the Palmer House because I have to. And I wish I didn't have to. This hotel is fine, corporate America fine. But it is a big barn with Fraternity and Sorority conferences, business meetings, and all sorts of madness. The rooms are inconsistent, some being really, really cozy for two adults. Even tiny adults like me and my beloved. I highly recommend the upgrade to the ""executive floor"" where the rooms are huge and you are afforded the luxury of express elevators, free breakfast and round the clock snacks and drinks. What really irks me about this place (aside from the scripted corporate speak of the employees [that irks me everywhere]) is all the ridiculous surcharges. $25 to check in early. $20 per day for internet. $18 to use the pool. $20 to use the gym. Really? So what exactly are the amenities of the hotel? Clearly, this place has a lot of rooms to fill in order to pay the wintertime heating bill. It makes me feel like I'm being swindled, and I'm not even paying for my room! For a little more money, there are better options, and better locations in Chi-town.",2,1,0,0
4422,cwBTZ9NoJ40Hg6SvzsoOjg,"I stayed here for business for three nights in the middle of winter and I was disappointed. Is it a hotel for business travelers or a swanky couples getaway? It can't seem to decide and my fear is that it does neither very well. Upsides? Great central location one block from the train. Spectacular lobby! Comfortable beds/linens. Friendly staff. Downsides? $20 a day for Internet? Even on the executive floors. No wifi in the room. I was stuck in my room working for two days. I couldn't move my laptop and the chair was too low for the desk. Not comfortable. $18 a day for the gym? C'mon! Even on an expense account, I could not justify that. Bad food. Granted, I didn't try the restaurant. I was here on business and I always order room service. Point me to a hotel that serves good, relatively healthy food in my room and I'll be thrilled. Also, I don't know if it was because it's low, low season in Chicago, but there were rarely staff at the concierge desks. I was more effective helping myself on the Internet the one day I ventured out. I would not recommend this hotel for business travelers.",2,1,0,0
4423,AYvPdFoqc7kj9hODydk0lA,"Magnificent. Just stunning. I was absolutely taken away with the grandeur of the hotel lobby.  The Palmer House Hilton is a beautiful hotel in the heart of downtown Chicago. It's in a fantastic location -- there are lots of great restaurants in the area; it's within walking distance to many of the city's top must-sees; and there's very easy access to the subway (the Red Line is right outside of the hotel). I arrived in the morning around 10am, which is way early for check-in.  I was planning to store my bags until the afternoon when the rooms would be ready. However, the woman at the front desk was able to find one room ready at that time (the other wasn't ready yet), which was fine by me! How wonderful! It was nice to freshen up and change before heading out to explore the city. The room was ginormous! My friend had told me the last she stayed there her room was tiny were small, so needless to say, I was thrilled when I walked in.  There was enough space to waltz if you wanted to!  Good bath products, excellent water pressure (that is so important to me).  The beds were super comfy.  For someone who doesn't normally sleep well to begin with - much less in a hotel - my head sank into the pillows and I fell asleep right away each night. Just a couple of negatives: cell phone service was very spotty in the hotel. In fact, I had no service at all when I was in the lobby.  F&B service in the lobby wasn't great.  We sat in one of the comfy chairs along the wall, hoping to have one last drink before we flew out that evening.  There was a menu on our table so clearly they do service all the tables. However, the server never walked by us, not even close enough for us to get his attention. Overall, it's a great hotel and I would definitely stay there again!",4,1,0,0
4424,2wk7bBOU0brTrygpCmjnSg,"I had to walk a dog in this hotel once. Not only is parking down town impossible but they make worse. I had to go to this place 3 times on a weekend, (sat & sun) They wouldnt allow me to park in front. I ended up haveing to spend money for a parking garage. NO parking down town ever of course but when i got inside the staff at the front desks were rude. Like i was impossing on them. I was walking a dog for a wedding in their hotel you would think they would be more polite. But they werent",3,2,0,0
4425,gi,"My husband and I had our wedding in the Empire Room in August. Dennis Chaffee is extremely accomodating, organized, professional, reliable, and easy to contact. He gave priceless advice. It is obvious that he is very experienced. No request was too much to ask!  The majority of our guests booked rooms at the hotel- he made sure that all of the rooms were available as early as possible. The dinner was absolutely outstanding!  Many of the guests remarked that it was the ""best wedding food"" they have ever had. We served halibut and filet. Dennis personally stayed the majority of the wedding to ensure that everything on time and running as smooth as possible.  Thank you Palmer House and Dennis Chaffee! Word of advice future Palmer House brides: Be sure to book Claudia and Jane from As you Wish as your wedding planners- they are lifesavers!",5,1,0,0
4426,nw8,"Holed up here for 3 nights away from the NYC hurricane. This hotel is elegant, historic and comfortable. We thoroughly enjoyed the blackout curtains.",4,1,0,0
4427,h6wbfp92X,"It was our second time staying at Palmer House and while we weren't as in love with it as we were the first time.  Its still a great place to stay. The pros - in the Loop, right on the brown line, some rooms have two full bathrooms which is soooo nice, great staff and beautiful lobby. The cons - preeeetttty sure our room wasn't cleaned before we checked in (dirty towels, used dry cleaning bags on the closet floor, popcorn on the floor, etc). The rooms are kinda dated. The bathrooms are fine but the rooms themselves are just old with older fixtures and a tv I had probably in 1997. All that being said, I have to give it 4-stars as if we were going back to Chicago tomorrow, we'd pick to stay at the Palmer House again. Its just easy and in our price range.",4,0,0,0
4428,7UphAXxmus8l3M4qjiBYgQ,"Was in town hosting an event at McCormick Place so booked some rooms at the Palmer House.  This hotel is definitely a bit older but very well maintained.  I enjoyed the decor of this location alot...but the rooms were a bit cramped.   There were charges for internet so I just used the computer at the local coffee stop for emails etc.  I am looking forward to coming to Chicago again, but I'll give another hotel a try as now I'm addicted to Yelp so I need my free internet.",4,0,0,0
4429,8OZrjZaTpoHYTyo-DMYJlg,"When I won this hotel on Priceline with a $70 bid, I was pretty pleased with myself.  The pictures of the lobby looked spectacular!  I wasn't disappointed when I entered the hotel last night - it was super swank-or-rama.  It lies in stark contrast to the rooms, however, which are outdated and unattractive.  My room also smelled of smoke, though it was a non-smoking.  I asked where the gym was, and the concierge said it was on the 5th floor, but that it was closed, and if I wanted to use it it'd be $18 anyway.  Really?  $18 to use the gym?  Sigh.   I decided to go for a run outside (it was only two blocks to Millenium Park) and was chilled when I came back (it was 10 PM in mid-October).  Fortunately, the shower was great - nice and hot with great pressure, in a clean (albeit tiny) bathroom.  Things were OK for a while - I watched crappy movies on Showtime (Bound with Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon) since there was no HBO, and eventually crawled into my huge, soft, king-sized bed, sleeping peacefully until I was woken up at six by the phone ringing over and over - in my neighbor's room.  It was a sad morning after that. To summarize: The Pros: Location, nice beds, good showers, pretty lobby The Cons: Ugly, outdated rooms, small bathrooms, paying $$$ for the gym/internet/parking, terrible sound proofing between rooms.   Except for the lobby, this is far from the four star hotel it purports to be.",2,5,0,0
4430,WKabm9CtKCWqK0MoWo-zmg,"I stayed here two month ago for work. The entrance and lobby was elegant, and the room was nice. It was a bit small in my opinion and the walls wasn't that sound-proof. I remember waking up to someone throwing up on the other side of the walls. I almost wanted to shout ""are you ok over there"" but figured I should just mind my own business and sleep. 1 star for location, 1 star for price, 1 star for elegance, 1 star for a nice bed and -1 star for waking me up in the middle of the night.",4,0,1,1
4431,0MKdw5Hai5eZB6Jni7ryFA,"This hotel is old and is badly in need of an upgrade.  You know, like walls that aren't so thin that I can hear every word of the TV show that my neighbors are watching, with their gaggle of screaming a**hole children.  I can hear everything that's dropped, every time someone flushes the toilet, and the footsteps of everyone who walks by.     I should rent a porno & blast the volume.  It's not like I can get any sleep with all the noise anyway. If you want to access the interwebs, it'll be $20.  That's for one day... and the internet access is spotty (the connection dropped twice in the past 3 hours).  Since the charge was so steep, I figured I'd hop online to tell all 3 people who are reading this how crappy this hotel is.  :-) This is a grand old hotel.  I don't think I'd hate this place if I only had to grab a drink or eat a meal here.  But shouldn't hotel rooms be restful? Did I mention that you shouldn't stay here if you want to get some rest? Signed, Angry insomniac",1,0,0,2
4432,8l9Ec5xYGy91KPfODyqh1w,"Great location, good rooms, but a bit old style.  Still much better interior than many of the old hotels in the Chicago area. Just minutes away from the orchestra and Michigan avenue loop area makes it a good place to move around especially during festivals and other park events. A little disappointed when Trader Vic's left as the hotel is trying to update its look and push for a higher (profitable) customer.   The lobby bar had a good pour but was a bit expensive - hopefully not a sign of the times for Chicago hotels.",4,0,1,1
4433,h-brvh9UKmAOKb0Q-VZpgg,"I went to a friend's weekend wedding reception/event there (& stayed there for that reason).  The lobby is actually on the 2nd floor, but it is very ornate & beautiful!  (It's an old historic hotel).  I initially had a hard time figuring out how to get up there from the 1st floor...stairs/escalators aren't in really obvious places. The first night, the reception was also in a beautiful room with a short staircase entrance just off one end of the lobby.  The 2nd night (yes, there were 2 nights of festivities, which were fun), there was another dinner reception in another room, & apparently, there was another wedding reception going on then in the room next door.  Was kind of tempting to go crash the other one out of curiosity.   Our room was quite big...we even had 2 bathrooms and 2 closets.  It must've originally been 2 rooms they converted into 1.  Great decor.   Only minus I noticed was that the hallway we had to walk down to get to the elevator from our room had an area where the wallpaper was peeling off.  I guess none of the managerial types had walked down this way while we were there that weekend because it remained that way the whole time we were there. There's an multiple hotel serving shuttle to & from Midway (that's where I ended up flying in & out of).  Pretty convenient.  Luckily, I didn't run into any problems when I was leaving, as the Chicago Marathon was that day, but I think it was pretty much over by the time I had to go to the airport.",4,0,1,0
4434,ZSlBdTdUGUTOoLO8hIU,"Beautiful hotel with friendly staff.  Prices are high for drinks ($4 for a cup of coffee, $14 for a vodka cranberry..) we would have loved to spend more of our time in the hotel, especially the lobby, but the prices are too high. The hotel is huge, rooms are comfortable and affordable.  Location is great, close to lots of places to shop and eat.  We'll stay again, though will continue to go out to other places for meals and drinks.",4,0,0,0
4435,9eka9pBUB6ymYgoCe0kpTA,"The Palmer House is a pretty spectacular hotel. When I first walked into the lobby, the ceiling made me feel like I was in Las Vegas, but it a good way. My mom stayed on the Executive Level (gotta represent, son), which she loved. They have free cookies and cokes and other snackies. The best part about it is it's not supervised, so I was able to load up on all the free sweets. Made my day. The room she had was quite nice. The interesting thing was that her room had two beds and two bathrooms. I've never had a hotel room with two bathrooms. Very unusual. It turned out to be considerably convenient since her friend shared the room with her. I am told the price of the room was very reasonable. It's right in the heart of downtown. You can't really ask for me. Why my mom loves this hotel so much? It's connected to the Croc Store on State St.",4,0,0,1
4436,n1Z3ydDiyx7YFLDS5oPW,"This is a gorgeous old hotel.  The rooms are somewhat drafty in the winter, and a little less modern and large compared to buildings put up more recently, but you can feel the tradition.  The rooms are also a bit smaller, but I think they're fine.  The lower floors have some of the standard amenities, pool, hot tub, etc., and good dining.  The decor is beautiful. I guess it comes down to the choice between memorable, world-renown, elegant and classic, versus modern and slightly more comfortable.",4,0,0,0
4437,C4HwM94mgciGM5s9gSoyNg,"It is a 3-4. It was hard to decide which.  Here are some pros and cons: CONS: -I would have written this review when I was actually there, but the internet situation is terrible.  The rooms only have wired and they charge you PER computer. That means that you have to pay to use the one plug and then hand it over to the other person in the room and pay again, even though only ONE computer is online at a time. If you are going to do that, at least have free wireless for guests in the lobby!  But, no, you pay for that too! -The phone reception in the lobby is 0. -The people who work there are not super friendly. -The rooms are small -The place doesn't have the best smell PROS: -The place is old and very charming.  The lobby is beautiful.   -The rooms were nicely decorated in the modern meets classic kind of way.",3,0,0,0
4438,DSEOVpBYhdAv-LC576L4HA,"Palmer house is a classic example of a historic hotel that seems to be getting renovated floor by floor. Here's the rundown of pros/cons: Pros - Gym is one of the best hotel gyms I've been to anywhere in the US (Second best in Chicago - Hilton across from Grant Park) is the easily the best gym in Chicago - Pretty good concierge lounge - solid spread, great views, but you have to ask for waters - Overall a good property in a excellent location Cons - They charge $14.99 for mediocre internet and $19.99 for good internet speed (4.06Mb/s down) http://www.speedtest.net… - Room was freezing when I walked in - thought there might be dead body in there - Room was an upgrade and was still NYC small Long story short, regardless of the shortcomings, I'll be back.",4,0,0,0
4439,DV3w84U2ON6jwgEoicybmA,"During of Stay: 4 days, 3 nights (Thurs 2/11 - Sun 2/14, 2010) Room Type: One King Bed I took my sweetheart here for an extended Valentine's Day weekend earlier this year and must say, this hotel is fantastic. The interior is aesthetically gorgeous, our upper-floor corner room modern (with the exception of the TV from the 90's), the location is excellent (just a few blocks from Millennium Park), the service is fantastic (from doormen, concierge, to maids and room service), and the Lockwood Restaurant inside is fantastic (we were given a complimentary 20% off coupon upon check-in to try ""the most romantic restaurant in Chicago""). The girlfriend enjoyed the stay as well. Only downsides: - The business center is small, computers outdated, and charges for internet and printing. - The pool is small and the stench of chlorine was overwhelming. Even so, I am giving this four-star hotel five-stars. Would definitely return again.",5,0,0,0
4440,0Hlvc-bjht2Y,"I wanted to stay in this hotel after hearing about its history and majestic lobby.  And damn, this is a gorgeous hotel!  It was built (actually re-built) in 1925 and definitely has an amazing vintage style.  The lobby is a few stories tall, with frescoed ceilings and lovely lighting.  They've added a modern touch with a bar/restaurant and hip music playing everywhere.   The rooms have an overstuffed antique style.  They're more ornate than the usual Hilton room, fairly small but decently appointed.  My windows overlooked a courtyard and more buildings, so no grand Chicago skyline view.  But everything was quiet!  My bathroom was very pretty but the lighting was so low, it was impossible to put on makeup or really see much beyond the basics.   Internet access was expensive and only available through a wired connection.  I opted to use my cellphone for internet instead.  It really annoys me when hotels treat internet access as a luxury, not an amenity - the cheap hotels all offer free wifi, and these pricey hotels charge you $15 per day to plug your computer into the wall like it's 1997.   I found the front desk staff a little patronizing and brisk, but the bell desk and its staff were fantastic about checking luggage and calling cabs.  I'm glad I stayed here for a night, and I might grab a drink in the bar the next time I'm in Chicago, but otherwise I'll pass on staying here again.",3,0,0,0
4441,tUKLwQPVRNDMsGuRubGFxQ,"The Palmer House Hilton is an incredibly gorgeous hotel in the Loop. Its architecture is classy, refined, and very old-school Chicago. (As a history major, I like old-fashioned things. Thus, the Palmer House Hilton gets an A in my book.) I was there recently for a sorority formal. The event space (Empire Room) did not seem to be outdated/falling apart at all, and the room was very charming. The lighting was soft and the gold/black ornamentation was beautiful. If you have severe allergies, I'm not sure this is a place that will listen 100%, and this is an important caveat. One of my good friends is severely allergic to dairy. She called weeks in advance and was assured that there were no problems with her request. But what happened? She had a severe allergic reaction and had to be carried out by paramedics, spending time in the hospital. The hotel could've done a better job not only apologizing, but also honoring her request. Another small error was made in that a few random people wandered into the Empire Room. This isn't a huge deal, but from a security standpoint, it should be treated as one. A Keith Urban lookalike, who was obviously not a guest at a sorority formal (I can understand older dates, but he looked at least 35...), entered the room when I was outside with my friend. He walked in a bit more, and then finally left. The manager said ""Oh, I would've escorted him out anyway"" or something, but I think they could've been a bit more proactive. There are serious concerns for allergies and security, but overall, the Palmer House space is lovely. They should work out a few kinks, though!",4,1,0,0
4442,bdDskgj2,"It has its strengths and weaknesses. -The lobby/lounge is stunning! Brightly lit, classic luxury decor. As you wait in line to check in they even give you free little brownie bites that will melt in your mouth! - Attentive staff, ask and ye shall receive thy hotels offerings - decent room service, eggs any style with toast n' coffee - a snazzy Starbucks near the central lounge - private elevators for executive level guests - good concierge - central location in downtown The Not-so-Great's; - you can seriously get lost in this hotel! Honestly if there were a giant fire your screwed! - $18 dollar-a-day internet - Its an older hotel, lets call it ''old class charm'' - teeny bathrooms with zero counter space. In all, I loved simply wandering about the hotel, guests shuffling in and out, classy lounge, it never gets boring! It also is in a pretty sweet spot of Chicago so stepping right out into the city was fantastic. I think if we stayed here again, it would be be in a larger room but overall a definite memorable stay!",4,0,0,0
4443,K3vE8f0DrD57hr00ahJ,"3.5 Stars - We stayed here for three nights on our recent trip to Chicago. $200/night, they put us on the HIlton Honors floor (#15)- nice n quiet- we were on the inside rooms so no city view, just a view of the workout room- wah Room was decorated in 20's Art Deco style with lime green accents and the ever present Peacock theme that is evident in the whole hotel. King sized bed, crib was in room as requested, no feather pillows as requested, got to use the short check-in line as an Honors member...room was clean and the daily maid did a wonderful job upholding that standard!! All in all a good experience in a great location 2 blocks walking from the lakeshore. Details: Pool- indoors, good...super small for such a huge hotel,add in a few unruly teens and some crappy parents and you have an unusable pool for a baby=bad  Good thing they have GREAT BEACHES in Chicago! Dennis was always at the door, helping to  get us cabs and assistance getting our bags upstairs. I think his title should be  Chicago Ambassador, as he recommended the absolute best beach for us to go to with a young child and seemed to be able to make conversation with pretty much anyone.  Good asset to the hotel. The Bathroom- normally I give Hiltons 5 stars but they fell down on the bathroom. Granite and tile with the oversized bowl sink...stylish but MAN WAS THAT SPACE CRAMPED. There was no countertop, so nowhere to put our deoderant, makeup, etc except on the back of le toilette, which isn't very sanitary, no? This did not feel like a $200/night bathroom Starbucks inside, nice to have so convenient although servers were a little curt and super slow for coffee shop workers (maybe they are immune to caffeine at this point) Ambiance- the lobby and hotel itself is truly big-city magnificent - there was a wedding there while we were there and I can understand why - the work on the ceiling was done by a guy who worked on the Sistene Chapel and there are works of art all around. - If we had just come here for drinks and dinner I would have given this place 5 stars easily for environment alone. Elegant. History- they have the pictures of all of the performers around the hotel, great names that everyone recognizes who came to perform back in the day- the peacock door has a placard next to it explaining the history...just cool to be in a place that's been around so long, it was around when they hosted the World Fair- that's OOOLLLLDD,. Room service- GREAT caesar salad but a salad, club sammie and mac n cheese bites plus two drinks cost $91 - really? Yikes, next time Imma take my lazy pants downstairs and next door Internet Access- I brought my laptop but they tried to charge me $7.50/hour or $15/24 hrs for internet access -There was NO WIRELESS and that's WAY too much to charge me for a basic service- I need internet to check flights, do some work, stream my kid's Dora movies....Even the Best Western gives it for free, what's up Hilton? Don't be cheap with me, I'm not cheap with you or your employees. Yes I'd go back but there's something like 5 Hiltons in Chicago so next time we're likely to try another one.",3,0,0,0
4444,eU-NwJNtGD68eK-YACELtw,"The front desk hostess: Michelle is HORRIBLE. I'd probably never come back to this place. When I was checking in, she says the only room available was a TWIN size bed and I looked at her dumbfounded. I obviously had another person with me, but she insisted that it's fine. I complained, and I instantly get a King size bed. Either she was lazy, or too dumb to operate a computer.",1,4,5,4
4445,Yh8CQCFAAEQ17eGmgOnxFw,"A beautiful hotel right in the middle of downtown Chicago. I've been to several meetings and conferences here and everything is top-notch. It's also a very historical hotel so gives you a really nice feeling of being part of something older instead of all those new, fancy, ""edgy"" hotels you can find elsewhere. I'd definitely recommend it, especially if you are visiting Chicago.",4,0,0,0
4446,1dZqrStPFbUUqKzZ1QFQnw,"If you want a nice time warp feeling and to feel as if you were a high roller in the 50s, then head to the Palmer House.  This sprawling huge monstrosity of a hotel has housed many many important people...and unfortunately many many cigarettes.   The rooms do have a reminiscent smell of ""old"" which can either be charming or disgusting, depending on your frame of mind.  Bathrooms are small and relatively basic, but the ambiance of the Palmer House is really what you stay there for, not the modern amenities.",3,1,0,0
4447,-x7rnsjOnHbZYas07n8RCg,"I've been here for a number of events and stayed here a few times and I must say, I am generally underwhelmed. The place is beautiful, that is for sure; a throwback to a time when fine hotels were majestic and grand and not modern and boutique: fresco ceilings in the lobby, gold trim, open bar and huge lobby.   The problem is twofold: it is aging and it is expensive for what you get.  The rooms have a old feel to them, but they are still quite old and small.  You don't get much room for your money and with so many great luxury hotels downtown, it is tough to make this the go-to choice.   Plus, the ample conference facilities means that the lobby is all jammed up with people from whomever the hotel is hosting that day. If you are going to stay in Chicago and want to blow ~$200/night on a hotel, I would stay elsewhere.",2,0,0,0
4448,EBL,"Kind of weird interior.  Almost reminded me of a funhouse, all the uneven floors and stuff.  My room was tricky to get to but  huge when I got there.  The light switches and some of the fixtures could be updated to be a little more useful but the bed was comfortable and the bathroom was classy.  I was here for a roller derby tournament and I am not quite sure that they were ready to be invaded by that.  But to their credit, they did quite well at managing both a formal wedding and a large gang of after-party attendees waiting for their party to start. Parking sucks.  30 bucks a day to park yourself, 50 to have them park it.  I wish I had parked somewhere else and taken the train in, every line stops right near there since it is in the loop.",4,0,0,0
4449,4noQQlhBTjMU99ywuLcYjw,"This place is exceptional, a true Chicago landmark, I had not been in the property for two year - or since the renovation was completed. It has been restored to one of the finest properties in the entire world. The outside remains the same, but when you get into the lobby it is fantastic. Especially when decorated for Christmas. We are using the family picture shot in front of the tree for our card this year, and it was almost non-stop picture taking from everyone who walked by the tree. After we checked in (more on that in a minute) we had to go have a drink in the lobby. The bar is cozy and is in/out of the restaurant, and there are plenty of tables and chairs to sit in the lobby itself. It was awesome just to take in the view and enjoy a drink....we almost stayed for another but had to head out for dinner. With the location of the property (State Street in the theatre district/a block from Millennium Park) this is a MUST STAY while in Chicago. As for the room, the general manager Dean Lane really took care of my family. He put us in the best room I have ever stayed in (The Daley Suite) right on the parade route/State Street, and had a bottle of wine and cookies and milk for the kids in the room. Nicest gesture of the year based on all the nights I have spent in hotel rooms this year. Even without this special treatment I would stay here every time downtown!!!!!",5,0,0,0
4450,bLEXoAb2sQDM0zilEoAieQ,"How can you beat this location? You are 1 block from the Art Institute and Millenium Park. You are located between to L train stations that can take you anywhere in Chicago. You have all the shopping of State street and Michigan Avenue steps away from the hotel. This hotel is gorgeous and elegant and one of Chicago's premier gems. The service was A-1 and the food, both room service and downstairs at the Lockwood restaurant were above average. The rooms were roomy, the bathroom was a bit small, but that didn't bother us. This historic property ""feels"" like Chicago.....if I were visiting Chicago, I would definitely stay here.",5,0,0,0
4451,zSaFtStz3kjyLqWZEuoH9g,"Since the recent major renovation project, Palmer House has looked even more phenomenal than before. Very classy and decadent in it's interior decor, it's a mix of the old with the new. Any personality can take light of the intimacy and nostalgia the lobby brings. A competent bar and restaurant awaits you on both sides of the main lobby, with reception very close by, and an excellent concierge service. Room service will take a toll on your wallet, but at a place like this - you shouldn't be at all surprised. The room rates and size vary according to how much you can pay, so expect to show some franklins if you wish to accommodate a large number of individuals to stay. This definitely isn't a motel six where you can cram a family of five for 80 bucks. My only gripe with the hotel is how the rooms are laid out. It can be a bit of a hassle to reach your final destination - your room. You'd think it was enough to fly, go through security checks, possibly experience the dreaded and inconsistent el from either O'Hare or Midway... but no. It doesn't end when you pick up your room keys. Let's just say I wouldn't want to have a serial killer after me. I'd totally get lost. Overall, an excellent hotel with great customer service, very convenient location (practically in the heart of downtown), and the historical landmark that it is to boot.",4,0,0,0
4452,HlR4dKOBP9VxQWH4RHRF8Q,"At first  glance, the Palmer exudes luxury. It has a gorgeous lobby (as is depicted in the photos on the website and the reviews here), and an art deco charm when you first walk in. It is clearly a hub of events from weddings to meetings with the corporate meeting rooms and the 1000+ rooms to accommodate everyone. However, in the realm of hotels I have experienced as a pleasure and business traveler, I have to admit Palmer House gets an ""eh"" when it comes to the room. My room was a double (to be shared with my sister and mom) while we were attending my cousin's wedding this past weekend. The room itself was spacious and had 2 full (but super super small with no ventilation) bathrooms which were awesome and a blessing in disguise when you have 3 women getting ready in the mornings. But that's pretty much it. The TV was super old school, and sits on one of those old hutches  that are awkward to get around and was about 24 inches max. No coffee maker or mini fridge, thereby forcing you to go to their restaurant  for coffee or waters (although there is an in house Starbucks on the lowest level which is only open until about 8 I think). The restaurant and bar also close super early so we were forced to look elsewhere at 12 am on a Saturday night for late night food and drinks. It is not a hotel I would return to to relax in tranquility as I could hear my neighbors above and next door talk loudly at ALL hours. I give it 1 star for the area in which is sits--super close to State street which has shopping which came in handy on a sweltering 90 degree day, as well as being close to Millennium Park and some good food. A couple of train lines and taxis abound. 3 stars for the AMAZING security team who helped my mom get around by bringing the wheelchair in a timely fashion multiple times a day when requested. Seriously, I don't know how I would have done it without them! Its a big hotel and really hard to get around if you are disabled and need help. Minus 1 star for the quality of the room overall and the lack of some amenities I would expect from a metropolitan hotel. I think if you are looking for a place to crash in while enjoying everything the city of Chicago has to offer, the Palmer will suffice. But if you are looking for something more relaxing and luxurious I would say you may have better luck somewhere else with more modern and updated  amenities.",3,0,0,1
4453,ovanybVW-XWGTtKh5xLlvQ,Margarita had a rotten lime to compliment the rotten waitress.  And whoever thought that blue cheese and spicy buffalo sauce was a good combo for a chicken sandwich should watch some food network--that's were I got my formal training ;). Too pricey for the quality. Never will return even if I got paid for it. Ew.,1,0,0,0
4454,IrGPSmKHfnyfZTWygjcyuA,"If you are looking for old world class and a fabulous entry to impress. The Palmer House is your go-to. I would say it is over-priced but if you are attending New Years or a musical/ball/galla event and are decked out this is probably the place to stay to complete the experience/moment. I love Miller's Pub which a great rib restaurant nearby with a fun atmosphere. Events at the Palmer House are great too. However, if you are looking for a spacious and modern hotel with all the amenities the Palmer House is not your go-to. Old World class and big city grandeur make this a blast from the past in a good way.",4,0,0,0
4455,d0vcw7U35acjfSQTrrrtYA,"I went to a wedding reception at the Palmer House and the Empire room was the perfect setting.  It's old school with black and gold decor and it's just beautiful.  Elegant and very fun.   My one complaint was that the food was pretty bland - which I guess is to be expected when you have 200 people eating steak and chicken at the same time.  The initial course - butternut squash soup was awesome and it sort of went downhill from there.  Don't get me wrong, it was still plated beautifully and it tasted ok, it just wasn't awesome.  And the cake was way too rich.  But overall, a beautiful setting for a happy event, good service, well thought out and nice presentation.",4,0,0,0
4456,7fsFseqysglS4GsaTrIdGw,"Small rooms. My wife and I had a room with two beds and it was still criminally small , AND both beds were less than a footfrom each other. The bathrooms are barely bigger than the laundry closet in my condo. Elevators are slower than Paul Konerko(we were here for Soxfest, hence the slow ballplayer reference), and hotel staff was clueless overall. Overpriced rooms, overpriced parking, overpriced room service, overpriced....well you get the picture. Dont bother. While it's 'pretty"" inside the lobby, it's a dump when you go to your room.",1,1,0,0
4457,6apqBr9rOqHSrKGWeCVY8g,"The hotel in general is a bit of a mixed bag. On the plus side as other reviewers have stated the hotel is absolutely gorgeous and truly reflects the early gilded age luxury it was built for. The staff are friendly and helpful, and the bartenders are more than willing to get a little creative if need be. Unfortunately the luxury aesthetics of the hotel are reflected by its price tag, the rooms start at $200 a night and go up, the food in the restaurant is top-notch but also top-tier, same for the bar and other amenities such as $18/stay internet. Unfortunately there is also no wireless within the rooms and cell phone signal is non-existant within most of the building, both of these are probably factored in by the fact that the building has quite a bit of marble in the interior which will block both of these signals. Staying in downtown chicago I thought there would be a good variety of selection for food, however outside of a pizza place one block away, and a hot dog place 5 blocks away everything consisted of the same recurrent chains every block - you will see at least one of these every 2 blocks: subway, mcdonalds, 7/11, cvs, starbucks - outside of that and the two independently run places i mentioned earlier the closest thing is a trip to the greek section which is about 2 miles away.",3,0,0,0
4458,YGUmC96pL4vgN6DWLP3vpA,"Beautiful and sophisticated hotel located center of Downtown. Great for couples, families, or anyone! Grand entrance doors and staff to provide good 'ol service. The rooms are very spacious. I was accommodated within a one king bed suite and the decor was beautiful: furnished with green, browns and other vibrant colors! Window looked out to Downtown, so it was cool. Has a restaurant in the lobby called 'Lockwood'. Check out my review for that restaurant: http://www.yelp.com/biz/… Also, great shopping accomodations including a friendly lady by the jewlery shop. Awesome discounts!",5,0,0,0
4459,1m0,"The location of this hotel is great if you want to be in the heart of downtown Chicago!  It's close to pretty much everything! We also got a great deal, a single king-sized bed room for $89/night.  The hotel itself, was gorgeous-the lobby ceiling was breath-taking! The one con with the hotel was that the room was TINY.  It's the smallest hotel room I've ever been in!  But I guess being in the City, you're not going to spending much time in the room anyways.",3,0,0,0
4460,78pZlJJWDlL97H4xdWbZoQ,"Three stars for the pretty architecture, lobby and nice staff. However....I must have stayed in one of the rooms that was waiting to be remodeled...I had no wi-fi, the room was tiny and ugly as hell... While room service was fast, the food was not good and WAY overpriced. And I'm pretty sure the sheets here gave me an itchy rash because one suddenly popped up on me and gradually went away after I left. I hope next time my company makes me stay here, I get a better experience.",3,0,0,0
4461,4ljKBDNTARjRCcJ9upo5og,"Stayed here for three nights.  Luckily, I got this room bundled with my flight through United Vacations, so I didn't have to pay the four star prices.  The lobby is really nice, with comfy seats perfect for grabbing a drink from the bar.   The room itself, well, it is obvious this used to be an old hotel.  Extremely small.  With only one bed in the room, one would expect it to be a king, but no, it is just a double.  The bathroom was tiny.  If you have the bathmat down, you can't open/close the door, since it will catch the bathmat.  The sink is horrible.  One of those modern giant bowls protruding from the counter and the water sprays everything on the precious little counter space.   The bed is comfortable, though, with the down comforter and duvet.  The curtains completely block out the light, which explains us sleeping until noon and one pm.  This was not uninterrupted sleep, though, as the sound from the hallway really carries through the door.  I could hear the clanging of room service trays and housekeeping staff.   The gym is adequate, but was a hunt to find.  There were treadmills, bike, ellipticals, steppers, free weights, cables, a ball and mat.  Unfortunately there are no TVs.  Signs indicated that there will be some wonderful new gym/spa.  But for now, it is located in one of the salons next to conference rooms.   Overall, the location is great.  Next to the red line, couple blocks from the blue line connecting to O'hare.  If I were to get a decent rate again, I'd stay here, but I wouldn't preferentially chose it.",3,0,0,0
4462,98lValrFqqeocyPl1mGssQ,"The hotel lobby is beautiful, and very historic.  We really enjoyed hanging out here after hours.  The staff is generally helpful.  The location is great, and with the shops and the starbucks just down the elevator on street level, it's very convenient.  Oh, and the bathroom was also very beautiful. However, we found our room to be too small - there was really no space at all to even walk around.  The bed was so soft my husband opted to sleep on the floor one night.  The concierge helped us out a lot, but you can't reach them by phone - it just keeps ringing.  And for some weird reason, the stores cannot give you any change - they are not allowed and you HAVE to ask the hotel staff for change.  Weird.  I think the price is too high considering the cons.",3,0,0,0
4463,TRQ5YjS2Kh9-Nyx8wlJDHw,"The lobby is beautiful. Other than that, this hotel kind of sucks. Our 14th floor room smelled *really* musty. The bedding would have been beautiful, except for the conspicuous stains on the throw pillows. One can only imagine... No coffee maker in the room! WTF? It was really loud as well. We asked for a room away from the elevator to avoid hearing people trekking in and out all night. But nonetheless, constant noise. And there was some mysterious whirring noise all night long that I think was an ice machine.  Luckily I brought ear plugs. The room looked nice, and the lobby was beautiful, but all-in-all, not a comfy stay at all.",2,1,0,0
4464,8g4m7ox2izf3EPoPzVVxVw,"The Palmer House is a beautiful, classic Chicago hotel.  The lobby is spectacular and the rooms are always spotlessly clean and very comfortable.  The staff is friendly and I have had 2 good stays here  -- once for work and once on vacation.   The reason that I am giving three stars is that I can't believe that they don't have free wi-fi.  In fact, they don't have wireless internet at all!!  I understand that the hotel is a classic, old building but if you have electricity and running water, there is no reason not to provide wireless internet.  And at they prices they charge for one night, it just doesn't make any sense.  During my most recent stay here, I decided that I would just suck it up and pay for the wired internet in the room to do some work only to find that the cord was broken and wouldn't stay connected to my computer without some MacGyver-like maneuvering with duct tape that I was just not in the mood for.  Sigh.   As beautiful as this hotel is, I probably won't stay here again because of the internet situation.",3,0,0,0
4465,CwiaQeMbiWWlWgXNz6q9Zg,"I think this hotel is gorgeous, and the reason it got three stars (instead of two) is its location. I spent a few nights here with my mom for her birthday and we left our car at the hotel, easily walking around the best parts of Chicago and seeing the city the best way. However, I do think the rooms are on the small and simple side for the money you're paying.",3,0,0,0
4466,jh0mPB6ZGtX3tv8V74bZ1Q,"My husband and I got a gift certificate for a overnight weekend stay at a charity auction - so I made reservations, confirmed them, get an early check-in, we were all set. When we got their to check-in and they couldn't find our reservation, we realized (when we pulled up the email confirmation on my husband's phone) that I had made reservations at the wrong Hilton downtown!  I was really worried that we'd have to either stay at the other Hilton and pay full-price, because we didn't have a gift certificate for that Hilton... because the Palmer house definitely seemed really busy. The woman at the registration desk was fantastic - she definitely could have just turned us away - the gift certificate said it could only be used with a reservation. Instead, she was super nice about it and called the other Hilton, got our room cancelled there with no cancellation fees, then she booked us a room with an early check-in at the Palmer House and we used our gift certificate. Many other people would have just said, ""sorry I can't help you"" and moved on - she was fantastic! We LOVED the hotel, the restaurant was delicious and the bar at night was fun, although the drinks were pretty pricey, but we expected that being downtown anyways. I adore this place - can't wait to go back!!",5,0,0,0
4467,JETz9GgNRJtveNJeeDzGcw,i was pleasantly surprised that i had fun at the nye party - i was expecting it to be overcrowded and the bartenders to be skimpy on the drinks. but we had a great time! beautiful building.,4,0,1,0
4468,kDoUNssBiFoUJtLmei54RA,"The lobby is very nice and quite grand.  But then you get upstairs.  Room is small, old tvs, outdated furnishings, gross looking carpet.  Rooms could definitely do with a facelift. $15 wireless connection seems outrageous when so many places offer for free now.",3,1,0,0
4469,-txKXuYwM0uOvVhYDkAmQw,"So, if your not wanting to stay in a chain Hotel with cookie cutter options then this might be your place. Elegant and clean with a location inside the Loop. From the airport take the Blue line and get off at the Monroe stop. $2.25 and 30 minutes later your 2 blocks away.... The rooms are VERY small so get an Executive Floor room and enjoy more room and on the 23rd floor everyday you get breakfast and a bar at night with free munchies. NO WIFI......... ethernet....WTF No flat screen TV. but Showtime is free.... Great GYM for $10 a day.... Parking is $30 a day .... Sweet lounge/bar but pricey...... Overall we had a blast and only paid $95 a night with priceline so it was well worth the price.... Chicago rocks........",3,0,0,0
4470,3MvHg-Tc9-oVxj6uuu,"The place has a beautiful lobby, lounges, and restaurants. Problems...there's nothing specIal besides that. Some rooms are significantly smaller than others but are priced the same. So its luck of the draw when getting a room. I would have given 4 stars but I also asked for well drink at the bar and I was given top shelf. I don't mind paying for top shelf but if you don't have a well alcohol then the customer should be told because I would have rather had a 12 dollar specialty drink than a 15 dollar shot of tequila....",3,0,0,0
4471,JEPK5isk8z9JvCjAqJFCrQ,"A throw back to a better time in America when people were not so obsessed with lower prices and costs.  Fantastic atmosphere and lobby.  Very good service throughout and I loved the bar in the lobby, which seems to jump during the evening.  The room was newly decorated but kept the older walk in closet, which i appreciated.  Make sure you do not get a room by the service elevator as it is quite noisy during the day. The restaurant was pricy for breakfast, but very nice for dinner.  I suggest booking around the corner for breakfast as there are plenty of places on the same block.  Also check out the Berghoff down the street, which has a great bar.",5,0,0,0
4472,GsbPcu,"I must say that I was extremely disappointed with my stay at the Palmer House. Upon first entering the lobby of the hotel, I was very impressed. The ambiance is one of elegance and the presentation was amazing. I was very excited to complete the check-in process and make my way to my room. I knew that there was something strange upon check in - the representative said something about me being in a suite and how that was too large for one person. He then proceeded to downgrade my reservation to a standard room despite my assertion that I did not want to make that change. Dismayed with the check in process I made my way to my room which only increased my frustration with the hotel. The room was small, very small. Although the hotel had recently been renovated, the impression I got was that not much thought had been put into the design/layout of these rooms. The bathroom was terribly small. The toilet was the centerpiece of the room and from there you could adjust the water in the shower or do your hair in the mirror. Okay, so maybe that is a bit of an exaggeration but not much. The only redeeming quality about this room was that the bed was comfortable and clean. Of note - the hotel did not offer wireless internet, the elevators were very slow, and none of the staff seemed overly friendly or engaged. Furthermore, while dining at their main restaurant, I had to wait nearly an hour to get a check after our server went missing. In summary, this will be my first and my last stay at the hotel. If you're only requirement is an impressive lobby, this is the place. If you are looking for comfort and service, I'd recommend you book elsewhere.",2,0,0,0
4473,W8J9mwZeW62e-kqdpzjTzA,"Wonderful old hotel!  We have stayed many times at this historic hotel including on both Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.  Over the last few years, guest rooms have been slowly renovated.  Renovated rooms are now a great mix of antique/traditional/modern decor.  Especially enjoy the black & white celebrity photos from the old Empire Room lining the halls of the Hilton Honors floors.   Great that pets are accepted--too bad that the are now charging $75....few years ago there was no pet fee.  Also regret that Trader Vics is no longer downstairs--now that was history!",4,0,0,0
4474,jdHnTL,"+ less than a block from the red line, two from the blue, and the wabash exit puts you really close to the adams/wabash stop on the loop + we lucked out and ended up getting a huge king room on the honors floor for crazy cheap - there were dirty glasses in the room and it took them a long time to get us replacements - on a busy saturday there were two people working the lobby (1 at concierge and 1 at check-in).  wtf?   - there are charges for everything!  consider asking for a room that faces state street, you might be able to use some internet. + the bed was huge, the sheets were nice and clean, and the thermostat worked",3,0,0,0
4475,KExoEwMHhxzoI2xt5nZfmA,"Let me start by saying we got our room for free for the weekend because I had free night certificates from Hilton.  Upon arriving, we valeted the car but got no assistance with our bags or the door for that matter.  There was plenty of staff waiting to help us at the desk.  They let us check in way early for their policy, but put us in a room where I could touch the tub, sink, toilet, and door all at the same time.  Maybe I don't quite appreciate the history of the place, but this was ridiculous.  I called and they moved us to another room in about an hour.  Not too shabby considering it was free; however if I were a paying customer I would have been disappointed.  The executive lounge was great and we enjoyed snacks and breakfast there, but I didn't appreciate the pretentious lady at the desk up there who looked at us like we didn't belong when asking for a map of the area.  GET OVER YOURSELF!  The second day we waited for over 30 mins for the car- only to figure out that they had forgot to go get it!  No biggie if it's nice out, but quite a different story when its 20ish. We did enjoy our stay, but like I said, if we were paying the normal rate, we would have been disappointed.",3,0,0,0
4476,LdSkxyppJLzouvJaFtAV7Q,"What a beautiful hotel.  Girls night out, and we chose this hotel for many reasons but convience is main one.  While checking in, we got ice cream!  Our rooms were spacious and roomy.  Bathroom a bit small, but what did you want for an old hotel.  On the executive floor on 23, lots of tables to mill about, we liked that we could spread out.  We brougth caviar and spread with our own wines and enjoyed pre dinner festivities.  I guess we didnt need get all that we did because the appetizers would have been fine iwth our caviar!!!",5,0,0,0
4477,uMCUpWAikT3kgja7lwu5TQ,"Wowza.  After their remodel this place looks amazing.  I love the blast from the past glamour: there are black and white photos of Hollywood icons who have performed here in the Empire Room on the walls of the guest floors.  The lobby is amazing - more like a European museum than a hotel lobby.  The peacock touches are right up my alley, and manage to stay somewhat subtle.  The peacock door near the main entrance; the peacock carpets, some more subtle than others - love.   My sleeping room is not the norm (I magically ended up in a suite, which is huge and I can easily entertain a group of at least 5 others so please feel free to stop by), but it is spectacular.  I love that they kept some old pieces (I'm looking at you doorknobs) to mix in with the new. The food has been very, very good.  The service even better (people say hello to you when it would even be reasonable for them not to - but they stop and greet you anyway.  AND it's not even like some canned comment that they clearly ""have to"" say to guests.).  Best chocolate chip cookies in the world. Love the trivia in the elevator (did you know this 1600 room hotel was a WEDDING GIFT for Bertha Palmer from her husband?!  I mean, it's no Taj, but still!).  This hotel is full of history and I am completely smitten. My only little complaint - why oh why can't I just have wireless in my room?  Why do I have to go fill out a form for a thing?  I'm in my jammies already and I just want to watch Glee in bed instead of sitting at the desk; is that too much to ask? I have absolutely had a five star experience here, but because I know that not all rooms are created equal and some are quite small and oddly shaped, and because as a planner all of the union regulations are redonk, I'm incredibly tempted to dock a star.  I can't bring myself to do it, but just buyer beware, okay?",5,4,1,2
4478,OxE3AnHM3kMP7nwMPg4vTA,"Great location downtown next to Art Institute, Mellenium Park and public transportation. Room was fairly small, but not too claustraphobic. However, the walls are quite thin. I would recommend this place for tourists and business travelers simply for location.",3,0,0,0
4479,Qvxucsr1t1VNjTcj5INw9g,"Pros: great room, beautiful hotel,  great location Cons: parking is NOT conveniently located (unless you want to pay alot more for valet at the hotel the doorman told me this) Small batnrom Bad view of alley They overcharged me 50 bucks on my bill, not responsive to my complants, still. Not resolved...",4,0,0,0
4480,EAQ8IaKYGFotNv0cwsIgEQ,"The room and hotel itself was nice.  The service was terrific.  All the employee's we talked to were friendly, nice, and very positive.  The service was excellent!",4,0,0,0
4481,0nxPjniaae7mGHLVxHyeIQ,"Loved, loved, loved the Palmer House Hotel. We had stayed at the Hyatt on Wacker for the first three nights of our Chicago trip because that was where my husband's conference was. We had to change hotels when the Hyatt couldn't accommodated a longer stay. This turned out to be such a blessing! The Palmer made the Hyatt look like a grossly overpriced dump. Our one year old son's knees were filthy from crawling on the floors at the 'newly renovated' Hyatt. His knees were pristine while at the historical Palmer. Also, there were five - yes five! - weddings on the Saturday of our stay, so the hotel was very busy. Even with that, we had no noisy neighbors disturb our son's naps or sleep at night. The building is stunning. Our room was huge (which might be because we agreed to take a smoking room, which was fume-free after leaving the window open a while we out exploring the city). And we got a mind-boggling fantastic deal on our room through Priceline.",5,0,0,0
4482,LZhYfjylCTo6x5TjjsKwbQ,"This is a very historic hotel that caters to the well off. My personal experience was interesting & rewarding yet unsatisfying. Obviously I have special needs with my disability yet the job to accommodate that was feeble at best. The bathrooms are small and few & difficult to navigate. There are even stairs and NO ramp to one of the main lounges featured bar. Top it off this is the downstairs.. Now Imagine how bad the rooms are for the disabled. They charge for everything.... the wifi even in the main lobby has a ridiculous fee. Lets not even get me started with the parking... LOL With the ""rich history"" comes a lack of vision toward the future. The atmosphere was stimulating & stuffy. The people were down to earth but yet on another planet. The staff where great, but that is what you expect for such a pricey hotel. Food was good but pricey as where the drinks. Location was well what can I say it is the tourist center of downtown.",2,0,0,0
4483,Klhhl1j9EdySqKXLovG6Ow,Excellent hotel in the old school.  Discreet and helpful staff.  Beautiful property.,4,0,0,0
4484,S3nA3D,"this is the best service I have ever had at an event. it is unreal the level of care and joy the servers have for making things enjoyable for you, especially if you have dietary restrictions. it was really touching, to be honest. :)",5,4,2,1
4485,mssu2daL5Dae6H2VNcj6Ug,"The hotel is very nicely done up. Exactly what you would expect from a prime location such as this one. The hotel is a blend between old fashioned style and modern ikea furniture. The room was really nice and I loved the fact it was sweepingly large. I had a fantastic time here. I would like to return to this hotel, if they were having another special like they were when I stayed. Otherwise I would imagine this place would be pretty pricey.",4,4,0,2
4486,lrw3vydWFCvpPKtPtagm4Q,"Ambiance, location and staff are excellent! $61 valet parking and 19,99 a day in room Internet access: ridiculous!",3,0,0,0
4487,OxOfaTkbkFUitEOAzvrlCg,"Historic hotel, outdated (historic) elevator system that will leave you waiting for a LONG time if the hotel is booked with convention guests.  Beautiful lobby, small rooms.",3,0,0,0
4488,mrTSDW9HqZHdi47WBvTfGg,"at the time of my stay, they were doing some major renovation to the place. so i felt a little cheated for not having able to experience what it had to offer. although  both the restaurant and the bar were open, i was not able to take advantage of it. the stay was very nice, i had a double bed room. the room has a very old, antique-ish feel to it. the bathroom was nice and clean but it was not fully stocked with all the bath essentials (shampoo, conditioner and lotion). i might also note that the bathroom had a ""mildew"" smell....ya.....pretty gross.  the room came with all the normal amenities that you would expect from a hotel EXCEPT a coffee maker! i am a dedicated morning coffee drinker and not having a coffee maker in the room really ruins my stay. =( i like the location of the hotel because its a short walk to any fast restaurant or a mini mart if you want to go grab a snack or something. its in the theater district so if you're in town for a show, this would be a good spot to stay. its also VERY close to the Art Museum (just one block) which also means a short walk to Grant and Millennium Park.   just a note, since they dont have coffee makers in their room, it does appear that they are opening a starbucks in the lobby area. there's also a cornery bakery right next door. overall my stay was pleasant and a descent experience at a historical chicago hotel.",3,3,2,1
4489,8Dv1gGFDfeI7d3Z,"My friends and I attended the New Year's Eve party here yesterday. I had never been inside the place before then but had heard great things about it from friends. The lobby area is very ornate and elegant. It literally feels like you're walking into a gold mine or something. The rooms are a different story, however. It was very small, the beds were full size, which is something I had never seen in a [Hilton] hotel before. The bathroom has the be the smallest bathroom I've ever seen in my entire life. One person couldn't really be in there comfortably, forget about having two! Motel 6 has bigger bathrooms than this. The lighting is super poor and the view was terrible. What really turned me off was the staff at the hotel did not allow alcohol in the rooms. They made up some BS about licensing agreements and other legal mumbo jumbo, but really it was just an excuse for them to get more money out of people, because they said if they found alcohol in a room they were going to charge a ""cork fee"" of $60 per bottle. So, you're meaning to tell me that after already paying for a night in your hotel, plus paying to go to the party, you're going to charge me for having liquor that I PAID FOR MYSELF??? I don't think so! If I come back here, it won't be to stay. The event itself was very nice and the restaurants and lounges seemed posh, so I'd come back for those.",2,0,0,0
4490,7dzdQCI4B7suRSossM0QTw,"I stayed here for business, and I was assigned an oversized closet of a room with a full bed. It was the smallest room ever. I complained to the front desk and so they gave me a double room instead, which was considerably larger. I stayed here while they were renovating so the rooms were outdated and weren't the best.",2,2,1,1
4491,KaHzx61r81hXsOveSJIo9Q,"A great downtown place to stay.  The perfect location.  It seemed like everything downtown was just steps away.  So was the El, which made all of Chicago steps away.  Great bed and shower, and I liked being surrounded by all the history.   I was put off by some of the extra charges, which seemed exorbitant.  Parking is one, but that was not a problem for me.  Why do people drive to Chicago anyway?  Any other way to get there is better.  Internet access was $15 a day, which is irritating when really cheap motels where I stay NEVER charge for wi-fi.     And I could have really used a late check-out, just an hour or so,  but they charge FIFTY DOLLARS to check out even one hour late.  Geez.  So I hauled my small suitcase around for a couple of hours between hotel check-out time and Chicago-departure time.   No cheap motel has ever charged me anything for a late check-out, either.   So the Palmer House can be a great place to stay IF you don't need any extras.",3,1,0,0
4492,GP3-cJlwqAWwhrxvu4jhaQ,The Palmer House is indeed a 5-star hotel. I stayed overnight while attending a conference for the last 2 years. I just love that hotel. The rooms are so beautiful and comfortable. The service is excellent.  I travel a lot and stay at many hotels.  The Palmer House is top-notch!,5,1,2,1
4493,Icg6WFwXZpugqK2nP1uVqA,Ummm..... entertainingly opulent.,4,2,0,0
4494,ZmzpB3BtszAaC44QYkmINQ,"The Palmer House is so cool.  I stayed there a few months ago and got a great price on Priceline.  The room I stayed in had been updated and was very comfortable and very nice.  The hotel itself is just so old Chicago - historic and beautiful.  Several months ago I went with my daughter-in-law and son to look at the Honore ballroom for their wedding. It was stunning - a huge room with a marble fireplace - so elegant.  The ballroom is right outside of Potter's Lounge, very classy, hip lounge which we would have used for the cocktail hour prior to going to dinner in the ballroom.  You notice I say ""would have"" - so very sad. The wedding coordinator there met with us, showed us everything, provided some initial pricing and then NEVER got back to my daughter-in-law with a proposal.  I could not believe it.  She actually had the nerve to contact me at work about 4 weeks after we met with her to see if we were still interested!  Anyway, as pretty as the Palmer House was, my son and his gorgeous wife just held their reception at the W Lakeshore and it was awesome!   So, great historic hotel - very poor follow-up!",4,2,0,0
4495,P,"We decided to try out the spa and were very disappointed in the staff, the services we received, and the set up. First off we were asked to change our appointment for a scheduling conflict. There was no conflict, there was no one there, we had to wait for staff to arrive. Be warned, if you want to ""steam"" first, the steam room is on another floor, and you may burn yourself if the steam has been turned too high. We both ordered the same service but received different treatments that were not consistent in time or  content. The staff all around could use some training in customer service,  staff were obviously in positions  above their ability, and were not professional about their business.",1,2,0,0
4496,bXxCksfireaWLS9tuxB56A,Opulence.  I hazzzz it.,5,1,1,1
4497,s8h33qIP83aAZWVJth2gUg,Beautiful room!. Great service!. Fantastic location!. Scenic lobby!.,5,1,1,1
4498,-16Nqe1e0y7Vm0NRsBh,"I booked this room for New Years Eve  a month ahead of time.  For the price I paid I believe I got a great room with a 32in LG LCD.  The location is excellent being at the center of everything and the room's were cozy but still comfortable.  The King sized bed was soft but was still able to get my full 8 hours and I own a Tempurpedic King at home.  The room size was more than what my girlfriend and I needed.  The only thing that was not so great was the view but that could be from my specific part of the building I was at.  I could not hear my neighbors and I know that my entire floor was booked.  I had excellent customer service from the front desk.  Beautiful lobby!  The security at night was tight but this was understandable since it was New Years Eve.  I just showed them my key card  and was let in no problem.  There so was much anger for those not allowed back in without cards.  They seemed to have quite large egos and made huge scenes as if they were not allowed on a life boat during the sinking of the Titanic.  I I turned around and said ""First class passengers and women and children first only my good man"" then I got flicked off.  No Humor in people anymore.   The toilet was powerful enough to take down a spicy Thai dinner and the toilet paper was nice and soft.  Great water pressure and warm/hot water for the shower.  All around a great stay.",5,0,0,0
4499,xbS6mQw3Xuei0UWGjFEHJQ,"Wow, what an amazingly posh hotel! My parents stayed here over the weekend and I got to spend a fair amount of time here. The height of luxury! Nice large room. Two cushy chairs. Mod furniture. Fairly small bathroom, but how much time are you going to spend in there when you're visiting Chicago? I love that they use CFL bubs in the rooms. Also, they have notes about the sheets and that they try to conserve water by washing them only when requested. Environmentally responsible. If I was a visitor from out of town and in search of a very nice place to stay, this is where I would choose.",5,1,1,1
4500,BKRKAAdsxJ4lXWMMvF5dAA,"Did I book the Palmer House on Hotwire- Yes! Did I get it for $100 on a Sat. night-  Yes!  I am not even joking this was the convo I had with the front desk guy. Stuff like this would only happen to Ben Stiller in meet the parents.  Me:  We are checking in.  Clerk:  We have the parlor room for you on executive level.  It comes with free breakfast.  Me: Sounds great.  Clerk:  The room doesn't have a bed in it. Me:  Wait .  .  . You are trying to give us a room without a bed in it.  Clerk:  it is a very spacious room, we could try and get a roll away for you.  Me:  uhhh.  . That's not going to work for us. Clerk:  that is the only room we have available.  Me: the only room you have doesn't have a bed.  You are going to have to try harder than that.  Clerk:  Well.  .  .how about a smoking room. Me: No- try again.  Finally normal room non smoking.  .  . And that jackwagon was trying to give us a room without a bed.  RIDICULOUS!!!!!",2,1,0,2
4501,Umlp4n-GP0ld4JezuKGkxA,"Your lobby is georgous, but the table service sucks.  Lounging in the area between Lockwood and Potter's Lounge, I ordered a hot chocolate which arrived quickly enough, but when I tried to pay the lady, she said she'd come back.  She never did, even though other groups got their bills.  Trouble was, I was short on time and didnt have the patience for this shit, so I tried to track her down.  No luck.  Had to get the hostess at Lockwodd to find my bill, which by the way was almost $5.50.  For a small cup of hot chocolate and shitty service.  Go to hell.",2,1,0,2
4502,Eq65hqimGibElkswyK35DA,"This has to be the classiest and and oldest hotel I've ever stayed at. It was a great experience, excellent room service. I hate some excellent Kobe beef hamburgers, crab cakes, and salmon. The rooms were small though, but I stayed in a newly renovated room. And it was down the street from my training office.",4,1,1,1
4503,VPIFHiF60e7T5JKql8TyxQ,"For one of the most expensive hotels in The Loop, I was very dissatisfied with the way I was treated when I went to check in.  The front desk said ""hello."" However, when he discovered that my reservation was through Priceline for a discounted rate, then the niceties ended.  Immediately he starts to upsell my father and I to suite on the executive level for an extra $80/night with lots of free amenities.  When we declined, he lowered the price to $50/night.  Keep in mind I was already paying $125/night through Priceline.  Knowing that my reservation was 2 persons, he stuck my Dad & I with a single person dorm room.  The room itself was barely bigger than the bed and there were no closets.  To add insult to injury, there were lots of normal sized 2 bed rooms that were empty.  I even verified this with the cleaning staff on the floor.  When I went back to the front desk  and spoke to the same rude person that check us in and asked to speak with a manager.  The manager would not speak to us, but conveyed to the front clerk that miraculously that there was a room with 2 beds available that was handicapped accessible.  The rooms was normal sized, but the windows were on 3 floor with no view because there was some metal structure blocking any daylight from coming into the room.  They also refused to change my room again even when said I give them a bad review online and they basically shrugged.  If you are paying $350/night, they are nice.  If you are paying a Priceline discount rate, they treat you like a second class citizen.",1,3,0,0
4504,X-M-OY3SUcxAAsTOZXv,"Historic old hotel with a lovely lobby and bar area.  My boyfriend and I stayed here over our anniversary for semi-cheap because we booked on Hotwire or Priceline or some damn thing.  The rooms are only okay, though.  We mysteriously had a room with two (comfortable) queen size beds and two bathrooms, so it was large, but it didn't have the elegance of the lobby.  I'd happily come back, though!",4,1,1,0
4505,8pkIdOuQf6pTAt2p2FV2HQ,I spent New Year's Eve here and had a spectacular time! First the bar in the lobby had some great drinks. The empire room didn't have anything going on so my date and I went in and talked and slow danced and then went for more drinks. We didn't make reservations for dinner so had dinner at the Lockwood. Great service. My food was okay and my date's was phnomenal! He took me on a tour of the place and told me about some of the history. And of course the lobby is breathtaking. I'm not so sure why so many people are unhappy with their rooms because there's so much to do outside of the room - how much time do you really spend in there? We spent about 5 hours total between getting ready and having breakfast and a catchin a few zzzzz's. The bed was sooo comfortable! And the showers get really hot and have good water pressure. It was enough room for two people to relax and not feel cramped. My only gripe is that we ordered some room service and we paid $40 for 4 half sized diet cokes on ice. And heads up! Any room service you order there is a fee and a tip added on for you.... I caught myself tipping my breakfast guy $5+. Had I done that He would have gotten over $12 for rolling our cart up to our room..... Breakfast was good but not $50 good.,4,1,1,0
4506,PU6Qlv7s8Bdv09sebR2UJQ,"Walking into this hotel makes me feel like I'm in 1920s/30s Chicago, when everything was jazz! liquor! hacha! whoopie!  Very old-fashioned, but elegant. Great room service as well. Would definitely recommend it to others and stay here again.",4,1,0,1
4507,WbBCuShYoNWXijOcDxmYFQ,"The Palmer House will definitely be my hotel of choice when visiting Chicago. Centrally located in the Loop, it is a beehive of activity. A little tidbit of trivia: it was originally built in 1871, but burned down 13 days later in the Great Chicago Fire. It was then rebuilt, apparently ""fireproof,"" making it one of the oldest hotels in the country. The interior has absolutely gorgeous vintage opulence. There is a bar in the lobby area, as well as a newly renovated ""Potter's Bar"" (which used to be Trader Vic's, the oldest Tiki bar in Chicago). Our room on the 15th floor was beautifully decorated; a pleasant step through a time warp to the distant past. The only modern problems: wireless internet & cell phone got poor reception.",4,1,1,0
4508,k1WmMKffLi167QNPUc-fuA,"I was SO excited to spend a night at the fabled Palmer House this past spring!  My place of business had rented a room there so some of us could get changed after preparing for an event on Michigan Avenue, and I decided to crash there overnight before heading home the next morning.  The room was small. Very small.  But, okay, the Palmer House has been there since, when?  the late 1800's?  So I'll excuse the size of the room.  Decorating? Gauche. And NO FAN in the BATHROOM!  Imagine three women trying to shower, change, do hair in a postage stamp room when there's no fan in the bathroom.  All of the mirrors were fogged over.  NOT good.   After the event, I was ready for a great night's sleep. It was around 12:30 when I crawled into bed. At 1:45, someone started banging on the door across the hall, and yelling for ""LaShonda"" to wake up.  this went on for about three minutes, and, just as I was about to call security, LaShonda got out of bed, opened the door, explained that she was drunk and had puked all over the place, and let the door banger in.  I fell asleep again at about 2:30.  At 4AM, the guy in the room next to me decided it was time to call Mike and see if they could ""get some women.""  Bill, the other guy in Mike's friend's room, kept saying, ""It's 4 o'clock in the morning."" But Mike's friend, apparently had a deep need for a woman.  I didn't know whether to call the front desk or yell through the wall the suggestion that Mike's friend and Bill go across the hall and get LaShonda.  After about ten minutes, I heard the door bang and Bill and Mike's friend headed out onto the mean streets of Chicago to look for women.  Then, at about 7, the families started trundling down the hall with their wheeled suitcases and squeaky-voiced children.  This eventful night at the Palmer House set my company back $321.  Maybe they have extremely nice suites available for more than that, with sound proofing that really keeps you from hearing about LaShonda's puking or Mike's friend's need for women, but I would not go back. Ever.  We complained to the management, and they were unmoved.  So, in this case, you get 'way less than you pay for. Does not live up to hype or its storied history.",2,1,0,1
4509,8f-z,"Fabulous!!  They now have a Starbucks in the building for coffee in the morning!!  The lobby bar is a gorgeous place to go and just relax.  It almost makes you want to put on that ballgown and head to a party.  The rooms are very comfortable, the beds felt so cozy, and all the extra pillows made everything feel like home.  It seems as if everything is within walking distance, or at least a short cab ride away.  The history of the building is seen in every turn, and it is exquisite.  I could live in this hotel.  It is one of my favorites.",5,1,1,0
4510,w0A3VmpDqDTxkMhlOmXupQ,"This hotel is a wonder of history and metropolitan elegance. Tucked away deep inside ""The Loop"", The Palmer House offers convenient access to just about anywhere in the Chicago Area. This area of the City is really safe, even during the wee party hours allowed in Downtown. There are a number of restaurants and bars within walking and cabbing distance from the Hotel, and a 10 minute walk gets you right to Lake Michigan and Millennium Park.",5,1,1,0
4511,Fxzmw4Wy,"Small rooms, loud street noise from the El, old furnishings, and expensive ""extras"" make the Palmer House a plain rip off.  The lobby is impressive and gorgeous, and yes, some of the rroms  have been renovated, but I've been stuck in an older room for a week, which sucks.  Throw in another $18 for internet per day and another $18 per day for use of the health club and the cost adds up.  I would definitely look elsewhere!",1,1,0,0
4512,1BD,"There's no Chicago luxe like late 19th century Chicago luxe. Because of it's uniqueness, beauty, and proximity to the Shedd Aquarium, we selected the Palmer House for our wedding weekend room block. I had been to the Palmer House for fabulous and fun events before, but never before stayed there. The special events staff is very easy to work with and quick to reply to emails. It seemed like our event kept changing hands, but that everyone seemed to know what was going on. We kept adding guests after our rate had supposedly ended, and they did it without fuss. One of those rooms was a room for me for Friday night, a reservation which I made myself with the special events manager. First impressions arriving were pretty good. If you are not valeting a car (which is really expensive) that needs to stand for about 10 minutes while you unload, I would highly recommend entering on the Monroe and NOT the Wabash side. The L passing overhead on Wabash is deafening. The porters brought out two carts to carry our suitcases and 6 dresses (for my mom, sister, and I for the rehearsal and the wedding). They told us to check in and get comfortable and they would bring it right up. They did, which was great service. Now when my sister and I got to the room, I was shocked to see how tiny it was.This was one of the older, not rehabbed rooms.  I mean, I know it's an old hotel, but still! I was calling as the bride for a 60-room wedding block and that was the best they had? I ended up hanging my dress from the air conditioning vent because the closet wasn't big enough for it, and we had to move it over like a curtain to exit the room. In terms of sleeping, I thought that the mattress in the room was too soft. You may think I was being a princess on the room size, but I definitely was not. The next morning, my sister/maid of honor forced me to ""sleep in"" (awoke at 5:30am -- sleep fail), and then she ordered us room service. When the server arrived, he said, ""Good morning -- wow, this is a small room!"" THAT's how you know it's a small room -- when the man who has probably seen half the hotel and who is probably coached on making you feel like a welcomed guest comments on it! Anyway, the deluxe oatmeal my sister got us was very good.   That afternoon, we checked into a suite. Wooooooooohooooo! Talk about an upgrade! For about twice the price, we got five times the space: two bathrooms, a master bedroom, a dining room, a full desk, a living room/TV space, and a half kitchen. It was completely redone, as was the entire 10th floor. It was the perfect space to cyclone through before your big day -- shoes all over the floor, flower boxes, bobby pins flying everywhere. That suite could handle it. I slept like a rock in there. The regular rooms being cleaned that I peeked into while going down the hallways also looked very nice. If you have the cash or are willing to splurge for a special occasion, I say do it! The rich, ornate lobby and city streets that surround the Palmer House are gorgeous and perfect for touring, entertainment, and for photography. The lobby bar serves some very good drinks, including a seriously decked-out Bloody Mary. One thing about the lobby bar though -- the bartenders were pretty creepy to me. Another friend described them as total jerks. We had reserved a separate suite for the wedding after-party, and that purpose was expressly communicated to the Palmer House. The hotel failed to move one very ornery guest next door to the suite who was complaining at 4pm about noise coming from the suite when 6 friends were watching a football game. So we knew there was going to be trouble later. Sure enough, at 1:00am when our guests come back, there's a knock on the door. 3 hotel staff tell us we have to stop. My husband flatly and loudly tells them that that's not a solution we'll accept because they knew the purpose of the room and they knew this guest who was complaining was a problem earlier. I also reminded them about the business we're driving to the hotel. Eventually, one of the staff persons gets the brilliant idea to take us down to one of the party/conference rooms on the lower level of the hotel.  Way to problem solve! We pick up all the champagne and music and follow him, and the party merrily continued on until 5:30am (sans me and Alex). The next morning, we had a nice farewell breakfast at the hotel. I would avoid anything on biscuits -- they were too buttery or something. The texture was off. We continued to lounge around in the hotel lobby with friends and family for about 2 hours after we checked out without hassle. Friends of ours who were staying in Chicago for several days but had checked out of the Palmer House that morning were able to leave their bags with the front desk for at least 24 hours.",4,1,0,0
4513,DARoIiapDmwYSoIljTz69w,"ok this is a fancy hotel, the decor and ambiance lives up to that. But what kind of place charges for internet access AND use of the fitness room? Seriously? No thanks.",1,0,0,0
4514,wMj79yzch-8vFf76D,"We just had a long weekend getaway to Chicago and the Palmer House took good care of us. We prepaid online for a room on the Executive Levels and got a great deal. The room was large, the bed was so comfy, the sheets were very nice. The lounge on the 23rd floor had cookies out in the afternoon, hot hors d'ouevres in the evening (plus a cash bar), light breakfast fare in the morning, and coffee and drinks all day long. This was a really nice bonus to staying there. The lobby is beautiful, the bar closes a bit early though for a city like Chicago. The staff was friendly, the location is near several train lines for zipping around, the nearby restaurants weren't the absolute best but overall I am very glad we chose to stay here.",4,1,0,0
4515,hNLCMrfMk1UF9q-fncQ50Q,"This review is intended for the hotel lobby.. yes, the hotel lobby.  Who knew I'd ever be writing a review dedicated to a lobby?  I haven't stayed in the rooms and I understand its cramped and shows its age... Came to the Palmer House for a prix fixe Christmas dinner at the restaurant attached to the hotel but was in awe of the history and grandness of the lobby.  Pictures don't do justice.  I'll be back next time to try the lobby bar.",5,1,0,0
4516,2rAluy8Wix5XjxPaUAxh3A,"I've stayed at this hotel in two occasions. The rooms are just ok, not bad. For some reason I never get a nice view here. The lobby is what is really gorgeous, I've seen people take their wedding pictures at the lobby. Very pretty. But since you're not sleeping in the lobby, I'm giving it 3 stars. What I don't like about the Palmer House is that so many people stay here that it gets really hectic, so it doesn't feel very cosy or relaxed for a hotel. The lower level of the hotel that leads to the streets, makes me feel like I'm at a mall, with the Starbucks and the crowd in the halls... Location it's awesome though, oh and the restaurant by the lobby is pretty good too. I stay here only when I find a great deal.",3,1,0,0
4517,JC1p1S4eKabdhk7lIUvFOQ,If you want a hotel that has historic ambiance this is the place.,5,1,0,0
4518,KKHCCnA6gaYCMbmztT-lww,"The hotel is billed as a four-star property. The room I stayed in last week did not have a fridge/mini-bar, no coffee maker or water heater of any sort, an old 23-ish inch CTR TV that could only muster a grainy image. Another great amenity was 7$/hr wifi in the lobby. Also, their famous brownie is not very exciting at all, skip it.",2,2,0,0
4519,zIA68vHJdBENqSSvEV4jzA,"Fancy hotel.  However, it's being remodeled.  Hence the great deal I got on Hotwire.  It'll probably be great in 2008, when it's slated to be completed.  Our room was spacious and clean.  Walls are a little thin, though.  Not only did I hear the headboard being jackhammered by our neighbor, but the walls were thin enough to hear how much the female was enjoying her jackhammering.",4,0,0,2
4520,ayMTEJ6jjbgn33K-i8HiFQ,"I stayed here literally every other week for practically a year before i moved to Chicago permanently in April of 07. Its new renovations reveal the true beauty of this architectural masterpiece. The building has great history and excellent service. kind of a pricey place to stay, but hey when its on the companies charge card, go for it !",4,0,1,0
4521,8oh5buQJveM54Ipbez,"The hotel has a beautiful lobby. Very large. I think the ceilings in the lobby were at least 3 stories tall. Wonderful architecture. Very classy. Now to the rooms. I had a King room that I booked on Priceline. You don't get to select the type of room on priceline like you do on expedia, orbiz, or any other travel site, so I had to call to make sure I had a King room.  I was also told by a friend to ask for the more renevated room, which I was able to get, (I guess).  The room was very very small. the bed was about 6 or 7 feet from the door. The room had a desk and a chair, but no extra comfy chair. No dresser to store my clothing. The ice bucket and two glasses were stored in the closet because there was no room to put it. The flat screen tv was mounted on the wall but a whole in the wall where the cable comes from was right in the middle of the wall (tacky) including all the wires to the tv halfway hanging down from the tv. (tacky again).  The bathroom was ok, small but ok.     I order room service, a $12 cheeseburger and soda turned out to be $32 after state tax, city tax, room service fee, 18% gratuity for room service orders. And the guy acted like he wanted a tip when he brought in the tray. Seriously?? A soda in the vending machine was $2.50 and so was bottled water. Luckily there was a 7-elevan down the street for my late night cravings.     I put the do not disturb sign on the door because I wanted to sleep in late that next saturday morning. At 8am I am waken up by vacuuming by my door. Mind you the bed is close to the door. I felt like I was being punked. I guess do not disturb in only to keep the maids from knocking on your door. They didnt finish vacuuming the long azz hallway til and hour and a half later.     There was no view from my window, only the back fire escape and the building next to me.     I would never stay at this hotel or suggest anyone stay here.",1,0,0,2
4522,ZdR0uOLK1QeKUP1sVjQ,"Was excited to stay at such a historic hotel...but instead of old fashioned charm..just ended up with old. The rooms are super small and noisy (requested a room change so we ended up with a quieter room that was slightly larger), and it's really hard to even turn around in the small bathroom. But the bed is comfy and all the neccessities are there. Plus it's such a great location; and it's steps away from the train. I got such a great deal for the hotel on priceline that I was satisfied with what I got...but if I had to pay even remotely their regular price it'd be 2 stars tops. Oh...and the hairdryer is hanging on back of the door...just in case you're looking...",3,1,0,1
4523,sGqp32jFwvqiJUTjyRb,"I love gilded, I just can't help myself.  Old is just so good looking.",5,0,1,0
4524,lJ25R4pxzlwDkp9FU-alZA,"The Palmer House is a large, old, but still grand hotel in Chicago's Loop. Although it has been surpassed by newer and brighter properties with larger rooms and shinier amenities, this place has one of the finer hotel lobbies in Chicago. Take a look at the ornate details on the walls and ceilings of the second floor lobby, perhaps on your way to get a drink or use the public bathrooms. The guest rooms are rather standard in size, and those along the ""L"" tracks can be a bit noisy.",4,0,0,0
4525,xr2,I went to a wedding here three years ago and everything was simply timeless elegant.  It's very beautiful in a classic way and everything was set up nicely and the staff was a treat.,4,0,0,0
4526,6kj6E099LKuDAyx5gxkfBA,"If the rooms in this hotel matched the style and substance of the lobby, boy would this place be something. As it is, most of the rooms I've stayed in are indistinguishable from a Holiday Inn. The bars in the hotel are decent, but the concierge staff doesn't do so good - rely too much on recommending the restaurants right next to the hotel, which are less than good.",3,0,0,0
4527,GI9edkawbduPx82tLN6vuA,I think place was overpriced for what I got in return. I felt that the registration counter people were not helpful and not very polite. They failed to mention that the gym cost $18 a day when I called to confirm that they had one. The Starbucks inside the hotel was over priced. It took over 24 hours for them to bring us a cork screw that was requested. They failed to mention that in room Internet was free because of the conference that we were in town for. Be warn the lowest Internet package was $15. The beds were on the small side for full/queen and small sized rooms if you have more than two people staying in the room. I liked the location of the hotel and their maid staff was very friendly but bases that I think I look into another hotel next time I visit.,3,0,0,0
4528,KrZM2mxJWR89yvOm5IjRKw,"Last fall I was at the Palmer House Hilton for a law firm awards dinner in the Grand Ballroom.  The service was speedy and well choreographed, the food was good, and the room itself was ornate and beautiful.  It's a great traditional old-school hotel.  Potter's Lounge at the Palmer House is also a good lounge/bar to go for drinks and appetizers after work.",4,0,0,0
4529,LzycZH5dgpDxPE6myqcmuQ,Great place for the price.  $219.00 a night on the executive level floors with two bathrooms and two full size beds.  It also included breakfast and h'deorves in the evening.    The architecture is beautiful but the hotel is dated and doesn't seem to know its true identity.  The new Spa that opened was 4$$$$ expensive for what was received.  Better going to a off site nail salon or massage parlor for real spa treatments at better prices.,3,0,0,0
4530,B1l5Rj0G3rcND900wxCvhA,"Nice room, small though. Great place to stay in the middle of downtown.",3,0,0,0
4531,iP5ZD7pA06rLYsDsL2jVmA,"I attended a wedding here last weekend, and it was gorgeous!  The room was beautiful and the sauteed garlic shrimp appetizer was to die for.  Seriously, that was probably the best thing I've ever eaten at a wedding.  I want to go back for more!  It was a pretty big wedding of over 300 people, but I dont think that is an excuse for nothing but exceptional service.  Our corner table was forgotten a few times, and I even had to get up to ask someone to deliver our pasta dish.  All in all, the food was good even if the service wasn't.  Plus, I loved the room the wedding was in.  I'd definitely recommend checking it out for your wedding.",4,0,0,0
4532,kdhQs2mr2ep4dz31GInXWA,"The lobby is absolutely gorgeous and the remodeled rooms are decorated nicely but... rooms are also teeny-tiny and kinda oddly laid out (we had two front doors on a really small room - I can't imagine it used to be 2 micro rooms but maybe so?).  What really ruined it for me was the paper thin walls, or maybe the other guests were just REALLY loud the weekend we stayed there? I could barely sleep thanks to all of the noise from other rooms, the hall, oh and the el rumbling below our window.",2,0,0,0
4533,cro8RdAqBJi3n,"Truly a classic and elegant hotel, full of European glamor.  The lobby is definitely a must see!  I think the painter who worked on the ceiling also worked on the restoration of Michael Angelo's work in the past.  You can see why.  The rooms are old building style so not that large in size, but the amenities are decent.  No wireless internet unless requested...kind of weak!",4,0,0,0
4534,d4uj4hBUdk0BbWrQsp1Hng,"This is a very nice place to stay. The hotel my not be the newest in town, but it is very beautiful and grand. The hotel's rustic look adds to the beauty and makes the experience great. This hotel is very well-kept and the service is excellent. It's also located very conveniently in the city.",5,0,0,0
4535,HlfPt4mKbV6AIOssOrPivQ,"The Palmer House is wonderful, majestic, and historical. From the moment you enter through the doors, you almost feel as if you walked into a different era. It is beautifully decorated and even the smallest details in the decor, show what an elegant hotel it is. It is one of the oldest hotels in the city, but it truely captures Old Chicago essence.",5,0,0,0
4536,kjrPJN0W9IkHvVBLH8AKXw,"Well, one Hilton may be annoying (i.e.) Paris, but this Hilton is glorious!  I used to hang out in their lobby just to bask in the beauty of this grand old hotel.  It's a classic.  The staff is first rate and the rooms are nice.  A fantastic location too.",4,0,0,0
4537,uVBV3,What an amazing place this is. The lobby is breathtaking and the artwork was recently restored. An excellent place for a wedding reception or special function. One of the most elegant hotels in the the area if not the Midwest.,5,0,0,0
4538,3VX7T4gaL-COs,Absolutely stunning hotel. I had a work meeting in the main ballroom. It was huge and beautiful. The staff were very accommodating. A great place for your next event.,4,0,0,0
4539,1-2UOu2,"This review is for happy hour only.  I've come here a handful of times for cocktails in the lobby. Here's the thing... the drinks are expensive, the service isn't great, and the food options are small... but none of that matters.  Because you come here for one reason and one reason only.  The atmosphere.  It's a kick ass old hotel with a million things to look at on the ceiling alone.  I love sitting in those tall back chairs, sipping on a scotch, and catching up with a friend.  If you haven't ever been here I highly recommend you visit.",4,0,0,0
4540,iLsVffK1PnlL-zTtycdxpQ,"Gorgeous hotel!  Very classy.  I went there this past New Years Eve for their annual bash and had a great time.  It's a bit south of the action but I think it's so beautiful and ""old"" looking, that it's a place to see.",5,0,0,0
4541,QrZNolvEyu2sX,"We hesitantly booked through one of those discount hotel websites, boy were we surprised at the outcome. When we arrived we were bumped up to the executive towers, with private express elevators and lounge. The lounge had complimentary hors d'oeuvres each night, non-alcoholic beverages throughout the day, a wonderful breakfast and a private concierge. It has been quite sometime since we have had such an amazing experience at a hotel. The one downside was a pool under renovation.",5,0,0,0
4542,XRJBW1Qp2F7Vl8PKLTfBUg,"I had the executive suite and it wasn't that great as i expected it to be. it's all old classic deco, and while the main ballrooms and bars and lounges are nice, the rooms are just...eh. plus, it's also in the middle of the city and you don't get that great of a view.",3,0,0,0
4543,YZg9NGr5cKMM9QegfdvjlA,"The Palmer House was very nice to me and my compadres when were in Chi-town for the Associated Writing Program's (AWP) Conference in February. I fell in love with Chicago, probably because of how well we were taken care of here. We had one of the fancy pants suites, so we had two beds, a couch, two bathrooms, our own TV, a lot of nice things. We did not get BRAVO though, which severely hampered our ability to watch Top Chef. No matter, the complimentary breakfast and late night snacks made up for it. All the cranberry juice I could drink! The location is wonderful, in the downtown of Chicago, just a short distance from The Art Institute of Chicago Museum. I am certain there are cheaper places, but I really liked where we were.",4,0,0,0
4544,EGPFJcc7jcd6QEp77yMIHQ,This hotel is like St.Francis in San Francisco where history collides with modern world. Beautiful building with magnificent lobby. I got a suite which had two bathrooms and two closets. Bathrooms are all marble and relatively small in size. Hotel has tons of parking garage around it and is only a block from millennium park. I am not a Hilton fan and this hotel was definitely a breath of fresh air. Will definitely stay here again on next visit if i get the same deal again,3,0,0,0
4545,r1II89Fw9Dr842mUpXI0MQ,"The lobby is breathtaking.  It is sooooo beautiful.  Coming here as a little girl, I was always in awe.  It is a famous and historic hotel in downtown Chicago and has been around since the 1920s.  Potter Palmer built the orginal in 1871 but it burnt down.  Definitely stay here if you get the chance, especially if you're a history buff.  I have always thought that having a wedding in the ballroom here would be amazing.  My sister and I also used to really enjoy the pool when we were younger and they seemed to have a nice fitness room. Give it a try, it is definitely a change of pace from all of the other chain hotels in the city.",5,0,0,0
4546,dJavPJGUkDBPF06JXgjfNA,"The Palmer House is well located and has the feel of an old time Chicago hotel, or at least what I would expect an old time Chicago hotel to feel like. One question I have is, who puts a train line in front of a hotel? Perhaps at some point it seemed like a good idea but the noise can be disturbing. Fortunately, from the rooms you can't really hear the L running by, at least I couldn't from the 10th floor. The lobby area is impressive. The ceiling murals are grand giving it the feel of someplace special. Cell coverage in the lobby area and in other parts of the hotel are very spotty. This hotel seems like a popular place for group gatherings so if you're looking for something intimate, you should look elsewhere. I was there for a wedding and the place was overrun. Apparently there where three other weddings going on at the same time. The rooms have been remodeled. I stayed here a couple years ago and the place was looking its age. Now the rooms have been painted and fixed up. The furniture is more modern. However, the rooms are on the small side. Also the hotel is shaped like a U so some of the rooms are shrouded in darkness. Ask for a room with a view if you like light. I didn't have a minibar in my room which was troubling. I can't complain about the price though. I found a really good rate online at the hilton site and with a AAA membership the total came to $143 a night!",3,1,0,0
4547,bDWz9gnL8O3,"i and my friend stayed here for lollapalooza this year. the rooms are small -- i prefer to call them ""cozy"" -- but the decor of the whole hotel, elevators,bars and all, is gorgeous. you feel like you're *someone* when you walk the halls of the palmer house. as mentioned, the room's small. there really isn't a lot of space to really walk around. it was two steps from the bed to the bathroom. but i'm not complaining. they're clean and they're a place to sleep. granted, not the best decorated, which is strange because the rest of the hotel's just grand. part of the reason you go to a lavish hotel such as this one is the service. and oh, we got served. we ordered room service for breakfast and it was really, really good, and it got up to us quickly. everyone was courteous and went out of their way to make our stay comfortable. and when i hung out at the bar, the bartender was accommodating when i asked for drink suggestions. we made nice, it was all good. i quite enjoyed my stay here, and i'd definitely come back, despite how expensive it is to get a room. oh, speaking of which, we were only a short walk from grant park. perhaps about three blocks. so it's an awesome place to stay if you're going to lolla.",4,0,0,0
4548,1aDPCNA5ziteRgSpjSqRTg,"The main lobby is beautiful and like a museum. It is a must see for anyone who appreciates architecture. I've eaten at Lockwood and the food was OK but not great and never stayed in the rooms. However, I highly recommend a drink in the main lobby bar. They don't make 'em like this anymore.",4,0,0,0
4549,Xzz0dBU1aOsKJcyY7WiZgw,"When visiting Chicago for my semi-quartely pilgrimage to CSO, I always end up staying here not because I like stayin' here but you can get a good deal through various travel websites.  Also the fact that it's only a few blocks away from the hall is a big plus.  Rooms are tiny but that's what you expect at hotels smack in the middle of downtown of any city.  They don't give you a spankin' clean vibe but acceptable sans their rug.  It's close to everything including the Art Institute and shopping.  I haven't tried the restaurants at the premise but the bar downstairs is cozy and they have good sliders.  Subway from O'Hare takes you practically here so that's another plus.",3,0,0,0
4550,Fhvdy0ZoWBFbxUPL1olx5Q,This is a place that you should se if you are in Chicago. The entrance is amazing. The lobby is huge and very ornate. I was told it just went under a $165 million renovation. Very close to Chicago Art Museum and Millenium Park. Great old hotel. Rooms are small but you shouldn't spend time in there anyway.,4,0,0,0
4551,jVdAseruqGHb,"I booked this hotel via Priceline and I was very impressed with the hotel when I arrived. The lobby was beautiful and the gentleman at the front desk was very professional and friendly.  Initially my 9th floor room was very spacious and well decorated. Unfortunately I had an uninvited guest in my room. There was a rather large cockaroach crawling on my bag that was on the floor. I called housekeeping and they killed it and asked if I wanted them to spray the room. I told them I wanted to be moved to a new room. I was moved to the 12th floor and the room was very small, the noise from the El was rather annoying and the bathroom toilet kept running after it was flushed. I was very disappointed at the level of service they showed after the incident I had. I suggest they keep up on there pest control.",2,1,1,1
4552,k9AsXgwqDXcCJ5TBGVQe1Q,"Oldest hotel in North America. Truly Chicago's Landmark! Handpainted ceiling in the lobby by French Artist, all the bronze and crystals bring the charm of 19th Century. Rooms are clean, comfortable and cozy. The bedding is the top notch, flat screen TVs in every room and the best Bloody Marys served at the lobby bar.",5,0,0,0
4553,N1XuGPBTzvi3fQFE6,"We were fairly disappointed. While the lobby area is quite immaculate and historic, the rooms are not. They are quite small. On our second night there we experienced problems with some loud partiers next door. We called management and they tried to contact them a few times. Finally, we called again and they asked if they could bring some earplugs to us. We explained that we already had some. Unfortunately, we did not sleep well that night. We would choose a different place to stay the next time we are in Chicago.",2,0,0,0
4554,JrFnUKSWGiiSqINQP-mhvw,"Dates: February 14-16 Price: $76 a night via priceline (Actually 3.5 stars) This place exceeded my expectations, albet those were low based on the price I paid (chicago in february apparently not all that popular). The star of this place is the lobby, which is really what all hotel lobbys should be. Beautiful high ceiling was old school without being stuffy. Very cool white marble bar set right in the lobby, not pushed off to a secluded corner. Many leather booths with table service for afternoon tea or late night drinks. Location is not great, particularly on the weekends, athough it is 2 blocks from millenium park, and a block from a bunch of train lines. The low light of the trip was the rooms, small, not particularly modern or lush at all. Service wasn't really great, although that rarely bothers me very much. Corner bakery outside is so-so.",3,0,0,0
4555,jy3Bj3wGZ3YLEtswLv5ekQ,"3.5-The Palmer House will not disappoint you in the realm of aesthetics.  The Palmer House has a beautifully painted ceiling that was restored by one of the same artists that restored the Sistine Chapel ceiling.  The light fixtures and the ambiance is incredible.  You will see bellhops and a few stores in the hotel (including Starbucks).   The negatives go with the rooms mainly.  The room that I stayed in was a little small, and it had a smoke smell even though it was supposed to be non-smoking.  In addition, the bathroom and decor did not look very well kept.   For the price that you pay to stay at this hotel, more amenities should be included in the price.  You will have to pay for wi-fi and the business center. The location of the hotel is convenient.  You can walk to shops and to the Millenium Park to see the Cloud Gate (o.k. no one calls it that...aka the 'silver bean').  I gave it a 3.5 due to these factors.",3,0,0,0
4556,lGzF1xP2sT3c0,"The hotel interior was beautiful and the staff was friendly.  The walls are very thin since it is an old building and you can hear everything next door and in the hallway, which is a problem if your neighbors get in late and make noise, or if they watch a movie with the volume on.  Beds were comfy and the front desk was friendly.",4,0,0,0
4557,oCW8a4nCmV3rbX19,This hotel is OK.  Stayed on a Friday in September for $75+tax and fees (priceline).  Drain was clogged but they fixed it promptly.  The concierge was not at the desk most of the time I looked for information.  My one big complaint: $61 per day valet parking fee.  Way too high.,2,0,0,0
4558,NlmdKg9px1fDh8kuPOeQ-A,"When we got engaged, we planned our wedding almost exactly a year out.  Being a perfectionist and very organized, I started searching through bridal magazines and websites to plan our wedding.  I saw the Palmer House on the first day of looking at venues and knew that was where we would have our wedding.  Looking into the Grand & State Ballrooms just took my breath away.  We got married on Saturday, June 5th, 2010 at the Palmer House Hilton Chicago. We signed our contract with Mark Coy, a sales & catering coordinator at the Palmer House.  While he was pleasant in our meetings and would explain what we would need to do, I never really felt confident in his ability to make our day special.  I always needed to initiate questions to get answers and every meeting felt rushed because he had to be out the door by 6pm.  He always said ""no problem"" to everything but then there was a huge problem that finally had me in a  bridezilla moment.  In our initial room block we asked Mark to substitute two regular rooms for two suites.  Well, he put five suites on our block.  I had numerous phone calls from my guests that our block was full.  I didn't know until after the fact that each suite was taking 2 regular rooms out of our block.  In our meetings we always discussed increasing the number of rooms on our block as well.  Of course, he said ""no problem"" based on availability.  Well, a good coordinator would have told his client that the weekend of their wedding was also the largest convention in the city of Chicago.  So when we needed the additional rooms we heard ""sorry we're booked"".  Never once did he put the fear in our mind that we wouldn't have rooms for our guests.  At that moment I definitely knew that I could not work with someone who obviously could care less about our wedding.  We also had issues with charging of rooms as well.  I think that the rooms manager/department definitely needs some work in this location.  Our parents were charged the suite rate of $329, when they were supposed to be charged $289.  My mother-in-law was paying for her sister's room, but then they charged her sister's credit card.  Being an upscale hotel these issues shouldn't happen. I immediately asked for Jane Himmel to replace our coordinator as I heard she was the best coordinator there.  She is AMAZING and was our wedding angel.  We had set up a meeting for the next week as this was a Friday.  We were actually meeting with our florist on that evening at 6:30pm and she came to this meeting to meet us & go over a few details.  I was astonished that she would meet us on a Friday evening and she stayed until the end which concluded at 9:30pm.  She had to pretty much start from scratch and had two months to put it together.  The next day (Saturday) she emailed us a rough draft of our timeline & had forwarded some spreadsheets to fill out for her which included our parents info & our other vendors.  (The only thing Mark ever emailed me was a sample timeline of an early evening wedding and I am assuming I was to put it together)  She made us feel like she was going to make our wedding special and not just another cookie cutter wedding that our other coordinator was going to put together.  She could tell I was feeling stressed from everything going on and she suggested Claudia Antony, a day of coordinator.  Now, I was feeling great and actually enjoying the final months of wedding planning.         Jane got us back on track with our reception and did more in two weeks than our first coordinator did in almost 10 months.  We are so appreciative for the amount of time and effort on her part to make all of the details of our wedding reception seamlessly play through the night.  She was patient, organized, professional and easily accessible.  She stayed through the majority of our wedding and was relentless in her effort to make us happy.  We couldn't think of favors and she provided us an idea for what we should do.  She guided us through our meal choices, wine choices (as we were not happy with the others offered to us) and came up with a cake option that was magnificent.  She surprised us at our reception with keys to the penthouse for our two day stay, our wedding night & the night after.  She ""WOWED"" us time after time.  Her job didn't end there as the next day we set up a brunch for 60 people.  She had everything set up beautifully in the Honore Ballroom for the conclusion of our wedding weekend.  Let's just say Jane went above & beyond in all matters pertaining to our wedding.  I am sure there are so many more details that Jane attended to that I couldn't even begin to think about.  I couldn't imagine a more beautiful start to our new life together! Thank you Jane!",5,3,0,0
4559,rY-zMneXEixgTOUxYdcqQA,"Tiny rooms, an impersonal and rude staff, extremely slow service among other flawed characteristics of this hotel make it almost entirely avoidable. The only plus was that it was two blocks from the office from which I was working when I was traveling to Chicago. This hotel is so massive that one could lose ones way in its cramped and labyrinthine halls that span across three wings. The bathrooms were claustrophobic, the TVs had poor reception and the room service food was less than mediocre, thanks to the average 1-1.5 hour delivery time, I'm sure. Oh, and the air conditioning was so affective that I had to wear a sweatshirt in my room in the middle of the summer. They seem to cater well to their conventions and conferences than individual guests, probably because these conferences/conventions bring in a lot of money, but it is not a legitimate justification for the lack of appropriate attention towards the rest of their clientele. It is the hospitality industry after all, one has to have some basic standards and principles, which this hotel certainly lacks. STAY AWAY if you can help it.",1,4,2,0
4560,3QAolhVcXS4D0zq509wtaA,"This place is worth visiting, even if you're not staying to sleep. You can walk up and see the Red Lacquer room, admire the Sistine Chapel-esque architecture and have your picture taken by a gilded statue near the in-hotel bar. Apparently, it's the oldest standing hotel in North America, and every president since Ulysses S Grant has taken rest there. With help from my friend William Shatner (the Priceline Negotiator dontchaknow) I was able to bag a $250 hotel room for $75 a night, and subsequently upgraded (at an $18 a night charge) to a suite with two bathrooms, because we needed two beds as well. I can't vouch for the restaurant (since I am obviously a cheapskate), but the pool and hot tub were great, and never packed since they were tucked away on the 7th floor. And what other hotel is going to have an entire room for elevators? I would recommend this place if you're able to score a comparable deal, both because of the history and location (zoom into downtown Chicago and you'll find this at its epicenter), but couldn't in good conscience tell you to drop the retail price on a place where you're more or less paying for the legacy.",4,2,1,1
4561,EzJtb8bDBZhleYlEhlr8uw,"Location, Location Location!!  This very historic hotel is a truly unique experience, especially if you are a history buff.  The hotel is only a block away from the Chicago Art Institute and less than two miles from almost all the down town attractions.  We paid a little more and stayed on the executive floor where you receive a continental breakfast, drinks and snacks throughout the day, and appetizers in the evening.  They also have bar service on the floor until 10:00 PM each night.  Don't expect much from the food on the executive floor, it's cereal, muffins, hardboiled eggs and such.  It is really nice to be able to grab a drink without going down to the lobby or paying five bucks for a coke in the vending machine.  However, I wouldn't count breakfast here as a full meal.  The lobby and overall decor of the hotel is phenomenal with authentic Art-Deco styling's.  This isn't faux reproductions as displayed in Vegas or other hotels. It's the real deal.  The current version of the Palmer House opened in 1925 but it's origins date back to 1871.  Even if you don't stay here, stop by and have a martini at the lobby bar.  Soak up the atmosphere around you.  Think of all the history that has passed though this lobby and the people that have had a drink at this bar.  The roaring 20's, Black Friday 1929, WW II, heck it is even quite possible that Al Capone and his henchmen had a drink at this bar.  The rooms are small by modern standards and the bathrooms are very small.  Remember this hotel was built in 1925, and at that time these were large rooms.  The water pressure in the shower was very low but again this is a historic hotel and we were on the top floor.  As with most Hilton properties the bed is very comfortable.  Down pillows and comforters are always a hit in my book.  The staff was very friendly and attentive.  I feel that the bellmen and doormen outshined the rest of the staff I came in contact with.  They were sincerely friendly, funny and helpful.  During our departure, our bellman ran out into traffic on State Street to hail us a taxi.  It almost looked like a cop commandeering a car during a police chase.  I would most definitely stay here again and recommend it to anyone doing the tourist thing in Chicago, especially if you are a history buff.",4,0,0,0
4562,kN9riU4EQJ4wYyIDdf2a8g,"This review is for those of you planning a wedding or big event.  My wife and I were set to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary on June 23rd of this year.  I really wanted to do something special to recognize the occasion.  Since we got married at the Palmer House, in the beautiful and historic Empire Room. I called the Palmer House's catering office and spoke with Jane Himmel, the Senior Catering Manager.  I inquired as to the availability of the Empire Room for our exact anniversary date, June 23rd - a Thursday.  Opportunity struck when I was told the room was not being used for a previously scheduled event that night. I suggested my idea to Jane that my wife and I have dinner for 2 in the Empire Room on the night of our anniversary, just as we celebrated our wedding there 10 years ago to the hour.  This is when Jane and her team took over. To my surprise and excitement, Jane took this idea from the start and worked very hard to make this idea, this dream, become a reality.  I worked with Jane over the next couple of weeks and days leading up to our night.  She helped me pull off one of the greatest nights and best memories my wife and I will ever share. The Palmer House is a beautiful and historic hotel.  Please consider when you stay here or have an event here that what you may be giving up in terms of modern amenities and size of the hotel rooms you gain in elegance, class, service, a sense of history and an experience to be had in your lifetime.",5,0,0,0
4563,vHQH1eS,"So, I booked this hotel for me & my husband for 1 night via Priceline.  It was my 1st time to use Priceline so I wasn't totally sure what I was doing.  This hotel is really, really nice.  The entire staff, from the valet, to the bellman, to the concierge, were all so helpful.  Our room....it was very pretty, clean, but the smallest hotel room I've ever stayed in!  My husband and I laughed about it, but seriously, I would guess a prison cell is larger!  I'm not even kidding...I think they took a storage closet and thought, ""Hmm, we could make a few extra bucks if we put a bed in here"".  Again, more than anything, we just thought it was funny.  It was quiet and fairly easy to navigate through the hotel...and this hotel is HUGE.  They said it takes up an entire city block.  We had show tickets for 11pm without dinner reservations and the concierge was more than willing to recommend dinner establishments & call and get us reservations .  It was a super stay!",4,1,0,1
4564,AeYsOpESyCSWHeBNs9l9uw,"I have stayed at the PH for about 10 years to attend an annual conference here.  It's always been a good hotel.  Great location,  Rooms are usually fairly nice, though they do seem worn out.  Well, they're working on that now.  RIGHT now.  I flew in last night from California, did not get to bed until very late. This morning at 7:00 (Note: that's 5 a.m. Pacific time, where I am coming from), I wake up to the sounds of hammering and what sounds like a router drill on the other side of the wall at the head of my bed.  No chance of sleep.  I called the front desk.  They were apologetic, but the hotel's full, they can't change my room until later.  So be warned: this hotel's under construction, and if you value SLEEP, you should ask for a room as far from the construction as possible.",2,2,0,0
4565,s1zWtLtuI9MtI,"This review is for Potters, the bar/lounge at Palmer. On balance this place is not bad, however; the service has been inconsistent on the last couple of visits. I came here with a friend on Saturday a couple months ago and found the place to be a perfect sanctuary: dark with plentiful bar snacks, non-hovering service, and an inventive cocktail menu. On my most recent visit, a rainy Friday after catching a preview exhibition at the Art Institute, the female server apparently couldn't be bothered. After ordering, it took a long time to get my drink (given that the crowd was moving more into dinner hour than happy hour), then again to get another round, and finally, the check, which another server, male this time, finally took care of. I would like to think that this lapse in service was not due to the fact that I was flying solo on this visit. There were also no snacks in evidence. Not certain if this is a new cost-cutting measure here or a sign of things to come. That day, the space also seemed to be filled with several young kids (think 9-13 year olds) as part of a family or other traveling group. Now, I am not anti-kid by any means, but these ankle-biters and their parents apparently didn't get the memo that children are to be seen and not heard.",2,1,1,1
4566,zDV3MoLQsAADTluWPGzzPQ,"Stayed here for five nights on a recent business trip. Overall, I was pleased with my experience, mainly because I paid $70/night through priceline. When I arrived, I was greeted by a friendly receptionist and I felt like I was not treated any differently just because I had booked through priceline. I requested and was able to get a queen-size bed and a room away from the El. While the view from the room left a little to be desired (my view was of other hotel rooms about 100 feet across from mine), I didn't hear any street noise or the train. However, I did notice that the walls were pretty thin. I could hear people having phone conversations next door as well as hallway noise. The room was a little on the small side, but clean and well-designed. The location is excellent. It's two blocks away from Michigan Ave and the Art Institute. Three blocks away from Millenium Park. Entrances to the Red Line are one block away. I won't comment much on the lobby, because that has been commented a lot here...needless to say, it's pretty impressive. As with most pricey hotels, they nickel and dime you here. Internet is $20/day and I believe there is a charge to use the gym facilities. If you can book this hotel for cheap on priceline, then I highly recommend staying here. I do not know if I would pay full-price for a room here though.",4,1,1,0
4567,S3zLgEwz0vhEObvvs5JF,"The one star is merely for the beautiful lobby and the fact that this is a Chicago landmark. I stayed here for the NYE party this past weekend and I was astonished by  the poor service and rudeness we received from the staff. They oversold the event so it took waiting in line to do almost anything. I went to the bathroom right before midnight and the men guarding the doors refused to let me back in. They said the room was at capacity. How can that even happen? If you were responsible enough to only sell enough tickets that the main room wouldnt be at capacity then I wouldnt have spent $ 140 to be standing in a hallway by myself on new years stone cold sober. They wouldnt allow alcohol in the hotel rooms and if they found any reminants they would charge a $ 60 corkage fee. So greedy! Now back to the staff and maintenance. The conceirge had no idea when check out was, the starbucks staff yelled at me for no apparent reason and when we checked under the bed to make sure we didnt leave anything behind we found dirty dishes with food still stuck to them,an empty ice cream carton, and a bunch of used glasses. DISGUSTING!!!!  Who knows long those dishes had been there. I will urge out of town guests never to stay in this digusting terrible place.",1,0,0,0
4568,uqJkD1,my DH and I went to a wedding at the Empire Room and we both agreed they served some of the best seafood we had ever tasted. they offered i think halibut (?) for dinner and italian inspired seafood h'orderves. the historic gold and black touches made the ballroom very elegant. the gold leaf and elaborate candelabra really stood out. the lobby is as good looking if not better than the ballroom. the balcony that overlooks it was a nice touch for the cocktail hour. we did not stay there so i cannot really give any insight to the rooms though since we were only there for the wedding reception.,5,1,0,0
4569,UgAUwnyebxEAWZdpJnIs8w,"Nice room on HHoners floor.  Good size, comfortable bed and linens.  Modern clean furniture.   Had a crappy old TV though with a static filled picture.  Also, not a huge fan of the compact florescent lamps they use everywhere - give me one normal light bulb or halogen at the desk.  But I guess they are trying to be 'green' or something.  The food sucked, got a 14$USD cheeseburger that tasted like crap, drinks were pricey too - I think I paid 11 bucks (many times over) for a kettleone + tonic.  Overall it was a nice place though - I am sure I will stay there again, I just won't eat there.",4,1,0,0
4570,4UZJNqyfugeB3dnNPddtwA,I haven't stayed the night here but I was inside briefly and it's so nice! The decoartions and the way the hotel presents itself is very classy. The front desk people were super friendly and helfpul. I think if I did end up staying here I would be very satisfied.,4,0,0,0
4571,JRz3sweYb6K,"I just adore this hotel. It really is gorgeous. I'm a big fan of anything with a great history behind it, and this hotel is chalk full of interesting history. I love the architecture and how I feel like I'm stepping back into the 1940s-1950s whenever I walk the halls with the movie stars from one of the best eras in Hollywood. I've been here twice (though didn't stay the night-my mom did) and I can't wait to go back just to take it all in again. This time I went with my mom, boyfriend, and his mom to wander around and check out all the fancy stuff. There was a wedding reception and a prom going on, so we didn't see the smaller rooms, but we did venture into the Grand Ballroom, and boy was it ever grand! They don't call it that for nothing, let me tell you. The chandeliers were just gorgeous. We wandered all over and encountered the most beautiful piano I've ever seen. Sadly they'd locked it (too many people trying to play it, I imagine), so I didn't get to see what I'm sure are beautiful keys. Sigh. Maybe someday. I'm not entirely sure what Gene is talking about, I have yet to encounter a small room there. We booked a room both times using hotwire and were able to score a $78 (for a saturday and sunday, friday for my bf's mom was $73) deal. Good sized room, double beds, and with a window looking at another wing of the hotel. The only thing I didn't really like was that there was no screen in the window, but as I wouldn't go there with kids, it's not that big of a deal. I can't wait until I can stay there myself (though it'll be a while since I live one el stop away).",4,0,0,0
4572,T-EFDEWkeZFFTdbOg7QYOA,"Something always seems to go wrong when I visit Chicago, last time our car got towed at 2am (course our luggage, maps & most $ was in the car ) so we had to wander the streets of Chicago aimlessly... This time the issue was the hotel: Plus 1 star: location Plus 1 star: gorgeous lobby, historical hotel Minus 1 star- for PAPER THIN WALLS Minus 1 star- for being woken by maid each morning Minus 1 star for not only not allowing my boyfriend in the room when his card stopped working & not being helpful to him in any way. I have travelled throughout the US, Europe & Asia and I don't remember any hotel, motel, or any other lodging where the maids come before checkout or at least 11am.  This might not have been that problemmatic but the paperthin walls did not help. FRI:    9:23am Maid service next door (to those that flew in late & are on CA time that felt like 7:23am about 5 hours BEFORE I had planned to wake).   We're not talking about faintly hearing the vaccuum, we're talking hearing her push all the hangers in the closet together ... that's how thin the walls were. I crawled out of bed & put a ""do not disturb"" sign up.  A few minutes later our door starts shaking and this weird noise like someone's rubbing against the door Apparently they polish them every morning  -- I'd have to say she didn't read the sign about NOT DISTURBING US. Later that night got to listen to our neighbors have sex. SAT:  Maid service comes through at 8:30am! (which, to someone on PST felt like 6:30am wakeup, esp. after being at a wedding reception until midnight the night before!). SUN.   3:14am woken by screaming fight next door (apparently some jerk ditched his GF).   7:00am woken up by someone in the room on the other side decided it was a good time to SING. 8:30-9:30am Maid knocking on neighbouring doors woke us up later that morning (we'd finally learned to put the do not disturb (or polish our door!) sign up at night). Went out to visit a friend about an hour outside of Chicago.  Get a call from my BF.  His card won't work on the room. He went to the front desk & since his name wasn't on the reservation they wouldn't give him a new card (Fair enough, appreciate their not giving one to just anyone). What really pissed me off was they refused to consider any reasonable alternative to prove his claim or assist him. I mean he did have a hotel card, he knew the name of the person in the room, he knew the room #, he could describe the room & our luggage, offered to give them the credit card # the room was charged too - he wasn't just coming in randomly & fishing for info. They told him having me call & verify him would NOT be enough to let him in. He then asked them to look at the key and see if they could see why it didn't work.  Theyclaimed the key was fine and if it was valid it should work (accusing him of not only having found a key but mysteriously knowing the room # & name associated with the card)?.  They also refused to send someone up with him so he could prove the card didn't work and that his belongings were really in the room. So he called me upset that he wasn't allowed in our room, he was exhausted from a long day and I was not expected back for at least 4 hours and was at least an hour away. I called and demanded to speak to someone who would attempt to assist him and got someone to add his name to the reservation and they let him in - but it definitely soured our afternoon. Other things that I would not have bothering mentioning except that I was so sleep deprived & cranky about the above instances : The front of the building is under construction (which is a shame, would've liked to see it).  It would have been nice if they told me this on the phone when I called for the address, they gave me the street that had no entrance, instead of the street that had a working entrance). And I suppose it was my fault for asking for closest subway line when coming from the airport (not knowing there were separate train/non-train lines), so instead of giving us the stop 15 feet in front of the front door that was exactly on our line from the airport - I was told to get out at a stop about 5 blocks away... still, deductive reasoning should have told her that confused tourist from out of town coming from Midway on the Orange line, probably wants the closest Orange line stop, not to spend more time transferring to some other line for a further stop & then toting luggage to the hotel.",2,0,0,0
4573,DSOcoPaLpcK2D8Vt3H5C0g,"stayed five nights here for a conference last summer.  this was the chosen conference hotel so this was where we stayed.   what i loved: the hotel is gorgeous.  the lobby & ballrooms speak to an era of opulent charm.  i think i gave myself a stiff neck because i couldn't help looking up at the beautiful architecture. the doormen & bellmen are super duper friendly and helpful.   it is located in the middle of everything.  there is so much to see and do and it's all a nice, leisurely walk or cab ride away. shopping!  there are several stores lining the block of the hotel, and even more a little ways down if you don't mind the walk. what i didn't like: while the hotel didn't lack for elevators to get you to your room, if you had other people in your party who were staying on a different floor, there was a big chance you had to hop onto a different elevator from the one servicing your floor to access their room. cell phone reception in some of the rooms sucks.  especially if you have at&t.  i thought i'd be fine with my iphone as my internet connection, but i couldn't get a signal in my room.  if i walked down the hall towards the elevators i got full bars.  but that's not convenient when it's  2 am and you want to make a phone call home. other reviewers are not kidding when they say the walls are paper thin.  you can hear full on conversations from people walking down the halls and in adjacent rooms.  luckily, no one was staying in the room next to me. it's almost like a lottery on what size room you will get.  i booked all the rooms for our staff (single occupancy king beds) and some people got large rooms, some got closet sized spaces.  my room was fine since i was the only one staying in it, and i actually had a large bathroom compared to other co-workers rooms.  the reason was my room was renovated for ADA accessibility, so i had a wider door and railings in the restroom, a lower closet rod, and a second peephole at belly-button height.  good for accommodating someone in a wheelchair or a little person.  not so good when you're an average height person and you need to hang some long dresses. for the number of rooms the hotel boasts (over 1,000) and it's ability to accommodate conference crowds), i wasn't too pleased with the concierge/housekeeping accessibility.  i called each at least three times during my stay and was left each time with an endlessly ringing phone. hotel amenities are not free?!  it costs extra to use the hotel pool and the gym?!  now that is an extreme rip-off, expecially when lots of folks are paying a couple hundred bucks per night's stay.  even when i asked  for an extended check-out from 11 AM to 12:30 PM, i was told it would be a $25 charge. overall, it did it's job in providing a safe, comfortable place to stay while in chicago.  i would stay here again, but it probably wouldn't be my first choice of places to stay.",3,0,0,0
4574,NrgJJrMo82hseP5khy9N4g,I went here for a wedding reception about a year ago.  This place was really nice.  The ball room was huge and beautiful.  I also got to see one of the rooms and it was amazing!!,5,0,0,0
4575,8xTpkrak8h-uubXEX1lIzA,"I don't know if I have anything new to add- I agree with almost every statement here to some degree.  The lobby is luxurious and even nicer with Christmas trees in it, the location is great, the room is a bit small but the beds are comfy, the bathroom was a good size.  they do get you with the extra charge for internet and no breakfast.  Total bill was around 400 for 2 nights including parking, which is not bad for NYE in downtown Chicago, although we probably could have done better.  We stayed in a renovated room so the furnishings were fine, and we could hear our neighbors and the El go by, but very quietly, so I didn't think it was an intrusion.  The view wasn't breathtaking, but I could see some skyscrapers and we were high up.  I would have liked a mini-fridge to keep left-overs in.  It was nice that we could stay in the parking garage until 5 even though check-out was at 11.    All in all, a fine place, probably a 3.5 more than a 3.",3,0,0,0
4576,0cZgNCbeBsk29KfOCmqosQ,"While strolling around without any agenda, we decided to see what the Palmer House had to offer in terms of bar/restaurant.  A very charming young bellman escorted us to the restaurant, which did not open for another 30 minutes.  I was excited because the place is opulent and sophistocated looking.  I immediately began to daydream about the steak I would soon be eating.  We took a seat in the bar, with the promise of a table the moment the restaurant opened.  5:00 PM came and went and no one ever came for us.  The server in the bar seemed annoyed that we did not want alcohol, but did order cappucino and 2 large bottles of Peligrino.  He hovered, and not in an eager to please way, but was intrusive until we finally got the hint that we were taking up space meant for  big spenders.  He left a check and came back to open the tab book several times before we actually put money in there.  Then, he rounded the change DOWN, leaving $4.00 even instead of the $4 and coins that would have been accurate.  We left without a word, and had dinner elsewhere.  And yes, we left a tip because, alas, we are NOT cheap.  Shame on us for not speaking up at the time, but shame on them more!",1,1,0,0
4577,dQtU4k-j-6H0w-kkwB8LZw,"Wonderful experience overall.   First night so so as room was small, small bathroom, 2 beds, average decor on Diamond Floor...Second night was fantastic on Executive Floor....pay the difference to upgrade...you will be glad that you did.   Hotel has gorgeous lobby, magnificent not-to-be-missed restaurtant Lockwood, lots of amenities, excellent location.   Overall great staff.   Around $50 per day for parking with valet...lower cost pakring options are nearby.   Fitness center is $10 per day.   Would go again...this place is great.  Have OJ take care of you at Lockwood and have Derrick take care of you at check-in and have Waffa take care of you for cocktails in the Executive Lounge.   These three people plus Kenneth the bellman were stellar!",4,0,0,0
4578,sUxlXT1-35WOAx9G26dIdg,"The lobby is gorgeous and grand.  Rooms were very nice, clean and comfortable.  However, the walls were so thin.  We were woken at various points in the early morning by people in the hallway.  They didn't sound like they yelling and we could still hear every word of their conversation.  Then, at 6:30am we could hear clearly the people in the room next door.  Room service food was also bad and not at all worth the price.  Wouldn't stay here again.",2,0,0,0
4579,B1ExjCg8l-tPfVms4rQvvg,"The location is nice, the hotel is okay, the service kind of sucked. I had a broken outlet and iron and no one came for hours. The room is was tiny, but I pricelined it for $70. For the location it isnt bad, lot of good shopping in that area. Keep in mind parking is at least $35 a night in that area.",3,0,0,0
4580,x-QpiuDahdjAh-zvaZxQQQ,"We booked our room 3 months in advance by phone, requested a specific suite, was guaranteed and confirmed the room I requested would be available.  It was our 30th anniversary and was supposed to be special.  Showed up 3 hours prior to check in, our room was given away.  I was so disappointed.  The staff was cold and indifferent and said there was nothing they could do.  We ended up getting a small king room, tucked in a corner and at no discount at that.  Very sad moment for us.",1,0,0,0
4581,O7t5eAnoOsr0Z1vqha,"The lobby is misleading. the lobby makes you think the place is huge, but the rooms are tiny. they lack a mini-fridge, decent TV, and wi-fi. The wired Internet is $20 a day, which should be free. and wireless requires a $200 deposit. the place is crap. if Hilton is meant for business travelers the least the could provide is free Internet and wi-fi. when i went to get ice the machine was broken and the elevators were malfunctioning. if you want to pay a lot for a garbage hotel, this is the place.",2,0,0,0
4582,MlAAqAFBvvFTU-WyXKmuvw,"Beautiful hotel. Everyone was so nice and accommodating. Our rooms were so unique as well. The hotel was packed full of people for Lollapalooza, but they still took care of all of us wonderfully. I would definitely stay there again.",5,0,0,0
4583,VgHgW8AI,"I'm currently staying at the Palmer house and let me tell you I should have listened to the negative reviews before I booked but thought all the negative people were just being snotty. Well their not, they're right on...lobby looks like it's for kings but rooms are for servants...haha...still tube tvs in rooms, ac makes horrendous noises when turned on, can't sleep. Wall paper is coming off walls...considering this is four stars that's a complete shame, illnois must have a different star system than California cause a 2-3 star holiday inn express in California would put this hotel to shame...people giving good reviews must be booking some $1000 suites or working for the hotel to write reviews, if you book regular rooms you'll regret it...spend 15-20 bucks more and get a better hotel like W, Sheraton, or kimpton...This is the second Hilton I'm staying at and both were messes, so bad that I'm writing the review while this ac doesn't let me sleep...hope this review helps ...",1,0,0,0
4584,nFT6lfmUpxhYdbBnCNt2rg,"I interviewed the general manager at the Palmer House. His friendliness and the friendliness of all staff that I encountered is why I'm writing this review. I haven't stayed at the Palmer House yet, but it is now on my shortlist for my wedding accommodation. Chicagoans...well, we love our city... and mention of the Palmer House gives us little sentimental heart tingles b/c of its deep Chicago historic ties. The newly renovated floors have stunning carpeting (deep brown with brightly colored, modern swirls of peacock aesthetic) with black/white photos of classic stars (Sinatra, Clark Gable, probably Ella Fitzgerald, etc.). Check out the 8th floor! And the furniture! Stunning vintage pieces! Bright greens, blues, etc. straight out of glamorous history! Beautifully photogenic! I'm usually the biggest fan of hotels like The W, The Wit, etc. and I so dig this hotel, b/c I think it fits right into that category without selling out its history.",5,0,0,0
4585,Th17605UlTf4PDoVRvOuXA,"So, I really wanted to love this place and my initial impression was fantastic. The lobby is beautiful & luxurious and I couldn't wait to check-in and relax in our room. And here's where it all went downhill. The front desk clerk was a little on the snippy side. We were given our keys and sent on our way only to find that she had given us a room with ONE double bed which is not what we had reserved.  You would think the front desk clerk would have thought something was amiss when she checked us in.  My husband was standing right there and at 6'6 would barely fit in that bed by himself, let alone the both of us.  I immediately called down only to be placed on hold for an eternity so the manager could be consulted.  The manager never even bothered to speak to us to apologize and had the clerk handle it. I had to tell them that I had the printed documentation/receipts that proved we were guaranteed more than that. At this point, the only room available was a handicapped room with 2 double beds. At least one of us wouldn't have to sleep on the floor. By the way, the first room we were given was quite shabby and on par with a ""Days Inn"" level. The wallpaper was peeling. The furniture looked old & worn. The second room looked like it was more recently updated but still lacked the oomph that nice hotels should have.  It was a failed attempt at replicating the look of Kimpton Hotel properties.  The TV was extremely dated.  No wifi!!!!!! In this day & age???? And, of course, they charge for it. And they charge for the use of the gym!!!!!! Seriously? How can you give your customer subpar accommodations & claim to be a luxury hotel? The only reason they get 2 stars is because of the lobby, friendly bellmen and location.",2,0,0,0
4750,G5TsH8nfXHrF0kYp9F51Uw,"The hotel is beautiful, fabulous location, and the front service staff are amazing. We accidentally booked a double, but our second day they upgraded our room to a king for free. However, the cleaning service did take my phone charger and so I was left without use of my phone for the remainder of my trip. I wish the hotel had been more accommodating seeing as it was their staff that caused this inconvenience, but unfortunately, they were not.",3,0,0,0
4751,TUhHgJvTvXOnDNXSFdvfyw,"You can get sneaked into this hotel by the always better than average pricing.  Don't be fooled. Old hotel with no updates, average cleanliness, and poor amenities.  Only plus is the location, but there's plenty of options that are better.  Even if it means spending an extra $25/night.",2,0,0,0
4752,IEw9UkrdNQ27WgL3wx-1IA,"Recently stayed here for two nights.  Took the advice of several reviewers and upgraded to the Executive Suites.  Well worth the small upcharge. The room was very comfortable. The A/C was awesome. With temps in the mid to upper 90s, I was concerned that it might never get cool enough. Boy did it ever. It was great! The appetizers at night and the continental breakfast in the morning are great. And the cucumber water right outside the elevators was so refreshing coming in from the heat. The staff was very friendly. Everyone we passed in the hall said hi or wished us a great day. There's an el stop right out the door. A McDonalds and CVS are in super close walking distance. The Art Institute is barely a block away. Never had to wait for a cab, the doorman were on top of it the moment we came outside. We did have a slight billing issue with something ordered before our arrival but it was fixed up immediately. I will most definitely stay at this hotel again if I'm ever in Chicago again.",4,0,0,0
4753,3w_L4eDQ0qR8XvLoAIb-Qg,"Beautiful hotel.  Great pool and workout area.  Rooms were roomy with large closets.  Very good service.  We got our rooms for $100 per night, parking was $30 per night.",4,0,0,0
4754,-kdTvnLrFPhHyEePI0iKgw,"We stayed at the Palmer House when we were in town for a wedding.  The hotel itself was fine and in a good location, HOWEVER, our door did not latch properly and our room was broken into and valuables were stolen.  We immediately called security, they arrived and took a statement and sent someone to fix the door.  At that point it was ""out of their hands"" and reported to their insurance.  We never heard from a hotel manager or customer service to check on us or see if there was anything we needed.  After our trip I called customer service to let them know what happened and the representative said ""the hotel is not responsible for lost or stolen items"" and that if I ""believe"" I had been robbed I should have called the police.  Basically we will not get compensated or even apologized to even though it IS the hotels responsibility to provide a room with a working door.  The icing on the cake is that 6 months ago when we were moving and stayed a different Hilton our Uhaul was broken into and all of our belongings were ransacked, stolen or ruined we were treated even worse.  Not only did the hotel manager not so much as offer us a free breakfast, we were scolded for not having properly registered the Uhaul in the parking lot.  (even though when we arrived with the uhaul it was after midnight and we had previously registered our vehicle.)  So next time you stay at a hotel make sure that all of your belongings fit in the safe or just carry them around with you.",2,0,0,0
4755,76UKO9pECaNTG-DmVqHD0A,"A Classic. Booked a suite and it was absolutely beautiful. Tastefully renovated, beautiful white leather chairs, very nice bedroom and bathrooms, and as this was a corner suite, huge living room with and lots of windows.Great service. Ate at one of the restaurants downstairs. Food as ok, nothing special.",4,0,0,0
4756,zltxShFtFk5Q3YS6934KHw,"We reserved a room with a king bed 5 months before our trip.  When we arrived, they said they didn't have any kings available.  We took a room with two ""double beds"" though they were the smallest double beds I've ever seen.  The next day, they said they would switch us to a room with a king and they said they were sending up a bellhop to move our things.  We waited.  And waited.  After 3 calls and a trip to the front desk, a bellhop finally arrived--it took an hour.  We're here for three days; we don't want to waste our valuable time because of bad service.  I would not recommend this place.",1,0,0,0
4757,yRsrOXvbtG1UJFeKw_7oCQ,"My wife and I just visited Chicago for the first time two weeks ago and stayed at the Palmer House Hilton for all three days.  We both felt that it was the best hotel that we have ever stayed in and all of the staff were extremely helpful and professional.  Our room was great, the location on the Loop was perfect, and the Balance Spa was inside the hotel and we loved it.  Overall, I would recommend this hotel to anyone and we cannot wait to visit Chicago again.",5,0,0,0
4758,Oobdx-JandRfW8KWRD60jw,"My pregnant wife and I (6'2"") arrived late on a Fri evening and were given the smallest hotel room I have ever seen. It had one double bed (not even a queen) with peeling wall paper, a broken toilet, an old tube TV from the 90s, no minibar or fridge and what appeared to be a very dirty bedspread. On top of that, the staff at the front desk had an attitude when we asked to be moved. No dice and no fixes. Do not stay here. Despite a nice lobby, it was one of the worst hotel experiences I have ever had--and I travel a lot.",1,0,0,0
4759,T5kQQXNVA5bofTBuBXVL5A,I just loved everything about this hotel.  The location was perfect for access to everything.There were 2 exceptional waiters at the Lockwood- Steven and Andrew- thanks for a great stay ion Chicago,4,0,0,0
4760,TCOPwhP3M0EqCJcT2_qwhA,"Walking into the main lobby of the Palmer House for the first time is a great experience. Everything is beautiful with high open ceilings, historic woodwork and molding, great fixtures and tapestries. This is definitely a historic place in Chicago that anyone visiting should see.The hotel is close to many great things in Chicago. We came to see a concert at the Chicago Theater and it was an easy walk to there.I'm giving it three stars because we booked our room online and it was supposed to be 2 queens. When we arrived, we were notified that they had awarded all the 2 Queen bedrooms to Hilton Honors members and all they had left was single King rooms. I was with a relative, and we decided we could bare sleeping together for one night. When we arrived in the room, it looked as though this was at one time a janitor's closet converted to a bedroom. The room was absolutely tiny. Our bed took up most of the room and there was very little space to walk around or place our bags. The mini-fridge didn't even open all the way because it hit the end of the bed. Plus, our mini-fridge wasn't even working.Sooo....unless you're a Hilton Honor's member, I would be leery of booking rooms here. There are no guarantees and it definitely felt like they treated people who booked from on-line discount sites (such as http://hotels.com) as second class citizens. Still, if you can get a good deal I would recommend you give it a try because it is such a beautiful and historic building.",3,0,0,0
4761,PLDOZa5wwkiGw9UrTOFbBQ,"Went here last summer with a group of friends.  We got a great deal on our room rate... $99!!!  Our friend is a travel agent so she hooked us up.The hotel inside is very nice, but the rooms sucked.  They were small and quanit and felt old.  I hope they do some remodeling soon, it needs it.  If you don't mind the old cozy room feel, you will be just fine.Location wise, great spot to Millienium Park and walking distance to most other places.  We went during the taste of chicago and worked out perfect, because it wasn't too far from Grant Park.",3,0,0,0
4762,Bf5HHms8q56aFfvL-faWWg,"As I said in previous review for their spa ,wow...i couldn't ask for more..got my self an upgrade to the exec level and it happen to be a huge suite..did not expect that..was thinking of a 1 room  but no...huge living room with a nice bar, 12 chairs dinning room table..i know right? 2 baths ....i felt like a king , there was a slight view of state street but because i was in meeting all day long didn't had time to enjoy as much as i wanted. went to their gym with my free pass from my massage they i had and i was in shock..boy do they have a huge gym..i have been in many hotels..this one is one of the most luxurios..i liked their treadmills, you have a tv on each machine and i think they had like 20 treadmills mixed with elipticals bikes and some other cardio equipment. like the spa , the receptionist got me a tour and explained all the details , etc..i must feel important for those. anyway after fitness i asked the concierge where can i go for some drinks and she gave me some good options and good discounts too ...overall as you can see my experience was a WOW FACTOR one..",5,0,0,0
4763,iDdqM7L5nMBpQ8pzrgkevA,"We have never stayed there but my wife loves the lobby scene and they pour one helluva drink in the lobby bar, so we just go and hang there, have drinks and enjoy the feeling of a past century. I took my boys in there once and they spent a long time going up and down the escalators. Eventually we were very politely asked to stop the game. They were so nice about it my youngest remarked on how if I yelled at him like that Security guy, he'd listen to me better. It probably helped that the guy was six six and never unfolded his arms, kind of reminded me of the jolly green giant, except darker...",5,0,0,0
4764,9MDDrl1Mi9n8Uyk-vNBjmA,"Horrible!!! Do not stay here!I got the hotel on priceline for a good price and had nothing but problems from the beginning. First of all, I called after getting the hotel on priceline to request a non-smoking, king sized bed room. She told me they did not have any king beds, but could give me a non smoking room and negatively refered to the fact i got the room off priceline several times.  When we got to the hotel, we asked the man who was helping us at the front desk if there were any king beds and he said he had plenty and switched us.  We got into the room, it was VERY small, there was a red stain on the wallpaper on one wall and on the other wall the wallpaper was coming off the wall.  The carpet was dirty and we both slipped on the very slippery bathroom floor.  I wanted to use the gym, but was told it was $18.00 a day to use it and the internet was another $ 14.00.  On top of that, you are charged for parking (either valet or in the garage) by the day (between $40 and $51 dollars a day)!!! They do not validate. This hotel is WAY, WAY overrated!! They nickle and dime you for everything and the rooms are NOT nice or clean.  We drove across cou try and stayed in several different hotels during our trip and I have to say this hotel was by far the WORST! My husband and I are both doctors who travel a lot and we will definately not be coming back to this hotel nor will we be recommending it to anyone.",1,0,0,0
4765,APZbganjLy4l67MHLJTGhg,"Our reservation was for 2 people. Two people whom were not a couple. We were given ONE King bed room and told that's all there was. This room was book well in advance but we were treated as if we walked in off the street. This over priced room small as a closet, to make it worse early am I was woken up by the people in the room next to us having sex. I'm no prude but I could not believe the walls were that thin. No worries it was over quick, LOL and I was back to sleep. Getting my car from valet the next day was another story in its self. Bad Hotel, Bad Service!",1,0,0,0
4766,6h7Sd5qmXiLM0tLl0deOHw,"I attended a wedding here last month, and it was fantastic!  The room was beautiful and the sauteed garlic shrimp appetizer was to die for.  Seriously, that was probably the best thing I've ever eaten at a wedding.  I want to go back for more!  It was a pretty big wedding of over 300 people, but I dont think that is an excuse for nothing but exceptional service.  Our corner table was forgotten a few times, and I even had to get up to ask someone to deliver our pasta dish.  All in all, the food was good even if the service wasn't.  Plus, I loved the room the wedding was in.  I'd definitely recommend checking it out for your wedding.",5,0,0,0
4767,kmvDGM0LJ5ugCgqREYGWdg,"The Palmer House was an enormous disappointment. Sure the lobby is nice, but the room was shabby.  Right in downtown Chicago, Hilton has managed to create the kind of room I'd expect to find in a Motel wedged between a whorehouse and an airport runway deep in a Florida swamp.The room we had was tiny and worn out; the carpet was faded, the wallpaper was peeling, the sink wouldn't drain and the cheap and cheesy  ""Empire"" furniture was stained and scratched. The room was also very noisy. The constant rattle and hum of the building's mechanical systems was on par with a flight on a regional jet. This wheezing symphony of air conditioning and elevators was punctuated occasionally by the three-year-old-with-kettle-drum sound of the showers in the adjacent rooms. Finally, the room was humid. No matter how we set the AC, the room, the sheets, the towels, everything felt damp.If you drive, be prepared to pay their ""specially arranged"" exorbitant parking fee, in our case it was a third the cost of the room, at the garage across the street. No, there's no connecting bridge or walkway between the garage and the hotel.Those are all the ways I can remember that this hot mess of a hotel disappointed us. If I remember any more, I'll be sure to ammend this review.",1,0,0,0
4768,JhuPzF_CzT5ilsB_aE9Zhw,If you are going to stay here know that you are staying in an awesome Chicago landmark. I love the lobby here. I love the rooms and the service is always super friendly. There are some great books about the history of this place too.,5,0,0,0
4769,U0ENfoIEA0VZGxYc2H5q_A,"The Palmer House allows dogs, and even walks them for you. Now that is what I call service!",5,0,0,0
4770,ubxoexNKgeE5b5NiytB4Zw,This place is borderline shit hole.,2,0,0,0
4771,6CPVX8BgQqHtpB0DQC-vUA,"My stay was on 8/20 -21/2011.  A friend and I had adjoining rooms on the 9th floor. I am in my 50's meaning I have stayed in many, many hotels over the years. The bed in my  room was the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in, in my life! The hotel staff was wonderful and the room was very spacious.  I was told I was in the old part of the hotel and that the older rooms are bigger than the newer part. I love old, so for me to see the original hardware, etc., meant a lot to me.  When I return, and I will, I will request the same room or at least the floor. Love it, love it! Don't miss out on this great historic opportunity! In reading some of the other posts regarding the speed of the elevators...who cares? Really, are our lives that insanely rushed that one has to complain about the speed of an elevator? Life is the journey not the destination.  I have to add this from a ""fan"". "" If the elevator was taking them to see their maker, they would think the elevator was going too fast."" How profound. Let's reflect on that comment people.",5,0,0,0
4772,V8li37mBhZmyx5rRiBIw4g,"I'm not experienced with hotels in Chicago so maybe its normal to spend $244 a night for a hotel and have to stay in a room big enough for a king bed and thats all. There was a dresser with a tv but the bed was so close to the dresser that I could not open the drawers. Internet you have to pay for (about $8 an hour). No fridge, or any other furniture in the room. There was no coffee maker (because they want you to buy the crappy expensive coffee at the starbucks downstairs). I can deal with a small room but I like to have my coffee first thing and I hate starbucks. I've stayed at Comfort Inns that were better than this. I guess what you pay for is the fancy bar and restaurant and lobby. I would never stay here again. Also the security deposit is about $51 a night and parking is $38 (self park) or $61 (valet) a night.",2,0,0,0
4773,rkQsVkqhyA9yNihBmt9eiA,"Expensive hotel with no amenities. Crappy staff at the Concierge desk. Maps in the rooms directory books didn't include any floor above the 5th I was on the 14th floor. ""Historical"" means small and old here and not always in a good way. Bathroom was micro sized. Bath tub drain was plugged. One dresser drawer broke apart in my hand when I opened it.Windows opened but had no screens. And I do believe this is the only Hilton that does not offer coffee in the room. I won't send my worst enemy to this hotel. Stay anywhere but here!",2,0,0,0
4774,yQv4MFQp_tN0NElSduRWnw,"It's ok, but the rooms uptop really need a makeover not all the ""executive suites"" are remodeled. Very cool as always great loop location off the tourist trap area (north michigan ave.) otherwise my 2nd home in Chicago!",3,0,0,0
4775,bTdodRlylv72QT_NOko9mA,"I booked this hotel through http://Hotwire.com at a rate of $81 a night when I traveled to Chicago for the weekend. For this price, everything was great. The staff was incredibly nice and the hotel lobby is really pretty. The room was really quiet and I had no trouble sleeping. Additionally, the location is really convenient.However, if you are going to pay full fare, I recommend making your reservation elsewhere. The room and bathroom wereTINY and the tube TV was from 1992. In this day and age, every hotel should have wireless internet, but at the Palmer House Hilton we had to go downstairs and get a ""wireless tower"" at the bargain price of $15/day. We had breakfast at the hotel restuarant and it was just ok. If you are short on time, I recommend going downstairs to the corner bakery and having breakfast there instead. If you have time, then it is definitely worth it to make the trek to Tempo!I recommend this hotel if you find a great deal, but otherwise it is worth it to stay somewhere a little more updated.",3,0,0,0
4776,jS4lajLQFcD_K6Ij8IP47A,"Just left a two day/night stay at the Palmer house & have zero plans to return. The ""old charm"" of the place is valid, but wears off when your room has no hot water, you end up having to change rooms & then get the worst neighbors in the room next door. Being an older building, you can't expect sound proof rooms, but when the hotel refuses to do anything about your neighbors loud singing, loud talkin & then wild kingdom sounding like mating ritual, well that was under impressive. Mind you this was occurring between 3 & 4 in the morning. Only posting 1 star because the engineer worked really hard trying to fix the hot water issue.",1,0,0,0
4777,jLdCnxP4COTWKlyyZq5Gtg,"I primarily book a room at the Palmer for their exquisite lobby. It is simply a beautiful place to enjoy a few cocktails, particularly during the holiday season.  I could care less however, for the standard guest rooms. They are unbelievably small, and often a room will be booked facing the building next door. The water pressure belonging to the sink and shower head are unusually low (which truly is not a bad thing environmentally as less water is exerted, however, I shared a room with someone that was really irritated by this.)",3,0,0,0
4778,XKA_lGxZU0mMghVnxEgTlg,"oh  wow  on my  way  moving to  NY city ,i  stooped at the palmer  house for  one  night.wow the  hotel  look so  good,  yes  i think  its  very over price  ,  absolutely .service  was not bad at all,  breakfast was nice as well.but  the  hotel  look  real good.i am  very  recommended that  place  for  weekend  in chicago .",4,0,0,0
4779,mjoleH2hi_py-kQ_nR_vKQ,"Positives for the Palmer House include the incredible lobby and a wonderful location - a block from Michigan Avenue, the Art Institute and Millennium Park.  Kudos to the concierge staff, all were friendly and helpful.Negatives - well our rooms sure didn't look like the rooms touted in their marketing material.  Peeling wallpaper and scuffed up paint, low ceilings in the halls that a 6'5"" person would find daunting.  No coffee service in the room.  For $13 extra, they'll provide you with a coffee maker and 4 packs of coffee.  They'll provide additional coffee at a considerable upcharge, and they won't clean up around the coffee maker.  And no matter what time of day it was, the room service attendants were blocking the hallways with service carts.  Weird service all around.Lockwood's, the hotel restaurant was very expensive for both breakfast and dinner.  Breakfast was mediocre as was the service.  We'd been comped breakfast in exchange for an awful dinner the night before, other wise we'd never have gone back.  Dinner was extremely expensive and the service was abysmal.  I'd thought that maybe our waiter wasn't feeling well because he kept wiping his forehead, and he seemed completely disinterested in his work.  We'd tried to ask questions about the menu and the wines, but he mumbled so, that even upon asking him again, we still couldn't understand him.  The menu was ambitious, with claims of using local farms for meats and produce.  I give them credit for that.  But, that's it.  The flavors were completely nondescript.  If you want to spend $165 for dinner for two, there are much better alternatives.",2,0,0,0
4780,7Zi-npKWH21KqBHZ9Tja2w,"While the lobby was gorgeous our room was a TOTAL disappointment.  We were excited based on the photos on the website, but our room had clearly not been remodeled.  The bedding was old, the carpet was old, the wall paper was peeling off the walls & our bathroom reeked of mildew.  Not sure how we got stuck in the gross room, but we did.  We could have had a better quality room at a holiday inn.",2,0,0,0
4821,_sNwOfX_g4cY87D8dkYvdQ,I stayed at this hotel last night with my little girl Bella.  It was Bella's 7th birthday and they made her feel so special.  I can not say enough good things about the treatment and service at this hotel.  They went over and above to personalize our welcome. I had better service than any Disney hotel . We will return .,5,0,0,0
4822,rEolGa8vLDUxfvh8AHv6Pg,"I stayed here for a business trip.  It was my first time to Chicago.   My room was clean, personnel very professional and I felt very comfortable on site.  It is near (or within walking distance) of quite a bit of things to do, great restaurants etc.  My favorite part was the fitness center.  Quite spacious for a hotel, well working and high quality machines.  Would definitely stay here again.",4,0,0,0
4823,6AAlDONkSJJDPmIBfe7qFQ,The Hyatt is amazing with a nice sized room and comfortable bed. The bathroom is also spacious with good lighting. Disappointed about about the charges for parking and internet.,5,0,0,0
4824,Rm0riRQAwLUOkhxu9sy_IA,"This was the second time we have stayed at this hotel. This time with our 22 month old child. We got a great deal on the hotel using Priceline's name your own price. In addition we used the Facebook Word of the Week to get free internet for one day (which we didn't use anyway) and a significantly reduced rate on parking. The hotel is really in a great location for the type of activities we like to do. Due to a need to have milk for our child I called ahead to see what we could do regarding a fridge for the room. They informed me that when we check in just to mention that we had a child so we needed the crib and fridge and we were not charged for either. In addition, they had no problem giving us our choice of two beds or one king. Several hotels in the past when using priceline make no special requests like this. I definitely recommend this hotel.",4,0,0,0
4825,nWlsv5Odf14UiAAyUfhtQA,front desk service very nice .. almost a little too nice and boardline creepy. 34th floor suites are gorgeous with nice city view. huge hotel. huge general area/lounge.,4,0,0,0
4826,rrXV3fERt0KWkIT-T5dRQg,"I stayed here for a geeky conference, and it was pretty alright, though I was not impressed at the service for the price. Beds were comfortable and the place was clear, but I would have never been able to even afford a room if I hadn't received my badge for free. Still, it's not a bad hotel.",3,0,0,0
4827,OdcYQDqP8xYepO29MVj6cg,"I got this room for $50 on priceline. I would have paid $100. Great room, great location, great staff.",4,0,0,0
4828,Co3zZc7-vIqVQUH2xBBKzw,"This hotel is the best ever. I loved it. It was in a great location and i was very nice on the inside. There is an underground tunnel thing that takes you into this mall-like thing that has fast food restaurants, med-fast, and sit down restraunts. Check-in was easy and the staff was great and very nice.",5,0,0,0
4829,8U7jBnz-VoBwaFepQAFXzw,"I recently booked a reservation for a family member through a website that I will not name. On our way to the hotel, we decided to call to confirm the reservation, JUST IN CASE, and the hotel had stated that they did not have a reservation under my name. Now, I had a confirmation e-mail and the payment was already processed.I had to call the hotel again and was put on hold for 20 minutes. Then was told to contact the website I booked it through. I was then on hold for another 40 minutes!!!The three people I was put through to were all very helpful and the hotel ended up upgrading the room for the inconvenience so that was nice but I just did not understand the confusion.All in all the stay was very nice for this family member but the being on hold and calling back and forth was not the greatest to say the least.",3,0,0,0
4830,htQgJ_Z0ADA_QHeKthfeFw,"Back from friday & saturday nite stays in King Deluxe room 3002....oct 21 & 22...Bed was Posture Pedic Grand and hardly a pillow top!!!!pillow tops give a floating on cloud feeling and this bed was lumpy and hard as rock!!!!  We observed on the floor and around the base ofthe walls filthy dust and dirt!!!  Absolutely the worst discovery Sundaymorning were finger & toe nails scattered about the floor, not noticedbefore but now in the bright daylight very disgusting!!!!Four star hotels certainly offer much better comfortable beds, and immaculate cleanliness!!!!  Future Chicago stays will be at true four stars hotel, like the Marriott!!!!  The Johnson's  Adrian, Michigan",2,0,0,0
4831,MOYe8QbuJTgS8Pw-bWm6rQ,"I rated this four stars because while I have been to much nicer hotels the Hyatt hotel is also a very nice hotel. The location is perfect surrounded by everything you need! The staff is very helpful and nice. Their beds are comfy and the rooms are a nice size. My favorite part of the hotel is their athletic/ pool area, one of the best! Its big enough for a large group of people. The pool holds a lot of people comfortably, and that it really important. I enjoyed all of their facilities including their sauna! -Dionne Gatling.",4,0,0,0
4832,R7CooMRd5iO0P27qVtbJqw,"Nice rooms, good staff, outstanding locations. Within easy walk of several site and shopping. And bus stop right outside for using public transportation to get to those places not so close. Hotel bar and restaurant are slightly above average, prices are typical. Only con is parking. Parking in downtown Chicago is a B***h, thanks to Mayor Dayle. Parking is tight and expensive. Got into town later in evening and closes parking I could find was 5 blocks away (this is why valet parking is so expense at all of the downtown hotel). Unless you really need a car its best to leave it at home and use what public transportation is available (bus, taxi, shuttle, etc)",4,0,0,0
4833,VITztVma1FTbsjw8V4kjUA,Stuck in a corner room with previous guests roomservice outside our room all night. Guess you shouldn't expect much more for a 60$ PL bid. $50 for parking was outrageous...,3,0,0,0
4834,X4eJfE793DysXEnPh0QhuQ,"Simply a great place to have a party. Great service, great facilities. Will be here pretty soon.",5,0,0,0
4835,yU-0KbeLW-s0GLa4iq_TIw,"Room comfortable, quiet, bed and linens first rate.  TV large, bath clean, furnishing comfortable, Wifi $14 per day extra. Front desk service great, luggage hold for room service not handicap friendly.",3,0,0,0
4836,k_qHFms9JXL_6g0zaIat_A,"This was my first time in Chicago and this hotel helped make the visit a very pleasurable one.  I was attending a conference held in the hotel....the place is huge!  The location couldn't have been better.  My window overlooked the Chicago River (more like a canal).  It was a beautiful area...clean, full of nice restaurants and shopping.  The architecture of the surrounding buildings was spectacular.My room was very comfortable.  The bed was nice.  I had a large flat-screen TV and a nice comfy chair and not-so-comfy couch.  But hey, no real complaints here.  My only real complaint was that the closet was a bit small and the doors make it difficult to get clothes in and out.  (It's almost not worth mentioning!)  The hotel staff were all very nice and helpful.  I received top-notch service.I hope to stay at this hotel the next time I visit Chicago.  (Hopefully not in connection with a conference, rather strictly for play!)  If you're holding a conference here, please be aware that the food is less than desireable.  But the meeting space is wonderful.I highly recommend this for families, business travelers, conventions or singles looking for a good time.",4,0,0,0
4837,wWePVZW18OFOv0yWgLmJ0g,"I stay here - whenever I can. I do have membership to both starwood (sheraton) and hyatt (passport). Excellent point systems in both hotels, but good sheratons (with a view) at reasonable corporate prices are rare to find in Chicago downtown. So, that leaves me with this Hyatt - and this one is really nice. Marriott's and Hiltons and Holiday Inn's take for ever to build up points to get a free night, so I tend to avoid them if I can.I always enjoy staying in this hotel. Rooms are fantastic and being a platinum member, I always get great views - 20th floor and higher.I go here for the views, room decor, great bathroom (towels seem cheap tho), and quietness in the rooms. Most rooms have large LCD screen TVs (with horrible resolution:) ), hotel has good service and ""that"" BIG BAR.Tip: There is a dominicks (safeway grocery store) across the river where you can get great wine, fresh fruits and juices if you are planning on staying for over 2-3days. Internet is extra 13+/night, and a mini fridge is 25/stay.",4,0,0,0
4838,pt1YSXBtHPZjY-4ameO2tA,If you like roaches and over priced everything stay here! It's not worth the money they charge and it is a low class place.,1,0,0,0
4839,g6DeGcUBWyzzOMPNlYVCZA,"The hotel itself was ok, but we used the event planning/catering service for a private event and the service we received was atrocious.  The main event planners here are completely incompetent and totally dishonest.  Not only did they make promises that were left unfulfilled, but they also blatantly lied and stated that they provided services that were not provided.  The food was passable, but it was not served according to plan, the service workers were late, and the planners/managers were absent and unreachable when food and drinks were not provided in accordance with our contract..   I will never provide this company any more money after this botched event, and I advise that others not use any event services/catering services offered by these people.",1,0,0,0
4840,OhU8-ANmNdS2CkbwMSGwbA,"The Hyatt Regency Chicago is a twenty-seven story hotel that encompasses 2,019 guest room and 119 suites. All rooms at the Hyatt Regency Chicago offer an astonishing view of the cityscape. Inside the hotel, rooms are equipped with all the basic amenities, such as cable tv, an in room coffee maker (cups included). In addition, internet service is offered through both wireless and cable mediums. Also a part of this amazing hotel is a restaurant, a gift shop, and a coffee stand. Adding to the ambiance of the hotel, the lobby is illuminated with large Asian inspired lanterns. If thats not enough, live music can be found near the bar whose glass walls depicting parts of the city are lined with bottles of all sizes.",3,0,0,0
4841,sAtf2uRqbAsXm3bf67lfxw,"We wanted something in right in downtown Chicago that was luxurious. Well Hyatt proved that. On top of that we got the room for a steal of a price. The hotel lobby is soaring and has a large bar and restaurants with lots of windows. Check was a breeze and the staff friendly. The room had been renovated recently with a comfy bed, flat panel TV, nice big bathroom and had a great view of the Times building. The fitness center is open 24 hours and is well equipped. There is a Starbucks in the lobby along with a nice restaurant for breakfast. The bar serves some good food too. Concierge was very helpful in arranging a tour on the river run by the Architect's society. The boat is right across the street.   All in all it has everything you would want and if you use the right website to book the room you will pay a third of what the room typically goes for. Book it and enjoy!",4,0,0,0
4842,z6gn7xAqFayFU63U3pTjAQ,"As we arrived to the hotel's proximity on Wacker, we could hear its name being shouted before we saw it. The base of the hotel was covered in groups of picketers with angry signs beating pots and pans. Once we made our way through the angry crowd, we found the lobby to be very impressive and immense. It took us a few minutes before we could locate the actual front desk that was up the escalator and on the second floor. Our room was on the Regency Level on the 34th floor with amazing views of the lake, Chicago River and the downtown skyline. The bed was very comfortable and the room was of a modern style. It was a nice looking room; however, it was pretty dusty. In the bathroom, the water pressure was so weak that it was a let down since they had such a nice looking shower. Another upsetting factor was that you could still hear the angry crowd from the street below banging their pans and shouting at all hours of the day from the 34th floor! It was horrible. The first night that we were there, we had a lady use a key card and enter our room (even with our privacy sign on the door) a bit after 10pm! We were in bed and were very shocked to find a person opening our room's door. We immediately called the front desk who then transferred me to security. About 20 or so minutes later, security arrived at our room to ""interrogate"" the lock. He said it was most likely a ""benign"" situation and probably housekeeping (after 10pm!?!). He fiddled with the lock and then disappeared without a final explanation to me and my husband. Needless to say, we didn't sleep well that night. With every noise we heard, we thought someone was coming in our room again. With us being unsure of housekeeping, or who ever was coming in our room, we decided to not have our room serviced during our stay. From the sound of it, they wouldn't have serviced it anyways. We spoke with another family in the building and they had been there three days waiting for someone to service their room. They were starting to make bets on whether or not their room would be clean each time they went back into their room. Basic cleanliness is a necessity for any hotel--it doesn't matter how large and how many rooms you have. In result of the picketers, more than half of the hotel restaurants were not in working order and were closed. In addition, there was no room service. We specifically chose a Hyatt hotel in the Chicago area so we would have restaurants close by since this was our first time to the city. This was a let down after flying from the West Coast. We decided to eat at the breakfast buffet on our second day and I would not recommend it. For the two of us, it cost $40 some dollars and the food was less than impressive. I only ate a third of a Denver omelet (the eggs were runny and the vegetables were crunchy), a piece of cantaloupe and some yogurt. Should have left the hotel for some real food for a fraction of the price! The proximity to sightseeing things and the ability to get a cab in a hurry is great. Just remember, you will have to walk through picketers to get in or out of the cars. All in all, we will not be returning nor will we recommend this hotel to anyone--family, friend or stranger. I actually joined yelp to share this story because I know how important reviews are and people should know this hotel is having some major issues. Don't let this hotel ruin your Chicago getaway!",1,0,0,0
4843,QFB0rUEnpR3JhkA9KNxdIQ,"Nice hotel, but draconian fees for wifi even in the lobby left a bad feeling. The room was comfy, the food in the restaurant was great. There's a large gym, but they could do a better job of cleaning it.",3,0,0,0
4844,vF60WMr6uONMZIGNYPcABA,I stayed in one of the new rooms and I loved it!!! Great experience. I used the word of the day from Facebook and got a discount for parking!! Great!!!,5,0,0,0
4845,bvTkiQCSnGIBX9hF-dXKXg,"I enjoyed my stay here in February, but this place is not without its disadvantages. I decided to book via getaroom http://bit.ly/l3aVjS which was advertising a pretty cheap rate at the time.Pros:- Super close to top attractions including Magnificent mile, Navy Pier, etc.- Attractive lobby- Friendly staff- Comfortable room- Nice gymCons:- No free internet. Huh?- Food at the restaurant = not cheap- Can sometimes get a little crowdedAll in all, this place is worth checking out.",4,0,0,0
4846,FbXsXzn-jaH1tykELt_u7A,"Paid more than $200 per night in this hotel with high expectations and after I had heard so much about it in Yelp. One of the most disappointing stays I have had in such a talked about hotel. I had been told I was getting a room with two queen beds. When I checked in, I was told the room is not available so I was given a king sized bed in supposedly a renovated wing of the hotel. After getting into the room, I found out that it was renovated for sure - the room was still smelling heavily of paint. The bed was a king size roll out bed - yes, you got that right! A roll out bed for $200+ per night. There were no lights on the side of the bed so one had to get up everytime and go the the lights at the corner of the room to switch them on/off. All night, there was periodic slamming noise come out just outside my door after every 30 mins or so. I was too tired to find out and just wanted to get a night's rest. In the morning I figured out, it was the ice machine and all night due to some issue, there was a crashing noise coming from it. I would stay at a Marriott Courtyard anyday, at least I know what I would be getting for a much better rate.",2,0,0,0
4847,_fyskffY-5B4Wm6x6pV9bQ,The Hyatt Regency in Chicago is a really nice hotel.  It has an upscale feel and is so close to downtown that you can just leave on foot to get to the magnificent mile.  It is very professional and has a great feel to it.,5,0,0,0
4848,Wul9DUewc_zUj5ooBhJb9g,"Great hotel!  Brings back wonderful memories as we were in staying over for a big meeting my daughter had (which turned out successful!).  Valet/bellmen were great, very attentive.  Lobby is beautiful, huge hotel, we'd definately stay again!!!",5,0,0,0
4849,DOanNDS0pvQaFxghiPgiig,what a great hotel!,5,0,0,0
4850,513GoY5b5laLEdDx4Ex1mA,"I enjoy staying at this property. Its a fun hotel. They have a great club that was removed and placed back in the lobby. It is always lots of fun to stay here, and we enjoy going here when we are visiting Chicago.",4,0,0,0
5021,UOeUECqpwiohgcJ0VVOE8w,"For the price and previous ratings, I expected to have a nice relaxing time at the W. I was there for a wedding, and I have traveled to Chicago many times before, but this was my first time staying at the W. First, there is no direct shuttle for guests from Midway or O'Hare. Second, there are 4 elevators for 33 floors so there is ALWAYS a long wait (at least 10 minutes) for a lift. Third, the cleaning staff came to clean my room at 9am on a Saturday morning and never came back to clean, replenish towels, or make the beds. Forth, was charged for mini bar items that neither I, nor my guest, used. Fifth, when I checked in around 1130pm the previous Friday, there was a very loud music in the lobby lounge making it nearly impossible to hear the receptionist tell me where my room was, nor was there anyone there to help with my bag. Lots of negatives for the ""5-star"" hotel. However, there were times where the staff redeemed itself: The strap to my heel broke and I was able to call the concierge to get super glue to fix it, and the valet hailed a cab for me and helped load my bags. Also, after contacting the managers regarding the extraneous charges, they did reimburse me. However, if given the option to stay here again I would rather stay at one of the hotels down the street a few blocks down where I've stayed there before and had much better service",2,0,0,0
5022,bVKbGPe901wc7gaVS8F9sA,"Douchey Decor!  Super date-rape city in there.  But if you can deal with it, it's a very comfortable room and has nice Bliss products.  Telescopes in the corridors that overlooked Navy Pier were a nice touch.  Raucous lobby area in the evening that made me feel old (and went I stayed here I was 26).",3,0,0,0
5023,qqqGCoA1YQ6vtMiEre2V_Q,I am a little late on my review because I just discovered this site. My wife and I spent our wedding anniversary here in October. We couldn't go out of town but wanted to get out of the house! Even though the W is close to our condo we decided to spend the weekend here since we are big W fans! I had flowers waiting in the room when we arrived so the hotel knew it was our anniversary. They upgraded our room and treated us like it was our honeymoon. They went above and beyond our already high expectations due to years of staying at W hotels. The bartenders knew us by name and knew our drinks. The food was amazing! The pool was better then our health club. All amenities were first class.The view is one of the best in the city and worth the room rate alone. The customer service was top notch.  I will have all out of town guests stay here going forward. This hotel is the overall package. There are still other W hotels I like better but as far as hotels in Chicago this one tops them all. From the min we walked in the door we know we made the right choice. Keep up the great customer service on every level and this hotel will always be one of the best and our home away from home right here in Chicago! Thanks for making our anniversary one of the best!,5,0,0,0
5024,hCaqFNSOUlgoeM7GDvtRnw,"Normally I'm not a fan of places with über-trendy, über-clubby vibes, but I have a soft spot for the W Lakeshore. I've stayed here a few times in the past few years and each time I've been impressed. I've even been impressed when I wasn't a guest here. Everyone-- from the doormen to the front desk to the cleaning ladies to the fitness room attendants to the concierge-- have been always been accommodating and professional.  It was here where I first learned what concierges did. I used to walk by hotel concierges and wonder what the heck they did all day. At the W Lakeshore, they do everything! They make rental car reservations if you want to drive out to the 'burbs, mail letters even if you don't have a stamp, reserve tables at popular restaurants--the whole shebang! Once I wandered into the W when I wasn't staying there, all lost and wind-shocked, and the concierge looked up the restaurant I was trying to get to and gave me directions. Now that's service.  The rooms are a little on the small side, but the view of the lake more than makes up for it. At a lot of hotels with supposed lake views, you can only see the lake way, way off in the distance. At the W, however, you can take a shower, open the divider between the bathroom and bedroom, and all you see is water when you look out the window. Now that's priceless. As a much-appreciated security precaution, you have to insert your room card to use the elevators. The hotel exercise room has nice equipment, but I usually just run along the lakeshore path because it's right across the street. The complimentary Bliss products are a little too citrusy-smelling for my liking, but that's just a preference thing. I can't comment on the restaurant or bars because I've never tried them, but the bar/lounge/restaurant area on the first floor is full of people in stylish clothes at night so I'm assuming it'd be a good place to pick up people if that's your thing. Tip: If you're part of the Starwood Preferred Guest program, you get early check-in and late check-out (4PM!!!!), even if you didn't book the room through the Starwood website. Also, most hotel programs don't give you reward points if book through an outside party, but I've gotten about 50-60 SPG points per stay in the past (which, admittedly, is basically nothing but still appreciated).",5,0,0,0
5025,DFGJroljdjzVmX-H65FHtA,"This is the last time I book any of my colleagues and clients at this hotel. We've booked with W Chicago-Lakeshore  in the past and there has always been something but this time around was the final straw. I booked a hotel stay for one of my colleagues and my colleague was suppose to check in on Sunday. I called a week prior to his check in date to prepaid for his stay (since every time I asked for a CC Auth form, I never received it). The account woman took everything over the phone and said my colleague was all set. Here comes Sunday, the day my colleague is set to check in. They will not let him check in because they require him to put his card down for room & tax. My question is...what's the point of prepaying for a room when the guest is going to have to put down his/her card for ROOM & TAX plus incidentals. My colleague called me explaining the situation that Sunday night. Then I called the hotel and spoke to the night manger, who name begins with a G. She herself told me that she can see that an authorization has been made to his account but the account woman clearly didn't input the hard swipe. Another question I have to ask, why is that our problem? That was negligence on your employee's part not ours. Then, for her to say we have to put down for incidentals and a night stay in order to stay at the hotel(which would have been $650+, after I repeatedly told her I would send the details over to her first thing in the morning and my guest can not pay for this. I don't think Ms. G understands that everyone doesn't have $650+ to give at the drop of a hat. Which is why the company was paying for his travel.To cut a long story short, my colleague was waiting outside of the hotel for about to 2hrs, at night after flying in from NY to be told he couldn't stay at their hotel because a W Chicago Lakeshore employee was negligent in processing a CC Auth form. Which lead for me to intensely search for a hotel for my colleague to stay in for that night and the next 3 days.  I am just beyond frustrated with this hotel. They treated us like we're new to doing business with them and we don't  book a lot of our colleagues and clients at their hotel. Never again.",1,0,0,0
5026,XKYeYAOdGv1kSURW6xUSLQ,Stayed at both W Lakeshore and W City Center . W Lakeshore is so much better: simply a modern place with great service and amenities.,5,0,0,0
5027,V6R5TS9tycq-zORZIH8TFg,"Customer service was terrible.  The front desk staff of young girls seemed better suited as cocktail waitresses.  They were very unprofessional and first declined my credit card twice (because they entered the wrong exp. date).  They never reviewed the charges with me and our credit card called that they were putting through an extra $200 per night for incidentals as a deposit.  Then, when we paid $400 per night to stay during the Chicago Air & Water show, we were told the 7th floor balcony was closed even to guests unless you pay $25 per person.  After complaining to the manager, there was no follow up on this at all.   In the room our TV remote was broken as were the blinds covering the window; the A/C was loud and the room seemed musty and dirty.  They charge $14.95 for daily internet per device connecting.  People roam the lobby and front lawn with dogs, which just doesn't seem appropriate given the swanky lobby feel.  Surprisingly disappointing for a hip, higher end hotel chain.  Won't stay there again.",2,0,0,0
5028,V6rGkgpgOxAl4IxXLXunJQ,Stayed here MANY years ago after a friend recommended it......loved the bar area!  Atmosphere was awesome......loved the whole feel of this hotel!,4,0,0,0
5029,XSwj3VhOBP7DjMZVLMQCyA,"I stayed in the W Chicago last August and, overall speaking, it was a good experience.I'd recommend to anyone who have enough $ to spend or that can found a good deal.Here are the things I liked and disliked about this hotel. Most of the things in the hotel are great!Liked:- Great swimming pool and very complete and spacious gym- Rooms are very comfy and the bathrooms come with all the things you want to bring home (shampoos, mosturizers etc.)- Staff is very attentive and corteous- Great free DVD selection- Great location - close to Navy Pier and other attractionsDisliked:- Food. I ordered food to eat in the hotel and I was absolutely disenchanted. Food was not only tasteless but it was hard to swollow. Good thing is that hotel reimbursed me for that- Lobby bar. This lobby bar in the top floor is just not like the W hotel lobby bars that you would expect. This one is tasteless and reminds of bars that are almost out of business. I don't expect anyone to like to go there to celebrate anything or even for a drinkBut, all in all, is a worthwhile experience if you plan to come to Chicago for a good time!",4,0,0,0
5030,99nggAKVSUIhBlC8M7ETpg,Did my wife's Birthday party here in the Altitude Room and had a great time!  The staff was fantastic and my entire experience was great.  My wife turned 30 so we had friends and family come in and I worked with Rolanda to be able to get them to stay there which worked out well for the suprise for my wife.  The room was beautiful and we ended up staying in a room ourselves which was really really nice (great views!).  Could not have asked for a better experience.  thanks everyone over there for making my wife's special day so great.,5,0,0,0
5031,zTI70YsE37AMr5XyghMGWQ,"No, I did not stay at the W but how rude are these human beings. I asked, what I believed at the time to candy of my eye, if should could help me with a room reservation that I was apart of. She turned into a demon man, saying I wasn't on the reservation, which could of been solved by the use of the W's phone, which couldn't be accessed by my hands. So, please if you could go to any hotel, go there...not the W!",1,0,0,0
5032,PJiry8MbK-DCmSJOSIMgJg,"I'm actually writing this for my wife.  We stayed here so that I could go to a Notre Dame football game.  My wife was pregnant and didn't feel well so she stayed at the hotel.  Literally, she stayed in the room THE ENTIRE TIME.  She absolutely loved this place.  She did not want to leave.  I finally convinced her to at least meet some friends for dinner one night so she came out for a couple hours for dinner, but that's it.  I have to admit, the bed was extremely comfortable.  I should probably have written a bad review since my wife chose the hotel over joining me at the football game - the whole reason we went to Chicago!",5,0,0,0
5033,b4fVjcl72GgqaYI-_GWTMA,"I totally forgot to yelp about this place while I was staying there last Saturday. My friends and I stayed at the W hotel last Saturday while I was in town visiting my BF on tour for the night. This place was nice. I usually tend to stay at W hotels but never here in Chicago. It was clean, decor was nice and most of all very accomodating. We ended up with a great rate. We had a really nice view from our window. We booked two rooms to fit us all and they were able to put us on the same floor.  Although I stayed one and a half days here it was a great experience.",4,0,0,0
5034,qPj_-RRD0l_bB4ahPOvY7g,"with a reputation that raised the bar, the W hotel were popping up all over the country with sophisticated, modern hotels and i so wanted to stay at one! well, i finally stayed at these hotels once on a business trip in san francisco, and another time on vacation in south beach. both times i was impressed with their unstuffy professionalism and contemporary decor. when it was time to choose a location for our wedding, we knew right where to go. i told our wedding planner to get to work. for our wedding ceremony and reception, the pricing was average for downtown chicago and the reception package was pretty inclusive. guests couldn't stop talking about how nice our wedding was, and the views from the altitude room were as good as all the little details the W put together. the drapery complimented our chuppah perfectly and it was a great space for dancing. fun signature martinis too. funny little fact about this hotel: i found out it used to be a days inn. complete transformation overhaul! some of our guests stayed in the room block and said it was a nice touch to their weekend in chicago. if you are getting ready for your own wedding at the hotel, a suite is a MUST!",5,0,0,0
5035,6LpRzpy4DBtKvgdkcE70nA,"So lets just say you will not miss the big ""W"" protruding from the hotel while driving down Lakeshore Drive.... From the moment we pulled up to VALET the car (may I add, it is ridiculous charge and should be cheaper for hotel residents... $40...but hey its the chi) anyways, It reminded me of a Miami vibe....with the shell mosaic shingles on the hotel front wall that glisten (I love) to the outside quarter to the right when you walk-in filled with posh plush retro couches and pillows (def a Miami wanna be). CHECK-IN: was a breeze...although had problem con my room keys at first, but problem easily resolved with the friendly concierge. It is a small hotel and the BLISS SPA is nice too (of course pri$ey) but I have been to way better spas in other hotels. So save your dinero!!! The bar located on the main floor is also filled with an upscale trendy crowd Now the part you should really care about...dun dun dun.... ROOM: very modern, beautiful, small, amazing view (request Lakeshore) but very comfortable...you will def have a great nite's rest....plushy very soft beds and pillows and Gorgeous marble bathroom filled with the hotel spa products ""Bliss"" with open french windows....You can see in your bathroom from your room or vice versa (weird but a nice touch). Overall, I liked it and I got a great deal on the room (hotwire) so not complaining!!! =)",4,0,0,0
5036,TX5Z80-_CAs_W5PgW7xlgA,"The service here is excellent, everyone at the front desk was exceptional and was the Concierge. I believe her name was Jaclyn, she got us reservations to a great restaurant and helped plan a great weekend for me and my boyfriend!I will def. be back",5,0,0,0
5037,r8pcxhNoNq3v9_8CnZZyjA,"I was put up here for a business trip awhile back. I actually have family in the area, but didn't want to totally invade. I heard this was top-notch and thought, ""what the hell, why not?""I was glad to hear that they were open to pets. Because I do spend quite a bit of time with family/friends in Chicago, I wanted to extend my business trip a bit and bring the fam/dog along with me. The dog thing earned them 2 stars, but the rest of the hotel was fairly unimpressive. I am not one to bitch a moan about a free trip, but if I was coming out-of-pocket with that kind of money, there are far nicer hotels in Chicago I think.  I wouldn't call the staff ""rude"" as much as ""inattentive"". No one is jumping up to help you or offer you exemplary service. Which, hey, if I'm at the Red Roof Inn, I'm not looking for it, but the W? come on people!I guess the design/layout is nice for the modern feel they are going for, but it's simply not my style. In addition, location-wise, it's good for the view, but there are far better options close to the mag mile.",2,0,0,0
5038,0xgRaEz3-FgwlY8uYT_hDQ,"So much for the W experience! I am so grateful that I did not have to pay out of my own pocket to stay here. They try to make the hotel look trendy, but it doesn't work.To start with, the room itself feels so dirty & cheap. It's so small too. Having the bathroom barely separated with the rest by the wooden windows was a terrible idea. The hall way, the common area, and the whiskey bar all have the same problem: way too dark! Slightly dimmed is cool & make it feel sexy, but this make it feel like a cave! The hotel staffs are way too cocky because they think they work at a cool hotel.  Come on, do your job & accommodate the guests first! The lobby is not as nice as the picture. In fact, it's very chaotic there.I found out this place used to be a Days Inn, go figure!  All that sleezy decor could not cover up what it really is. I was pretty embarrassed that I invited a girl to this hotel with me. The only good thing about it is location - close walking distance to all major attractions.",2,0,0,0
5039,-rekIUZvWQhDfHQil0OnzQ,"W-hotel and the Altitude on the 33rd floor arguably the best 280-degree views in town.  Sarah Petermann, catering manager, did a great job executing our recent engagement party on the top floor Altitude with 118 people in attendance and they all felt it was the best party they have ever been to.  There is still great ""buzz"".Sarah from the catering department helped with ""The Far East Meets the Near South"" (Asian and South American) food selection.  The presentation of the food will actually be placed in our photo album-montage.   We were very happy with all of her suggestions. She performed extensive relocation of the furniture to ensure the ""flow"" of the room.  Sarah outreached to our incoming out-of-town guests and made sure they were educated on hotel  amenities.  W-Hotel also provided referrals for a nanny or evening sitter for our esteemed nephew-Mathew.  My cousin Sandra is a new mom and this was a concern for the family.  The service was wonderful on all aspects and we had a great time. Thank you to all the staff and especially Sarah Petermann.Michael & Janette  ""MJdragonfly""",5,0,0,0
5040,TqfGO-c5Huyfqr0NDm_ERQ,"I'm not really into the W-thing.  I've stayed in some W's in the past that didn't pass muster, so I wasn't expecting much and ended up being pleasantly surprised.  I prefer classy older hotels over urban hip establishments.  But, having said that, I actually enjoyed my recent stay here while attending a medical convention.  Overall, this hotel suited my needs as a business traveller.  I was greeted very warmly by the receptionist upon check in .  The lobby was contemporary/ minimalist, but beautifully decorated with flowers and candles that made a good first impression.  I found my room to be pretty standard business class, but the bed was extremely comfortable with thick down pillows and eqyptian cotton sheets.  The room had a full mini-bar, an LG flat screen TV, DVD player (hotel had a nice video library that I did not sample), an IPod docking station, nice bath robe, bliss bath toilettries, and 24-hr room service.  As a single traveller, I did not mind the window with shutters that opened to the bedroom from the bath.  I actually liked to have the shutters open so that I could watch TV from the bathroom while brushing my teeth in the morning.   The elevator ride down to the lobby was usually awkward in the morning, as strangers in business attire crammed in next to me in this dimly lit minidisco with piped in sexy disco musak. The entire lobby turned into a night club on most evenings during my stay.  It was a lively scene, and I found that my colleagues were all eager to participate.  We tried the restaurant ""Wave"" for lunch and dinner and I would highly recommend it.  I sampled many of the dishes from the tapas-style menu and they were excellent, including hummus, spinach and feta pastries, flank steak, and octopus.    The hotel is conveniently located a few short blocks from Michigan ave with it's fantastic shops and restaurants.  Overall, I enjoyed my stay and would probably stay here again.",4,0,0,0
44137,0_ZcMYdbkitSU8yiXLoNMQ,Had a terrific stay here!. Loved our room!. Everything was very clean!. Wish this location had a pool like the one at Mccormick place.,5,1,1,1
60711,f_672YE4PKwLJ--NXQvZAA,"I can't complain since I booked through hotwire and got a fabulous deal for $106 to set my family up for a night before the Half Marathon.  It's so gorgeous with the architecture, and I only hope that the renovations make it that much nicer.  Our room was a double smoking with 2 bathrooms, and I did smell lingering smoke.  I mean you can't get rid of it completely, but to have 2 double beds for the price was worth it.  It was really convenient to have 2 bathrooms as well.  I like the bench seating at the end of the bed to help in getting dressed.  I wish I had more time to enjoy the bar and to sit in relax in the lobby rather than just passing through.  If you like history behind buildings this is a classic that you wouldn't want to pass up staying at.",4,0,0,0
84854,_Ty8g4vnIFCVo2tFGpuDpg,"Stayed here for a wedding downtown, needed a hotel.  I would only stay here again for that reason - out of need. I arrived in a cab, with 3 heavy duffel bags and a garment bag.  Upon exiting the cab, I began to retrieve my bags.  A Hyatt employee asked if I needed help getting them out of the trunk.  I said yes, and he then asked if I would like help with them to the room.  I said no, I figured I could carry them myself.  So the guy abruptly threw them onto the ground with a *bang*! and quickly walked away. I understand it was busy.  However, I panicked because there was glassware in one bag, and a bottle of perfume in another.  I don't understand why he couldn't bend slightly and place them on the ground.  Or better yet, given me 30 seconds to take the bags and place them over my shoulder. The room was nice and clean, check-in was very smooth and whoever I dealt with at the front desk was actually very pleasant.  However, that first impression is far too lasting. Show owner comment »",2,0,0,0
132455,A_5sT4wOJMhHCZKs9wX7Cg,"Still one of the most premier hotels in Chicago. Very classic in it's classic muralized ceilings, No doubt. Although at the State St entrance they COULD have kept the classic entrance, Like they did at the Monroe St & Wabash Av locales. Yet nonetheless, Is still classic despite some of the changes. It's a GREAT place for weddings, proms, holiday parties, etc.",4,0,1,0
133777,_6JRA3NO_Cznf8e3M57M-g,"Description and pictures on the website gave a nice posh look but that's all the room was, a nice look. Sure the room was clean and adequate for sleeping, but I found it cramped and not comfortable or functional for a week long stay. There was no actual dressers in the room, the closet only had hangers, and half of the closet was unusable because due to the storage of an ironing board, extra pillows and blankets, and the safe that was not large enough to store a laptop (as advertised on the website). Although I found the room to be a little disappointing the hotel staff was polite, attentive and helpful. All a major bonus when traveling somewhere for the first time and looking for suggestions on places to see, eat, and navigating their public transportation system. All in all, if I were to return to Chicago I would consider staying here again. After all, the rooms were clean, staff knowledgeable and helpful, and it has a prime location off of the Miracle Mile and close to both Navy Pier and Millennium Park.",3,0,0,0
146099,wxRxf8xLirhn8Q6_yq5fKg,"Just checked in (we'll be here for four nights) and the staff has been excellent so far!  Smooth check in (at noon none the less), comfy bed, got free internet with the word of the week and now we are getting ready to head to some museums!!   Looking forward to a great stay here in Chicago! I've stayed here before and it's always great! Show owner comment »",5,0,0,0
155946,eIU-JzvuMt_Z0_BnIks-RQ,"Booked this hotel using Priceline's Negotiator app. Payed less than $100 all in. Great deal, clean room. The only thing that sucks is parking. It was $52 at the hotel and there's a lot (that's almost impossible to find) nearby that's $32. But you have to expect that you're going to pay that much for overnight parking downtown in any major city Show owner comment »",5,0,0,1
173908,s_PEKUaRBc3-UKGGtIXK0Q,"I stayed here on St. Patrick's day, so I paid a little more than usual on Priceline, but it was expected because the city was a madhouse. We parked in the underground parking garage, and that went smoothly despite the huge crowds. We got downtown at about 12:00 p.m., and the nice front desk woman told me a room wasn't ready yet (understandably, because we were early), but someone would call me when it was. Now the problems start.  There was an area where we could leave our bags while we were waiting for our room.  We brought the bags over to the guy, who was very busy because the hotel was nuts, got a tag for them, and started to walk away.  The guy muttered ""seriously"" as we walked away, so my friend said ""sorry"" and ran back and gave him a $5 tip.  I was thinking that we would tip them at the end, but if he wanted it now, fine. We went out to the parade, had some fun, and came back a few hours later for our bags.  There was a different guy running the bag check area.  We got our bags from him, meaning we pointed at them, and he moved them about 5 feet to where we were standing.  He didn't bring them to our room or anything, he just moved them 5 feet.  We started to walk away, and this guy yelled after us ""no tip!""   Ok, I've worked in the service industry.  I realize that people want tips, and often depend on them.  We gave bag check guy number one $5 for putting a tag on our bags.  I do not think it was necessary to give bag check guy number two another $5.  Further, when is it ever appropriate to yell about tips at your customers?  There were about 1000000000 people getting their bags from these guys.  How much money is enough for them? That whole incident kind of ruined the hotel for me.  The room was fine, but someone needs to do something about that horribly rude behavior. Show owner comment »",2,0,0,0
193480,2_ujsKBKDjM3Vtf46EK23w,"- Great location, convenient access to lots of downtown spots, just  a couple of blocks from Michigan Ave. A short walk to Navy Pier, a few blocks from Millenium Park. - Staff is extremely friendly, check-in and check-out were a breeze, they even let me check-in early. They'll store your luggage if you have a late departure. Only issue was one of their on-site catering bartenders had some major attitude. - Fitness room is pretty decent. They actually provide complimentary earphones for you to use during your workout. Surprisingly, they were some of the best fitting earphones I've ever tried on. I was tempted to borrow a pair 'long-term', but that just ruins it for everyone else. Lots of treadmills, elliptical machines, a fair variety of weight machines, even warm towels for wiping off. Top notch. - The rooms were spacious and very comfortable. The bed was not as great as the heavenly beds at the starwood hotels, but still pretty great. I had a handicapped accessible room, so the bathroom was huge, but where's the bathroom counter? There was nowhere to put anything. Housekeeping services were great. Would definitely consider staying here again.",4,0,0,0
207048,Hx03Bg9Tu8d_tallQNr9SQ,"Oh dear. As many a teacher has written in a pupil's exercise book(s), ""Could do better"". This is a large property that finds its Front Desk and other services becoming overloaded all too easily - a housekeeping issue took over a day to resolve. And there is a design ""issue"" with the West Tower - there are either an insufficient number of elevators, or they run much too slowly ... 10 minute waits are simply not acceptable! My recommendation : look for something else .... ! Show owner comment »",2,0,0,0
379267,Bb00wdNBY8GOtiJ_-a_liQ,"About two months before our wedding I reserved five rooms at the Hyatt for our special guests.  For some reason we had to split up the reservations between two names.  This was the cause of much confusion down the road.  Then, when we tried to get an adjustment to the pricing during a special sale, some of our rooms were canceled.  While I received email notices about everything concerning the rooms, I never received any cancellation notifications.  I only happen to find out about the cancellation when I called the night before to ask a few questions about the check in process for my guests.  We all ended up with rooms at the reserved pricing, but only after a few phone calls and too many minutes at the front desk. Aside from their difficult small group room reservation process, it was an OK place for our guests.  The rooms and facilities were clean.  The bar in the main lobby provided a fun place for our guests to end the evening. The cafe food was good and the breakfast buffet had a very nice spread.   Overall, we enjoyed staying there but I will not select this place for large groups in the future. Show owner comment »",2,0,0,0
393946,_SoP8Xsa9JW7lxJbosEhrg,"I am city girl for sure and when my friends say lets go hang and have girlfriend time...I am game! Lets meet at the Palmer House you say? Yes I am there! We met at the bar and the music was on point house music..just like I like it! 10:30pm I will take dessert please... YES!!! Chocolate brownie with mini chocolate mousse, and vanilla ice cream...sounds like a lot? NOPE its the Palmer House damn it! It was all petite. We couldn't share!! (Thank God...get your own) The server was super awesome! He made us laugh and kept his distance so we could have our girlfriend time. The lighting was romantic so its definitely a place you could come with a date for a night cap!",5,2,2,0
401931,_LVeaL9B0eQuJyiIETPOgQ,"After a three day conference at the Palmer House I have to say I will be back for more than attending seminars.  This glorious piece of Chicago history is in a renovation period at this time which only means it will be around for many more years for Chicagoans and tourists to enjoy. I did not stay in the rooms but I do recommend a little chat (with a glass of wine I might add) pre-dinner in the glorious and captivating lobby area.  You can order a glass of wine from the lobby area bar and sit back in luxury before you head on for a night of fun.   I also took a bit of time to visit the Downtown Bar for a leisurely afternoon salad.  While the wine by the glass list is not that large, they do serve the wine in very nice glasses with a smart style.  They give you a personal carafe and only pour about 1/3 into your glass and leave the carafe with you to pour at your own leisure.  Being in the wine business I love this concept so that I can properly swirl my wine and enjoy at my own pace. When entertaining out-of-towners (which we do often) this will be a new stop on my tour for afternoon cocktails in a luxurious and historical setting.",4,1,1,0
402784,_0R-JDll512EZadVlFVrwA,"Super small rooms but a really beautiful historic property. The line to check-in was horrible and there weren't enough people working on the Tuesday afternoon that I checked in. The rate is also a little overpriced considering there was a daily fee to use the gym and the Internet was $14.99 a day (I got it complimentary because I was on my company's contracted rate). I did like the Potter's Bar - had a contemporary feel and was pretty cozy. Unfortunately, I don't think you get the value for the money you pay to stay here so I wouldn't stay here again.",2,1,0,0
405777,A_9Vy9CLtBFRz7TmppQ8AA,"I travel a lot for work and The Palmer House is by far the worst when it comes to Hotel Service. It may be historic and beautifully ornate but that's as far as it goes. During check-in i had many problems even after sending our rooming list 3 times and speaking with the events manager on the phone. And the issues didn't stop there as the elevators are extremely slow, valet and internet way over priced, the rooms are small for the price, the Executive lounge for us Gold Elite members closes early and does not keep out all the amenities as advertised. I could go on but don't want to waste anymore energy on this hotel.",1,2,0,0
419416,K_eQGjtlazyI1fd7-3vdlQ,"We had our wedding at the W Lakeshore this past May and could not have been more thrilled with the outcome. The hotel and staff (Jenny Silvestri & Hope wedding coordinators) are extremely helpful and attentive to your needs. The view from the altitude room is breathtaking and on Saturday evenings they have fireworks at Navy Pier, an added bonus. Every single plate served at dinner was clear by the time dessert was served. I have never heard so many people compliment food at a wedding before - it was incredible. Anytime myself or anyone at the wedding for that fact needed something a staff member was there within minutes to assist. The hotel itself is beautiful and very accomodating. The hotel rooms are a little small but hotel rooms are for sleeping not spending all of your time in so that did not bother me. We opted for one of their suites with a small living area that was perfect. We have stayed at this hotel a few times before and after our wedding and the staff was just as helpful as on our wedding day. At one point I wanted to use their gym but not have a hair tie to pull back my hair, I went to the front desk asking where I could purchase one and a staff member offered to run to 7-11 for me. Now that is customer service.",5,0,0,0
419932,7J29JC9b5veg_GAvM9Fu_Q,Excellent service and staff. Can't say enough good things about this location. Top notch for an event. The service managers are amazing and will bend over backwards to get the job done. Catering was great as well! Show owner comment »,5,0,0,0
472620,YzAO8I0uiUaxwi_8MX07WQ,"A very solid 4-star stay! Obviously, I have not stayed at too many hotels in Chicago. As a former resident, I never had much need. But on a recent trip, it became a necessity so I set out to find the best priced hotel room downtown. A hotwire search for ""4 stars and above"" near ""downtown"" landed me a $111/night rate at the Hyatt Regency. For Thursday-Sunday! $111/night!? Chicago in the summer!? I feared that this would be a dump due to the price, but was relieved somewhat when I saw their announcement on Yelp detailing their complete renovation of all 2,000+ rooms. Wow, big hotel. Yes, indeed. This is a ""convention"" hotel, with multiple towers, huge convention spaces below and all around. It's massive. As luck would have it, the SoniCare toothbrush convention was here during my stay, so there were a lot of out-of-towners with brilliant smiles bounding around everywhere. Could be worse, right!? When you enter the lobby it actually looks more like an airport or a huge mall. Nonetheless, my check-in was quite smooth and I was on my way up to my room on the 23rd floor. What i found was quite impressive! A small room (1 Queen bed), but very modern, stylish, clean and comfortable. Flat screen TV. Very updated and you can definitely tell the remodel went full force. Things felt crisp and clean, the carpet fresh. It was just a really nice room. And on the 23rd floor...though I didn't have a river view (could've upgraded for $20, but wasn't spending a whole lot of time there!) was looking out over office buildings and Chicagoans bustling around to work and play. Suggestion, if you're here on a weekend and there is a big convention (usually), just ask to be put on those floors. Typically people from Sonicare are not going to be rowdy and loud. 18 years olds on vacation, another story. My room was quiet and peaceful at all times.   The service during my stay was also right on key. Never had an issue. I'd never eat or drink at the lounges/Stetson's with all the wonderful options nearby and in Chicago, but they had a nice snack/bev area for quick snacks. It's not cheap or anything, but it does in a pinch. Parking: You can valet (which is probably a lot) or you can park in one of the underground lots and walk a few blocks to save about half. I think we paid around $20/night. Much better and you don't have to wait in a crazy valet line in the morning! Any complaints? Just one small one. The elevators get super jammed up around the 10-11am hour, and I waited 20 minutes for one to get downtstairs on Saturday morning because all the Sonicare ladies were going somewhere at the same time. Like all 4,000 of them. So, that didn't work so hot, but everything else considered...this was indeed a ""4 star hotel, downtown"" and for $111/night! *Also, free wi-fi. I'd stay again. If I need a hotel in Chicago, that is. Show owner comment »",4,13,9,4
475722,YKlWB2UrutITdFyCsg2tpQ,"3.5 stars actually. It pains me to score a W property so low, as I LOVE the W concept - I love the loud music and DJ spinning records in the lobby as you walk in, the trendy and modern decor, the party scene...love it all!  BUT, sadly as far as SPG properties go, I think I'll start staying at Westin's instead of W's.  In my experience the W's are so inconsistent around the country....some are great and some are just okay but the one consistent theme is how small and simpllistic the rooms are. We had a long travel day to come to Chicago and I was so excited to check in to the W Lakeshore until we were told they only had double bed rooms left....double?  Seriously?  I can deal with queen beds, but double?  Since we were there for 5 nights, I asked if we could switch to a king room as it became available.  Luckily there would be a room the very next night...so only 1 night in a double room!  The receptionist was very pleasant and accommodating.   Now - about those rooms.....the double room was ridiculous.  It was incredibly small - you had to walk sideways around the beds.  The batroom was TINY.  The magnifying mirror didn't work, the toilet only flushed if you held the handle down the whole time, and the shower was a very small tub/shower with a curtain.  The entire room just looked tired and dated from the popcorn ceilings, to the hideous burgundy curtain they call a duvet cover, to the broke down bathroom.  What a huge dissappointment!  Now we couldn't wait to switch rooms!  The room switch was painless - they moved all our stuff while we were out and about so when we came back in the afternoon it was all taken care of.  The new king room is MUCH better.  It's the same size but appears much larger as there's only one bed and a chaise lounge.  The duvet was a nice white one and the bathroom was larger with a European rain shower.  It was seriously night and day.   The staff are incredibly helpful and nice.  They called to make sure our luggage arrived and to make sure we were happy with our room.  They brought us an in-room coffee pot upon our request and were happy to do so.   This property would get 4 or 5 stars if they'd update their rooms.....thus next time I'll try the Westin.",3,0,0,0
485448,qyWu05mPGC_OCt415ez-RA,"Definitely above average in terms of the mid-range hotels I've stayed at.  Our room was clean, notably quiet, and BIG (also $40 less per night than the recommended hotel for the wedding we were in town for).  Excellent & friendly service and tons of amenities in the same complex, plus we couldn't have asked for a better location in terms of being able to walk to stuff, including public transportation.  Do be forewarned, though, that it's a business hotel, not really vacation spot, so there's no pool or breakfast area for example, and wi-fi isn't free ($13/day).  I would stay here again in a heartbeat, though. Show owner comment »",4,0,0,0
488357,veb_L5XMiw5cSknTH9IlhQ,"I booked this hotel through Priceline's name your own price. The hotel is in a very convenient location. Right next to the water and not right in the middle of downtown were traffic can be congested. Our room was on the 26th floor and had a great view. They had a floating bed which was pretty cool. There was a convenient bar/restaurant in the hotel. The food was decent as well as the drinks. The bad. There was no bed cover sheet on our bed. It was simply a regular sheet that was tucked in. For someone who moves around while he sleeps, the bottom sheet constantly came undone and was exposing the bare mattress. Not very comfortable. The room size was a little small as well. As soon as I walked in, the doorway was narrow and there wasn't much room to maneuver around. Also, the walls were very thin so we could hear everything from our neighbors on both sides. Overall, this hotel was decent. Again, for the money, it wasn't a bad selection. However, I don't think I would want to stay there again. Show owner comment »",3,0,0,0
490858,jsx_R8kOdAt3e4SzpvuNPA,"I've stayed here with my boyfriend on two different occasions when we were in Chicago and didn't want to drive back to the suburbs or sleep on our friend's couch. Both times the room was comfortable, clean, and had great views of the river and surrounding buildings. We had drinks and the Spanish pizza from the big bar. My martini (my yelp picture) was giant, probably had about 4 shots in it too. I was definitely feeling a buzz after that. I would recommend staying here to anyone looking for accommodations under $200/night in the city. Show owner comment »",4,0,0,1
528869,_1Zy0j1Dx4Y_rO-CFvLtQg,"Spent the weekend in Chicago and what a fabulous place to stay.  The lobby was amazingly beautiful and the staff always pleasant and willing to assist.  The rooms were clean, spacious and updated, but no coffee in the room.  Nothing worse than waking up and not having coffee readily available.  Parking prices were outrageous compared to other Hotels in the City.  Overall, this is one of the most beautiful hotels in the City and if you get a chance, stop into the lobby bar for a cocktail and a view of the art work on the ceiling....amazing.",4,1,0,0
542292,i_pqC8GsEZa8y3Kef2_miw,"Perusing other Yelp reviews, I was skeptical about staying here, but was pleasantly surprised. To my eye, they have updated it enough, and I didn't mind the window between the bathroom, and bedroom area. For eligible business travelers, they have a weekly business traveler breakfast with coffee, yogurt, bagels, pastries, and fruit. Once in a while, they offer hot food. I thought this was a really nice perk. At check-in, you receive a card that will admit you to the business traveler breakfast by the bar. Warning, the green apples on the first floor and the gym might not be the freshest. I'm a big fan of their Bliss products. In the gym, they have baskets of Bliss tidy towels, and earphones. Show owner comment »",4,0,0,0
639456,_kjw9z8nUx6iCvSsqc_31g,"I cannot believe anybody would give this hotel more than one star. I visited in August 2012 and it looks HORRIBLE.  The rooms are small and out of date.  The curtain covering the closet reminds me of a hotel room that you rent by the hour.  The shutters in the bathrooms don't make sense and you will really notice them if you are sharing the room with somebody.  I felt like the toilet was in the middle of the room!!!! The corridors are DIRTY.  The facade outside needs to be replaced.   You have to wait 10 minutes sometimes for an elevator and when you get in the elevator, the carpet and rug are dirty and worn.  How hard is that to replace?   The rooms are so small that they have either one queen bed or two double beds (I switched rooms).    The small indoor pool is always full of children.  The fitness center is fine for a hotel of this size, but again, I don't think the maid service cleans it.   It seems like I'm a negative person but there were just too many problems.   I cannot understand why the W chain or Starwood would want to be associated with this hotel.",1,0,0,0
645054,_rpe2n9N7tZGQkC_bF6hgw,"Ahhhh, my 200th review. Such a milestone number calls for a review of mammoth proportions. Or, should I say, a review of an establishment WITH mammoth proportions! That would be the W Chicago. Indeedy. The check-in seemed innocuous enough. ""Would you like a high floor?"" I was asked. I paused, thinking of how I had always vowed to never work or live above the 23rd floor. Not usually an option where I live now, though and perhaps I was missing New York, so I blurted out, ""Yes!"" I thought of those amazing views of Lake Michigan and after I was whisked up to that dee luxe hotel room in the sky, I discovered that I indeed was privy to such views. Me likey! What I was looking forward to at the W besides the astonishing view (Lake Michigan appeared lovely and gray and frothy on this first week of March), was of course the Bliss products. And there they were. And yes, they were replenished daily if you took away what you used. Besides the view, the Bliss products, beds that you could die happy in (sleeping in a cloud, my friends!), spacious room and well, the flat screen TV (that I never used. Excuse me, but it was 14 dollars to rent Precious. Thanks, that's more than it costs to see Precious in a New York movie theater...true the TV IS the size of an art house theater), I need to rave about the gym. The gym was so awesome, that I woke up daily excited to use it. The reason for this was that the equipment was brand new and way better than my local gym,and it also looked out at that awesome view of the lake! How inspiring! I felt like I could swim in that lake, straight across to Canada! (I feel this way when staring at the East River, just so you know. I hate considering pedestrian limitations). The free rides courtesy of Acura, were also a nice amenity and the driver was a really friendly woman. Besides all of the above, I really enjoyed my evenings spent savoring a glass of red wine or two while I worked in the ""Living Room"" (basically the lounge area where you walk in--it's quite spacious and the couches are comfy...stellar service, too), despite the fact that there were a few sleazy sorts that seemed to think that I knew ""cool places to go at night."" Um, if I was all about being on the town, would I be sitting here drinking wine and working on my laptop, genius? I digress. Because the Living Room closes at midnight (on WEEKNIGHTS ONLY...caveat...read on), I was then ""forced"" to enjoy an absinthe cocktail or two from the Whiskey Sky Lounge (separate review). Everything changed on Friday night however. I arrived back to the hotel at a respectable 10pm and oh, I felt like Sookie Stackhouse stumbling upon her peaceful house taken over by that nasty Maryann and her crapulous minions. The place had turned into...WTF? I should have known. Oh, I should have known. After all, I had an almost identical stay that started out quite well at the Hotel On Rivington NYC, http://www.yelp.com/biz/… which is like a boutique hotel version of the W. But after 10pm on Saturday night, all hell broke loose when all the trendy nightlife lovers descended on THOR and caused the red rope barriers.   All I could think was, ugh, get out of my way, whippersnappers desperate for some good times. I say this with all the conviction of a crochety old lady, by the way. The worst part was when I realized at 1:30 am, desperately trying to turn in early after a night ignoring the fact that I was boozeless (no, I am NOT about to spend 60 dollars for a 12 dollar bottle of wine on the mini bar), that the goddamn Sky Bar was DIRECTLY above my room! And the elevators were right next to my room!!! All I could hear were the revelers going up and down (and ""down on,"" no doubt. Heavens!) I had no idea what time closing time was, so I called downstairs and barely got an apology for the fact that the entire floor above me was vibrating with some of the worst mash-ups known to man. You'd think the guy who checked me in might have WARNED me of the fact that I might be bothered by the noise of the club that was directly above my room, right? And then there was the godawful heating system. If my stay wasn't during a Chicago winter, I probably wouldn't be too bothered by this, but this was a heating system that automatically turned off once the thermostat hit the temperature you enter (and did NOT turn back on once the thermostat dips down again, WTF?) It got cold in this room. I mean, down to 60 degrees. In a luxury hotel, that is unforgivable. It shouldn't be rocket science to figure out a thermostat. All of that said, I had a pretty good stay here and would probably stay at at a W again (just not under the Sky Lounge). I knock off two stars because it's a W hotel and I feel that they set a pretty high standard that wasn't quite met here. Oh and those bamboo shades and door to the bathroom that provide NO privacy whatsoever should you be sharing the room? Nice conce",3,7,5,5
650159,_jXgtF2IwX6wHv2Gjf3Kjg,"Absolutely amazing!  Just stayed for a weekend there and have no complaints. Pros: 1. AMAZING SERVICE:  you really are treated like royalty.  I requested a late check out and the lady asked no questions, just promptly gave it to me.  That alone made it worth the $. 2. Whatever/Whenever:  Use this!  I called them at midnight and they ran out and got me a pint of Ben and Jerry's and a quart of milk and did not charge a service fee, only the cost of the items and I gave them a tip.  They will really go get you whatever you want. 3. Bath robes: they are so nice and comfortable, especially to just lay in the amazing beds and relax. 4. Top Floor Bar:  it is overpriced, but has a cool vibe. Cons: 1. Bathroom window:  not as big of an inconvenience as the other reviews suggest, but still not ideal.  If you embrace the window for what it is trying to accomplish, then it's not actually that bad. 2. A few blocks from miracle mile:  to many, this is a pro, but it is a pain when trying to get places in the freezing winter. Overall, well worth the stay- the staff are amazing and the rooms are cozy.  The view of the lake is EXTRAORDINARY!",4,1,0,0
652537,__rnT74O36eQRdrFdo-zZg,"I had a friend in town on business staying at the W. So I walked over there to check it out.  The Staff was great, the rooms were nice, and the pool was cool.  Overall, from what I saw it was the real deal!  My friend told me later what the company paid for a room...OOOF! If I had to pay over $400 a night I would be expecting a little more if I was going to give it four stars, but I didn't and my experience was great!",4,1,1,1
655190,_YxDi-v9j7elTPNJIcT8NA,"We picked the W Chicago - Lakeshore because of its proximity to Navy Pier and the Magnificent Mile however we weren't too pleased with our stay there. First off, and take into consideration what this means, the bathroom in the room has no lock, no air vent and there is a side opening with shutters to peer into it. This looks cool in the pictures but it is not something you will find appealing. Secondly, the entire place is dark! I felt like I was walking down a shady alley every time I went to and from the elevators. Whether this is deliberate to make it trendy or to cut electricity costs, I'm not sure but I didn't like this either. Finally, our stay in Chicago was extended a day due to a snowstorm. We contacted the front desk as soon as we found out to see if we could extend our reservation another night. They were not sympathetic to our situation in any way and we ended up switching hotels just for one night. The hotel itself is clean which is always a plus when traveling but I would really not recommend it to anyone.",2,0,0,0
658722,r_mo5_LXsnSHjArPHEeZBg,"holy CRAP parking is 53 dollars per night!!! oooh my gosh. i mean, i know parking in chicago is one of the highest rates in the country, but 53??? at least its not 55 like the Westin on Michigan Ave! so considering that... its cheap! lol. ...not city street parking is free from 9pm to 8am the rooms are cool, the view is okay, and the location cant be beat!! well... if it were in the loop that would be better. you can go for a run up lakeshore trail right outside the front door. its 12 miles north up the shore",4,0,0,0
662254,_xRi_iGcxGf6dX1F_mmyyQ,"Out stay at the W chicago was amazing..they had a valentine's day package, so we took advantage of it and it was great. the staff was very friendly, super helpful (we had problems with our tv) but movies were free! awesome.  and the styling of it in general is very classy..which all explains why it costs a bit much a night, but worth it!",4,2,0,0
662400,6_TJOoDQwOYRBlsqu6SoaQ,"I stayed at this hotel back in March for a long weekend with the boyfriend.  He is a Starwood elite member and we stayed on his points.  I work for a competing hotel brand, so I'm extra-picky when it comes to hotel stays.  The W did quite well, I must say. Pros: - Great location, you are minutes from Michigan Avenue, restaurants, and shops along the way. - We had a beautiful view from our ""Spectacular"" room of the lake and Navy Pier - Nice bar downstairs with a hip, young crowd. - My flight got in very early and the front desk clerk let me check in at 11 am, no problem. -  In our king room I absolutely fell in love with a purple chaise chair that was next to the window.  It was incredibly comfortable and you could look out on the lake.  It's the small things. Cons: - Weird bathroom that offers absolutely no privacy. - The staff seems to be fairly impressed with themselves, but hey, it's the W.  They were helpful and we had no issues. - One of the pillow cases on the bed had a stain that looked like someone had eaten cheese curls and wiped their ""extra cheese"" off their finger on to the pillow.  I ventured out into the hallway and the housekeeper gave me a new one right away. - The swankiness of the brand can go above and beyond a little too much at times...  There is a kaleidoscope sitting on the desk with some cheesy phrase about looking at the colors and getting lost in it.  Oh, you can buy it for $50, too.  You know, if you wanted a kaleidoscope.   - Our room was either a little too hot or a little too cold.  The HVAC is noisy, and if you leave it on constantly the room gets freezing.  Not a big deal, but if you're a light sleeper this might be a problem. Overall, we had a great stay and I would definitely go back, mostly because of the location.",4,1,1,1
663103,_5mDKj1Q91zlnEEjeEIvtg,"I came here a couple years ago for a romantic birthday weekend with the boyfriend. Actually, it was supposed to be only 1 night but we had such a good time we stayed over for another night. Even though I live in Chicago, this was such a great experience doing all the touristy things and just having fun. We had a room with the lake view and it was June and just gorgeous. I have no complaints about the staff, or anything. In fact, if I remember correctly, I forgot my contact solution and W Hotel staffer ran out to the store and bought me some in the middle of the night. Sweeeeeeet!",5,1,1,0
675604,b_GInNncfXXZNaThf_jO1w,Just stayed 2 nights here.  It seems like it is a newer W property.  Friendly staff.  Great view of the Lake.  Rooms are super cool.  Great location.  The bat rooms have shutters that open up so you can take a bath and have a nice view.,4,0,0,0
684983,T_nPvb_mlE0XbgLH8VQcMQ,"The W Lakeshore hotel was very disappointing.  The entrance was a mess with cars parked in all directions and a line waiting in the street.  While the location is great, the bathroom was tiny and you could barely get over the toilet to get into the tub/shower.  The shower had a rain can shower head that had no pressure.  The room was very noisy and we could hear people in the hallways all night.  On the bright side:  the pool was lovely.",1,0,0,0