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Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel
Category: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Hotels
1 W Wacker Dr(at Wabash Ave)
Chicago, IL 60601
Neighborhood: The Loop
(312) 372-7200
- Nearest Transit:
-
State/lake (Brown Line, Green Line, Orange Line, Pink Line, Purple Line)
Lake (Red Line)
Clark/lake (subway) (Blue Line)
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Paid
64 reviews for Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel
Review Highlights
"Lots within walking distance, but what isn't in Chicago."
(in 3 reviews)
"2 blocks to Michigan ave."
(in 3 reviews)
"There is a Wow Bao and a Starbucks in addition to some..."
(in 4 reviews)
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64 reviews in English
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Review from Rojith P.
Cedar Rapids, IA
1/25/2012
Experienced The Renaissance for a couple of nights in Chicago with a friend and fellow Yelper. Our stay overall was very good, and we benefited from the excellent location of The Renaissance for the short time we were there! Convenience to the downtown area was quite evident with easy access to the CTA trains and public transportation. By great location I also mean that the hotel is at the river front on W. Wacker Dr. with some good dining options within (and outside) that includes a bar area that we never got to try out, but looked great. It is also only a few blocks away from Michigan Ave for the shopaholic in you.
The room we stayed in was quite comfy (good beds!), and included some good amenities that you would expect. My friend also enjoyed some time in their pool area. The staff was friendly and helpful, yet was not entirely convincing when we asked for some suggestions on evening hot spots. Even though I haven't stayed at many Marriott's it just fell short of what I still expected. I suppose there was room for a bit more refinement and luxury. Seemed like its age was catching up.
Still, it is a definite recommendation for anyone looking for a fun and relaxing time exploring the city, even for a place that would traditionally suit the corporate types. -
Review from Salim B.
Boston, MA
1/9/2012
This hotel obviously does not depend on repeat customers. The room was average, and the whole place had a nickel-and-dime-the-customer attitude.
Cons:
- $15 per day for in-room wifi.
- Try to trick you into paying for TV (free TV is indeed available)
- Horrible indoor climate in the winter. Both me and my co-worker woke up with nosebleeds from the phenomenally dry air.
For $124 per night, I expect much better service and an inclusive hotel package. -
Review from Shawn S.
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Huge rooms, swanky bar, ginormous lobby, and great location make this a great choice to do a weekender in Chicago. The room might be the biggest I've ever stayed in. TIP: pay the extra $10 for the river view if offered. I did have some trouble using the free wi-fi.
The rating would have been higher had the pool not been smaller than my room! -
Review from Dishan W.
12/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Stayed here for a few days recently and I must say that it has one of the better locations in the city in terms of being placed right by a very convenient transit stop, providing a river view, convenient dining options (and I mainly mean by having access to it's the concourse level more than the actual in hotel bar/restaurant).
Staff were very friendly (some could have done a bit more with local knowledge) and free wifi in the lobby was appreciated.
Our room was very nice but the only bone to pick was that you the age of this hotel was showing, but despite that it is able to provide you with a great nights rest. I enjoyed their pool as well, a little voyeuristic in a weird way as you can see yourself reflected on their glass ceiling above the pool while floating in the middle.
But while this hotel fell just a little short on the level of luxury expected (I've stayed at nicer Marriott's) it's fantastic location should place it up on your list of places to lodge at in the second city. -
Review from Amy D.
11/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
My experience with this hotel was so less than stellar. The problems started immediately after receiving our key cards. The first elevator we got into, the reader had been removed; the second wouldn't accept our card, so after a quick trip back to the reception desk we were told that the keys had been demagnetized. How that happened in the 50 feet from the desk to the elevator I'm not sure. New keys were issued and on the 3rd elevator we finally got to our floor and into the room.
We ordered a river-view suite. Last I checked, the river doesn't look like a bunch of buildings, but I digress.... The fridge had been removed from the room, and even after calling twice to get one nothing ever appeared. The internet is pay-per-day which is insanity. Also, the front desk people were rather slow to answer the phone and even slower to accommodate any requests.
Last, but not least, when I stay at a hotel over a weekend I don't see a need for the maid to come in unless I've done some sort of rock star treatment, which hardly ever happens anymore. To that end, I put a do not disturb sign on the knob and all is well. Apparently those signs don't mean what they do at other hotels. I left my room Saturday morning with the sign on the door and returned that afternoon with a maid serviced room. Can we say privacy or even read a sign?
Needless to say, this was my first and last stay at the Renaissance. There are plenty of other choices in Chicago. -
Review from J T.
Indianapolis, IN
11/15/2011
Everything one would expect from a Marriott Renaissance including: nice and clean rooms, good view, prompt check in, expansive lobby and meeting areas and up-scale restaurants. Oh and also great location - right on the river.
Everything one wold expect from a Marriott Renaissance except one thing: The Concierge's Lounge is closed from noon on Friday until six PM on Sunday. This is a total load of crap. I don't want to go off on a rant here, but this is just another example of the diminishing value that is happening little by little every day all around us. I'm sure some genius calculated the cost of keeping the club open over the weekend - staff, etc. and the corp. decided to "shut em down". This location isn't the only place I've experienced this in the US either - doesn't seem to happen internationally however.
I travel a lot and when I can, I stick with Marriott because of their rewards program. I use the Concierge Lounge often - a quick breakfast or coffee break, waters during the day and perhaps a glass of wine or snack at night. None of this at the Renaissance Chicago however. Oh yeah - no minibar in the room either - probably because the Concierge Lounge is just down the hall - not.
Sorry Marriott - you fail here. -
Review from Nineu I.
Milwaukee, WI
1/11/2012
I stayed for two nights. While I prefer smaller hotels, I enjoyed my stay here.
Pros:
-Huge bedrooms
-Good beds
-Location
Cons:
- No complementary internet. Wifi costs $15 a day.
- since you can't open windows, the room air is not fresh
- No views (at least in the room I had)
My employer booked the room and I enjoyed my stay. However, I would not have booked this place myself. -
Review from Chrystell S.
San Francisco, CA
8/31/2011 14 Check-ins Here
Awesome hotel with river views!!!
We stayed at another hotel on our first night in Chicago so we could utilize a free hotel voucher but had a reservation here for the rest of our Chicago trip. On the day we were to check-in to the Renaissance, we had a lunch reservation so I requested an early check-in through their virtual concierge and asked the hotel to contact me to that day to let me know if they could accommodate the request. I honestly did not expect a call.
Much to my surprise, the Renaissance called me that morning to advise that they had rooms ready and had already blocked one off for me. I was already impressed and I hadn't even checked in yet.
The lobby is spacious with lots of comfortable couches and tables for group meetings or to just relax. The rooms are fairly large with comfortable beds and gorgeous views of the river. Housekeeping was phenomenal. I never noticed them in the hallways yet every time we came back, our rooms were cleaned and freshened. And once, we only left the room for an hour to grab a bite to eat across the street. Upon our return, the room was cleaned. Amazing housekeeping who should be commended!!!
It is a great hotel to stay in while in Chicago. It's centrally located with a metro line just behind the building. For coffee lovers like me, there are dozens of tea and coffee shops within a two block radius. Loved it! -
Review from Jules S.
Centrally located hotel that can offer great views of the river, the Chicago theatre, and the Loop. A couple blocks from the blue line only if you choose to take the metro from O'hare. It's a bus ride away from Navy Pier, next to the Loop, and moments away from Millennium Park and numerous theaters around the Loop. Not bad, at all, location-wise.
This hotel also offers a lobby coffee shop, a great bar called NOVO, and a restaurant at the Mezzanine level, as well as, Wow Bao, a Chinese buns place located at one of the corners of the building. Altogether, not bad, but not enough to keep me indoors and away from seeing what else Chicago has to offer.
The rooms are are a little wider than the average size so it was nice being able to move around. The amenities (Aveda products) isn't bad at all. But what I liked the most was the fact the room was up-to-date and offered a view of the river and surrounding area. Unfortunately, being it's Chicago, you can clearly see the neighbor, from another skyscraper, across the street easily, and viceversa. You pretty much have to close the curtains at night unless you like being watched.
Altogether, I like the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel. It's classy without being snobby. It's a tourist hotel without it being Disneyland (meaning kids are scarce here). Hooray! And, the location, just simply put, is perfect.Listed in: ...back to the hotel!
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Review from Hema K.
8/29/2011 9 Check-ins Here
Awesome hotel located next to Chicago river. I would love to give them 5 stars but for one reason - discomfort due to the way they handled reservations and stuff.
My friend had booked the room through http://cheaptickets.com for a 2 queen-bed room. On arriving they gave us the room number and when we got in finding it to a one king-size bed room. On checking with them the receptionist kept saying our booking was not confirmed because we booked the room through a "third party".
So I went to the lobby and explained them that we made reservations for 2 queen-size bedroom. I was annoyed that they kept repeating that the reservation was through a thrid party and that our reservation was not confirmed so they gave us one king-size bed. They suggested giving us extra pull over bed or we can pay $90 a day for a 2 queen-bedroom which has the river view.. but thats not what we signed up for.
After insisting that we want a 2 queen-size bed without paying extra and that it was our first time in Chicago, the host agreed to put us in a room that has 2 queen beds with water view. So yeah going with 4 stars.
There was no kind of warning given on http://cheaptickets.com confirmation printout that the reservation is not confirmed or what are the actions to be taken if booked through third party. Found it to be such a hassle having to know that your room is not confirmed just becoz its not booked directly with the hotel.. bah!
Other than this hassle, everything else was great! We indeed enjoyed our room, facilities and the awesome view from the room.. lucky us =) -
Review from Dustin F.
4/14/2011
Love when a hotel actually has a nice combination of location, style, amenities, and class - the Renaissance hits it nicely. The lobby is wide open allowing for casual get together's or a few drinks. The lobby bar was packed on a Tuesday afternoon, but it is a combination of the nearby worker crowd and hotel patrons. The gym is more than adequate and they have a decent pool and hot tub.
Would definitely recommend! -
Review from Kimberly C.
Palo Alto, CA
8/6/2011
Very impressed. Came here for business...the business meeting rooms were very clean, comfortable, and great. The place is very clean, well decorated, and always filled with friendly staff. Everyone from the door man, cab manager, front desk, security, housekeeping, all was EXCELLENT. The room was very comfortable and nicely decorated. I had an amazing view of the river from the 22nd floor. The place has a fridge and its cold.yaay! And yes...SOFT TOWELS!! I have never been to a hotel yet that had soft towels but here...WINNING!! Would def come back! Right at a perfect location to go to downstairs Bar Novo or just walk around...you can find so much stuff to do just 10 min walk!
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Review from Michelle F.
Chicago, IL
3/26/2011
This is a very beautiful hotel that's in a great location. I've never actually stayed at the Renaissance overnight, but the organization I work for holds its three-day annual meeting there every year.
Our conference, which has about 200 attendees, was held on the second floor's grand ballroom and foyer. It's an attractive space. It's still a typical hotel ballroom with the patterned carpet to mask stains, the gold detailing and old-school chandeliers. There's nothing too special about the space, but it's well maintained. The foyer is nice for exhibitor booths, a registration area and a breakfast spread. My organization was given a private room next to the foyer for all of our stuff, and the hotel provided us with free snacks and pop. The bathrooms are modern and clean. The foyer has windows that overlook State Street, which is nice. The Chicago River is across Wacker on the north side of the building.
The Renaissance is in a central location for any conference or event, since out-of-town guests are within walking distance from pretty much everything. It's a block away from Michigan Avenue, Water Tower Place is close by, the House of Blues is just across the river. Attendees love the location.
I have the usual hotel conference gripes, such as the event space is too cold and the luncheon food is overpriced. I mean, $40 a plate for a lukewarm, flavorless chicken-and-mashed-potatoes lunch? Whatever. It's like that at every hotel, so it's hard to complain about that. I will say their desserts are pretty delish.
Hotel staff is always attentive and friendly. They're very good about clearing water glasses, coffee mugs and trash from the conference session area. Hotel staff is always coming over to the registration table to ask if we need anything.
I definitely recommend holding a conference at the Renaissance. Staff is accommodating, the location is fantastic and the space is well kept and appealing. -
Review from Carol K.
10/6/2010
Functional, but nice. But in a hotel- isn't that really all you want?
I arrived on a Friday night and was whisked through check in in no time at all (always great as I was running late!). The manager came over to greet me and told me even though I was staying on Marriott points- that they were going to give me additional points for the stay just because I was such a loyal user of Marriott (I travel a lot for work so Marriott's all over the world have taken care of me) Score!
My room overlooked the river, and while not fancy- it was perfect for what I wanted.. Comfy comforter on the bed, Aveda products in the bathroom and that much needed coffee in the morning.
The reason I say functional is this is an older property that has been updated throughout the years. While many newer hotels are creating hotel rooms that don't feel like hotel rooms, this is still set up in the requisite format of regular sized bathroom with shower over tub (instead of separate shower that so many places are doing these days) with the room beyond as you enter the room. Nice, but a little predictable. But for one who travels alot- predictable is a good thing sometimes!
Room service was quick, friendly and efficient. From the woman who took my order over the phone, to my order arriving in about 20 minutes from a personable guy who gave me a weather update and wished me a good day, it was an easy experience which is just what I need in the morning.
Valet parking is available ($49 a night which is pretty typical for a downtown hotel) They brought my car around in minutes and the one valet even recognized me from an earlier stay in the hotel (I go to many meetings in this property!)
Speaking of meetings- the ballroom upstairs is a great location for a meeting. The pre function space out front of it is great for a cocktail reception and when the doors open, the ballroom shines in the distance.
A great location at the corner of Wacker and State, within walking distance of anything you might want to do in the Loop, this would be a perfect hotel for that weekend getaway. -
Review from Patrick Z.
San Mateo, CA
1/24/2011
Great value; Great location, Nice amenities... I usually just look for the bad reviews on Yelp and Tripadvisor to make sure a hotel doesn't have too many poor reviews. This place didn't so I went with this place.
I paid $79 on Expedia in late January (low season) and was impressed with the place.
The room was small but clean. I'm a clean freak so I inspected before I opened my bag and went to bed. Bed was comfortable - no back ache - with several good pillows (luxury type)
The bathroom and bathtub were large despite the room being small. Heat lamp was great for the winter. Large mirror, no granite but counter looked like granite and first glance.
My room (on 13th floor) was high enough that there was zero road noise (also a function of the lessened winter traffic). the room also had a table and TWO chairs to use the table as well as 2 luggage stands (actually 1 stand and a stool that could be used as a luggage stand.
The room heater was quite yet strong, as well as quick to come on/off when I raised /lowered the temp.
Included:
- Free High speed Internet in room (wired); Wifi in lobby and lounge only
- Free Breakfast (simple but complete with juice, oatmeal, waffles, bagels, muffins, cereal, toast, etc.)
- Free coffee /tea all day in lounge
- Coffee maker/ w coffee in rooms
- Free Exercise room with TV, weights, treadmill, elliptical, bike, bench press machine, Jacuzzi room and Sauna (dry heat)
- Coin laundry room
- Excellent Location. 2 blocks to Michigan ave., walking distance to millennium park (in summer) and loop (bus district), Also near many good restaurants and grocery stores (Trader Joe's and Jewel)
I don't gush about many places but for a 3 star hotel, I give this a 5 because it feels like a 4 star. Of course 4 stars don't have a breakfast included or a coffee maker in the room but that is why I choose 3 star places although i can afford 4 star. I like the freebies. It just takes finding a good 3 star place. -
Review from Michael S.
Denver, CO
7/9/2010
Ducked in here to escape the heat on the hot Roof at the Wit.
BARGAIN.
Cocktails are $7.50. It was empty here. And VERY air-conditioned.
If you don't mind the trite hotel decor, this is a place that doesn't pretend it's something it's not. Totally unpretentious and a great place for a cold beer before getting on the L in miserable heat. -
Review from Toshi T.
Dallas, TX
11/21/2010 1 Check-in Here
First of all, let me preface this review by stating that I stayed here over the weekend as a Marriott Platinum member using points for my stay.
Upon check-in, they provided me with an enormous king room on one of the club level floors overlooking N State St and part of the river. The room came with an electronic safe and an alarm clock with iPod dock. Even with a sofa, chair, coffee table, and desk, there was more than ample room. The room had a separate bath and shower, with the bath products provided by Aveda. I found the bed extremely comfortable, only eclipsed by the Heavenly Bed by Westin.
This experience was perfect for a weekend of going out as I could chill the room down and sink into the covers and not worry about extraneous noise, which helped greatly with the morning hangover.
On Sunday I was able to request a 2 pm checkout extension, which was promptly accepted.
The Clark/Lake CTA Blue Line running to/from O'Hare is approximately two blocks west of the hotel.
Also, if you need a quick bite to eat during the day, I recommend heading downstairs to Wow Bao for some dumplings. You can be down and back up to your room with food in hand in about ten minutes. -
Review from Jack A.
Dayton, OH
8/20/2011
Amazing one of the best hotels I have ever stayed at, I been to Marriott around the world and this was one of my favorite trips, we had a corner room for about a week
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Review from Erika G.
7/15/2010
Simple. Basic. Unadorned. Plain. Sort of badly designed interior. And NICELY ADEQUATE AC for a blazing hot day when all we wanted was a nice, cold drink and a chilly place to hang out before we braved the heat again, and got on the L.
Unpretentious . . . but a really nice review of the river from the bar - and a polite, friendly bartender, this may just be a little hidden gem. -
Review from Leighs A.
Irvine, CA
5/19/2008
With all the major brands of hotels downtown in a 1st tier city like Chicago, you really can't go wrong. But there certainly are different nuances to each hotel isn't there?
I liked the location to the hotel as being right on the Chicago River, in the loop, but 1 block from Michigan Avenue definitely has its advantages. Lots within walking distance, but what isn't in Chicago?
Nicely renovated rooms with the softest sheets even for a standard room. It was a nice touch to have a bottled water on the table with a sign that said, "H2O for you." I think I am a camel in hotel rooms. Some reason, I can just drink a TON of it while traveling.
An odd feature was the door to the bathroom and the closet. The door to the bathroom was so big it almost didn't clear the closet door. And it was weird to have the bathroom door shut all the time if its just myself in the room. So I propped both doors, so they held each other open. A tip from me to you. I tried stuffing newspaper under the door after the 1st night, but that never seemed to hold.
A nice touch that there are 2 windows that open in the room too. I am sick and twisted and like to hear the city noise for some reason. But make sure those curtains are closed! Lots of construction going on across the street with construction workers peeping in at you! : )
I didn't like paying $14.95 for internet..... They package it together with local calls............but who the heck uses the hotel phone while traveling? No thanks Mr. Marriott.
I did love your egg white omlette. Wow. So good. Maybe they baked it in butter, but it was super fluffy and almost the best egg white omlette I have ever had. Also your bacon was so meaty and thick! (Yes, I am talking about breakfast here people.) Definitely try the food here, its not your average hotel food.
And finally, your lobby bar is all I want in a hotel while traveling. Kind of old school looking but in a good way. Lots of groupings of chairs/couches so you and your work peeps can gather. And a heavy pour of wine from all your servers. Its almost necessary while traveling, right? -
Review from Kevin L.
12/24/2007 1 photo
Seriously, if I'm going to shell out between $150-$200 a night, I don't expect to have to pay an additional $15 a day for internet access in a hotel of this stature. At that rate, you might as well just bundle it into the price of the room and I'd be less irked.
Whew. Now that I've gotten that bit of angst off my chest... I actually like this hotel. It has the feel of someplace that's got history, but it's either really well maintained, or it's been renovated relatively recently. The lobby is pretty opulent, in a classy contemporary sort of way, and the restaurant area on the ground floor seemed to match the upscale motif. They supposedly have a gym with a pool, and an in-house "rejuvenation center" - whatever that is. I didn't check out either.
My room was decently sized, with a comfortable king bed. The bathroom was pretty giant and I had a great view across the river of the new Trump building being constructed (check out the picture of the nighttime view from my window). Plus, they offer Lather toiletries products - bonus! Considering its location and proximity to the Loop and Red L lines, this place definitely has the convenience factor working in its favor.
The staff here was quite helpful - providing me with recommendations on quick neighborhood bites, directions to destinations, and hooking me up with a cab to get me to Union Station on my departure.
Really, aside from the obnoxious wi-fi issue, I'd have no other qualms about crashing here with an expense account or with Marriott reward points. I couldn't honestly say that it's worth the cost otherwise. -
Review from Colleen C.
Brooklyn, NY
12/17/2007
I had the great pleasure of attending an event in the large ballroom at this hotel, and they hit it out of the park! It was a holiday celebration for Big Brothers Big Sister, and when you throw a lot of children in one place, there's bound to be a bit of chaos...
This hotel handled everything in stride. The buffets were stocked, hot cocoa bar refilled automatically, they whisked away many plates, and were generally very sweet and accommodating to the massive amount of excited kiddos.
And RIGHT OUTSIDE the el? Great location :)
Beautiful. -
Review from Penny S.
9/21/2009
Lovely! From the welcoming foyer and reception area so the immaculate pool and workout areas to the views from the windows. The Renaissance is in a near-perfect location with the busy city streets right outside to the river view, dining options and public transit nearby.
The rooms are large and comfortable with huge bathrooms which have great counter space, fluffy towels and Aveda products.
WiFi isn't free (somehow, in this day and age, which I will never understand) but there are outlets and data ports available as needed. The TV while flatscreen and fancy, still manages to get only something like 15 channels which by the end of my stay, I was starting to think A&E was on a loop. I don't remember that much Bill Kurtis on my home telly...
The workout room has several treadmills, eliptical machines, free weights and benches, and a place for a yoga mat. The towels are plentiful and the changing rooms clean. The pool was a perfect temperature for jumping in (not diving, it's only about 4'1/2" deep) and had a lane roped off for laps (though it's not very long so they'd be short laps). The whole room is practically windowed including the ceiling, providing gorgeous views of the Chicago Theatre, the Wit Hotel across the street and just general city loveliness.
Also, towards the back of the lobby area, you are able to connect to a section of the pedway which houses a Starbucks, Kinko's, magazine shop, Wow Bao and a few other little places. Handy!
Not-so-great points include frequently non-working key cards and a kinda cheeseball hotel bar. There's a large, lovely patio just above street level that they kept closed when a function wasn't going on out there, and that was a bummer.
Overall, I would recommend the Renaissance to those visiting Chicago for the first time or those looking for a downtown getaway. It's lovely. -
Review from Jeff S.
Washington, DC
7/8/2007
We recently spent 4 evenings at this hotel. The hotel itself was very nice looking inside. Nicely decorated lobby and rooms.
We visited the pool for a brief bit and found it to be "OK". They have a gym as well as a spa that provides manicures, pedicures and massages.
The service was below par for a hotel of this nature. The new web check-in worked fine except on the hotel end. My keys were suppose to be ready and waiting for me so I did not have to wait when I arrived at the hotel. I called when I landed and confirmed my web check-in as the instructions described and I still had to wait when I arrived.
The concierge was not well-qualified. I was able to get more information in less time by flipping trough the free Chicago guide magazine.
You still have to pay for internet at this hotel. I was surprised especially when I had Marriott Gold level and hit platinum at this level. Seems a bit strange not to have free internet, even for reward club members at this point in the game. We were able to get late check-out. That came in handy.
The hotel was nice. I would recommend it for its great location. I think the service must be hit-or-miss. -
Review from Kelly A.
Los Angeles, CA
9/24/2007
This hotel would rank in my top 5 all-time favorite hotels. I'm not sure how it compares to other Chicago hotels since I live here and don't typically stay in hotels, but I travel a lot and compared to what I've seen elsewhere I was blown away by this place. And I didn't even actually stay here - my parents did while they were visiting last weekend but the hotel was so great we hung out here most of the time.
First of all the location is superb - it's super close to everything, including my place so it was really convenient to meet/drop off my folks. Of course it's close to lots of other things too for those who don't think my house is a tourist attraction. ;) The lobby of the hotel is very elegant. It's more simple than the Palmer House, but less trendy than a Westin or W - it was a nice mix. There's a large seating area in the lobby and also a huge bar off to the side. There's also a large terrace on the 3rd or 4th level (can't remember which one) that overlooks Wacker - really nice.
As for the room - it was MASSIVE (it was on a club-level floor so those may be larger than average). The bathroom alone was bigger than some hotel rooms I've seen. The decor was much like the lobby - simple and elegant. And the view was outstanding - it overlooked the river, Wacker Dr and MI Ave. Incredible.
However, the BEST part of this stay was that the Dallas Cowboys were also staying at the Renaissance last weekend . Among lots of unidentifiable football players, we passed by both John Madden and Terrell Owens in the lobby... my dad was overjoyed. I definitely won't hesitate to put my loved ones up here again! And Marriott gold members can often get a deal to buy one night, stay one night free on the Marriott website. -
Review from Will K.
7/19/2010
I saw that I've expereienced better.. but I guess what I'm really saying is that for the price point they offer I expect more.
The hotel is nice enough looking, something that someone from a few generations back from me would enjoy I think.. just very bland. The room was nice enough, bedding was soft but didn't feel as great as other hotels. The staff was nice enough.
I guess I was just expecting better from it. When your room is looking directly across the street at theWit you think to yourself damn should have gone there. This palce just had an old person feel to me. -
Review from Angela G.
Chicago, IL
6/6/2008
This is a great Chicago hotel. The lobby is perfect and a perfect place to enjoy some martinis. The room was actually pretty big and had a great view of the Chicago Theatre. Comfortable bedding and a stellar bathroom.
Maybe it's just me, but this seems like an adult hotel. The lap pool was full of inconsiderate kids splashing around when I really just wanted to relax. Maybe I'm being too picky.
When I was there it was $19.95 for wifi. Now, that's gonna cost them a star!
But overall, nice! -
Review from Patricia K.
Chicago, IL
10/13/2008
So I crashed this party at the Renaissance recently... yeah, I said it. Long story short - I headed their after going to the theater because the bf and few friends were at a benefit there. I came in as things were wrapping up. When I walked in, I was instantly jealous I was not a regular attendee. The room was beautiful.
All of the actual guests' reviews about the dinner were very high. Just looking at the menu made me salivate.
But back to the focus of my review... the room. It certainly lived up to the grandness of the lobby. Despite being a very large room with such high ceilings, the room did not swallow the crowd. I think they did a very nice job at utilizing the room in its layout. With prior experience coordinating these types of events, it was clear to me that the hotel knew how to maximize their space without crowding.
I highly recommend brides and event coordinators look into this venue for events. -
Review from Jon H.
7/11/2010
The lobby is really beautiful in here, you walk right in and get the feeling you are in the Ritz Carlton, easy.
However, I found the rooms to be a bit weird. Our toliet kept making the flushing noise (only without really flushing) every 30 seconds. The bathroom door was INCREDIBLY heavy and hard to open, and we didn't like how it swung closed by itself. And then, for some reason, housekeeping put a standing fan in our room, even though our AC worked....it was a really weird. Top that off with the fact that our door wouldn't lock unless we PULLED it hard.
They were however, super nice and gave me a bottle of wine and a bread/cheese plate for my birthday. And they brought up a really delicious slice of chocolate cake. So far, for me, this hotel is all looks, but needs a little more work on the quality. -
Review from Zoe P.
Arlington, MA
1/13/2008
The good: The lobby is pretty in a generic contemporary-luxe kind of way, the bar is kind of chill and pleasant, the workout room is very nice, the beds are great and the rooms are attractive, clean and restful (if a bit dim). There are also plenty of outlets in the rooms and even a basic double has room for two people to work and relax.
The concierge was knowledgeable and the hotel is easy walking distance from the blue line from O'Hare.
The bad: Apart from the concierge, the rest of the staff was a little overworked and "overwhelmed" and by that I guess I mean rude and a bit incompetent.
The front desk: Although we'd called to find out about printing before we arrived (because we were on a business trip) the staff didn't mention that the excellent Kinko's they promised us would be closed on Saturday and Sunday. The hotel *sort of* had a printing service that no one really knew how to use and it thus it took FOREVER. And, yeah, they had the nerve to charge for internet. Which didn't even work particularly well when two people needed to use it.
Also, when it came time to pay the bill, we needed it split a certain way and the desk clerk said she couldn't do it. Then she said she could but it would take 20 minutes. We said we'd be more than happy to wait and, what do you know, it took her about 7 minutes. If that.
The housekeeping: Didn't restock coffee and tea items regularly. Also, it was hard to find their number when we needed stuff and the front desk was busy being overwhelmed and incompetent. Also, they were slow bringing and clearing away room service.
I can see where this place might work well for an event, or for a tourist/family visit. It's basically pretty nice. But they need to pay a little more attention to the needs of the business traveler. Hullo. -
Review from Lauren L.
8/3/2008
Me to Jaime, the concierge man: "Hi. Would it be possible to borrow one of your rolling carts?"
Jaime: "Just the cart?"
Me: "Yes. Just the cart."
Jaime: "Ooooh, no, guests are not allowed to use the carts."
Me: "oh, are you sure?"
Jaime: "Do you want to use me?"
Me: "Do I want to use you?"
Jaime: "Yes. Do you want to use me?"
Me: "uh... no, thanks."
Standard fancy hotel amenities, complete with a free Chicago tribune and fancy bed with pillows. -
Review from Mike P.
3/8/2006
I stayed here about 10 years ago with my folks while they were visting me. The cool thing about this hotel (at least then) is/was that some floors are kind of organized as club floors and have a breakfast room and lounge. Dick Van Patten once ate breakfast with us here.
The resturant downstairs is quite good for lunch, if your boss ever wants to treat you. -
Review from Greshka P.
Boca Raton, FL
1/8/2009 1 photo
Perfect location - right on the Chicago River, in the loop, but 1 block from Michigan Avenue.
Excellent service, friendly and very helpful staff.
Large, clean, comfortable rooms. Very comfortable beds.
Went right for St. Patrick's weekend and got a room with a view of the Green River. They have an Ethel's on-site - one of my favorite places in Chicago - and a coffee shop with Starbucks coffee right in the lobby - good to start you day when you have to be early for business meetings like I did.
Most places, like the Hershey's Store and the Hancock Building were just at walking distance, and so was the BIG BAR were we had green beer.
Would definitely stay here again. -
Review from Charles S.
La Jolla, CA
2/7/2009
On the plus side:
-- Great location. Loads of restaurants, coffee shops, shopping, and theater nearby
-- Big, clean, comfortable rooms.
-- Helpful staff.
On the minus side:
-- At these prices it is irritating me that a hotel would charge for internet hookup, both wireless and hardline. If they're going to charge for internet, they may as well charge for TV or the water inthe sink.
-- One over-worked guy is the valet parking so I had a L-O-N-G wait each time I needed the car, even when I called ahead. You'd think at $45/day for parking, they could afford to hire a second guy.
-- The gym isn't as nice as the gym at equivalent hotels in other cities. Expect a wait in the morning for treadmills or ellipticals. Inexplicably there's a second room in the gym with odd, under-utilized equipment. In two days I only saw one person in there. And, Renaissance man, please turn down the heat in the gym. -
Review from Ling L.
8/16/2009
Being a "local", there was hardly any reason to stay downtown. However, when you combine the visit of the family and the Chicago Air and Water Show weekend, well, this was definitely a call to do so.
We booked 2 rooms, one of them with the river view. And what a difference a view makes. It really makes us local swell with pride to see the magnificent city.
As we were not flexible with our date, we tried both http://hotels.com and the Marriott web site. Surprise, surprise, it was the Marriott web site that offered the lower rate, and with the option of using our AAA discount.
The only other downtown comparison I can make is to the Palmer House, and the Renaissance is the far superior alternative. Location is perfect - close to the river, and State Street. Its rooms are bigger and more comfortable than the renovated Palmer House. And its bathroom is modern and big. I never hear our neighbors, unlike the paper-thin walls at the Palmer House's newer room.
And the service at the Renaissance was outstanding, from the much-welcomed free ice-cold water at the lobby to the attentive bellhop and valet service. We had a senior in our family who couldn't walk much, and we opted for the $49 valet service, which is unlimited access. That bode well as we were in and out of the hotel frequently.
Best part of all, the entrance is private with a two-lane portico, making the valet service or cab hailing a breeze. I did a scan of the nearby hotels, like the nearby Wit, and Monaco, and their traffic infrastructure borders on the streets.
So, if you are still hesitant if you should pay the price (which isn't abominable by downtown hotel standards), I say sign yourself up a Marriott rewards card, and start staying there as your option. It's worth it every once in a while or if you want to treat yourself right. -
Review from Scott C.
Alto, MI
3/14/2011
I absolutely loved this hotel!! Stayed two nights with my girlfriend for our anniversary/spring break weekend trip and out stay was wonderful. The room we had was on a corner of the non view side of the hotel so request a room numbered (floor number)02 that way you have two windows. From the room we could see millennium park, JKF building, and the Chicago Theater. The bed was extremely comfortable with a great pillow top mattress and comfy sheets. The bathroom we really liked with lots of space. The staff was very welcoming and hospitable. Location wise it was perfect again. Two blocks from Michigan Ave, right on the river, and of course tons of great restaurants within an easy 10 min walk. I would love to stay here again and highly recommend it for anyone!
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Review from Ato Z.
Chicago, IL
12/18/2006
My review is only based on a work event attended--I am not rating the rooms, didn't stay there.
The food was not good. Out of about 20 or so dishes, only 2--some shrimp dish and the sweet potatoes in a martini glass--were anything worthy of more than a couple of bites. Desserts also were very disappointing--a co-worker and I tried most of the ones on the table and only a couple were good and some were yukky. The chocolate mousse type thing in the shot glass had some booze filled balls in it and that was the only one I would ever eat again.
Ah well, since it was free, I guess I can't complain too much but I hope they have the party somewhere else next year! -
Review from Cortney R.
Woodinville, WA
5/5/2009
I am really torn about this review. I just held a company launch meeting at this hotel. All in all they were perfect. Our group had so many changes and requests and requirements...not to mention a few hundered heavy boxes and a few crates that Igor and his team rocked at!
The only thing that marred my experience was that my wallet was stolen out of the room we were using as an office and info desk. We know it was an employee, but as there were so many people in and out of that room, it will be hard to pin point exactly who it was.
On that note, is anyone aware that all it takes to get on a plane if your stuff is stolen is a police report? No photo ID? Did you also know that all the police report has on it is a case number, and a vague desctiption? No name, no date, nothing to prove who you are or identify you? Freakish!
Oh! and what is with the room temperature mini-fridge in the rooms? Smells like fruit about to go bad.
So, I still have to give it a 4 star becuase the show went off without a hitch and they were really great. -
Review from Nana h.
Chicago, IL
4/2/2007
Ive been to this hotel many times- i used to live down the street and sneak into private events here all the time. Before the movie the wedding crashers- my girlfriends and I crashed them here. From what I can tell, they are really nice and expensive ( we crashed a jewish wedding).
My parents have also stayed here several times- the last time they stayed, for my graduation, they got a corner suite and it was super nice for the price ( $230). The sheets were crisp, clean and of pretty good quality. The pool is a good size, a little small but good for a city hotel. The room service really sucks, the food isnt very good and super expensive ( as room service is ) but really below the par of many other hotels. I'd have my parents stay here again. -
Review from Sarah-jayne M.
Chicago, IL
12/18/2010
This review is for the lunchtime buffet. I took my team here for a holiday lunch because I thought it would be easier for everyone to find something they liked at the buffet without worrying about allergies, likes, dislikes etc. Plus you can reach it through the ped way which was much appreciated on a cold day! The restaurant itself is very ambient, nice decor, nice background music, very "brunchy". The service was quick and friendly - thank you Felipe! The food....just OK. A nice selection of salads, thumbs up on the Orzo! The entrees though, veal, chicken and fish were just alright. I always think cooking in mass quantities probably takes away from the quality and flavor and I think this is probably an example of this. Everything was a tad soggy? The desserts were delish though, especially the mini key lime pie. For $22 it wasn't a bad deal but not sure that I would go back.
