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Sofitel Chicago Water Tower
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Near North Side
20 E Chestnut St
(between State St & Wabash Ave)
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 324-4000
20 E Chestnut St
(between State St & Wabash Ave)
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 324-4000
- Nearest Transit:
-
Chicago (Red)
- Price Range:
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$$$
70 reviews for Sofitel Chicago Water Tower
My parents are a huge fan of Sofitel.
They loved their weekend stay here when they were visiting Chicago. Although in their opinion, it didn't measure up to the other branches located across the Atlantic, they were 95% there.
Have breakfast here! They must import French ingredients here, not just butter and flour but evvvverryyything- or bring frozen breads to thaw and serve here. Parisians eat like skinny royalty, sososo yummy..
(vague review, i know.. im sorry. i just want to give this place points cus my parents were really fond of this hotel. room, service, ambience, everything.)
Great location. Spotless rooms. Trademark out-of-this-world beds. All-around tasteful design and lighting. The evening turndown service is also a nice touch.
The only negatives are:
- the cramped gym
- the clueless staff at the hotel bar: they don't even know how to make a proper Americano
- the daily Internet connection charges: you have to repeat the process each and every morning and that's the kind of last century's hassle I could do without
Happy graduation to me! What better than to celebrate my accomplishment than by spending the weekend at a nice hotel and eating at a fabulous restaurant? Through Perfect Escapes (I know corny right?) I got a deal on a room here with the option (if available) to check in extremely early and check out extremely late! Although we stayed one night, with the early in and late out it felt like we were there the whole weekend! I opted to pay the extra $20 for the "upper level" room and it was worth it. We were on the 29th floor, out of 32 and the view was amazing- even as a Chicago resident I loved looking out the window at the skyline.
The bed was amazing- so comfortable, fluffy and wonderful. I could have stayed in it for days. The bathroom was beautiful with a separate tub and standalone shower and lots of l'occitane amenities for your using. I also enjoyed the huge flat screen TV and small sitting area in the room. Throughout our stay we called to have for champagne flutes, wine glasses and a wine opener sent up. Each time the service was fast, nice and attentive when they arrived. Breakfast room service was also fabulous. Great French pastries and chive and lime cream cheese to go with my bagel and lox? More please!
I could not have imagined a better place to spend my weekend.
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LOVE THE HOTEL, HATED THE SERVICE!!! HORRIBLE SERVICE!!! AND THEY MESSED EVERYTHING UP!! WITH VERY FEW APOLOGIES! LE MERIDIEN (formerly known as) and pennisula have better rooms, but are more uptight. the sofitel rooms are jazzier in my opinion! the restaurant is horrible. head over to mccormicks instead!
We went here for a mini honeymoon, the day after we got married. What an awesome experience! Bathroom was very large, bed was super comfortable, and room service was tastey and reasonably priced. The staff was very pleasant too. I also enjoyed the robes they provide!
**** I changed it to a 5-star experience because for the price I paid ($172) that was really a fantastic deal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!***
A little taste of France in Chicago...........that is why I chose the Sofitel for our stay-cation.
I am glad I did. Oh oui!!
Sofitel in my mind is a compound word between sophisticate (SOFI) and hotel (just in case you were wondering it works in French too. You are quite welcome). This one totally fits the bill even if at first the somewhat tortured architecture may you have thinking otherwise. The lobby is very modern and sleek, very open and airy but dark at the same time. It is indeed very possible..........black floors and minimum lighting but tall mirrors, lots of plants and thick, warm-colored rugs.
Beautiful.
The lovely lady at the desk welcomed us with a vibrant "Bonjour!", checked our reservation and announced us that we had a room on the 32nd floor.........
Jackpot!!!!
Our "luxury" bedroom on the last floor had a north-east orientation with views of the lake, the city and the intimate interiors of some gorgeous condos (I was good though and didn't peep out too much. Word). It was very quiet and impeccably clean.
The room itself was on a smaller side and the decoration was minimalist, subdued but tasteful.
BUT.
LADIES.
THE BATHROOM!!!
Almost as big as the room itself, with a tub, a separate shower and beige marble floors and counter-tops.........exquisite surprise.
"Les avantages":
- L'Occitane bath products; verbena scented. Lots of them. Like, tons.
- a nice hair-dryer WITH a diffuser. Detail maybe but it is all about them, right?
- plush towels, bathrobes and comfy slippers. Yes, yes, yes.
- nice wooden double door in the bathroom. You feel like a star when you get out of there, either all dressed up or in a towel. Loved the feeling!
- a close-up mirror to make me realize how badly I need an eyebrow wax.
- a Bose alarm clock that we happily didn't use
- a nice flat-screen TV with all the channels you want. I think.
- big, very fluffy pilows - just the way I like them.
- a CS AND a France magazines in which we learned all about the old-fashioned French aperitifs.........seriously interesting and incredibly frustrating since it just made us want to leave right away.
- late check-out on demand. Not a problem.
- the views. Again.
"Les inconvenients":
- the bed was not the most comfortable.......I slept like a baby but if you don't like soft mattresses, you will have a hard time.
- only one armchair......hmmm....
You need to do this.
Even in the city - a true escape from your ordinary life.
Je ne regrette rien.
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Sofitel is a French chain with a well-earned positive reputation. The Sofitel Water Tower was a very attractive hotel with modern decor, clean rooms, and a great location close to Michigan Avenue. The service was generally good, but the staff did make a few major mistakes that stood out in context. First, we booked a stay package that included a free picnic lunch. When we checked in, the front desk staff were very careful to explain the procedure for filling out the order card, designating a time for delivery, etc. However, when we turned the card in, they lost it. I called when our lunch was late and they had to scramble to put it together, ultimately delivering it about an hour and a half late. The second snag occurred when we were at the hotel bar late on a weeknight. We moved from the outdoor terrace into the main bar at 11pm to comply with city drinking laws along with two other groups of patrons. The bar showed no sign of closing (and neither did we), but the waiter just dropped off our check without asking if we were ready to leave. It seemed like they were itchy to get everyone out so that they could close down for no good reason.
Still, aside from these few glitches, we enjoyed ourselves at the Sofitel and would probably stay there again. One touch that I really liked was that you can check out quite late -- 4pm in our case. We also wound up getting a VERY good deal on Orbitz, so check the usual travel websites to see what is available.
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Great location, super clean rooms, centrally located and relatively reasonable price = I will return to this location on my next visit to Chicago.
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Great hotel and perfect location to shopping, restaurants, train stations etc. The staff was super friendly and helpful. The bar was very cute, and looked like a great place for drinks. The room service was tasty and prompt. Will stay here again soon!
given the fact that I spend about 2 weeks a month on the road for work, it is always good to know that your home away from home will be up to the task. The Sofitel in Chicago is located in a decent part of downtown Chicago. Away from the craziness of Michigan Avenue/Ontario/Ohio Streets corridor. The staff is very friendly, and polite and you don't see a ton of kids from Wisconsin running all over the place. Given the economy, I was able to find an absolutely phenominal rate at $149/night. Albeit a lower floor, but good enough to rest your head on.
The beds are absolutely divine with Frette sheets with fantastic water pressure in the marble lined bathroom. Flat screen TV with HD, and wired as a T-Mobile Hotspot. If I don't have to be in the Loop, I'd definitely stay here again. Oh, the late night roomservice was quite tasty as well. Their steak sandwich with carmelized onions and cheese hit the spot....mmmm cheese and onions.
Very nice contemporary hotel in a nice location.
The best parts of this hotel are the lobby and the restaurant and bar located there. The rooms are very nice as well. The bathrooms are oversized and very nicely done.
Potential for excellent views depending on your room location.
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Designed by the French architect Jean-Paul Viguier, this hotel is truly a wonder to see. We stayed here for three nights and were very pleased with the service, the friendly staff and the interior design and colors.
One thing I enjoyed was the cigar bar. Instead of going out for a drink and/or smoke at night, there is a smoking bar right by the front of the lobby. Apparently they have some sort of state of the art ventilation system as when walking into the lobby or past the bar to the elevators, you would never know people were smoking. Drinks were a little on the expensive side, but everything here is a little on the expensive side. But you should already know that if you decided to stay here as evidenced by the room rates themselves.
This is a very nice central downtown location within walking distance of the Miracle Mile, Horse Drawn Coach tours, and the internationally renown shopping districts. We really enjoyed our stay and I do recommend.
Staying at Sofitel Chicago was a definite treat for me... it was kind of a bummer that I was staying alone since this is the kind of place you want your significant other to enjoy with you!
Since we booked approximately 2 months in advance, we were able to secure pretty good rates online. (That is, if you consider $255 a night good... which for this hotel in the prime time Chicago Summer, really is a deal!) I really did feel like a VIP staying here - it was high end everything and gorgeous! Best location too!
The rooms were lavish, and I slept like a baby both nights in the huge king size bed... the sheets were soft, pillows just right, and I felt soooo comfy! I used the workout room one of the mornings - although a bit small, it has great equipment and was just enough to get in a good cardio / weight session before my busy day in Chi-town!
The only negative I will say is that I came in after a day of travel in my very casual clothes and with a backpack and I felt like I was getting some looks (as if I didn't belong)... I hate that! Also, the front desk people were friendly but it was kind of a fake friendly if you know what i mean. I thought that internet was included in my room rate because on my confirmation it said 'high speed internet' but they said it was just on the confirmation to say that it was available (for an additional cost). Oh well - they got me there!
I would for sure return to Sofitel Chicago Water Tower or any Sofitel for that matter... actually, I hope the rates don't go too high so I can afford to stay at another Sofitel in the future!
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Everything about this place said "luxurious" to me. From the architecture which was beautiful and clean with lots of open spaces to the staff, my experience here was completely delightful. But, my favorite part had to be the beds.
I had a king size that was so soft that I felt like I was sleeping in the middle of a bunch of pillows. Magically, it wasn't too soft though. I think I had some of the best sleep of my life in that bed. And I'm no chump at sleeping.
My room was fine as far as space went. I especially loved that the bathtub and shower were separate entities in the bathroom. And the bar and restaurant also had great atmosphere and offerings.
Situated so close to everything with such nice amenities, I began to understand how some wealthy people just decide to live in hotels instead of homes.
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Ok hotel. It probably depends on what you like and want in a hotel. I love the "classic glamor," so Sofitel seemed to be a wrong choice. The modern design is not quite glam enough - it felt somewhat cheap to me. If you want modern luxury, I'd recommend trying Park Hyatt or Penninsula.
I liked the modern deco, but was surprised by how small the place was upon the first entry. For me, the grand lobby is a must-have in any hotel, and this hotel doesn't have that :( .
Ok, let's pass the lobby and take the elevator. My friend and I stayed at 26th floor (there are 32). For every floor the elevator passes by, it makes the most annoying beep sound. I mean, I'm so glad that I didn't stay at 32nd suite - that beeping is freaking annoying - well, it was pointed out that the beeping feature is useful for blind people. I must agree on this, and now I'm bit embarrassed for siting my irritation. So just be aware of the elevator feature. I thought the room was small - this also was a surprise for such highly regarded place. But the bed was ultra comfy, though.
Onto the positives. Yes, the staffs are very friendly, but at some point, I got tired of the french accents. Beautiful bathroom (although need vent system), large window, nice flat-screen TV and Le Bar. Le Bar is probably the best thing about Sofitel! Very chic, grown up bar. The wine flight is a something to try for sure.
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Sofitel is great hotel to stay at. However, my review will be based on the service I encountered as a vendor coming into an event.
Came here this weekend for a wedding ...and I must say, the service here is top notch. As a florist, you lug around tons of vases, buckets, supplies, etc. All to often, you find hotels and venues shooing you to hurry the heck up and not helpful at all. This was totally not the case at the Sofitel.
As our caravan of two cars pulled up, we were greeted by fiance's namesake, Leo, who immediately pulled up one of those hotel luggage dollies to help us unload. He lifted and unloaded everything for us and had another Sofitel staff member help us push the cart inside. The nice gentlemen then took us upstairs and proceeded to help us unload our stuff off the cart to our destination.
Not only were they nice enough to lift and load things for us -- they also let us leave our cars right in front of the hotel for about 2 hours as we set up for the wedding ceremony...all of this for no charge. Unheard of in downtown, if you ask me.
I seriously thought it was just the 1-2 guys that were nice to us...but I was wrong. Everyone from the concierge to the receptionist to anyone that ran into us was willing to lend a helping hand. It's very rare to see this type of service. I must say -- I was quite impressed at not only the decor but with the hospitality of this place. I'm totally going to continue raving about them. :)
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Stayed here for our 888 wedding and the beginning of our honeymoon. The room conveniences such as ironing board were very helpful. The room design was restful and inspiring. We think this is a great couples' getaway hotel and the location can't be beat.
By paying for our room in advance we got a rate under $200 a day, which was awesome.
This is an excellent hotel. I chose this hotel for a weekend trip to Chicago and could not have been happier with my choice. The location is perfect. Located right downtown and within walking distance of most of the sights to see. The service here is exceptional. The service and the room quality were way above average. This is a very luxurious hotel priced very reasonably. I would highly recommend staying here when in Chicago.
My most recent trip to Chicago officially confirmed for me that "boutique" hotels are overrated. Sofitel's French influence is initially charming and staff is very friendly. But countless details are lost in the attempt to create a posh experience.
For example, the TV remote control still didn't work after I called the front desk and a maintenance person came to fix it. Their cable TV doesn't have Bravo so I missed Project Runway! Ugh! ;) I couldn't get any cell phone reception (Cingular/ATT) inside the building my entire three day stay, and the electricity blew out once in the middle of the night just in my room of course. I'd never had that happen before anywhere.
They take "aroma therapy" too far. The lobby wreaks of some kind of spice, and the soaps in the bathrooms are very stinky. So if that bothers you like it does me, bring your own toiletries and hold your nose as you walk through the lobby.
I had a big issue with the bathrooms. I was staying at the hotel for a conference with 30 people from my company and was sharing a room with a person I had met once or twice. The bathroom door in our room was a double door type. Like I want my bathing experience in an upscale hotel to be like walking into a country-western saloon! There is also a quarter inch gap between the saloon bathroom door panels and you can see straight to the toilet even when they are fully closed. Additionally if you leave one of the panels open at more than a 45 degree angle, it jams into the main door of the hotel room and you can't get in or out. And although the shower and counter tops are a very nice granite, they felt it was an unnecessary expense to install a privacy fan. I call it a courtesy fan because it works both ways, but every hotel bathroom should have one.
On par with many mediocre hotels, after staying more than two nights you begin to notice how "dried out" you are. The air system in the rooms constantly blows wind and even more so than most hotels I felt like my sinuses were stranded in the desert and my skin was a wreck after a very short stay. The pillow-top bed was too squishy, there was only a comforter, no top sheet (!?) and the pillows themselves were tiny and had no shape.
I know I'm a picky customer so take this review with a grain of salt. It's a pretty building full of pretty people. But attention to basic amenities left me yearning for a Best Western where at least I know I can walk in and immediately "relax" because it's a "hotel".
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Beautiful inside& out!!
The hotel is amazing, the lobby bar is great, weather or not your a guest, you should stop in and check it out! (Le Bar)
The staff is warm and helpful and the rooms are hip and well appointed.
The bathrooms are top notch, take the time for a long bath and use that fluffy robe!!!
The location is also perfect for anything you want to do ro see in Chicago!
Luxurious.
Parisian sensibility, impossibly comfortable beds, large marble baths stocked with Roger & Gallet and impeccable service encompass only a small sample of what accompanies a reservation here. Thoughtful European hospitality in the heart of the Midwest.
One issue that I have with contemporary hotels is that they aren't comfortable. For comfort, one usually has to visit the classics: 4 Season, Ritz, the Drake. However, Sofitel at the Water Tower manages to combine modern design with comfort. The rooms have comfortable post-modern furniture, luxurious linens, contemporary art, and awesome deep tubs.
This hotel caters to a large number of European tourists and, thus, has an international flare. The bar is top notch, serving perfectly executed traditional cocktails. The food is all good, with the best creme brule I've ever had in the US.
Drawbacks: There is no pool in the hotel and no spa, one has to go to a gym/spa next door to have treatments. The furniture in our room had several nicks in it. The staff while extremely attentive were a little cold.
Having been to Le Bar at the Hotel Sofitel several time, I have to say it's one of my favorite places to get a drink in the area.
I really enjoy the modern elegance and decor of the lobby. Clean lines, warm colors and contrasting woods and metals make it a pleasure on the eyes.
The dark bar has wonderful mood lighting, and I especially enjoy the small lights--like stars--in the ceiling. The music is loud enough to enjoy when you desire, but low enough to not interfere with conversation.
The drink selection is robust enough to find something satisfactory. I think we've only ever ordered the cheese plate, when it comes to food, but it was certainly enjoyable. However, when you have a table and order drinks, they always bring out a little dish of olives and crackers which is often enough for us.
All around, one of the better places for drink in the area.
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This might be my second favorite hotel in Chicago.
We had a romantic weekend getaway at the Sofitel, and I was pretty impressed. Most everything about this hotel is pleasant.
The lobby smells SO good. Coming in from a hot and muggy afternoon, the cool floral breeze immediately puts you into "sexy" good mood. Design is very contemporary. Almost too contemporary for my taste, but very well done.
The room was much larger than I thought. Very simple design, soft comfortable bed, and uber luxurious Frette bed linens. The bathroom reminded me of a mini Peninsula bathroom. It had a nice shower (too small though), soaking bath (too shallow) and a phone next to the toilet (with a speaker button and a mute button). Those Frenchies are such smart cookies! I love the French bath products (can't remember the name), but it was an oatmeal scent that was subtle and clean smelling. Frette towels and bathrobes of course ;)
We ordered room service twice. Once for brunch. I had a yummy raisin brioche french toast. It was very good, but not the best. BF had the crab cake benedict. It came out to be very small. Almost the size of a silver dollar. But it was pretty good. We also got some soft pretzels and jelly beans for our movie night. Note: the pretzels are not soft. They are almost the freeze and toast variety that come out being hard as a rock if you don't eat them right away.
Overall, the stay was very nice. Now if they can only have free wifi.
PS. NO cell coverage in the hotel!
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I hear Sofitel and i immediately think Motel 6.
Sofitel Chicago Water Tower is no Motel 6. The doormen here are beyond helpful. The cafe & lobby bar are great spots to pick up a complimentary coffee or pre happy hour greyhound. And the staff's more than ready to accommodate. The hotel screwed up our reservation, and provided us w/ room service. Now normally room service can equate mediocre food that arrives lukewarm. Not at SCWT! We tried just about everything on the Brunch menu, and every dish was delicious and served hot! Points were definitely scored here.
The Executive Suite's spacious and homey. The pull out sofa bed is the best pull out i have ever laid my back on. They even send an attendant to set up the pullout for you, complete w/ real sheets and a down mattress pad. The bathroom's gigantic, big enough to hold a party if you wanted.
2 blocks from Michigan Ave., you got H&M steps away in case you want to pick up a disposable outfit, an Adidas Originals store if youre dying for some shelltops, and to your tummy & liver's content, a bounty of bars & eats in the Gold Coast district.
Basically, it's a top notch hotel, where the noses aren't turned up.
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The Sofitel Lounge...
I love the sofitel lounge, it's a wonderful place to stop and grab a drink with friends. The dark warm tones of wood, the roaring fireplace and the beautiful ladies that deliver the most delicious elixirs..
You can't help but have a good time, it's never packed and uber busy, it's always just right...
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Absolutely beautiful hotel. The interior is warm, inviting, and extremely interesting to look at. The staff are so friendly and go that extra mile to make your stay a little bit more special. My fiance has been wanting to stay here for awhile, so he figured the perfect opportunity was to make it part of our engagement day. When we entered our room on the 29th floor with views of the Hancock tower, there were rose petals on the bed, and floating candles. Simple, yet very romantic. The bed was one of the most comfortable hotel beds I've ever had the pleasure of sleeping on. So why 4 stars? Well, when we were checking in, the woman doing the checking in said, "So it says here that you're proposing, congratulations." This could have ruined the proposal day if he hadn't already proposed, so that definitely lost Sofitel a star. Other than the minor brain fart, I definitely recommend the Sofitel for out of towners, or Chicagoans who want a little change of pace for a night or two.
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Super funky digs. The building is a triangle, so there are angled ballrooms , and they have plush, punk-purple carpeting. All the furnishings are mucho modern.
Great for events and weddings. The staff goes out of their way to make you feel welcome. The rooms are nice, and the beds are comfy.
They only lost one star because their clientele can be a bit snide. The young ones seem to be with it, but there's always a chance of running into a matriarchal tornado if there is a wedding.
(But really, at a nice downtown hotel, you can't get rid of the hoity toity crowd completely.)
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I've stayed here a half dozen times and keep coming back. I've always received gracious service at this flagship Sofitel - and the other properties of this under-celebrated French chain. The hotel's central location, stylish contemporary room design, smart efficient European service staff and civilized [dare I say 'hip'] bar and restaurant make this four star hotel a soothing choice for an often jet lagged globetrotter.
I always request [and get] a room on a high floor with a city view facing the lake. The bathrooms are spacious, stylish and generously stocked with all sorts of product. Sofitel's uniquely branded bed/linens are like sleeping on a cloud. Minutes after sliding into bed, I'm in the land of nod.
This contemporary French-owned and managed hotel has a modern European flavor and is one of Accor's [parent company] flagships. I often see the Air France crews in the lobby and lounge [lucky them!]
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When you want to splurge on yourself and have a nice drink and have some good scenery to go with it then this is the place for you. They do have some specials, but generally its good for that after work drink splurge. There are a ton of other places to go, but this place is something special. Bathrooms are wonderful.. if you like that kinda thing. I usually let the bartender choose for me drink wise.. I don't get beer here.. I always go for top shelf.
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You know what's the best thing about this place? Just swagger in like you are staying there, frolic across the color changing floor, go to the elevators, and chose the 2nd from the top floor.
There, at the end of either hall you chose, you will have a South or North facing view for FREE. A decent view, I might add, full-frontal and no kid's hand prints all over. If you're lucky, you'll see people swimming in some of the roof-top pools of nearby high rises.
No, I haven't actually stayed here, or gone to "le bar" but BOOYEAH I've taken many an out-of-town guest here.
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The lounge on the first floor is a great spot to grab a few drinks while waiting to hit the town. Great vibe and good music.
The hotel staff and service are wonderful all the way around.
The locatoin is fab, perfect to hit the evening scene with lots of dinner spots and clubs in walking distance or short cab ride. This is also a great location for some Michigan Ave. shopping.
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Great place, the bedding is luxe. They have a fully encased comforter, so there is no typical hotel bed cover of suspicious cleanliness that you must throw off the bed as soon as you arrive.
The location is about as good as it gets, off Michigan Ave, but right near Rush Street bars and restaurants, Viagra Triangle.
Also, the rates are pretty good for a first rate hotel. I stay at the Sofitel in NYC, its $700 a night. In Chicago it is usually less than half of that and they have corporate rates around $200.
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2nd VISIT - 17th NOVEMBER
Interesting this site should allow you to review the same place twice in a different review which is doesn't. I think thats a flaw.
We went for Breakfast here on 17th November as I remember what a nice breakfast I had last time. The experience this time was almost as good but the restaurant felt grubby. It was quite busy on a saturday morning and the staff were very friendly and the breakfast was great but the place felt filthy. The carpets were covered in all sorts of crap from peoples breakfasts and while there was someone with a carpet sweeper he really wasn't doing a very good job of it. The person cleaning tables was really nto doing a good job of it either.
If you are going to have glass topped tables then you need to make sure the crumbs that slip underneath the glass is cleaned out regulalry as it looks disgusting otherwise. SO I swapped seats with my partner so I could look out the window rather than look into the dining room and check out the purple carpets. Sorry I know I am incredibly fussy but this place is fabulous, not looking after it is a crime and not keeping the floors and tables properly clean is unacceptable. For me the experience of eating out is a total one, it's not just about the food it's about every aspect of the experience.
The toast should have been served pretty much immediately rather than waiting till almost the end of our breakfast so it was pointless. The breakfast itself was great, I had poached eggs, steakly bacon, chicgen links and some kind of home fries with a garlic tomatoe. Couldn't fault that although the sausages were a bti too sweet for me. Too much sugar in everything I think over here. However the breakfast was nice but tainted by dirty carpets and not very clean tables.
Shame on you sofitel. I would give you a 3/5 for this mornings and tell you to pull your socks up.
1st VISIT - 23rd SEPTEMBER
We stayed in this hotel on our arrival in the U.S. on Sept 23rd. Its a fantastic looking hotel, very contemporary and the room was really good, clean, bright with a great view on the 24th floor. The price was pretty good too, I booked it via Expedia.
No real negatives on this hotel but points include:
Air conditioning in the room was way too loud. I turned off the air con but woke up with a sore throat as the room became very hot. This is not specific to this hotel but most high rise hotels.
Bed was exceptionally comfortable and just what I needed after a 9 hour flight. Not sure If I would want to sleep in a bed so soft for an extended period though.
Gym was a bit too hot and quite small. No real stretching area. Gym had chilled water and free fruit which was a plus. I have to say I didn't like the moonwalkers they had in the gym though not easy to use but apart from that it was pretty well equipped.
The staff were all friendly and efficient and the breakfast in the lobby restaurant was awesome. I had an egg white, spinach, mushroom and tomatoe compote thing as a light option for breakfast. It was fantastically presented and a good price.
If you order a main course breakfast item they also threw in the cappucinos and pastries so we got tons of food and fabulous mains for $30 plus tip. Well worth a visit just for a breakfast date if you ask me.
I wont give this place 5 stars as that would mean absolutely exceptional. While the hotel side of it was great, I felt the gym could have been cooler, better cardio equipment and the room air con was too noisy. None of these were a big deal though.
If I could give this place 4.5/5 I would. For such a new building Its surprising they dont have a pool either, even a small one.
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If you like a hotel with a European flair- then the Sofitel is for you. Just came from a 4 day stay and the Sofitel is class and elegance without being stuffy.
The rooms are spacious and modern with a nice marble bathroom complete with separate tub, shower and all the accouterments that make a bathroom great! It is located in the perfect neighborhood to walk to all the good shopping. Did I mention that the beds are soft and covered in a big feather duvet which always seems to keep you at the right temperature? And mounds and mounds of pillows!!
Have a drink at the bar off the lobby. On cooler nights they light the fireplace and you can sit on the couches or relax in comfortable leather chairs. You will look great as there is something about the lighting in this place that works- not too dark or too light. The bartenders pour a good drink and if you are hungry and it is after 11- try the cheese plate or one of their thin crust pizzas (the smoked chicken one it best!)
The concierge takes care of your every whim, room service is fast and efficient and the front door staff makes sure you never, ever have to push open a door!
Too bad I had to leave and go back to reality!
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This is one of my favorite hotels in the country. The building's architecture is stunning, the interior finish is flawless and the service is great. The prices are high, but not anything crazy, I think the last stay there I paid about $300/night for a mini-suite that had a great view and was spacious and very comfortable. Everything in the hotel seemed brand new, all of the linens were free of stains and didn't seem like they were much older than a few months. All the furniture in the room was high end and comfortable. I really don't have anything bad to say about this place at all. If you can afford a few nights here, DO IT, you won't be disappointed.
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I had my wedding at the Sofitel and it was absolutely AMAZING...
I could probably write a book about everything, but Ill TRY to keep it short (kinda)...
THE STAFF & SERVICE
First of all, let me start by saying LAURA EKKER rocks !! She was our deciding factor when we were looking for a wedding venue. She is definitely hands on and works with you to make sure you get what you want and your concerns are addressed. In the many months coming up to the wedding, she was very interactive. When the wedding was around the corner, we were in contact almost on a daily basis to make sure all the details were addressed - fielding email after email from me. On the day of the wedding, she and the rest of the staff exemplified 5 star service. Laura and Edwin (another manager) were at the top of their game. What stood out the most was their regard to DH's brother who is handicapped. They were continuously checking with our family and making sure we were all taken care of. The servers were so nice and so attentive. Even the doormen/bellmen/front desk were all great. They made us feel like celebrities... everyone there was absolutely great to work with !!
THE FOOD
Yummmm !! We loved, loved, loved all the food at our tasting so we made sure that we actually ate the food at the wedding. Ive heard so many bride say they didnt have time to eat. We made sure that didnt happen !! The hors' devoures, appetizer, salad, entree, and mid-night snacks were all wonderfully prepared, presented, and tasted heavenly !! Its definitely high end restaurant food quality which I would compare to MK or other similar restaurants. Amazing food.
THE SUITE
Part of the package is a bridal suite (overnight) and 2 changing rooms (wedding day only). The bridal suite was gorgeous and spacious. We had the pleasure of staying in room 1801, which is a corner suite with a large sitting room, huge bathroom complete with soaking tub, private bedroom, and cool view of the city. The suite decor was very modern & contemporary - just like I like it. It was spacious enough to fit the millions of people we had coming in and out while getting ready - probably around 10 - 20 people !! The bed was one of the most comfortable beds we have ever slept in; the couch was comfy too. But the coolest thing was the bathroom.
THE VENUE
The architecture of the building is just sleek and sexy. And the interior is equally stunning. It has a very urban & contemporary feel, yet its very warm and inviting. The hotel offers so many choices for photo ops - from the lobby, staircases, and floor-to-ceiling windows - you will have so many places to take pics without even leaving the hotel. The main advantage of having your wedding at the Sofitel is that your event is the only event going on at the hotel. The leads to dedicated attention from their staff and exclusive use of the third floor.
The Sofitel is a amazing venue to have a wedding - location, quality, service, space. PERFECT !
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Last time I was in Chicago and I didn't want to stay at the W (downtown, not by the lake), this is where I stayed. It was maxin. The architecture of the hotel allows some guests to look almost straight down to the side walk below. I was LOVIN being one of these guests most nights, but a couple of nights, I was waaaaaay too HIGH, to be that HIGH, AND, lookin almost straight down at the sidewalk bellow. The type of attendance I got was proper. My Linens and Pillows (maybe even the bed?) worked the SH!T outta the Westin. I'm not taking a my I.R.A. with me when the sh!t goes down so I like to spend some decent cash on my hotel rooms. Money well spent.
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I stayed here not too long ago. It was very nice, but for the money and the caliber of hotel it was, there wasn't very much service to go with it. It was very easy to check in, but the staff didn't seen very friendly. Their concierge was pretty good, but very distant. The whole experience was very matter-of-factly. Maybe it's the Midwest in me, but I need some service!
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The Sofitel really knows how to throw a wedding. As a Day of Wedding Coordinator, I have seen a lot of spaces, with a lot of staff, who clearly has no clue.
The Sofitel KNOWS. They are there to cater to your every need, as a vendor, a bride, a guest, or just Jon Smith. They have their act together so much that I really was left feeling useless most of the night ( this is rare) Not only that, but they kept to my time line INSANELY WELL.
The Sofitel itself lends to a wonderful atmosphere, with great architecture, staircases, and decor. The need for over the top decor for a wedding is unneeded.
Laura, the weddings and events coordinator here is nothing but on top of her game. She handles issues, details, and "blips" in a wedding day flawlessly. She was a very trustworthy partner for the day.
The only thing I will deduct them for is their need to encourage brides to spend more money than they need, encouraging not always the best in their field, but one that is " priced" as. They also encourage needless add ons, that really is just money wasted in my opinion
