After a great flight from Paris and then Copenhagen on SAS, I stay one night only at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago. Chicago is a city I know well from living there for almost two years, but I have never stayed in this hotel. A look back at an expensive but enjoyable experience.
Booking
Two weeks before my flight to Chicago, I receive a notification from SAS indicating a schedule change on my reservation. I open the application and see no particular change… Until I realized that I was rebooked on the same flights, but the next day! I call the reservation center and manage to get rebooked on the same flights, but the day before the initial departure day.
So I had to book a hotel for an extra night and chose the Ritz-Carlton which was reasonably priced compared to the other less premium and equally expensive options.
I proceed to the reservation on the Marriott Bonvoy website, specifying my arrival and departure times.
Arrival
Until the day of arrival, no upgrades appeared on the Marriott Bonvoy app even after the online check-in process. I didn’t have many illusions, especially since the hotel seemed completely full.
Nevertheless, when I opened the application on the plane and thanks to the SAS Wifi, I found a superb upgrade to an Ambassador Suite with a view of the city, in a suite that is almost 150m2!
With a little feverishness, I keep checking in the Uber that takes me to the hotel that this does not change… While enjoying this beautiful city that brings back so many good memories.
On my arrival, a little confusion in front of the entrance with a mountain of people waiting for a cab… And I remember that in the United States, despite the high standard of the hotel, there is rarely someone to help you with your luggage!
The lobby is located on the 12th floor of the property.
The reception being empty, I am taken in charge immediately. Here again, no luxury, they confirm the duration of the reservation, they ask me for my identity documents and my credit card and they confirm my late check-out.
At The Ritz-Carlton, as at Edition, there is no complimentary breakfast, but the property does offer a 20% discount for all Platinum members and above on all hotel services.
Room
The suite assigned and located on the 30th and last floor of the property, which seems to be now reserved for suites (after a renovation which I could not date).
My suite is located near the elevators.
It is equipped with a large entrance where you can find a mini-bar, an espresso machine with capsules and a kettle with a courtesy tray.
From this entrance you enter a huge lounge with a desk, two large sofas and a coffee table, a huge television and a dining table.
From this space, a bathroom is accessible as well as a kitchen, possibly used when the suite is privatized for events.
The lounge is adjacent to the bedroom and is equipped with a king size bed, bedside tables, a chest of drawers and a television.
A walk-in closet is attached to the bedroom, and leads to a full bathroom with two sinks, a clawfoot tub (who still uses that in 2019?), a shower and a toilet. One cannot be more comprehensive…
From the 3 huge windows, the views of Chicago and Lake Michigan are breathtaking!
Finally, the video tour:
Hotel facilities
As you would expect in a hotel of this standing, the property is equipped with a spa, located on the 11th floor of the building, as well as an indoor pool.
All facilities are available free of charge to hotel guests, as is the fitness room adjacent to the spa.
I was only able to try the fitness room, which is very pleasant, and with coaches who can be called upon on request. All the equipment is very recent and a weight training area is available and very well equipped. Running in front of Lake Michigan is a real pleasure!
Catering
I was not able to test the restaurant at lunch or dinner, but only at breakfast service.
Breakfast is served in the hotel’s restaurant, Torali, located in the Lobby on the 12th floor.
I was assigned a table immediately. The property offers only one option, a la carte, not buffet (and it is often better like that).
The menu is pretty standard and I order a full breakfast with eggs, hash browns and pork sausages, with American coffee and orange juice. As is customary in the United States, coffee and orange juice are served without limit.
Although very classic, this breakfast is excellently executed, the fried eggs are excellent, the hash browns certainly the best ever and the sausages just perfect. The toast is toasted to perfection and the Philadelphia complements it perfectly.
Almost $30 with taxes and service, but a real Palace breakfast!
Departure
I used the mobile check-out to make my departure formalities, but I had to ask for the invoice through the chat system, as in 90% of the cases, which was then sent to me immediately.
Note that the bill was slipped under the door, a practice I particularly appreciate in the United States and which should be generalized!
Bottom line
Of course, the price was not sweet, a little over $250+taxes for that night. But it is not more expensive than the surrounding hotels and the service is excellent. The decoration is certainly dated, but it is finally like that almost everywhere at Ritz-Carlton!
Articles similaires
