Arrival/Check-In: There is so much to take in upon arrival at the historic Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel — from the black-and-white checkered floor and dark wood walls to the popular gold couch and art installation behind reception. One glance around and you suddenly understand you are standing in an area rich with history. Opened on April 16, 1910, it quickly became a favorite of movie stars and U.S. presidents, having hosted 12. Closed in 1991 after being briefly owned by Maharishi Yogi, it reopened in its current incarnation after a $128 million renovation. Its former barber shop is where Al Capone hid his hooch.
Two reception desks stand to the left of the entrance, and after a few minutes, I was on my way to my guestroom.
Guest Quarters: My deluxe room offered awesome views of Lake Michigan and Grant Park, which was definitely a highlight. The modern décor pops with bursts of red in pillows and on the floor, and pale yellow adorning the walls and in the artwork. I entered into a hallway. On my left was the bathroom, with its black and white paisley wallpaper and marble countertops. The shower was excellent, but the lighting a bit dim for getting ready. A king-sized bed clad in a fluffy white duvet greeted me in the guestroom. The bed was flanked on one side by a multilevel nightstand with an iPad-compatible alarm clock and on the other side with a tall shelf of books and other décor elements. Two lights hung from the ceiling over either side of the bed. Across from the bed was a desk/bureau combination with a flat-screen TV overhead. While not exceptionally spacious in square footage, the room felt generously sized given the design aesthetic and functionality.
Services/Amenities: Far and away my favorite amenity at the hotel was the on-site restaurant, Mercat a la Planxa, operated by Iron Chef Jose Garces. I enjoyed a decadent multicourse dinner on the porch overlooking the park and the lake. My favorite of the small plates were the bacon-wrapped figs with a fondue dipping sauce. The restaurant is also open for breakfast and lunch. A Starbucks serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Room service is available from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Another highlight of the property is its 11,396 square feet of event space. Nine event rooms include the Spertus Crown Family Great Hall and the Crystal Ball rooms. The ballroom offers stunning views as well.
The Experience: Offering a convenient location and history wherever you turn, the Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel is a thoroughly modern hotel with the ability to transport guests back to the city’s illustrious past. Wander the property and take in the art, décor and special touches to truly enhance your stay.
GT CHECKLIST
- Doorman/valet
- Less than 10 minutes for check-in
- Separate tub and shower
- Large vanity
- High-quality towels
- Powerful, unattached hair dryer
- High-quality bed linens
- Large, flat-screen television
- Large desk with convenient outlets
- Large, complimentary laptop safe
- Complimentary in-room WiFi
- Complimentary bottled water
- Stocked minibar
- Ample lighting
- In-room coffeemaker
- Iron and ironing board
- On-site restaurant and bar
- 24-hour room service
- 24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center
- Turn-down service
Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel
636 S. Michigan Ave.
(lobby entrance on E. Balbo Avenue)
Chicago, IL 60605
tel 312 447 0955
marriott.com
Read This Next
Lotte Hotel Seoul
2014 / February 2014
Jun 1, 2016All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All

Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Dec 7, 2023Why Sun-Splashed Mazatlán, Mexico, Attracts Digital Nomads
Mazatlán, Mexico, has long been an attractive home destination for Canadian and American retirees, but, in recent years, young, digital nomads have also discovered the charms of this coastal city, finding inexpensive accommodations, beautiful weather and plenty of bandwidth for working remotely. The laid-back beach scene definitely eases the transition of relocating to Mexico’s West Coast.
Sponsored Content
IHG® Business Edge: A Better Way to Travel
Many small- and medium-sized businesses face time and budget constraints when organizing corporate hotel travel for employees. To address this problem, IHG® Business Edge emerged as a cost-free business travel solution for small- to medium-sized enterprises, offering travel managers exclusive access to enticing perks, handpicked educational resources and comprehensive company travel metrics. IHG Business Edge connects our loyal customers to our portfolio of 5,800 hotels and resorts across 18 brands in more than 100 countries.
December 2023
Dec 7, 2023Global Traveler Announces the Winners of the 2023 Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion in Travel Awards
For its third year, Global Traveler awards the airline, cruise line and hotel brand best representing diversity, equity and inclusion within the travel industry. Over the past year Global Traveler analyzed many airlines, cruise lines and hotel brands to determine which companies prove most committed to changing the world through diversity and inclusion.
December 2023
Dec 7, 2023Enduring Excellence: Global Traveler Honors the Winners Achieving Top Status, Year After Year
The highly anticipated GT Tested Reader Survey has more reason to celebrate in 2024 than ever before. This year marks the 20th anniversary of our GT Tested Reader Survey awards, with many of the winning brands earning milestone accolades for years of dedicated and consistent service.
Sponsored Content
Share Your Travel Preferences with Global Traveler in a Short Survey & Win
Learning more about our readers’ travel habits and preferences ensures Global Traveler delivers the content you desire. As the travel industry has adapted and changed over the last few years, it’s more important than ever to connect. To best meet your short- and long-term travel content needs, please help us!
December 2023
Dec 7, 2023Global Traveler Celebrates the Winners of the 20th Annual GT Tested Reader Survey Awards
As another phenomenal year of travel comes to an end, it’s time, as always, for Global Traveler to celebrate and award those who do it best as we announce the 2023 winners of the GT Tested Reader Survey awards. But that's not the only cause for celebration here: We've hit another major milestone, as this marks our 20th year honoring the best of the best inn world of travel!
eFlyer News
Dec 6, 2023First Carbon-Positive Hotel in United States Comes to Denver in 2024
Next summer, Denver, Colorado, becomes home to the country’s first carbon-positive hotel. The 13-story Populus features 265 modern guestrooms, a ground-floor restaurant, café, flexible meeting spaces, and signature rooftop restaurant and bar. Architecture is designed by Studio Gang, with interiors envisioned by Wildman Chalmers Design.
Sponsored Content
Interior Upgrades Begin Rolling Out Across United Fleet
United Airlines is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its fleet over the next several years. After first announcing the plan in 2021, planes fitted with United’s signature interior are finally beginning to appear across the airline’s narrowbody fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes. United flyers are sure to notice these enhancements from the moment they step on board: Each new or updated plane sports remodeled seats, seatback entertainment screens for everyone, Bluetooth connectivity and more, all adding up to a better experience on every journey.
eFlyer News
Dec 6, 2023Study Reveals Least Reliable Airports in United States in 2023
Private jet charter service Jettly recently conducted an extensive study to find the most and least reliable U.S. airports in 2023. Analyzing the total number of delays, cancellations and diversions from more than 390 U.S. airports provided by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the results saw the least reliable airports span all corners of the country.
ShareThis