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
Mar 30, 2023A New Type of Art Experience: Rotterdam’s Depot Boijman’s Van Beuningen Opens
A little more a year ago, Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, designed by architectural firm MVRDV, opened to the public in Rotterdam. At Depot, everything revolves around the interaction between the visitors and more than 151,000 works stored in various areas of the unique building.
Daily
Mar 29, 20234 Spring Hotel Openings
With the start of spring, travelers have their choice of new design-centric boutique properties opening in the coming months. Check out these properties for travel inspiration.
eFlyer Reviews
Mar 29, 2023Elk Cove Inn & Spa Review
Mendocino County is a self-contained universe of effortless, California-centric joy enveloped within the Redwood Forest National and State Parks, the rocky Pacific Coast and several prime wine production areas like Anderson Valley. If Highway 1 and Route 128 are the ribbons holding this package together, Elk Cove Inn & Spa can be considered the bow. Mendocino Coast’s first vacation destination, established in 1968, is an ideal 16-room gateway to the destination.
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!
eFlyer News
Mar 29, 2023YOTEL to Open YOTELPAD London Stratford in Late 2023
YOTEL recently announced plans to open YOTELPAD London Stratford at the end of this year, making it the seventh YOTEL property in the United Kingdom and third in London, joining YOTEL London City and YOTEL London Shoreditch. YOTEL currently features properties in the United States and United Kingdom, with hotels in Boston, New York, San Francisco and, more recently, Washington, D.C.
Last-Minute Spring Deals from SIXT
eFlyer Deals
Mar 29, 2023Daily
Mar 29, 2023Get in the Spirit for the Coronation with These 4 Red Savannah Itineraries
This May, London celebrates as King Charles III will officially be crowned in the coronation. To help travelers get into the royal spirit, Red Savannah recently introduced a variety of itineraries and destinations in the United Kingdom, including the homes of monarchs and historical figures, castles and gardens.
Sponsored Content
Exclusive Savings: Cruise Along the Danube River with Global Traveler
Exclusive Sailing with Global Traveler
Daily
Mar 29, 2023Set Sail on a California River Cruise with American Cruise Lines
Love small-ship cruising and the California coast? You’re in luck: American Cruise Lines offers an eight-day San Francisco Bay excursion, taking in some of the best wine country in the United States. The itinerary for American Jazz — one of 10 new riverboats in American Cruise Lines fleet — includes ports in San Francisco, Stockton, Sacramento and Vallejo. Sailing time takes in San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay and the Napa and San Joaquin rivers. American Jazz reaches the California Coast following a repositioning journey from Mississippi, including a transit through the Panama Canal.
ShareThis