Hotele Autograph Collection w Chicago

This must have been at least our 5th stay at this hotel. The location works, the pricing works and the people are wonderful. The front desk people recognize my Marriott Bonvoy status and give us a very nice room. The Chicagoan lobby bar has attentive bartenders that will serve many other drinks not on the cocktail list. Cafe Maxwell, the club lounge, has drinks always available in coolers, and a morning hot breakfast. Our special thanks to Victor, who took care of our needs so well. The elevator service is very quick. The room and bathroom were clean. I cannot comment about housekeeping because our 3 night stay that was first a free night followed by 2 paid nights (on 2 reservations), meant no service.

Let me first of all say that I was truly looking forward to stay at The Blackstone. I had saved all my points to put toward this stay and sadly it was ruined BEFORE I even got there! Days before my stay, I called to see if I could possibly upgrade. I spoke to Diana who was truly nice, helpful and professional. Unfortunately, it kind of went downhill froM there. The next day, I called back to confirm whether I needed to be present for the checkin. The call was answered by someone who from the beginning was very terse! When I tried to ask her if Diana was still available, she was unprofessional and unbelievably rude. So I did what any guess would’ve done in that case and that’s ask who I was speaking with. She immediately fired back “I’m not telling you my freaking name!” I was immediately taken aback and when I tried simply get a word in, she kept bluntly and blatantly interrupting and talking through me. After listening to her yell at me for minutes, I ask her for her name again and “click” the line goes dead. I called back and was put on hold. Finally I spoke to a manager named Earline. She was nice and apologetic. She informed me that the rude employee’s name was Shandjana. She was even nice enough to offer me an upgrade to a Lakeside View. I told her that if she was willing to honor that plus free breakfast, then we’re good! I ended the call happy and was looking forward to my stay again! The next day I called again because as I remembered I never got my answer for regarding whether I needed to checkin in person at a certain time. I usually use Hilton and I can check in via app so wasn’t sure about Marriott. In fact, truth be told, I had stopped staying at Marriott bc of their customer service (or lack thereof). When I called, I spoke to someone named Jacquiea. I explained to her the back story and she confirmed that my room was locked in and I wouldn’t lose it. However, when the convo came around to breakfast, she mentioned there were no notes for it on my stay. I explained to her that I talked to Earline and mentioned that it was one of my concessions for staying after my rude in encounter with Shadjana. She said she would talk to Earline and get back to me. I didn’t think too much of it. I figured Earline would confirm what her and I talked about and we’d be all squared away. Unfortunately, the situation sadly got even worse. Later that afternoon, I received an email from Jacquiea citing that she never promised me a complimentary breakfast and that I wasn’t getting one. Again, I was puzzled as I KNOW I mentioned that as one of my concessions, but perhaps she (Earline) simply didn’t remember and that perhaps there was a misunderstanding. I replied saying such and reiterating to them that the purpose of those concessions was to do damage-control for shandjana’s immature behavior. In fact, the hope was they would say “perhaps there was a misunderstanding between Earline and you, but given the unfortunate behavior of our staff, we’re willing t

The hotel has a good location, just beside Michigan Avenue, and convenient to all major attractions in Chicago. The hotel environment is also very good. It is quiet and clean. The space is large enough. There is sufficient hot water supply, but there is no hot water to drink. We brought our own heat The most distinctive feature of the kettle for boiling water is the hotel’s robots, which can deliver water and daily necessities, which are available on demand, great! We did not have breakfast at the hotel, but there are many restaurants around, which are very convenient. The waiters in the hotel are very good and the service is very warm and thoughtful. Our trip felt very good, the price was affordable and the process was comfortable!

This was my first time staying at this Marriott property and it is a wonderful addition to the Marriott portfolio. The location was a different area from what I am used to, but I liked being in the financial area and did find that Michigan Ave as well as the Lakeshore trail were all within close walking distance. Access to the El train lines is the best because in the area you have access to either the blue or red line all just a few blocks away. This is the only area other than the Clark/Lake station where you have this option for the two lines as well as Orange and Green lines. The decor of the hotel was modern and sleek. I had breakfast at the hotel and it was very good. Nice exercise room. I used my Marriott suite nights to upgrade from a regular room. I was supposed to get a corner suite but it was not ready when I checked in so I opted to take a regular suite which was ready. The room and bathroom were great, plenty of room and I liked that there is no carpeting on the floor, just rugs and hardwood. I would definitely recommend this hotel.