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By: Jay – The Park Hyatt Chicago is highly regarded within this amazing city. The location, services available and positive reviews made the anticipation for our stay high. I’m happy to report that we loved our stay at this hotel. Read on to find out why.
- Cash & Point Expense – Hotel costs in terms of cash, points, or both.
- Hotel Overview & Rooms – Overview of the property and room choices.
- Service & Conveniences – Service and amenities offered by the hotel.
- Restaurants & Dining – Restaurant and bar choices in the hotel.
- X-Factor – What sets this property apart from others.
Cash & Points Expense
The reason for this visit was a minor oversight. We did not realize there was a redemption window for the two free nights at any Hyatt worldwide when we received our Chase Hyatt card back in April 2016. To maximize the value of these two nights with only about a month to plan, the Park Hyatt Chicago was the best fit. At this time of year in Chicago, which was off-peak season, a standard room would have cost around $400. During peak season, a standard room could easily cost $600.
After our upgrade to the executive suite, we realized our value per night was over $1000 a night saving us $2,000 for our 2-night stay!
Hotel Overview & Rooms
Finding our hotel was a breeze. The hotel is next to some of the most popular parts of Chicago. We headed straight to the Magnificent Mile (Chicago was actually the name of our stop) from the airport which was a pleasant ride on the “L” train.
Right when we walked in, the hustle and bustle of the city outside seemed to wisp away and a peace overcame us with the calming sounds and sweet smells of the lobby. We always appreciate the detail in every square inch of the luxury hotels, even the scent.
The staff was very accommodating and happy to work with us. However, because we were being upgraded to a suite, and we were checking in early, there were no suites currently available. There were some top-tier status guests that requested a late checkout and so the hotel honored that. In the meantime, we were put into a standard room where we could relax.
After freshening up from the commute, we went out to explore. A few hours later, the hotel staff called to let us know that our suite was available upon our return. They had already transferred our luggage to not cause us any undue stress.
The room was shocking! It was larger than we could have ever imagined! There was a large living room area with a giant window looking over Michigan Ave and the view continued to Lake Michigan. Our bedroom featured another large window with the same view. There were 2 bathrooms which allowed for more space and convenience. Having hallways in this hotel room really helped add to the opulence. Finally, the master bathroom was equally impressive in size and quality.
Service & Conveniences
Because we had to wait on the one rewards suite, we were initially frustrated by the inconvenience but the staff made up for it. They provided a complimentary breakfast at their signature restaurant our first morning there and we surely appreciated the gesture and the hazelnut Belgian waffle.
Another way they said sorry for waiting for our suite to become available really blew us away. On our last night, there was a bottle of champagne and chocolates waiting for us. The personalized card really made the difference.
We’re not sure if the reason the staff was so nice was because of the original snafu, or if they do this to all their guests but either way we were very impressed and felt pampered.
The spa, swimming pool, and fitness center were very enjoyable. We utilized all 3 our first morning. This was my (Jay’s) first pedicure and I think the bar was set very high at the Nomi Spa! I giggled from the feeling of being tickled and I think my wife was a bit embarrassed but the end result was worth it.
Restaurants & Dining
Because the weather was not accommodating, we were not able to enjoy the beautiful outdoor patio that is pictured below from the Park Hyatt website. But the restaurants that we did get to experience really impressed us!
For our complimentary breakfast, we went to NoMi Kitchen which is the signature restaurant at the hotel. The view was amazing but identical to our hotel’s room view. The floor to ceiling windows kept all of the diners’ eyes fixed on the outdoors. The decorations were impressive to look at as well but everything became a distraction once the food was served.
We enjoyed several items we would not have normally purchased like the giant waffle shown in great elegance in the picture and the green tea that wasn’t even bitter.
The prices seemed high but that was appropriate for the feeling of the environment. The addition of chocolate sauce and a few banana slices to the luxurious waffle added $3 to the bill. If this meal was not complimentary, we would have told ourselves that we were paying for the view.
The X-Factor
What we felt set this hotel apart was the elegance and attention to detail. The staff thought through everything and were so genuinely forgiving after their minor suite coordination mistake. The whole building was focused on making your stay as peaceful and comfortable as possible. Sure the location was amazing and the views were breathtaking, but on some of the cold and rainy days that we were in Chicago, the Park Hyatt was the perfect hotel to find peace among the elements.
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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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