Advice - Hilton Group hotels in Chicago

[justinbrett]

I'm flying into ORD on Fri 9th June, staying one night before picking up a car to star a two week road trip.

I have been to ORD before, staying at Hilton Chicago - and I really wasn't impressed with the hotel. My room (like most) had a view of other parts of the hotel and was really old and small. The location was OK but a bit south of the action.

I booked a placeholder room at the Home2 Suites by Hilton Chicago McCormick Place, at the time it was far cheaper than the other hotels. Now the others have come down in price, so I'm seeing what better options there are (won't beat my Home2 Suites booking but I don't mind paying a little more if it's worth it).

Hilton Garden Inn Central Loop looks pretty good - ideal location as it's a block from Avis where my rental car is - as is the adjacent Canopy. These and Hilton Chicago are all pretty much the same price (all three between $287-291 ex tax). Normally I'd go for the better brand (Hilton) but given past experience wasn't keen to go back. There's also theWit Hilton which is a really good location (although not close to my rental car, but that's not a dealbreaker).

I'm pretty sure I don't want to stay in Home2 Suites that I have booked already as it's very far south and not a brand I normally go for.

Does anybody have experiences at these other hotels - what would you go for?

 

[justinbrett]

With the lack of any response I went for theWit, which I learnt was a DT but has just been upgraded to a full Hilton. The location is perfect and there's a rooftop bar/restaurant which should have great views - perfect for my overnight stop before setting out on my road trip. Wasn't influenced by EL availability as my flight doesn't land until 7pm.

There's an Avis just down the road which I switched my pick up to so it looks like a great solution.

Other bonus is it's walking distance from Washington Station which has direct service from ORD - and while I normally Uber in the US, I remember traffic being terrible at ORD so on a Friday night I think I'll go for the train.

I'll report back on the results.

 

[SYD]

I know what you mean about the old Downtown Hilton. Stayed there years ago for a week+ in a pretty pokey room but I was comped Gold (don’t know why and got Exec floor access for breakfast).

We’re staying at an AirBnB later in the year. More uptown and closer to things we want do/see.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Stayed at the WA and it was absolutely superb. Nice upgrade to a suite with fireplace.

Bathrooms are huge.

 

[justinbrett]

Stayed at the WA and it was absolutely superb. Nice upgrade to a suite with fireplace.

Bathrooms are huge.

As I'd expect - it's US$900/night for my dates! Certainly wouldn't get my money's worth with my flight landing at 1900 - and definitely wouldn't be using the fireplace in June.

We’re staying at an AirBnB later in the year. More uptown and closer to things we want do/see.

That's what I like about theWit - it's right on the river opposite the Chicago Theatre. I don't think it gets much better for location than that.

I don't plan to do any sightseeing (was last there in 2019) - I hope to be on the road by about 1000.

 

[Lynda2475]

When I was looking at where to stay last year, the most tempting deals were non major chains; but I ended up staying at the Fairmont because choices which had a walk in shower as opposed to a shub were limited for my dates.

Previous visit I think I stayed at The Allerton.

I was actually tempted to try a stay here: Virgin Hotels Chicago | Hotel in Downtown Chicago free to sign-up and get the member rate.

 

[justinbrett]

When I was looking at where to stay last year, the most tempting deals were non major chains; but I ended up staying at the Fairmont because choices which had a walk in shower as opposed to a shub were limited for my dates.

Previous visit I think I stayed at The Allerton.

I was actually tempted to try a stay here: Virgin Hotels Chicago | Hotel in Downtown Chicago free to sign-up and get the member rate.

Next time you go back - theWit has walk in showers (they might not have last year as they are renovating). Cheaper than the Fairmont for my dates.

The good thing about Hiltons in Chicago is they have the higher F&B credit rate of US$18pp ($36 if you are travelling solo and have an imaginary friend ). That can pay for dinner at the restaurant or a couple of coughtails.

 

[Lynda2475]

Plenty of non-hotel places to eat in Chicago though I got Fairmont through QF hotels a lot cheaper than booking direct even with Accor status and a nice serve of bonus points.

Right now Im still struggling to pick a hotel in Indianapolis that will guarantee the absence of a SHUB.

 

[justinbrett]

Plenty of non-hotel places to eat in Chicago though

Hence the coughtail option!

For me I'll use the rooftop restaurant for this stay as it will be close to 9pm by the time I check in - so drinks and dinner enjoying the views of the river and downtown on a summer's night, from the comfort of my hotel, sounds perfect. It has a retractable roof which is pretty cool, so should be open for June.

Most of the new renos in the US seem to be putting in walk in showers so situation should improve in coming years.

 

[justinbrett]

theWit was a good option, absolutely no contest against Hilton Chicago.

The hard product is excellent having been recently renovated, and being a smaller hotel it’s compact so not much walking. The location is excellent, just across the road from the Chicago Theatre sign. Easy 300m walk from Washington Station (direct train from ORD) and Avis is a similar distance if renting a car.

My room had a view of the river (you need a west facing room for this).

One thing to note about the roof top “restaurant“, is it’s more of a nightclub. No direct access from your level - you have to go to the lobby to get a wristband (non hotel guests have to pay a cover charge), there is a dress code, and they frisk you prior to letting you in the special elevator to the roof. Most of the small lobby is taken up by a system of ropes to manage the queues for all this to occur. However it is worth it, the pizzas are absolutely amazing and they do very fancy coughtails. It was really busy, it seems more like a nightclub that runs a hotel on the side, rather than the other way around. On the way down you can ask for them to stop at your floor so you don’t have to go back to the lobby again.

There is also a traditional bar/restaurant on the ground floor for those that prefer that. It’s a standard full Hilton, the F&B credit applies to rooftop purchases as well.




Rooftop:

 

[Lynda2475]

Nice, no shub a rarity for Hilton

 

[justinbrett]

Nice, no shub a rarity for Hilton

Out of 5 properties so far this trip (3x Hiltons, 2x Vegas Casinos), I haven’t got a shub yet. I haven’t actively avoided them, but I think the trend when renovating is to remove them.

I’m sure there will be some in my near future though.

 

[Lynda2475]

That's good to see, was unable to find a Hilton, IHG or Accor property in Indianapolis that could guarantee a shower (unless I wanted a disability room with a shower curtain ewww) so am booking the only shub free property via QF Hotels at least I will get points.

 

[justinbrett]

That's good to see, was unable to find a Hilton, IHG or Accor property in Indianapolis that could guarantee a shower (unless I wanted a disability room with a shower curtain ewww) so am booking the only shub free property via QF Hotels at least I will get points.

I’m on my 8th property of the trip and just got my first shub at a Hampton Inn.

Managed to get 7 walk in showers in a row which I think is a PB for me in the US.