Arrival/Check-In: Chicago is one of my favorite American cities, and I always look forward to visiting, especially during the holidays. My recent stay coincided with the festive season and placed me near the Water Tower, just off Michigan Avenue—my preferred neighborhood when I visit the city. This trip was brief, however; I stayed at the Park Hyatt Chicago for only one night.
My colleague and I arrived in the morning well before the official check-in time, but our rooms were ready. After a swift check-in we headed up to our fifth-floor accommodations.
Guest Quarters: Two features of the guestroom stood out: a view that included the Water Tower and Lake Michigan, and an exceptionally comfortable king-sized bed. A room with a view and a great night’s sleep make for a memorable stay.
The hotel’s décor is modern and understated throughout. I did notice the elevators were on the slow side and require keycard access. The layout of the room is practical: as you enter, the spacious bathroom is to the right, with a separate tub and shower, a private water closet and dual sinks.
The bedroom was generous in size, centered on the king bed with two bedside tables. A flat-screen TV and dresser faced the bed. I particularly liked the dual-sided desk, which provided a functional workspace. A window seat ran along the length of the windows—ideal for taking in the view. Overall, the room offered ample space to relax and work comfortably.
Services/Amenities: NoMI Kitchen serves award-winning food and adds an interesting architectural accent to the building’s Michigan Avenue façade—an element I’d seen on prior visits but hadn’t fully appreciated until now. During breakfast I was able to view this feature from the opposite angle. Breakfast was efficiently served and enjoyable, and my colleague and I also had lunch in the more casual NoMI Lounge before departing.
I used the on-site fitness center and found it well equipped, with a good selection of machines in solid condition. The adjacent NoMI Spa is compact but offers a full menu of treatments.
The hotel also provides more than 5,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space with modern audiovisual capabilities, suitable for business or social gatherings.
Top Takeaways:
◆ The closet layout is clever and functional—the walk-in closet opens to both the hallway and the bathroom, which made getting ready convenient.
◆ Keep an eye out for Parker, the Park Hyatt’s resident pug, a one-eyed rescue who is part of the hotel’s charm.
◆ The lobby lounge is a comfortable spot to unwind or work; I appreciated the complimentary warm apple cider, coffee and tea on a chilly November afternoon.
Park Hyatt Chicago
800 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
tel 312 335 1234
chicago.park.hyatt.com