My family and I had a quick stay, celebrating a special occasion at Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Dec 2020. The day before check in, I called the hotel and spoke to Abdul, who came across as very affable and I thought, was fantastic in the way he explained the limitations that are being experienced in terms of services/amenities that can be provided because of COVID-19. He promised to do his best to mark a special occasion we were celebrating and would also make a note about it on the reservation to make sure front desk staff are aware of the same when we check in the next day. He/staff delivered on it to a certain extent, I assume, as we were upgraded to my preferred choice of a suite with river views, the evening before check in. The suite’s bedroom is spacious and has fabulous views of the river. I liked the hotel’s redesigned decor, the colors and the artwork. The window seats in the suite live up to the hype and are a fantastic and unique additions to the room. They are great to curl up with a nice drink and enjoy the views the room has to offer and/or people watch. This probably is the biggest draw and is absolutely worth it. Valet service was good and both valets we came across during our stay were prompt and patient. We booked a Valet package because we wanted the in/out privileges but if you plan on not using the car after parking, I would recommend using SpotHero to find cheap parking close by. The hotel is also pet-friendly, just like all the Kimpton boutique hotels are. So if you are traveling with a pet, you are in safe hands with Hotel Monaco. Up on checking in and in further encounters with the front desk staff, I found the staff to be professional and willing to accommodate requests like late checkout (A perk almost always offered to Spire Elites) or extra towels, etc. However, I found the warmth that a lot of other guests talked about from the front desk staff, missing. There was no recognition of elite status at check in or any words welcoming to the hotel nor was there any mention of the occasion we were celebrating l. Also, maybe it’s the Midwest in me but I tend to place a little bit more value to simple gestures like a hello and welcome back or have a nice day when passing through, which unfortunately was not the case during this stay. I would like to chalk it down to being short staffed during these unprecedented times and it taking its toll. Or maybe it’s an off day (or two) or maybe it’s me! It was just a somber atmosphere. Professional, yes, upbeat and friendly, nope! My tendency to stick with either IHG/Hilton hotels and multiple visits a year to Chicago may bring me back to Hotel Monaco but with so many excellent hotels in the area, I wouldn’t mind checking out other options. …
From the moment we walked in until our late evening checkout our 2 day stay at Hotel Monoco was spectacular. The front desk clerk Abdul made sure we had everything we needed and was very friendly and welcoming. Our room was immaculately clean and fresh. The hot chocolate Friday night and the wine happy hour with a socially distanced plan. The view from our room was world class and for a staycation was a very welcome view. I couldn't more highly recommend staying at Hotel Monaco for a Staycation or Vacation when visiting Chicago. So grateful for such a great weekend!
I love every Kimpton hotel I’ve ever stayed at, but the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Chicago had a very unique charm to it. All the best parts of Chicago at your feet. Surpassed all our expectations and made for two incredibly enjoyable stays. Tip: Book a room overlooking the Chicago River for an extra special river views.
Hotel- Kimpton Monaco Chicago Date- November 2020 (3 nights) Overall: 5/5. Excellent. This has become one of my absolute favorite hotel properties in the downtown Chicago area. Rewards Club Recognition- Excellent. Upon arrival, we were thanked for our loyalty, and our room was upgraded. We were given welcome amenity points and a $10 Raid-the-Bar credit, for use at the ‘bodega’ or at the restaurant. Staff- 5/5. Excellent. We were checked into the hotel by Sel, who thoroughly explained the changes in the usual hotel offerings due to the pandemic. Abdul, who offered us wine during the usual social/wine hour, was engaging and conversational, as was Alexandra at the night reception. She and Abdul were so friendly and fun to chat with, we could easily have spent hour after hour chatting with them. When in the lobby, it was as if I was a personal guest in each of their home living rooms. Each of these staff members went above and beyond to ensure that we were happy during our stay. I simply cannot say enough good things about them. Property Appearance & Maintenance- 5/5. Excellent. Exterior- 5/5. The entrance is humble but clean and crisp. The hotel was well branded. Although it was a bit cumbersome in front of the entrance during the first couple of days, due to the filming of a show, Sel was very helpful ensuring we could unload our belongings when we arrived. Interior- 5/5. The lobby is cozy and inviting. The flooring was clean, and the furnishings were in excellent shape. Decorative items, such as a tree-shaped coat/hat rack, kept us intrigued. Accommodations- 5/5. Excellent. We were assigned a “River View One Bedroom Suite.” The living room had plenty of space for relaxing, with a sofa, desk, mini fridge, and flatscreen television; the bedroom in the corner of the building had a second flatscreen television, a chair, and a comfortable bed with a bench at the foot. The view from this room could not be beat; we looked down on the Chicago River and were surrounded by city sights that could be enjoyed from the four window seats. Even our kitten couldn’t help but spend hours gandering at the buildings, cars, river, and people! The only improvement that could be offered is the addition of a bathtub. Housekeeping- 5/5. Excellent. Our room was quite clean. The floors had been vacuumed, and the bathroom was spotless. Toiletry items and towels were all provided in a supply adequate for the length of our stay. Pool/Gym- Not evaluated. Breakfast/Meal Options- 4/5. The restaurant, Fisk & Co., was open for carryout service during the morning hours, and the food was very tasty. I tried a bagel with salmon and cream cheese, along with some bacon, and my spouse devoured the bacon, egg, & cheese breakfast sandwich being offered. A pop-up bodega was present at the front desk since the minibars are emptied during the pandemic. In addition, the staff offered several suggestions for carryout day or evening dining in the neighborhood. Laundry- Not evaluated. Computer/Printer/WiFi- 5/5. WiFi was strong throughout the hotel, and steaming was smooth. Other- Valet parking is available for $64 per night, but if you are uncomfortable with valet parking during the pandemic, several self-parking garages are available in the area. To save some money, I’d recommend prepaying for the parking through an application. During the pandemic, safety was a clear priority: sanitizing stations were present all throughout the hotel, including at the reception, in the elevator bays, and at the entrance. All staff members kept appropriate physical distance from guests and wore masks, as did most of the guests. We felt we made the right choice for us and our pet; so pleased were we with everything that we chose to extend our stay by another day. *Note: if you’re considering extending your stay for any reason, be sure to discuss it with the front desk; sometimes they offer special rates!…
My wife and I, along with our two kids came to stay at the Hotel Monaco in downtown Chicago recently. The hotel is perfectly situation along the Chicago River, an easy walk to the Navy Pier, and so many other downtown attractions. The room was spectacular with the little sitting windows. Our kids would wake up each morning and hang out in those nooks! The customer service, from the people at the front desk, to the General Manager Adam Gurgiolo were superior. We could not have asked for nicer people to interact with at this hotel. We would highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Chicago if they are looking for outstanding customer service, a luxury property and views to die for!!
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