The Blackstone, Autograph Collection
636 South Michigan Avenue Lobby Entrance On East Balbo Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605-1901
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Avg. $193 /night, 3/20 - 3/21
$369
per night
$263
per night
$156
per night
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Reflects recent average nightly prices reported by our partners, and may not include estimated taxes or fees. Price at checkout may differ.
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About
#74 of 214 hotels in Chicago
Location
4.6
Rooms
4.5
Value
4.2
Cleanliness
4.7
Service
4.5
Sleep Quality
4.6
The Blackstone Hotel in downtown Chicago is a storied architectural icon rooted in the city's legendary past. Updated with all the modern amenities and features of today, The Blackstone delivers a distinguished hospitality experience perfect for the discerning traveler. Our downtown Chicago hotel is blooming as a point of cultural and creative discovery on the Cultural Mile. This downtown Chicago hotel offers modern accommodations boasting views of Lake Michigan and Grant Park, acclaimed dining at Mercat a la Planxa, refined meeting spaces, and thoughtful details like our state-of-the-art fitness center, personalized service and more. With stories to tell, The Blackstone is set to surprise, entertain, and inspire with a clever, contemporary attitude. Whether you are here for business or pleasure, this stunning hotel in downtown Chicago will ensure a restful and revitalizing stay. This luxury hotel is home to 4 iconic suites, both contemporary and historic in design. Delight in stunning views of Lake Michigan from the upper floors of our luxury Chicago hotel. The amenities in our hotel rooms include luxurious bedding, curated art pieces and design elements. Upgraded marble bath facilities with customized amenity offerings are featured in every room. Features also include complimentary entertainment with movie access in all our Chicago hotel rooms. Complimentary wi-fi for all Bonvoy members.
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Property amenities
Valet parking
Wifi
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Bar / lounge
Billiards
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Business Center with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Paid private parking nearby
Restaurant
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Concierge
Non-smoking hotel
ATM on site
Doorperson
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
Room features
Blackout curtains
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Desk
Housekeeping
Coffee / tea maker
Flatscreen TV
Hair dryer
Safe
Telephone
Wardrobe / closet
Iron
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Refrigerator
On-demand movies
Room types
City view
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Park View
Historic Hotel
Languages Spoken
English, French, Spanish
Location
636 South Michigan Avenue Lobby Entrance On East Balbo Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605-1901
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 100 out of 100
100
Midway Airport
9 mi•
See all flights
O'Hare Intl Airport
16.3 mi•
See all flights
Harrison
4 min•Chicago L
Rental Cars
65 Restaurants
within 0.3 miles
Reviews
4.5
2,949 reviews
Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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The Blackstone, Autograph Collection hotel garners praise for its cleanliness and the charming blend of luxury and history that defines its atmosphere. While its prime location is lauded for proximity to attractions and scenic views, some guests have expressed concerns about its perceived value, highlighting high costs and service that doesn't always meet expectations.
The hotel's rooms are noted for their size and cleanliness, yet some guests have encountered maintenance issues. Amenities and service have received mixed feedback, with commendations for the property's historical allure but criticisms for limited offerings and inconsistent service quality.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Luxurious
Rooms
Spacious
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Mixed
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Detailed Reviews
We just stayed here for a long weekend with our adult kids to go see a couple of cubs games and we loved it! This hotel is historic and retains much of the old charm but has been modernized too. The room was spacious, clean, bed was comfortable and the view was amazing!!!! The bathroom was very spacious too and spotless. Housekeeping came every day not like some hotels where you have to specifically ask for it. We ate at several very good restaurants all within walking distance and train station red line was just a few blocks away. If I had to think of something negative the only thing I can think of is the shower. It only has one glass shower half wall. The rest of it is open where there should be a glass door so water gets all over when you take a shower. Other than that we loved this hotel! Would definitely stay again!
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Date of stay: June 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Pierre-Louis Giacotto, General Manager at The Blackstone, Autograph Collection
Responded Jul 1, 2024
So glad you enjoyed your visit and all the hotel has to offer. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon. Have a great 4th of July weekend ahead.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A historic DIAMOND in Chicago, this is my favorite secret hotel. Beaux Art's architecture's fancy and modern French style is the aesthetic of The Blackstone Hotel; aside from staying in a unique museum-esk property where the beds/pillows are comfortable and the rooms modern and beautiful, dogs under 75 lbs are allowed for a fee.
The front desk team will give you a warm welcome and their undivided attention. Edward and Amari remembered me from my previous stay. I was surprised, and we continued our conversation from my last stay. Both are professional, courteous, and very friendly with guests, whether checking in or asking questions about the city.
The Blackstone's executive lounge for Bonvoy Elite members offers breakfast, small bites, and drinks. The lounge is cozy and a good place to work or hang out when it's not prime breakfast or small bites hours. Caroline is the evening attendant and promptly greets everyone as they enter. She'll make rounds and check in to see if anything is needed. She is absolutely fantastic and goes out of her way for hotel guests.
The Blackstone Hotel is further south on Michigan Avenue, which is a benefit - less congestion. Depending on what your plans are, you can easily walk to major attractions. I've frequented various hotels in Chicago. However, The Blackstone is the property I find myself choosing repeatedly.
The front desk team will give you a warm welcome and their undivided attention. Edward and Amari remembered me from my previous stay. I was surprised, and we continued our conversation from my last stay. Both are professional, courteous, and very friendly with guests, whether checking in or asking questions about the city.
The Blackstone's executive lounge for Bonvoy Elite members offers breakfast, small bites, and drinks. The lounge is cozy and a good place to work or hang out when it's not prime breakfast or small bites hours. Caroline is the evening attendant and promptly greets everyone as they enter. She'll make rounds and check in to see if anything is needed. She is absolutely fantastic and goes out of her way for hotel guests.
The Blackstone Hotel is further south on Michigan Avenue, which is a benefit - less congestion. Depending on what your plans are, you can easily walk to major attractions. I've frequented various hotels in Chicago. However, The Blackstone is the property I find myself choosing repeatedly.
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Traveled solo
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:Â Executive Lounge for Bonvoy members is only open during the week.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Pierre-Louis Giacotto, General Manager at The Blackstone, Autograph Collection
Responded Jan 2, 2024
Thank you so much for your review, and so glad you enjoyed your visit. I know that Edward, Amari and Caroline were thrilled to read about the positive impact they had on your visit. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon. Happy New Year.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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We enjoyed our stay at the Blackstone in a two queen room. The lobby is quite elegant and inviting, with prompt front desk service. Rooms are spacious, modern, and clean. We had a view of Lake Michigan, which made the stay more special. The restaurant on site has a good vibe, but our dinner there was just OK. The hotel is within walking distance to a few restaurants and convenience stores. Parking is in a separate garage owned by the Hilton across the street at $70/day, self-parking. Unless you're planning on driving very long distances, I'd seriously consider Uber-ing around town to avoid these high parking fees at the hotel and pretty much everywhere else.
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Â Rooms face the Lake can be noisy at night (car noise) given the busy avenues in front of it
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Pierre-Louis Giacotto, General Manager at The Blackstone, Autograph Collection
Responded Nov 29, 2024
Thank you for your review and for your patronage, we certainly appreciate it. We hope you will enjoy the holiday season and have the pleasure of welcoming you back again soon.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The hotel itself is beautiful.
The service is meh. When we reserved, we selected a room with two double beds on the reservation as we were traveling with my husband while he is traveling for business. When we arrived, after 4 pm, they did not have a room ready and we had to wait 20 mins for them to get a room ready. Once they called us they said they only had a room with a King and they said they could send a rollaway bed. We waited for the rollaway to arrive and it didn't so we call to have one sent to the room and we were told it was $25 a day. I told the woman that when we checked in they told us that they were going to send one because we had reserved a room with two double beds. She replied, "That's a request. Not a guarantee, so if you want the rollaway, it's an extra $25." Even though I did not think that was fair, I had no choice since we are traveling with our son and we all can't sleep in a king bed.
The room is nice, spacious with a fridge. They must hold on toilet paper for some reason because our room had a 1/2 used roll and no back up roll. The next day, no one cleaned our room so we had to call for some and they brought a roll. The next day they did clean the room, but didn't add another roll of tissue, so the next morning I had to call. The woman that answered said that she had no one to bring it to me but I could come down to the front desk. So I had to put on clothes and get decent to go downstairs - maybe 15 mins later or so. Once I get down there to ask for the toilet paper, the front desk person says oh I will call housekeeping and have that sent up to you. I was so confused and said I just called down and they told me to come down and pick it up. She looked confused and went in the back and I could hear her talking to someone else. Then a lady came from the back and peeked out at me (I guess to see what I looked like) and then went back and I could hear her say, I don't know but housekeeping is here. Sighhh.... Three nights down and two more nights to go.
The other thing about the hotel is that whenever I had to call the front desk (except once) no one answers and then it puts you in a general cue to be placed on hold until someone answers.
There is not much in the area, so we had to take the train or rideshare a lot to get to the area where there is a variety of restaurants and shopping.
Overall, the rooms are nice, but I think this has left enough of a taste in my mouth to stay somewhere else the next time I come to Chicago.
The service is meh. When we reserved, we selected a room with two double beds on the reservation as we were traveling with my husband while he is traveling for business. When we arrived, after 4 pm, they did not have a room ready and we had to wait 20 mins for them to get a room ready. Once they called us they said they only had a room with a King and they said they could send a rollaway bed. We waited for the rollaway to arrive and it didn't so we call to have one sent to the room and we were told it was $25 a day. I told the woman that when we checked in they told us that they were going to send one because we had reserved a room with two double beds. She replied, "That's a request. Not a guarantee, so if you want the rollaway, it's an extra $25." Even though I did not think that was fair, I had no choice since we are traveling with our son and we all can't sleep in a king bed.
The room is nice, spacious with a fridge. They must hold on toilet paper for some reason because our room had a 1/2 used roll and no back up roll. The next day, no one cleaned our room so we had to call for some and they brought a roll. The next day they did clean the room, but didn't add another roll of tissue, so the next morning I had to call. The woman that answered said that she had no one to bring it to me but I could come down to the front desk. So I had to put on clothes and get decent to go downstairs - maybe 15 mins later or so. Once I get down there to ask for the toilet paper, the front desk person says oh I will call housekeeping and have that sent up to you. I was so confused and said I just called down and they told me to come down and pick it up. She looked confused and went in the back and I could hear her talking to someone else. Then a lady came from the back and peeked out at me (I guess to see what I looked like) and then went back and I could hear her say, I don't know but housekeeping is here. Sighhh.... Three nights down and two more nights to go.
The other thing about the hotel is that whenever I had to call the front desk (except once) no one answers and then it puts you in a general cue to be placed on hold until someone answers.
There is not much in the area, so we had to take the train or rideshare a lot to get to the area where there is a variety of restaurants and shopping.
Overall, the rooms are nice, but I think this has left enough of a taste in my mouth to stay somewhere else the next time I come to Chicago.
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Date of stay: June 2024Trip type: Traveled on business
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Pierre-Louis Giacotto, General Manager at The Blackstone, Autograph Collection
Responded Jun 26, 2024
I'm sorry to hear about your experience with the room and housekeeping issues. We strive to provide excellent service and will work to address these shortcomings. Thank you for your feedback, and we hope to offer you a better experience next time.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I have had better showers in campgrounds. There is no way to turn the water on without getting wet due to a ridiculous design decision. There is no way to get the water to a reasonable temperature without standing in the freezing or burning water. There is no shower curtain to keep the warm air in while you shower. Any warmth immediately leaves the shower and the bathroom due to the 2" gape around the sliding door, another terrible design decision. You can warm your entire hotel room up to a high temperature before you shower and then immediately cool it back down to a normal temperature, but that is very energy wasteful, especially when a decent door on the bathroom would achieve the same goal of a warm shower. It is such a shame because everything else about this hotel is wonderful - great location, beautiful building, comfortable bed, and wonderful staff, but the horrible shower is a deal breaker for me. This is a luxury hotel, so it is reasonable to expect not to be shivering in a drizzle of cold water each morning. The coffee is also pretty bad, especially for such a nice hotel. If they'd re-engineer the shower from a user perspective, this would be a 5 star review.
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Traveled on business
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Pierre-Louis Giacotto, General Manager at The Blackstone, Autograph Collection
Responded May 6, 2024
Thank you for taking the time to provide detailed feedback on your recent stay with us. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed our hotel's location, the beauty of the building, the comfort of our beds, and the friendliness of our staff. However, we sincerely apologize for the issues you experienced with the shower and the quality of our coffee. Providing a comfortable and convenient experience for our guests is a priority, and it's clear we missed the mark in these areas. We take your comments seriously and will be looking into the design and functionality of our showers during our next refresh to address the problems you've described. Additionally, we are reviewing our coffee offerings to ensure they meet the high standards expected at our hotel. Your comfort and satisfaction are extremely important to us, and we are committed to making the necessary improvements. We hope you will consider staying with us again so we can provide you with the exceptional experience you should expect from a luxury hotel.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I booked 80 rooms on Mid July for our annual offsite. Our group had high expectations based on past experiences with other hotels, but unfortunately, our stay at The Blackstone fell far short of those standards.
Upon arrival, we were immediately disheartened to find our rooms in a state of disarray. The rooms were not properly cleaned every day, with dirty conditions evident everywhere. The beds were merely pulled up rather than cleaned thoroughly, the furniture was messy and dusty, and the glasses weren´t cleaned after evident use. Essential amenities like body balm and soap were empty, and despite multiple requests for refills, our needs were ignored.
Additionally, they charged 150 dollars for incidentals per night and there was no water or coffee available in the rooms. One of my colleagues requested a robe, only to receive a dirty one that reeked of men's sweat that despite her complaints the same robe appeared every day on top of her bed pillow. When we asked for a water bottle, we were informed that there was none available in the lobby and had to retrieve some from the fitness center. Similarly, when we asked for coffee, we were told there was none available on-site and that we would need to get some from the Hilton!!!
The overall cleanliness of the rooms was appalling. They were dusty and not maintained properly throughout our stay, with garbage not being emptied for the entire duration.
Furthermore, the internet service, which was supposed to be complimentary as per our contract, was not provided and we had to get a rewards account to be able to work. Adding to our dissatisfaction, the salesperson never reached out to us during our stay, leaving us feeling neglected and undervalued. The level of service and numerous inconsistencies experienced during this visit were incredibly disappointing. I requested the manager's email to provide feedback and Marcus Pailler said he could help me, and I sent him the email since July 24th, and I haven't received any response.
Our group was looking forward to a pleasant stay, and it is regrettable that our expectations were not met. Definitely NOT coming back!
Upon arrival, we were immediately disheartened to find our rooms in a state of disarray. The rooms were not properly cleaned every day, with dirty conditions evident everywhere. The beds were merely pulled up rather than cleaned thoroughly, the furniture was messy and dusty, and the glasses weren´t cleaned after evident use. Essential amenities like body balm and soap were empty, and despite multiple requests for refills, our needs were ignored.
Additionally, they charged 150 dollars for incidentals per night and there was no water or coffee available in the rooms. One of my colleagues requested a robe, only to receive a dirty one that reeked of men's sweat that despite her complaints the same robe appeared every day on top of her bed pillow. When we asked for a water bottle, we were informed that there was none available in the lobby and had to retrieve some from the fitness center. Similarly, when we asked for coffee, we were told there was none available on-site and that we would need to get some from the Hilton!!!
The overall cleanliness of the rooms was appalling. They were dusty and not maintained properly throughout our stay, with garbage not being emptied for the entire duration.
Furthermore, the internet service, which was supposed to be complimentary as per our contract, was not provided and we had to get a rewards account to be able to work. Adding to our dissatisfaction, the salesperson never reached out to us during our stay, leaving us feeling neglected and undervalued. The level of service and numerous inconsistencies experienced during this visit were incredibly disappointing. I requested the manager's email to provide feedback and Marcus Pailler said he could help me, and I sent him the email since July 24th, and I haven't received any response.
Our group was looking forward to a pleasant stay, and it is regrettable that our expectations were not met. Definitely NOT coming back!
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Traveled on business
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Pierre-Louis Giacotto, General Manager at The Blackstone, Autograph Collection
Responded Aug 13, 2024
We are truly sorry for not meeting your expectations during your recent stay. We value your feedback and are actively working on improvements. We're reaching out to discuss these matters personally and ensure your concerns are addressed.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Shockingly overpriced for what you get. Firstly the hotel is flaking at its seems, what once was probably a regal space is now tired and lacklustre. The receptionists and hotel guest manager are rude and unwelcoming. I was changed $150 per night for the ro as deposit and no one told me about this at booking leaving me with less money during my trip to America. When I asked when it’ll be released, I was told it takes longer ok debit cards (what I used). I asked to speak to a manager to complain about the lack of information given at check in about this but instead of being appreciative she was rude and confrontational. Plus whose ever stayed at a hotel that charged $200 plus per night and doesn’t offer free wifi in rooms. Pathetic.
The tapas restaurant is overpriced with mediocre food and the staff is rude and unfriendly.
As for housekeeping - there is not offered daily as is in most hotels, instead you have to call and ask 24 hours before if you want your room cleaned.
Very basic amenities in the room. The only thing going for this place is the bed which was comfortable.
Please save your money and stay elsewhere. I have stayed at the Virgin as well as Hyatt Centric in Chicago. Much much better. Goodness. I will never stay here again.
The tapas restaurant is overpriced with mediocre food and the staff is rude and unfriendly.
As for housekeeping - there is not offered daily as is in most hotels, instead you have to call and ask 24 hours before if you want your room cleaned.
Very basic amenities in the room. The only thing going for this place is the bed which was comfortable.
Please save your money and stay elsewhere. I have stayed at the Virgin as well as Hyatt Centric in Chicago. Much much better. Goodness. I will never stay here again.
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Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Pierre-Louis Giacotto, General Manager at The Blackstone, Autograph Collection
Responded Apr 18, 2022
Sumaya, thank you for y our review which I have read carefully. However, I also received a full report about your interaction and the fact that you were made aware of that charge at check-in, unfortunately, you made your reservation with a third party company, which we do not manage. I am sorry they fail to inform you of the deposit. As for the return of the deposit, once again, we refund your account at check-in, but we do not control the bank timeliness. For the WIFI, it is complimentary to all our BonVoy members and I do not believe you are registered as such. However, I saw that it was given to you anyway without any charge. I am sorry you didn't appreciate our restaurant and overall hotel, and I thank you for your patronage. All the best.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
So many shortcomings with this property one doesn’t know where to start. The hotel is marketed as a classic boutique hotel; by boutique, they mean dated, over-priced dump with no amenities. No in-room dining, a single restaurant with limited hours and a limited menu, no gift shop with snacks/beverages/ toiletries—not even a bottle of water in the room. I called guest services to ask where I could get a cup of coffee and was told that I could use the coffee pot in the room; when I informed the representative that there was no water in the room, she informed me that I could use the bathroom sink. That might be an acceptable response if I were staying at a Motel 6, but when you charge $600+/night your guests shouldn’t be expected to drink Chicago municipal tap water from the bathroom sink. By the way, I booked lake view room but could hardly see the lake because the windows were so filthy.
Despite having reserved a room for 3 nights, I checked out after one night and moved to a beautiful concierge-level suite at the Fairmont (with full amenities) FOR HALF THE PRICE!
Despite having reserved a room for 3 nights, I checked out after one night and moved to a beautiful concierge-level suite at the Fairmont (with full amenities) FOR HALF THE PRICE!
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Traveled on business
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Pierre-Louis Giacotto, General Manager at The Blackstone, Autograph Collection
Responded Oct 22, 2024
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. I’m sorry to hear that we may not have fully met your expectations during your stay. We understand that personal preferences vary, and it’s unfortunate that our style didn’t resonate with you. Please know that we value all guest feedback and are continuously evaluating our offerings to ensure we provide the best experience possible. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future and deliver a stay that aligns more closely with your preferences.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The hotel has a good location on Michigan Avenue across from Grant Park. However, that is about the only good thing I can say about it.
Here is what you should be aware of:
1. For a center city location, I was surprised at the lack of security measures. There is no need to use your room key to access the elevator, and there is a side entrance open until 11 pm which is open to everyone. I saw someone in front of me accessing the side entrance and the elevator for food delivery service on my floor.
2. The wifi was out for the entire hotel the entire first night of my stay. Don’t stay here if you are a business traveller. They need to upgrade the equipment plus have an IT support on call 24/7.
3. Breakfast Monday through Friday requires a $25 fee to join Club 1600, which is a fancy name for a sub-mediocre breakfast buffet on a par with a Holiday Inn Select.
4. Overall, the furniture, fixtures, elevator car are in need of upgrade, and the wifi hardware is antiquated.
5. Front desk staff are inattentive and could care less. I found they were unpleasant to guests and did not enjoy their work. My complaint on the wifi went unanswered when brought to the staff’s attention, and they only fessed up to it when I finally got to speak to the manager in the morning.
6. The walls have no soundproofing.
Here is what you should be aware of:
1. For a center city location, I was surprised at the lack of security measures. There is no need to use your room key to access the elevator, and there is a side entrance open until 11 pm which is open to everyone. I saw someone in front of me accessing the side entrance and the elevator for food delivery service on my floor.
2. The wifi was out for the entire hotel the entire first night of my stay. Don’t stay here if you are a business traveller. They need to upgrade the equipment plus have an IT support on call 24/7.
3. Breakfast Monday through Friday requires a $25 fee to join Club 1600, which is a fancy name for a sub-mediocre breakfast buffet on a par with a Holiday Inn Select.
4. Overall, the furniture, fixtures, elevator car are in need of upgrade, and the wifi hardware is antiquated.
5. Front desk staff are inattentive and could care less. I found they were unpleasant to guests and did not enjoy their work. My complaint on the wifi went unanswered when brought to the staff’s attention, and they only fessed up to it when I finally got to speak to the manager in the morning.
6. The walls have no soundproofing.
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Date of stay: July 2023
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Â Ask for a room in an upper floor with a view of the lake.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Pierre-Louis Giacotto, General Manager at The Blackstone, Autograph Collection
Responded Jul 27, 2023
Thank you for your feedback and let me clarify a few things. We do take security seriously and do provide 24/7 security coverage and monitor cameras as well. We do have several entrances to our hotel, like many hotels in Chicago do, and we do lock the doors later on at night. Delivery people are only allowed on the floors at the request of the guests. As for breakfast, depending on your Marriott status, breakfast is included at no additional cost. As for the other comments, I will certainly share these with the staff to ensure it serves as training. We do appreciate your patronage, and do hope you will give us another try in the future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Night manager and staff could not have been more rude. The only wheelchair accessible door was locked with no way to open. After three calls to the front desk and twenty minutes later my boyfriend left me alone in downtown Chicago at 11:30 and walked around to the front door where the security guard was standing talking to a friend. As soon as he saw him he immediately headed for the accessible door. As soon as we got to the lobby the night manager literally got in my face and threatened to remove us from the hotel. When the bill came we were charged for a breakfast that had been comped and for the $150 security fee.
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Pierre-Louis Giacotto, General Manager at The Blackstone, Autograph Collection
Responded Nov 1, 2024
Thank you for your review, and I am sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations. Ensuring a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for all our guests is our priority. As part of our security measures, our ADA entrance is locked at night to manage access and safeguard everyone on the property. However, we do have a bell at the door, enabling guests to easily alert our staff when they need assistance, and we are always glad to provide prompt access. Respect and dignity for our team are also central to our values. During your visit, our staff was significantly affected by the language directed toward them, which caused considerable distress. We deeply value every guest, and we are committed to providing excellent service in a respectful atmosphere. In return, we ask that our employees are shown the same courtesy, regardless of the time or circumstances. I am truly sorry this situation arose and wish it had been a more positive experience for everyone involved. We remain committed to upholding a respectful and inclusive environment for all, and we appreciate your understanding. Should you still need to discuss the billing questions, feel free to reach out to one of our managers at the Front Desk. Thank you again for your feedback, and I wish you all the best.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hadley, unfortunately we do not have any breakfast available on property. We do recommend you check out some of the local restaurants in the area. Our Front Desk Agent can give you list of restaurant close by when you check-in.
Not sure about the lounge hours. We are Titanium Elite members and we stayed in a beautiful suite but we received no vouchers. Not even a cocktail when our suite wasn’t available for nearly an hour after standard check in at 4pm, though we arrived close to noon.
yes and I believe the hotel has a parking fee.
This is close to public transportation so if you take Uber, or taxi's it is very convenient. The double decker tour bus was right down the street, an easy walk.
NO noise! And we had a beautiful view of the park and lake!
Yes and yes. Not 100% sure on the bath slippers
"Say hi to the staff. They are great. Tell them what you want. They work hard to remember guests and their preferences. "Read full review
"Rooms face the Lake can be noisy at night (car noise) given the busy avenues in front of it"Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
$213 - $415 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
renaissance hotel chicago, renaissance hotel blackstone, renaissance chicago, chicago renaissance
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel
LOCATION
United StatesIllinoisChicagoCentral / Downtown / The Loop
NUMBER OF ROOMS
335
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Claim Your ListingTHE BLACKSTONE, AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION - Updated 2025
Frequently Asked Questions about The Blackstone, Autograph Collection
Which popular attractions are close to The Blackstone, Autograph Collection?
Nearby attractions include Fox In A Box Chicago (0.3 miles), The Loop (0.2 miles), and Jazz Showcase (0.3 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at The Blackstone, Autograph Collection?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and a fitness center.
Which room amenities are available at The Blackstone, Autograph Collection?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at The Blackstone, Autograph Collection?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and free instant coffee during their stay.
Is parking available at The Blackstone, Autograph Collection?
Yes, a parking garage, paid private parking nearby, and paid public parking nearby are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The Blackstone, Autograph Collection?
Conveniently located restaurants include Buddy Guy's Legends, Meli Cafe, and Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria.
Are there opportunities to exercise at The Blackstone, Autograph Collection?
Yes, guests have access to a fitness center during their stay.
Is The Blackstone, Autograph Collection located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.3 miles away from the center of Chicago.
Are any cleaning services offered at The Blackstone, Autograph Collection?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Are pets allowed at The Blackstone, Autograph Collection?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Does The Blackstone, Autograph Collection offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business center, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.