The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Michigan Avenue Chicago

Ramon and the concierge team were the standout part of our stay. They were professional, knowledgeable, and eager to make things enjoyable, and they went above and beyond to make up for a few things the hotel lacked. Housekeeping also kept everything clean. The food and service were wonderful, and having access to the mall was a nice extra. Everyone was kind and helpful, though the front desk staff didn’t feel especially welcoming and often sent us to concierge for answers, so Ramon became our contact even for basic questions. The rooms were nice and had great views, but they weren’t as extravagant or luxurious as I expected after upgrading to a Grand Deluxe King at that price. They reminded me of an Embassy Suites with nice wallpaper, and both rooms lacked smart TV capability, as others have mentioned. Overall, we had a great stay thanks to the concierge and housekeeping, though the hotel was missing several things that basic 3-4 star hotels offer nowadays.

Iris made our January visit especially memorable. We were celebrating my son’s birthday, and our room was decorated when we arrived, with his favorite dessert waiting as a surprise. Her attention and care made him feel special, and our family will remember it. Luigi and Iris have both made us feel welcomed, remembered, and valued every time. That personal hospitality has been consistent across three visits in December, January, and February. The Gwen is our favorite hotel in Chicago, and we’re already returning this month. The Art Deco design is beautiful but still warm, the rooms are well kept, and the whole place feels inviting. The rooftop has incredible views, atmosphere, and service, among the best in the city. This feels like an experience, not just a beautiful hotel. We wouldn’t stay anywhere else in Chicago.

Really easy to get around from here, and I didn’t find the hotel hard to locate like some other reviews suggest. The rooms were clean and quiet, with a gorgeous bathroom and a separate toilet room with a full door. I usually dislike hotel pillows, but these stayed comfortable and didn’t go flat. Coming in from the cold to apple cider in the afternoon was lovely. I’d happily return. The one letdown was breakfast, which wasn’t worth the price. They served me burnt toast, so we ate elsewhere afterward.

We came during New Year week and had a phenomenal stay. The downtown location was a big hit with my wife, and the charming decor made the hotel feel welcoming. The patio looked nice, with people enjoying the curling, though it was too cold for us. We’ll try it next time. The food was delicious, especially the chorizo skillet. Service was quick, and all the staff were excellent. Meredith and Umar were especially kind and friendly, and Meredith kept an eye out to bring more coffee. We’ll be back soon.