The Peninsula Chicago

The bed was incredibly comfortable, and the cute little cupcake made my husband’s birthday more fun. They also gave us the best hotel slippers we’ve ever had. My husband and I try a new hotel three times a year, and this downtown one has become a favorite. The attention to detail really made it a 10/10 for service and style. We’ll be back soon.

Even with the pool closed for maintenance, the whole experience was unlike anything I’d had before. At check-in, a kind employee upgraded us from a room for two to a suite for four. The beds were very comfortable, and the bathrooms had complimentary slippers, toothbrushes, combs, and plenty more. It was the best hotel I’ve ever stayed at, a five-star experience.

What was supposed to be a wonderful 40th birthday and tenth wedding anniversary became a nightmare after we handed our vehicle to valet. Within 24 hours of our stay, the car was stolen while in the hotel’s or valet service’s care. Some of our family’s belongings were in the truck and were stolen too. We later learned it had been parked in a garage without anyone telling us. It was taken three days before checkout, and we had no idea until then. People involved seemed apologetic at first, but once the matter went to the companies’ insurance, they spoke to us as if we were criminals and showed no interest in compensating us for the loss while the car was in the hotel’s possession. It’s been three months and we’re still dealing with it, with things getting worse. The hotel has done nothing for us. Be careful checking in here. They took our money and didn’t care about our safety. Find another hotel.

We paid about $1,367 for two rooms for one night through Expedia, and after the stay we were charged twice. Some of the extra amount turned out to be room service and minibar charges, which I understand, but I don’t recognize one tequila charge at all. We don’t drink alcohol. I contacted the hotel again weeks later specifically about that charge and never heard back. We also never received a proper apology. Checkout morning was unpleasant too. Between about 9 and 10 a.m., three housekeepers came to our room in quick succession. One entered without knocking and loudly asked, “WHAT TIME ARE YOU LEAVING???” This was well before the noon checkout time and felt intrusive and rude. Between the duplicate charge, the tequila charge that’s still unresolved, no response, and the way housekeeping treated checkout, this didn’t feel like a five-star hotel. Very surprising given its reputation. It was my first stay, and I was disappointed.