A stunning location, cool design, and now part of the Hyatt family, the Thompson Hotel Chicago and its Loft Suite had us singing its praises, especially during Lollapalooza weekend. What a great value for a Category 4 property.
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Location
In Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, Thompson Hotel Chicago offers one of the best locations in the Windy City. Just a few blocks from Lake Shore Drive, and the unfathomable Lake Michigan, Thompson Chicago is one of the best-located properties in the Hyatt chain. In addition to being located by excellent area restaurants, bars, and shopping, its great location is a short drive (maybe five minutes) to the Magnificent Mile.
Address: 21 E Bellevue Pl, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: +1 312 266 2100
Property
The beautiful hotel has a modern design and premium feel. Upon walking in, seating areas for guests are at the front and to the left with a reception to the far left. Beautiful stairs lead to further public spaces, and behind the stairs is the famous green bar.
To the right of the entrance is Nico Osteria with seating both inside and outside. At the moment, due to COVID restrictions, the restaurant is only open for dinner service. Points are awarded to Globalists in lieu of a breakfast offering. Nico Osteria specializes in Italian seafood.
Globalist Suite Upgrade
There are Globalist suite upgrades, and then there are U-P-G-R-A-D-E-S. For example, the Loft Suite at Thompson Hotel Chicago was excellent, though not the objectively best room I have ever stayed in. However, there’s something special about touching the “PH” floor button in the elevator, and staff ensuring that we understand entertainers will be on the floor as it is Lollapalooza.
Yes, my space-available upgrade was during Lollapalooza, a few blocks from the stage and while it wouldn’t be prudent to disclose who or what we saw, to score this upgrade at this property during this weekend is not just a unicorn, it’s a rainbow-colored, flying unicorn holding the holy grail. It was also the last suite available in a packed hotel.
The hotel knew we would have our seven-year-old daughter staying with us and had a sticker book and small snacks out for her when we arrived.
Loft Suite
At the end of the Penthouse Suite restricted-access 22nd floor, our bi-level “Loft Suite” (2207) opens to the foyer.
Living Room
The main floor opens to a living room with seating for 4-5 opposite a mini-fridge and TV. A spiral staircase at the corner leads up to the bedroom, balcony, and master bathroom. Prepared for us on our arrival was a small collection of snacks (including gluten-free options) and a sticker book for our daughter. A simple note from management welcomed us, and a business card was included should we need to reach out.
Guest Bath, Desk
I have always appreciated a hotel that separates out spaces, and the Loft Suite at the Thompson Hotel Chicago does this admirably. A guest bathroom keeps those visiting away from personal spaces, but was designed to the same high standard as the master. It’s also at the far end of the room following a coat closet for maximum privacy.
A desk in the corner opposite the stairs was simple but maintained the design aesthetic and needed functionality for those getting work done. It’s substantial enough for more than two laptops, offers ample outlets (both pictured and not), and is out of the way of the rest of the living room.
Upstairs
The private sleeping quarters are up the spiral staircase. It’s worth noting that moving luggage up and down the staircase ourselves presented a challenge, but for the clever, there is a service entrance door on the top level that will allow staff to bring cases right into the bedroom.
We enjoyed a comfortable king-sized bed with beautiful views of Chicago’s Gold Coast and the towers that occupy this area of the city.
View/Balcony
Balconies are a rarity in high-rise hotels, but the Thompson offered one that was safe (large, sturdy, metal barriers), opened wide, and had just enough space to step outside. While I am not a smoker, this would be a convenient alternative for those otherwise traveling all the way downstairs to step outside. The view was beautiful and allowed substantial natural light.
Master Bathroom
My family really enjoyed the master bathroom suite. Its excellent, clean, modern design had plenty of space for our family of three to get ready for a night out on the town.
The shower featured both a rain showerhead and a higher pressure wand with plenty of room to stretch out. It was also not a shower over tub, something I personally appreciate.
Another luxe feature that we often only find in upper-end Grand Hyatts, Andaz, or Park Hyatt properties was a shaded door for the toilet. With a family of three, it’s nice to have a little bit of privacy without shutting out the rest of the bathroom for those that need to get ready.
As this was my family’s first Thompson property, we hadn’t yet tried the Bowmaker’s line of toiletries. There was a common scent with Le Labo’s uber premium products that we loved and we certainly helped ourselves to them when we left. For all of the other chains with eco-friendly alternatives using affixed large bottles, these small vials that let us take a little of our experience home help us to connect with the brand even when we are away. When we use them at home, it’s a constant reminder of our great experience and something that hotels should consider as they move toward bulk options.
The Thompson branded robes were a nice touch.
Value
We love Chicago but have had hit or miss experiences across the city for hotels. The Thompson Hotel Chicago was a certain favorite for our family and a tremendous value. Nightly rates during our stay for a standard room were about $400 before extras.
As Globalists, and World of Hyatt Visa cardholders, we receive a number of Category 1-4 free night certificates. These are given by the credit card issuer for a free night at any category 1-4 property in the system. For those who are unfamiliar, Hyatt category 4 hotels cost 15,000 World of Hyatt points per night and are valid for a calendar year.
In most cities, this will equate to a stay at a Hyatt Residence Club, Hyatt Centric, or well-placed Hyatt House. But for the Thompson, the category designation allows for one of the best values for money in the system. Even without a free night certificate, we value Hyatt points at about 2¢/point, so to spend 15,000 World of Hyatt points would still be a great redemption.
The neighborhood is excellent and I encourage visitors to try the La Colombe two blocks away and its amazing draft coffee, like the latte pictured below.
Conclusion
We are always on the hunt for new, exciting properties. While we want to remain searching for excellent value, we may have found our home in the Windy City for future stays. The staff was excellent, the location was great, and the value for money was one of the best in the entire (1,000+) Hyatt system. Hopefully, Salone Nico Osteria will be open for breakfast during our next stay and I can report on breakfast from the Thompson as well.
What do you think? Have you stayed at the Thompson Hotel Chicago? How was your experience?
Happy you had a good stay in my hood! For a major city I feel like Chicago has a plethora or great points rewards options…. especially with free night certs.
I think that could be a great review series….big city reviews. Pick a city, like Chicago, NYC, LA, etc and focus on the free night hotels …along with doing a review of what to do in those cities. I’d partner with someone like tripadvisor. Could be great to actually help ur readers enjoy the cities you visit.
Did they know who you were? Based on flyertalk reports, they don’t have a good reputation for upgrading globalists.
I’ve written hundreds of reviews over nearly a decade and had a great concierge. I have no doubt I’m a known quantity there but I’m not trying to say I’m a big deal. I think there’s some veracity to your statement but I’d hope this is how they treat all globalists.
Grant Park (where Lolla is) is more than just a “few blocks away” BTW…
Would like to stay there on some fall trips, but not as long as there’s no breakfast.
Grant Park….unless you are there for something….is not the optimal location. Google the Intercontinental…and stay close to there….for prime Chicago touring.
(And back in the day the Virgin flight attendants stayed there….none were )
Shaun,
Feel free to share your memories regarding VA’s flight attendants…
The readership would be delighted.
Nice review! I live in Chicago and I love that neighborhood for staycations. Will have to try. Nico used to be one of our fav places to eat. A lot of the top hotels are tired
Incidentally any fears over the violence?
What a clueless comment. Chicago has no more violence per capita than any other large city
Looks awesome. Thinking about Chicago for next year. Thanks for the review.
It’s a solid 25-30 minute walk from the Thompson to Lolla – even if you walk at a fairly brisk pace. And I don’t think any true Chicagoan would call a neighborhood known as the “Viagra Triangle” as that ideal. Most of my friends and I void this area at all costs – plenty of cooler neighborhoods with much less botox.
No breakfast benefits for a globalist… but they gave you some free points instead. How many points? Geez. Sounds like a thread from Flyer Talk about the Bonvoy program and how they treat their elites. Did the free points offset a $50 free breakfast? Thanks.