Paratrainer
Family · July 20254/10
The Chicago Hotel Collection will never be my go-to again. While the online reservation was not difficult, there is a hotel guest ammenties package you are required to pay ($79.00) that gives you acc...The Chicago Hotel Collection will never be my go-to again. While the online reservation was not difficult, there is a hotel guest ammenties package you are required to pay ($79.00) that gives you access to other benefits, some which require additional purchases in order to use. Further, I had to text the remote guest sercvice team to get codes to use to open the benefits. There was nothing great about this required package. It is a ridiculous ammenity.
I booked a room online for one night. There weren't any difficulties with using my credit card for the reservation. None. I received a text msg from the remote guest service indicating my card was declined for the $125 deposit on the day I was checking in. Through at least three attempted efforts to rectify this, "they" (via text msg) indicated the zip code was in error. Sorry. (My zip code has never changed for the past twenty years on my credit cards. )
This process, each time, required my uploading my photo ID and another picture of myself in order to clear this problem. (all while standing with luggage outside the hotel.) I attempted to use two other credit cards till, finally, one was accepted. Eventually, we were in the hotel lobby (by way of another guest who had been let in by someone exiting the lobby) who was also struggling to get his resrevation confirmed with zip code issues. What in the world? This was such a frustrating situation and a huge turn-off for a pleasant stay.
The Chicago Hotel Collection is very clear when booking a room that their guest services are remote. In other words, there aren't any front desk or affiliate staff on premise. It is a DIY check in, and we exprienced much frustration. I will give them the benefit that their remote team does handle text messages promptly, but seriously, it's frurstrating to have so many problems just to get your room key! At 10pm on the night of our stay, we received a text msg with a number to use in case of emergency since their remote guest services closes for the night.
On the positive side: the location is good if you're in town for a Cubs game, the room was very clean, plush towels, good shower, three drink coupons for the bar next door, four free bottles of water in the room.
Other negatives: I had to text guest services for the wi-fi password, that we never did get to work. Most hotels have that available on your room key envelope. There isn't any parking via hotel accommodations. Upon inquiry before my stay, I asked and was told Spot Hero is what most guests used. (we did notice a parking garage in the vicinity after we got there.)
Cubs lost, but there were lots of homeruns, so that was a sweet way to end our stay.Show More
