Look elsewhere for the $

stayed there in june 2004 for 1 week. views of lake were superb. only thing going for it. conceierge and check in not up to scratch, and disinterested. staff in restaurant & coference dining were superb. i feel management less than interested in hotel but think they are big time because of hotel brand. second time at ritz/four seasons never again. overpriced & fake

Depends on your lifestyle

My standard room was quiet, comfortable and larger than average. However, whether this hotel is worthwhile depends on your lifestyle. I was there in March 2005 to attend a business conference. Perhaps the hotel should have frequent guests fill out a preference form.

I like to purchase healthy foods to put in my hotel refrigerator and to brew a pot of coffee in my room, without having to call room service. For me, room service usually isn't worth the cost because it often does not get me exactly what I want. Or to paraphrase JP Morgan if you don't want to use room service drink or "party", you are not the right kind of guest for this hotel.

The refrigerator and counter above were JAM PACKED with booze and junk food. I had to move half of it to find room for healthy food. It was a pain.

There was no coffee maker in the room. It took the hotel half an afternoon to find one. The carafe did not fit the maker and the coffee flooded. They never replaced the carafe over a two day period, despite several calls. Not what I expect from a luxury hotel.

While I was working the first afternoon of my visit, I got a knock on the door from a clerk with a cart filled with more alcohol asking if I wanted more. I was amazed.

Later that evening, a room engineer suddenly appeared asking to adjust my TV. I told him that I don't watch TV and that I was fine. He told me that he had to fix the TV because housekeeping filed a report on it. I know he had no choice, but this was disruptive. I was trying to work and prepare for my conference.

For my purposes which were to work in peace and quiet and eat simple healthy food, this hotel was not a good fit and therefore not worth the money. I got the feeling I was paying for the "Ritz" name and the forced fluttering and flattery of clerks which was not important to me, if not grating.

I would have rather had airline mileage credit than the hotel name. However, I recognize that others with different priorities would appreciate this hotel.

Incredible experience

We stayed in the Ritz-Carlton over New Years Eve and had a truly exceptional time. This is how hotels ought to be run. The staff are amazing and impeccable, always catering to every need and always at attention. When I disputed a charge there was no dicussion, it was simply taken off straight away. We stayed in a very expensive suite as I proposed to my girlfriend that night. We were sent chocolates and champagne complimentary, and we were put in a special corner suite overlooking the lake and the city. Everyone treated her like a princess. It was a remarkable night.

I really can't say enough about this place. I've stayed at many a five-star hotel but none compares when it comes to quality and perfection.

The Best of the Best

My wife and I thought this hotel was uniquely superb. We ended up doing a bit a research and found out that many customers must feel the same way, as it has won the finest hotel award for all of North America for the past 4 years!

The key is the people working at the Ritz. They have a way anticipating your next need without having any snobbery or pretense.

We plan to go back whenever we can.

Plush elegance in a great location

I stayed here twice for business in the fall of 2003. One time I had a very large, gorgeous room with a wonderful view of the Sears building and lakefront. The size of the room almost swallowed the king sized bed. The other time the room was much smaller but came with a small sofa, and the view was of the city. The elegant decor, bedding and furniture all befit a Ritz-Carlton hotel. The staff were always pleasant, helpful and eager to serve - they were almost disturbingly subsequious... The food in the meeting rooms was the only mediocre aspect of my stays - just typical hotel food. A truly elegant, luxurious place to stay on someone else's expense account!

I didnt want to leave

Stayed here over Easter. What a wonderful hotel, smiling helpful staff, a totally relaxing atmosphere, I revelled in the complete peace and quiet. I can only compare the comfort of the bed to a cloud. I'm a light sleeper and I know we werent the only guests but there was absolutely no noise, nothing at all. Tears from my teenage daughter were imminent when her hair straightners didnt work, within minutes staff sourced some from a nearby hair salon, I need these folks for trouble shooting back home! Do eat in the Dining Room mmmm definitely grownups food. I cant understand the previous poor review at all, staff at this hotel were genuinely charming and helpful and made my daughter feel like a princess. When asked on checking out if there was anything which could have made our stay more enjoyable I had to think for a moment and finally admit that I'd have liked to find George Clooney in my suite. Maybe next time.

Perfect setting for Romance...Will be back!

My first experience at a Ritz Carlton. We had a suite and it was just perfect except for a light over the bar which kept on going out. They wanted to fix it but they needed tear the ceiling out in order to replace the whole fixture but we declined and told them that they could fix it when we left. The bathroom door wouldn't shut unless you pulled the door hard toward you and it would lock - even though maintenance worked on it - it still didn't work. BUT... other than those two things the everything was PERFECT!

The lake view and the large sitting area was perfect for friends to visit us. They had a CD player so bring your own CDs! Plush towels and big soft bed with large soft fluffy pillows. Seperate shower and seperate tub (great for my boyfriend and me since this was the first time together...we were shy). The service was wonderful, the breakfast room service was perfect, the staff was very friendly and we felt like royality. Although getting from the ground floor to the lobby is a switch of elevators - it's quick. Another perfect fact is that the shopping mall is easily accessed with the same elevator.

Be forewarned men, its easy to shop there! Also on Saturdays it is impossible to get a taxi (even for the experienced door men at the Ritz) so prepare to wait quite a while...there will be a backup of guests trying to hustle for a taxi ride.

But its a wonderful experience...we will be back again! P.S. Yes, our relationship bloomed into romance and we are now a couple!

Great Location

On several occasions I have treated my wife and daughter to a stay at the Chicago Ritz-Carlton. It is true that they make kids feel special but the best thing of all is the location...above the fabulous Watertower Mall. Other nearby attractions are American Girl Place, John Hancock Center and Bistro 110.Nothing for kids to do? Take the Musuem Express Bus down to the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium and the Museum of Science & Industry. If it is near the holidays, take the kids to the Chicago Symphony's Christmas program.....a lively and fun event.I don't know how you spend $4000 on a hotel room but we really like the Jr. Exec suites for about $390.

The good the bad and the ugly(this hotel falls into the catogory of ugly)

the dining was bad and there was nothing for my five year old son to do.I stayed in the imperial suite.I payed 4000 dollars for it.

An unexpectedly wonderful hotel for our kids

My husband and I along with our three children stayed in this Ritz hotel in April and we all had a wonderful stay. My children are kind of young (ages 2-5) and I was concerned that maybe the hotel would be too "stuffy and up-tight" with kids in tow, but nothing could be further from the truth. Our kids enjoyed their stay as much as my husband and I did! The staff was extremely friendly and outgoing with my kids. They were consistently made to feel special and because our kids were treated so well, my husband and I felt great, too. A toy wagon was brought out upon our arrival and the kids got to pick out a new toy each to take up to the suite. When we got to the room there was a box for each of my kids with a helium balloon, coloring book and crayons and chocolate chip cookie and a juice box. For my husband and I there was wine and cheese. Yes, the suite was expensive---but we were spoiled, the service was superb and we would go back there in a heartbeat. If you can swing the money----take the plunge---and have an exceptional stay in Chicago.