I Will Never Stay Anywhere Else!

I stayed at the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower at the end of July. It was the best hotel stay I have ever had hands down. From the moment me and my girlfriend stepped out of the cab, 4 bellhops rushed to get our bags out of the taxi, and one radioed ahead to the front desk, so our reservation was all pulled up when we got there. We just picked up our key and off to the room! Everything you have read here about the room is true. I have not slept better at any other hotel, their bed is so comfy. The bathroom is very spacious, loved the robes. My girlfriend loved the candle and the flowers they put in each day. I enjoyed the WebTV, although it was a lot slower than the cable internet I'm used to at home. At turn down, they place Evian water next to the bed, turn on the radio, and give you the next days weather on a little card. The rooms are very quiet, with no outside noise, or noise from adjoining rooms. The concierge was very helpful in giving directions to anywhere we wanted to go, as well as making reservations for the Untouchables tour. They even went above and beyond with a couple things. I Ebayed a pair of Cubs tickets, but didn't buy them in time to have them sent to my home, so they offered to except the fedex for me, and i picked up the tickets when we checked in. We also had a situation where we had to check out in the afternoon, but our train didn't leave until the late evening. The concierge offered to hold our bags with the bellhop while we wandered around Chicago for a little while longer until we needed to pick them up and head for Union Station. I couldn't have been more impressed with the staff at the hotel.

The hotel itself is 2 blocks from the top of the Miracle Mile, 3 blocks from a red line stop, and about a 15 minute walk from all the standard tourist restaurants (Ginos East, Hard Rock, Rainforest Cafe, ESPNZone, etc).

The only bad thing about the Sofitel is the prices for room service and the mini bar. A Coke from the mini bar was $3.50, and a 50ml bottle of Jack Daniels, Grey Goose, or Chivas was $6. Room service was expensive as well, but it was very delicious - try the creme brulee, at $7, its not a bad deal and worth the calories!

One thing to do before you go. go to www.sofitel.com, and sign up for their preferred guest card. This allows you to check in as early as noon, check out as late as 4pm with no late fee, and a free room upgrade. There is no cost to sign up.

Overall, this was the best possible place I could ever stay in Chicago, and would not think twice about staying there again.

Wonderful food, great design and atmosphere

What a beautiful hotel! We stayed at the Westin Michigan Avenue and wandered over here when the breakfast atmosphere at our own hotel didn't look too inviting. Too bad we hadn't stayed at the Sofitel instead! The Cafe des Architectes had fabulous food--for a very good price considering the quality--as good or better than most places I've been to in Paris. Incredibly creative, superb French press coffee, butter, bread basket, etc. Then, we wandered inside to use the lobby and bathrooms--truly inspired modern interior design. And then we asked the concierge a question about how to walk to a tour location--and she volunteered to make a reservation for us (I think it was sold out). If I return to Chicago, I will most definitely stay here instead.

Great bathrooms

We just got back from a weekend anniversary getawa stay at the Sofitel.

It was just as the internet searches described. Our room was immaculately clean and the bathroom was great. Nice touches within included fresh flowers, candle, robes, etc. However, our view was horrible. I booked three months ahead of time and all they could do was give us a view of the back of the building. Very dissapointing. The beds were terrific however and we got a great nights sleep (no noise from other rooms or hallway). I would reccomend this hotel but be sure to get a high floor or else it is a waste of money.

Nice change

I was pleased with SOFITEL CHICAGO. Location is quite nice at the Northern end of the magnificent mile (about 3 blocks from the Drake Hotel). SOFITEL is a modern "art"hotel with a marked minimalist decorative style, which is a good break from the more formal Ritz Carlton style hotels (of course, we love those too). The concierge was very helpful and was able to get us tickets to the Lion King play on one days notice. Breakfast was good, our dinner was fantastic (we ate at Aria at the Fairmount hotel). We had a junior suite on the 30th floor (32 story building) and the view was unobstructed and "movie like" with many high rise buildings to view at night. Highly recommend.

Great Hotel, Bad Food

Very Cool-- but bad and expensive food. Rooms are great, location is great, service is great. $8.00 for watery cream of wheat! Definitely stay here, but eat somewhere else.

Best 4-Star Downtown Hotel

Chicago is my hometown. Five years ago, my wife and I were transferred to Phoenix, so we have stayed at many Chicago area hotels when going back home to visit family and friends. The Sofitel Water Tower is by far the best overall hotel we've visited in terms of quality, value and location. The rooms are fresh and contemporary. While this french-inspired hotel does not boast the largest rooms in the city, the clean marble bath and efficient design make up for any lack of space. High floors have great views, too. Room service was tasty and prompt. The staff is courteous but not friendly -- this is Chicago, what do you expect? Hotel is located just off N. Michigan Ave., and not too far from the L. Valet parking is expensive ($35/night) and SLOW, but it is everywhere downtown. With the exception of the Four Seasons hotel just down the street, I can't think of a better place to stay. And for the price, it is definitely the best value.

Loved it!

Just returned from a quick stay at the Sofitel Chicago. We chose the hotel after reading reviews on sites like this one and found it to be just what we had read in the reviews. Service was outstanding from the moment we walked in the door. The room was small but the bathroom was large and very well appointed. Great shower! Loved the flower and the candle in the bathroom. Our room was on the 26th fl. and offered a nice view of the city and lake. The feather bed was a dream come true. Great deal for $160 and would definatly recommend it.

Loved the Sofitel!

I surprised my husband with a long-weekend in our hometown in mid-March. Sofitel was the perfect downtown choice. Great location, beautiful lobby, terrific bar for late-night people watching. Our room was a good size, had a terrific view (ask for a high floor),a fabulous bathroom, and a way too comfortable bed. Sofitel made our weekend!

Absolutely Fabulous

My husband and I stayed at the Sofitel Water Tower for a weekend in January, 2003. We searched the web for a nice, reasonably priced hotel near Water Tower Place for shopping and dining.This hotel looked very nice and the price was unbeatable at $159. It is a new hotel that was recently opened in 2002.We arrived at the hotel and the lobby was playing soft music. The dark floor had lights in it that changed colors as you walked by. The bar area had a seating area with a fireplace that was very cozy. The front desk staff was very courteous. Our room was available immediately.We took the elevator to our room. Surprisingly, there were huge paintings displayed in the elevator of the John Hancock building and Sears Tower. Our room turned out to be another pleasant surprise. It had a very clean, contemporary feel, yet remained quite elegant. Maple wood double doors led us into a bathroom with marble floors, a spacious glass shower, deep tub, candles, an orchid plant and complimentary bathrobes. The king bed had king pillows and a soft down comforter. For a hotel, the bed was extremely comfortable. The view from our window was spectacular. (We didn't request a room with a view.) Our 24th floor room looked out at the John Hancock Building and Water Tower Place.We would definitely recommend this hotel to out of towners that don't want to pay the $200+ to stay at the Chicago "classic hotels"Although we are from the Chicago area, it was important for us to find a hotel close to the Michigan Ave. shopping, etc and not have to pay a fortune. The Sofitel is one block west of Michigan Avenue on Chestnut. At the Sofitel, you not only pay a fair rate, but reap the benefits of staying in a high class, modern, European style hotel.

An awesome hotel experience

Wow is all I can say. The hippest hotel ever. This new place to stay in the Windy City is in the best location possible- one block off Michigan and near a lot of great restaurants and bars.The exterior is an architectural work of art. The public areas are decorated in black and multi colors. (Black leather couches- colored lights in the black ceramic floor)

The bar: Sleek and sexy- lit with candles (as is the lobby at night)- fun to hang out in. People from outside the hotel must know how cool this place is- as there were quite a few non-guests. A cozy fireplace with couches adorns the entryway to this watering hole.

The rooms: A bit small- but the floor to ceiling windows with spectacular views make it seem larger. I had a great view of the John Hancock building. THE BEDS ARE PHENOMENAL. Thick down comforters, a bunch of pillows, and extra padding.

The bathrooms: huge and all marble. Seperate tub and glassed in shower. Lots of nice amenities.

The workout room: The best I've ever seen with individual TV's at each cardio machine and free fresh fruit and bottles of water!

The restaurant: Though I did not eat at Cafe Des Artists- located off the lobby- it looked hip as everything else- with a very chic looking clientele.

Service: Attentive and friendly.

The only draw back was the price- $200 a night- but still very much worth it! Rumor has it- prices may spike up to $300 in the coming year- so check it out now!

As this was my first trip to Chicago I have not stayed anywhere else- but I must say- it was the best hotel I've been in yet! If you really want to treat yourself- The Sofitel is the place. I never wanted to leave! It was an extremely fun place to stay with an AWESOME location and a young, well-heeled, professional group of guests staying here.