The Renaissance Hotel Chicago is located at one of the busiest intersections in downtown Chicago: State Street and Wacker Drive...
The hotel is also connected to one of the most well-known skyscrapers in Chicago, the Leo Burnett Building. This is very convenient during those bitter-cold Chicago winter mornings because you can enter the Leo Burnett building at the corner of Lake and Dearborn, and exit the Renaissance Hotel at State and Wacker, basically walking the equivalent of two city blocks indoors.
For the past two months or so, the Renaissance Hotel has been going through a renovation, of what sort I had no idea because the entrance to the hotel from the Leo Burnett building was closed during that time.
Finally the entrance to the hotel was reopened last week, so I took the opportunity to take the shortcut through the hotel lobby since it was a rather brisk morning, temperature-wise.
WOW! is all I can say. The lobby has been redesigned and what a redesign! A very modern and open-spaced concept.
As you enter through the glass doors from the Leo Burnett Building, the check-in desk has been moved completely to this end of the lobby.
Pale wood planks replace the old orange-brown patterned carpeting and marble floors. Walls have been removed with pillars allowing to open the space. The pillars are decorated with photographic murals of dancers...
and the walls are covered with a black-white wall paper design that reminds me of a painting hanging in the Art Institute's Modern Wing.
The wall art throughout the lobby incorporates the city of Chicago itself. From a map of the CTA subway lines hanging on the wall outside the restrooms...
to a map of the portion of city that includes the Renaissance Hotel itself...
to a large Yellow Cab made out of plastic pins.
As you enter the main door of the hotel, this is what greets you...
This is the really WOW factor for me; the new Staytion bar has been installed right in the lobby. Two different styles of bar stools and on the back walls of the bar hang a mix of framed mirrors and caricature drawings.
Next to the bar is the Staytion Market...
where guests can grab a quick muffin and juice to go or sit at the bar and order off the menu. The bar serves a multitude of draft beers, wine and cleverly-named specialty drinks. Check out the entire menu below:
They have created very nice padded bleacher seating (perhaps in reference to the famous bleachers at Wrigley Field) for those customers who purchase food or drink from Staytion.
Also new is Navigator, the hotel's new personalized computer concierge service. Local experts give you their recommendations for the best of the city's restaurants, nightlife, shopping and all of the Windy City's top sites. For example:
"A stroll at dusk along the Chicago River, followed by a cold, locally brewed Goose Island draft in Chicago's historic theater district is the perfect way to unwind after an exciting day in the Windy City. From the American landmark that is Wrigley Field to the famous Art Institute of Chicago, a ton of amazing adventures await you in our gorgeous city." Ikram, Chicago Navigator
Just want to relax after a long day of meetings? You can sit and relax in the redesigned lounging area.
The Renaissance Hotel Chicago is located at Wacker Drive and State Street in downtown Chicago, just blocks from State Street shopping. It is also within easy walking distance to the luxury stores along the Magnificent Mile of Michigan Avenue.
For more information, visit the hotel's website here.
Thank you for visiting,
A Great Europe Trip Planner
All photos were taken by me.
