JW Marriott Chicago

The JW Marriott Chicago is the definition of luxury, tucked in a prime downtown location within the Loop. The four-star hotel offers a top-of-the-line experience. Spacious guest rooms feature high ceilings, marble bathrooms, featherbeds and WiFi. Executive-level rooms come with added perks, like access to the private executive lounge. The hotel also offers suites with separate living areas, several bathrooms and oversized soaking tubs. The domed Burnham Ballroom is just part of the Marriott’s 44,000 square feet of event and meeting space, perfect for business discussions and corporate events. A rarity in the metropolitan center, there is also an on-site spa and indoor lap pool, as well as several on-site dining and cocktail locations.

JW Marriott Chicago –Best for
Those who want the finer things

The JW Marriott is definitely not the cheapest option in the city, but this high-end destination has literally everything at your fingertips. There is a spa, barber shop, lap pool, hotel fitness center and sauna. This peaceful oasis will make you forget you’re in one of the world’s biggest metropoles. Choose from an array of beauty and healing services, spanning massage to body wraps and lap pool time or a Moroccan Hammam Session. On a romantic getaway? Opt for a couples massage. The hotel gym even offers fitness classes.

Also Best for Business travelers

If you’re traveling for work, the Marriott boasts 37 event rooms. Its largest-capacity space, the Grand Ballroom, can accommodate 912, but there are also spaces for smaller conferences or intimate meetings. Meeting services include an AV technician, security guard, videoconferencing and even a photographer. The venues also offer computers, printers, copy and fax service and a translator. Plus, the on-site business center is fully staffed, and all meeting rooms have free high-speed wireless internet.

If you don’t need a meeting, each room features such business amenities as a desk, a cordless two-line phone and desk-level electric outlets. Or, take advantage of the business center, copy service, messenger service and overnight delivery and pickup.

JW Marriott Chicago Amenities

Guest room options include one-king or two-double configurations, with an array of variations spanning the floor or view. There are also one-bedroom, two-room suites that boast ample living areas, oversized tubs and multiple bathrooms. All accommodations are complete with featherbeds, impressive marble bathrooms and flat-screen TVs. Lounge access comes with executive-level rooms, including a free breakfast. All bathrooms are also complete with robes, hair dryers and separate shower and tub.

Other hotel amenities include the barber/beauty shop, concierge lounge, newspapers, room service, safe deposit boxes, valet dry cleaning and virtual concierge. There is also a full-service spa, indoor lap pool and state-of-the-art fitness center. Plus, several on-site dining options serve up the best of Chicago cuisine. There is a continental breakfast starting at $16 and a full American breakfast starting at $24. The on-site restaurant is The Florentine, featuring seasonal Italian cuisine by executive chef Zachary Walrath. The luxury establishment offers a large antipasti selection, handmade pastas and wood-fired pizzas. There is also a lobby lounge that offers a more-casual ambiance as well as craft cocktails. Stop in for happy hour during the week from 5 to 7pm to take advantage of $5 appetizers.

JW Marriott Chicago Location

Of course, one of the best characteristics of the JW Marriott Chicago is its prime downtown location. The Quincy Metro Station is on the same block, offering access to every corner of the city on several lines. Or, there is plenty to do within walking distance or just a short cab ride away. The Art Institute Chicago is just a stone’s throw, and the river is also within walking distance, where visitors can catch the popular Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise—offering a 90 minute tour of the river skyline. The Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum of Natural History, Adler Planetarium, Merchandise Mart, Skydeck Chicago and Museum of Contemporary Art are all within about two miles (give or take) from the hotel.

The Hampton Inn Majestic Chicago Theatre District, Crowne Plaza Chicago West Loop, W Chicago – City Center, Central Loop Hotel, Hotel Blake and The Blackstone Autograph Collection are all nearby to the JW Marriott Hotel. Price-wise, the Marriott is on the top of the cost spectrum by comparison.

JW Marriott Chicago –The verdict

If you’re the type of traveler who doesn’t skimp on the best, or are traveling on business (with your company picking up the tab), this is the place for you. Otherwise, it’s tough to justify the price above the rest. Other four-star hotels are a bit cheaper and offer historic locations (like The Blackstone or Hotel Blake). But, they don’t have on-site lap pools and spas, so if that is important to you, there is no comparison.