Royal Sonesta Chicago River North
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Hotel Details
Location
Chicago
United States, North America
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Expert Review: Royal Sonesta Chicago River North
The Royal Sonesta Chicago River North, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a sophisticated stay in the heart of Chicago's vibrant River North district. It's recognized for blending the amenities of a high-rise hotel with the warmth and character of a boutique establishment.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for the Royal Sonesta Chicago River North is highly positive, with guests frequently praising its outstanding service, excellent room comfort, and unbeatable location. Review platforms often show ratings in the "Excellent" range, with an Agoda rating of 8.8 based on over 2,300 reviews, and Booking.com ratings reflecting strong approval for staff (9.2), cleanliness (9.0), and comfort (9.0).
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently love the hotel's central location, attentive and friendly staff, and amenities such as the indoor pool and fitness center. The design, featuring a sleek checkerboard entryway, gilded accents, a modern fireplace, and Renaissance chandeliers, also contributes to an upscale and distinctive ambiance. The hotel aims to provide a "grown-up boutique" sensibility, encouraging pets and offering special attention to children, reflecting a Midwestern generosity.
3. Room Quality
The Royal Sonesta Chicago River North boasts 261 rooms and suites, designed with contemporary style and luxurious touches. Rooms are described as comfortable, spacious, and clean, with various layouts available. Even standard rooms include Frette sheeting, down comforters, large business-friendly desks, and 37-inch HDTVs. City View rooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows. Suites are particularly noted for their large bathrooms, featuring granite-topped vanities, Fuji soaking tubs, and separate marble showers. Some rooms may also include a cozy fireplace, creating an inviting ambiance. While generally well-regarded, some guests have noted that the room design, though well-thought-out, can appear slightly aging in some instances, and street noise can be audible from higher floors.
4. Dining Experience
The hotel features an on-site American Brasserie restaurant called CBR (Classic, Bold, Refined), serving regional cuisine for breakfast and dinner, with a brunch menu available on weekends. Guests have praised the amazing food and drinks at the restaurant. The hotel also provides a complimentary morning coffee and tea bar in the lobby, and a seasonal water refresh station. Guests receive a $10 credit for use at CBR as part of the destination fee.
5. Service & Staff
The service and staff receive consistent high praise for being accommodating, friendly, hospitable, and helpful. Guests have highlighted fast check-in and the warm greetings from staff members, including the morning doorman. This commitment to hospitality contributes significantly to the overall positive guest experience.
6. Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location in Chicago's River North neighborhood is a major highlight, consistently earning high ratings. It offers easy access to popular attractions such as the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and the Chicago Riverwalk, all within minutes. The area is known for its vibrant atmosphere, art galleries (over 100), and diverse food scene. The hotel is conveniently located just steps away from bus stops and subway stations (like the Grand CTA Red Line station), providing easy access to explore the city.
7. Value & Pricing
The Royal Sonesta Chicago River North is considered an upscale hotel that offers good value for money, especially given its prime location. While average room prices can be around $244 per night, negotiated rates can sometimes be significantly lower. A nightly destination fee of $32 is charged, which includes amenities like Wi-Fi, coffee/tea, fitness center access, and a $10 credit for the on-site restaurant. Valet parking is available for an additional charge of $78 per night.
8. Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring issues or criticisms have been noted by guests. These include occasional complaints about rooms feeling somewhat outdated or in need of a refresh. Street noise has also been mentioned as a concern from some rooms. One notable complaint involved an instance of overbooking, leading to a couple being placed in a conference room with a sofa bed, although a jacuzzi suite was offered for the second night as a resolution. Some older reviews also mentioned issues with shower design, such as a lack of a door and inconsistent water temperature/pressure. Additionally, some guests found the surrounding area directly adjacent to the hotel less appealing than the wider River North neighborhood.
