The St. Regis Chicago

The St. Regis Chicago: A Detailed Review of a Michelin Key Selected Property

The St. Regis Chicago, a striking architectural marvel designed by Jeanne Gang, stands as a beacon of luxury where the Chicago River meets Lake Michigan. As a Michelin Key Selected property, it aims to deliver an unparalleled experience, often succeeding with its blend of sophisticated design, prime location, and highly attentive service.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The St. Regis Chicago is overwhelmingly positive, with an average overall rating often around 4.3 out of 5. Guests frequently describe their stays as "largely positive," "exceptional," and "unforgettable." Many consider it one of Chicago's premier hotels, praising its modern luxury and impressive offerings. However, some early reviews noted "perfectible service" and "underwhelming" aspects, particularly during its opening phase, though this appears to have improved.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of The St. Regis Chicago:

• Design & Architecture: The hotel's 101-story (or 95-story, depending on source) tower, with its distinctive wavy edges and stacked frustum design, is a glamorous new landmark and the tallest building in the world designed by a female architect. The interiors are equally impressive, featuring a color palette that nods to its waterside location with metallic, rust, and various blue tones.
• Location: Situated at the confluence of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, the location is frequently highlighted as outstanding, offering classic Chicago skyline, river, and lake views. It provides easy access to major attractions like the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, Grant Park, and the Chicago Riverwalk.
• Amenities: The hotel boasts a 12,000-square-foot wellness center, including a spacious and well-maintained fitness center with river views, a decent-sized swimming pool also with beautiful vistas, and luxurious locker rooms with saunas. Other amenities include a spa, sun terrace, and two signature restaurants.
• Service (often): While some initial feedback mentioned inconsistencies, many guests praise the "impeccably refined service" and "exceptional" staff. The personalized butler service, offering complimentary coffee or tea and assistance with packing/unpacking, is a notable St. Regis tradition that guests appreciate.

3. Room Quality

The St. Regis Chicago offers 159 guest rooms and 33 suites, all designed with modern luxury in mind.

• Comfort & Design: Rooms are generally described as "gorgeous," "exceptional," "spacious," and "comfortably luxurious with a smart style." They feature thoughtful lighting, comfortable seating, and exquisite interior finishes like wide-plank hardwood flooring and Snaidero cabinetry in residences.
• Views: A significant highlight is the floor-to-ceiling windows in every room, offering stunning panoramic views of Lake Michigan, the Chicago River, Navy Pier, and the city skyline.
• Bathrooms: Bathrooms are frequently a standout feature, described as "remarkably spacious and well-appointed" with large bathtubs, separate walk-in rainfall showers, and private toilet rooms. Caroline Astor Suites even feature ramen bowl-shaped bathtubs. High-end bath amenities from Sachajuan and Sodashi are provided.
• Beds: Beds are generally found to be comfortable, with nice pillows, sheets, and comforters.

4. Dining Experience

The St. Regis Chicago offers a noteworthy dining experience with its signature restaurants:

• Miru: This all-day Japanese restaurant, managed by Lettuce Entertain You, is frequently praised for its culinary quality. Guests have raved about its sushi, sashimi, grilled avocado, krispy rice dishes, and even creme brulee. Miru also boasts an expansive rooftop terrace with some of the best city views, where the nightly sabrage ritual and complimentary champagne flutes take place. Breakfast at Miru, while à la carte with no buffet, blends revisited classics with Japanese options and is often considered exceptional, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.
• Tre Dita: A Tuscan steakhouse by Chef Evan Funke, Tre Dita is another highly regarded dining option. Guests have described meals here as "extraordinary" and among the finest in Chicago. The restaurant is known for its renowned handmade pastas and dramatic views.

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback on service and staff is largely positive, with many highlighting the professionalism and attentiveness.

• Butler Service: The signature St. Regis Butler service, offering personalized assistance such as coffee/tea delivery and garment pressing, is a recurring point of praise.
• Early Check-in/Late Check-out: Several guests have reported positive experiences with early check-in and late check-out requests being accommodated, especially for Marriott Bonvoy elite members.
• Areas for Improvement (historical): Some early reviews noted inconsistencies upon opening, including "cold, haughty" breakfast welcomes at Miru and occasional missteps with check-in and in-room dining service. However, subsequent reviews suggest improvements, with staff being described as "adorable" at the spa and overall service standards being "top-notch."

6. Location & Accessibility

The St. Regis Chicago boasts an "excellent location" in the Chicago Loop at 401 East Upper Wacker Drive.

• Neighborhood: It's nestled in the vibrant New East Side neighborhood, standing at the picturesque intersection of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.
• Attractions: Guests have easy access to iconic Chicago landmarks such as Ohio Street Beach (a 12-minute walk), Millennium Park (less than 0.6 miles), Tribune Tower, Navy Pier, Grant Park, and the Chicago Riverwalk.
• Transport: While convenient for exploring on foot, navigating Wacker Drive with ride-sharing apps can be tricky due to its multi-level structure; guests often advise specifying "Upper Wacker" for pickups. The hotel is also within reach of the Grand underground station. As a new building, accessibility features exceed current ADA requirements, including accessible entrances, pools with lifts, and well-designed accessible rooms.

7. Value & Pricing

The St. Regis Chicago is a luxury property, and its pricing reflects that.

• Price Range: Room rates for an entry-level superior room typically start around $490 per night, soaring to around $877 in peak seasons. Suites can range from $1,275 to over $13,000 per night. Residences within the same tower range from approximately $930,000 for one-bedroom units to penthouses costing several million dollars.
• Value Perception: While some guests rate the "Value for Money" around 4.0 out of 5, many consider the experience, particularly with upgrades to stunning suites and exceptional service, to be well worth the cost. However, some budget-conscious travelers have found it "underwhelming" for the price.

8. Common Complaints

While generally highly praised, some recurring issues or criticisms have been noted:

• Service Inconsistencies (especially early on): Some initial guest experiences reported "perfectible service," including issues with arrival/departure assistance, room service, and check-in processes. There were also mentions of a "cold, haughty" welcome at breakfast.
• Lack of Lobby Grandeur: A few guests have commented that the hotel lobby feels "small and informal" and "nondescript" compared to the expected grandeur of a St. Regis property.
• Dining for Elite Members: Early on, some Marriott Bonvoy elite members noted that breakfast was not offered as a welcome amenity, as the restaurant was operated by a third party, though generous breakfast credits have since been reported.
• Room Design Quirks: Some found the layout of standard rooms "wonky," with bathrooms almost as large as the bedrooms, and a desire for a couch in some room types. One review also mentioned a lack of a desk and limited technology (manual curtains) in an entry-level room.
• Noise and Maintenance: Isolated complaints include loud air conditioning in rooms and dirty windows impacting views.
• Pricing for WiFi and Parking: Guests should be aware that WiFi is available for a fee (USD 14.99 per 24 hours), and private parking on-site costs USD 89 per day.

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