The Talbott Hotel

The Talbott Hotel, a Michelin Key Selected property in Chicago, offers a blend of historic charm and modern luxury in the upscale Gold Coast neighborhood. Recently undergoing a significant $20 million renovation, the hotel is praised for its elegant design, prime location, and comfortable accommodations, though guest experiences with service and additional fees can vary.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Talbott Hotel is largely positive, with guests often highlighting its excellent location and renovated interiors. It holds an impressive overall rating of 8.5 on Agoda and 8.7/10 based on 28 reviews on Trip.com, with many travelers appreciating its clean rooms, friendly staff, and superb location. The hotel aims to provide an intimate and personalized experience, reflecting its boutique nature.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud The Talbott Hotel for its prime location in Chicago's Gold Coast, offering easy access to the city's premier attractions. Its recent $20 million renovation has refreshed its ambiance, blending a 1920s historic charm with contemporary, modernist-inspired design. The hotel's boutique feel, spacious rooms, on-site dining, 24-hour fitness center, and pet-friendly policy are also frequently cited as major draws. Complimentary bottled water and in-room Nespresso machines add to the thoughtful touches.

3. Room Quality

The Talbott Hotel offers 178 newly renovated guest rooms and suites spread across 16 levels. These accommodations are individually furnished and decorated, featuring a contemporary style with modern comforts. Guests can expect plush linens, pillowtop beds with Frette Italian sheets, and premium bedding. Bathrooms are spacious, often with marble accents, designer toiletries, and waterfall showers. In-room amenities include 42-inch flat-screen televisions with premium digital channels and streaming capabilities, complimentary wireless internet access (100+ Mbps), safes, complimentary bottled water, and Nespresso machines. Even standard doubles are noted for being spacious, and larger apartment-style one and two-bedroom suites are also available. Some suites include an armoire and a living area with a sofa.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's on-site restaurant, LAUREL (formerly known as 20 East), offers an appealing dining experience with American and Mediterranean cuisines. It serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, with a lively ambiance and outdoor seating available on the patio. LAUREL is considered a neighborhood favorite, serving creative American fare to both hotel guests and locals. Room service is also available for guests who prefer to dine in the comfort of their room.

5. Service & Staff

Feedback on service and staff is somewhat mixed but generally positive, with many travelers praising the helpful and friendly nature of the hotel's team. The hotel offers a texting service for guest questions and needs, which has been highlighted as a positive amenity for prompt assistance. However, some past reviews have noted inconsistencies, such as staff confusion regarding loyalty program benefits or booking details upon check-in. Despite these occasional issues, many guests report a comfortable stay due to friendly and prompt service.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Talbott Hotel boasts an exceptional location in Chicago's affluent Gold Coast Historic District, just steps away from major attractions. It's a short walk (around 3-5 minutes) to Michigan Avenue (the Magnificent Mile) for iconic shopping, dining, and entertainment, as well as Water Tower Place. Oak Street Beach is also within a 9-minute walk. The hotel is highly accessible via public transportation, with the Chicago Station (Red Line) a 4-minute walk away and the Clark-Division Station just 10 minutes away. Numerous bus lines (e.g., 146, 147, 148, 22, 3) also serve the area, making it easy to reach various parts of the city, including Millennium Park, the Art Institute, Navy Pier, and Lincoln Park Zoo.

7. Value & Pricing

Pricing at The Talbott Hotel can offer good value, with some off-season rates noted around $77 to $98 per night. Agoda specifically highlights the hotel as providing "exceptional value" compared to the average price of a hotel room in Chicago. However, a recurring point of contention among guests is the daily "Destination Fee," which has been reported between $17.61 and $20, often including amenities like Wi-Fi and gym access that some guests feel should be standard without an additional charge.

8. Common Complaints

The most frequently mentioned complaint is the imposition of a daily "Destination Fee" or "Resort Fee" that adds to the overall cost. Inconsistent service, particularly concerning the acknowledgment of loyalty status or initial check-in procedures, has also been noted by some guests. While recent renovations have addressed the decor, older reviews occasionally mentioned rooms feeling "a touch dated" prior to the upgrade. Other minor issues have included slow elevators and the absence of ice machines, requiring guests to call the lobby for ice. One guest also reported an alarming incident of another guest (later clarified as a housekeeping team member due to a lock audit) being given access to their room before checkout.

Sources

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