Stayed there for a conference and got a good rate with the conference discount. The staff was really nice and the location was great. Spectacular views and amazing beds. I left my phone charger in the room and they found it and sent it to me overnight! Highly recommended.

Always dependable...always a great experience.

I was in town for a conference and while everyone else stayed just blocks away at the conference hotel, I decided to avoid the crowds and the noise and stay at the Renaissance. The experience starts at the entrance where the valet quickly took my luggage from the trunk and opened the door to the hotel....a smile at the front desk and a welcomed hello.

The room was fantastic, the people where polite and service was great.

Wouldn't think of staying anywhere else !

I stayed here for two nights on business. I was booked on a club level floor, but unfortunately faced the back of the hotel where the "El" is located. If you book a room here, be sure to request a room that faces Wacker Dr. so you can avoid the sound of the trains. The best part of my stay was probably the Club Level lounge, which provided snacks and drinks. The rooms were decorated in updated fabrics and colors. Bathroom had marble sink, but there was no tub in the bathroom. I think they were trying to go with a Eurostyle feel with just a shower stall and curtain. I wasn't impressed with that feature. I had a king bed which was comfortable enough but I've slept in better beds at other hotels. Overall, this is a Marriott when it comes down to it. They do try to be more upscale, but I've stayed at better hotels. If you can afford the splurge, my colleagues noted the Peninsula was a fabulous hotel.

I stayed here with my family for an extended weekend while visiting family. The hotel is located right on the Chicago River, convenient to the Loop and Magnificent Mile. Our welcome was warm and there was no wait to check in. Our request for two connecting rooms was cheerfully granted. The lobby is pretty and the rooms (on the 17th floor) were clean and in good condition. They were, however, on the dark side. Even with all lamps on, the rooms were uncomfortably dim. It was gratifying to see the hotel uses compact flourescent bulbs...I just wish there were a few more of them.

One odd quirk was that the bathroom doors do not stay open but slam shut. I like to keep the bathroom door open at night with a low light on, especially for the kids. As a result, we had to call housekeeping for doorstops. Breakfast, which was the only meal we ate there, was a decent buffet with an omelet station and the usual buffet fare in a room with nice views of the city. There is a Starbucks downstairs if you just want to grab a coffee and a paper.

For those highly sensitive to urban noise, be warned: the El train runs right behind the hotel and our rooms, while on a high floor, overlooked the tracks. You can certainly hear the trains rumbling by even on the 17th floor. I usually travel with a white noise machine, so I wasn't terribly bothered by it.

I'd definitely recommend this hotel for business travelers or tourists, with the above caveat in mind. The staff was friendly and we had no difficulties other than the bathroom doors.