08/18/09

Would definitely stay here again!

by olie89

I booked this via Priceline and yes the room was very small but very nice and newly updated and fine for 2 people. Bed was super comfy and loved the shower! Great location also. Parking was expensive at $50/night but very convenient to just pull up and unload and have them park the car. In Chicago you are going to pay for parking no matter where you stay especially downtown.

• Pros: Newly renovated rooms
• Cons: Parking expensive

01/20/09

The Regal Knickerbocker

by hightowersp

Upon arrival I was struck by the majestic facade of the Knickerbocker. The single rooms are intimate and cozy and great for couples. What I found to be alarming was when I was harassed over overnight parking: the front desk member tried to contact me by phone and I did not respond. The front desk member then knocked on my door and I still did not respond, so, then he opens the door while I am "in my most intimate of moments." I told him to please close the door and I notified the manager. After letting out a little anger with the manager I was compensated fairly with complimentary drinks at the bar and breakfast for the next morning. The drinks at the bar were phenomenal and were priced from $8-$18 respectively. The breakfast at the hotel restaurant "NIX" was exquisite. The omelette with Emmer (real Swiss cheese) and asparagus was phenomenal while the Breakfast Americana filled me up with breakfast potatoes, bacon, eggs, sausage, and toast. The coffee was richly smooth and the service of all the guests were like that of no other. The manager Kevin Walsh was excellent and overly accomodating. The nearest attractions include: The Drake Hotel, Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Barney's, Bloomingdales, Gibson's Steak House, Le Passage Night Club, Water Tower Mall, The John Hancock, Water Tower Monument, Loyola University Chicago, Apple Store, Garmin, Ralph Lauren, Bentley Gold Coast, Hershey's Chicago, Ghirardelli, Cartier, Tiffany, Hugo Boss, Kenneth Cole, La Perla, Guess, Eddie Bauer, The Gap, American Girl, The Cheesecake Factory, Rosebud Italian Dining, Jake Melnick's Bar, Subway, Starbucks, and McDonalds... Need I say more??? The length of stay was 4 days 3 nights and because of the blistery cold weather I didn't mind staying in.... Another thing: If you're going to bring a vehicle don't forget to calculate the $48/day cost of valet which gives in-and-out priveleges. Tip at your discretion!

• Pros: Staff highly accomodating
• Cons: Staff can be too invasive at times

09/25/08

Located in the Gold Coast, steps from Michigan Avenue, this posh hotel marries Old World elegance with contemporary styling.

by Valerie Moloney

This Mag Mile beauty emerges from a multimillion dollar renovation with an understated glamour and a few opulent signatures still in place. Rooms, decked out in mustard, cranberry and hazelnut tones, invite with Sealy pillowtop mattresses, down comforters, chic Lucite lamps, linen-covered walls, upholstered headboards and arm chairs, plus Mahogany accents. Granite countertops and seamless shower doors make for equally luxurious bathrooms. The jaw-dropping Crystal Ballroom remains, glistening from its gold-gilded dome ceiling to its illuminated dance floor. Other bonuses: a new fitness center, champagne salon and martini bar and restaurant all slated to be completed by spring 2009.

Photo courtesy of Knickerbocker Hotel

High Marks
"Great value for the location...it has vintage charm and overall is a great experience and value for the location." (chitowngirl_reviews, Citysearch user)

"The Ballroom is breathtakingly gorgeous--They don't make 'em like they used to!" (slobbert, Citysearch user)

"The rooms have a very romantic feel with the rich colors and unique textures. The location is also a major plus for any kind of traveler." (cristinaperez333, Citysearch user)

Low Marks
"Staff was okay but not as helpful as I would have liked and the onsight restaurant just so-so." (sixkids, Citysearch user)

"Don't let the address fool you...The room was awful...it didn't smell clean." (dharks, Citysearch user)

04/07/08

Never again!

by DeLaneygirl

This hotel was so awful. The front desk was very busy and they sure made you feel as if you were a big inconvenience. The rooms were wallpapered in gawdy old wallpaper. The bedspread truly needed replacing as it was worn and stained. The room was very small and you could barely open the bathroom door due to lack of space. The bed was the worst I have slept in. Considering over 20 Chicago hotels I have stayed in, this is the bottom of the barrel of "luxury" hotels.

• Pros: Nice location
• Cons: Old, old. old

03/26/08

Overall a good stay.

by sixkids

My hubby and I spent our 10 year anniversary here in mid-November. The hotel had a great cookie and hot chocolate reception in the lobby with costumed carolers. We enjoyed the carolers and the kids staying in the hotel loved the cookies! The room was very small but clean and you really can't beat the location. Staff was okay but not as helpful as I would have liked and the onsight restaurant just "so-so." The room was one of the nicer ones I've stayed in but the hallways seemed like they needed new carpet and fresh paint.

• Pros: Nice ambience at Christmas
• Cons: size of room

12/30/06

Vintage charm in downtown Chicago

by chitowngirl_reviews

Great value for the location. You are right off the path of Michigan Ave. and at the begining of the Magnificent Mile. Note, this is not a modern establishment and has vintage charm and overall is a great experience and value for the location.

08/29/06

Extremely dissappointing - checked out early

by dharks

I checked into th Millenium Knickerbocker with my new bride for a few days. It was very dissappointing to say the least. We ended up checking out early even though we had prepaid on the internet. They had told us we were upgraded to a suite due to our special occasion. The room was awful (on the 5th floor - room 517 to be exact). It didn't smell clean and the bathroom floor was filthy. We were not comfortable walking without shoes or flip-flops. We are not the type of people to raise hell - we simply checked out early. They offered another room, but we did not feel comfortable there. Don't let the address fool you. I travel quite a bit and have only checked out like this a few times in my life. It was just very dissappointing right after our wedding. Check in at your own risk.

• Pros: Location
• Cons: Dirty - Very uncomfortable

01/20/06

Great place!

by trm012400

The bartender at Rosebud across the street recommended the lobby bar at the Kinckerbocker. She was right on! The bartender was really friendly and took great care of us! I would definitely go again!

05/23/04

Excellent Weekend

by smalltownguest

We spent the weekend at the Knickerbocker & had a great stay. As soon as we stepped out of our cab, we were treated wonderfully. The rooms are comfortable & the location is ideal.

• Pros: Location, Service

01/18/04

Like Home

by heckalatina

We immediately felt at home once we stepped into the lobby. Of all the luxury hotels we have stayed in across the U.S., there is no finer, warm staff. Our rooms were beautifully furnished and, yes, the bathrooms are small but adequate. This hotel has an historical ambience and those looking for modern/stainless/glassy new-age accommodations should stay elsewhere. Any negative reviews about the Knickerbocker are full of hot air. Stay there but don't reserve my favorite room!

• Pros: staff, ambience, cleanliness
• Cons: restaurant - yucky