Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers: Bad WiFi and Too Soft Beds, With A Smile
Posted August 7, 2009 , add a comment
Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers
I stayed at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers about 5 years ago for a bachelorette party. I had booked the room on Priceline and remember being extremely impressed with the quality and location of the hotel, considering the price I had paid.
I returned to the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers in July 2009 for a much different reason and walked away with a much different impression.
My most recent experience with the Chicago Sheraton started several months ago when I booked a room to attend a blogging conference that was being hosted at the hotel. I was thrilled to hear about a “reduced” conference rate and happily made my reservation and paid my deposit by phone with no problems.
And then I started getting emails confirming my deposit. Several of them. I checked my bank account online and found that, yes, my credit card had been charged numerous times - with credits back to my account made in between the various charges.
I wasn’t overcharged. I was, however, a little concerned that the Sheraton seemed to be confused about how to properly bill a credit card. You hope for a little more competence and confidence when you’re about to hand over several hundred dollars to a major corporation.
However, seeing as how I wasn’t actually overcharged, I put the issue out of my mind and went about making the rest of my preparations for the conference.
I arrived at the hotel by cab and was met inside the beautiful lobby by no line at a fully staffed registration desk. The hotel seemed to be properly prepared for a busy weekend in their fully (over)booked property. Check in went quickly, once I clarified that the other name they had on my reservation was incorrect.
And then had a minor panic attack about whether or not I had just inadvertently left another conference attendee with no room for the night.
(I hadn’t. I still have no idea WHY they had this other person’s name on my reservation, but she checked into a room of her own later in the day with no problems.)
I made my way from the lobby to my room by way of the express elevators. With 32 floors in the towers, I was grateful to find I would only need to navigate half of them every time I went to and from my room. I also got a little kick out of the head rush from the extremely fast elevator ride.
Double Occupancy room at the Sheraton Chicago
I was staying in a standard guest room with two double beds. I was a little disappointed to discover how small the room and bathroom felt upon entering it and hauling all of my luggage inside. I was slated to share this room with three other women, and I was having a difficult time imagining sharing the space with even one other person. I would have probably preferred to ditch the desk in exchange for a little more floor (and breathing) room.
And, yes, I realize that the room was designed for double occupancy. But I have crammed four women in a two double bed hotel room several times before with much more comfort than the Sheraton rooms provided. The room and bathroom felt smaller than most hotel rooms I’ve stayed in.
Despite the size, the rooms were beautifully appointed, clean, and fresh. (No threadbare carpets or worn out bed linens here!)
Because I was there for a blogging conference, one of the first things I unpacked was my laptop. Part of our conference rate included free wifi in our rooms and I was eager to plug back into the matrix for a moment. Except that the wifi sucked.
I finally gave up and PAID to plug in to the internet via an ethernet cord.
Shortly after unpacking and getting my online fix, I made my way back downstairs to the hotel bar. The drinks were expensive, which I expected, but the service was excellent. This was a theme that would continue throughout my stay. Every employee I encountered offered me a smile and an eagerness to help in any way they could.
The lounge area offered ample space for small groups of people to talk, and although the area was full for most of the weekend, it was never too loud to enjoy your conversation. The seating was extremely comfortable and the area was obviously designed with the idea that this would be a place where people would spend time relaxing during their visit.
Later that night I enjoyed a meal at Shula’s Steak House on the main level of the hotel. Again, the prices were what you’d expect from an upscale restaurant inside a Chicago hotel, but the service was of the caliber that you almost forgot the damage you were doing to your bank balance. Sadly, the steak itself was mediocre - but the Oysters Rockefeller were to die for.
Stuffed from my meal and drunk on good conversation, I finally made my way back upstairs to my room for bed late into the night.
And then the bed tried to swallow me whole.
Holy softness. I appreciate that some people prefer a softer bed than I do. Really. But the beds at the Sheraton were ridiculously soft. Too soft. I heard other people complain about them all weekend long. The beds were soft enough to become a topic of conversation at an internet conference. I spent every night trying to ignore the fact that I felt like I was sleeping on an incline and desperately trying not to roll downhill into the great abyss created by my body weight.
I managed to get a few solid hours of sleep before the first morning of my conference.
The Sheraton is set up perfectly for an extensive conference like the one I attended. There are several rooms of various sizes that are easy to get to via elevator and escalator. I never felt like I was lost in a maze of hallways or that any place I needed to get to was too far from where I was at the time. The conference made use of everything from a small meeting room meant for 100 or less people to a large ballroom that held over 1500 people.
What the Sheraton was not designed for was an Internet conference or any conference where the participants are going to want to access the internet during their stay. Or their cell phones.
I have an iPhone and spent the majority of my weekend searching for a signal of any kind. The wireless internet was spotty at best and even the cell phone coverage seemed to disintegrate the instant you walked into the hotel.
WiFi Fail, to say the least.
That was my biggest complaint about my stay at the Sheraton. As someone traveling for a blogging conference, it was a serious issue for me and I would seriously consider any tech groups rethink using the Sheraton for business.
However, the hotel itself was beautiful and well laid out. The location is perfect for enjoying Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier and Lake Michigan. The staff was friendly and accommodating. I would highly recommend this hotel as a home base if you plan to visit Chicago in the winter, when the financial and shopping district are bedazzled in tiny, white Christmas lights.
But don’t expect to get online while you’re there.
(And considering bringing a board if you have a bad back.)
Photos Credit: MissHeathyrm
Chicago area Hyatt Regency O’Hare Airport Hotel
Posted , add a commentPosted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip
Hyatt Regency O’Hare photo by Nancy D. Brown
I was using my Frequent Flyer miles to travel from San Francisco to Chicago, Illinois. As such, I wouldn’t be landing at O’Hare Airport until 1:30 in the morning. At least it was a non-stop flight. I checked my bag (on-line because it’s $4 cheaper) with United Airlines and boarded the plane. I’d like to give a personal shout out to Michael Lawson at the Hyatt Reservations call center for helping me with this reservation. Much better alternative than sleeping on the floor at the airport!
Fast forward to the baggage carousel where all the luggage from the direct flight had been claimed, except my bag. You guessed it, my duffel bag was no where to be found.
Shuffling off to the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Airport shuttle bus, I told myself that my bag would be waiting for me at the hotel in the morning. The Hyatt set me up with a comb, toothpaste and toothbrush and off I went to room 2806, tired and flustered.
Hyatt O
I picked the Hyatt Regency O’Hare location for its proximity to the airport and because they offered a complimentary shuttle that runs 24/7. If you live in the area, you may be interested in their Park, Sleep and Fly “Explore” package. The promotion includes parking for up to 14 days free and runs until December 30, 2009.
Hyatt Regency O’Hare Gets a Facelift
The property has recently undergone a $64 million transformation in all of their 1,096 guest rooms. I appreciated the noon checkout time and the comfort of the Hyatt Grand Bed with the pillow-top mattress. My Regency Suite room rented for $480, not including internet access. There was Wi-Fi available in all of the public areas.
Lost Luggage Tips
My luggage still hadn’t shown up the next day. I left a note with the front desk with my next hotel address, said a little prayer and walked to the Blue Line to take the train to downtown Chicago. I’ve since written a post on lost luggage tips on my website.
Hyatt Regency O’Hare 1 (847) 696-1234
9300 W Bryn Mawr Avenue, Rosemont, IL 60018
10 of the World’s Best Observation Decks
Posted July 22, 2009 , add a comment10 of the World’s Best Observation Decks
A city is best explored by foot. We follow our map, walking from place to place, turning off down tangents when a sound, a sight, or a smell catches our interest. We see doorways. We see ground floors. And sometimes, when we crane our necks back at an angle that no chiropractor would recommend, we begin to get a faint understanding of a city’s full scope. But to really take in the magnitude of a city, to see where it ends or just how far it stretches to the horizon, we need to see it from above. We need to visit an observation deck.
Nearly every city has one – either a designated observation deck that charges money for visitors to get an aerial view, or just a building that happens to offer a great vantage point from which to see the city. Some are tall, some are small, for some the appeal lies in unobstructed views and for some the appeal lies in the total experience. Here are some of the best views worth checking out around the world.
Sears (Willis) Tower, Chicago
Though the Sears Tower (recently renamed Willis Tower) offers stunning views of Lake Michigan and the city of Chicago, many people prefer heading up to the lounge on top of the John Hancock Center (no admission fee, plus drinks!) instead. But with the addition of the new glass-bottomed viewing decks at the Sears Tower Sky Deck, that could change. Now, instead of just looking out at the city skyscrapers, the clear blue of Lake Michigan fringed by golden beaches, and the ant-sized people and cars below, you’ll be able to stand over them, seemingly suspended in air 1,353 feet over the city.
Taipei 101, Taipei
You may not fully comprehend just how big Taipei is until you take the high-speed elevators, which travel over 50 feet per second, up to the 91st floor observatory of the Taipei 101. The tower holds the current distinction of being the world’s tallest building (though once the Burj Dubai is occupied, it will lose the title) and offers sprawling views of the city. As you see Taipei spreading to the horizon, you realize just how big it is, and how very small you are in comparison.
Eiffel Tower, Paris
If Paris were to be summed up in one iconic image, it would be that of the Eiffel Tower. One of the most famous landmarks in the world, it is the tallest structure in Paris. Visitors can ascend to the second level for a view of the area surrounding the tower and the thousands of tourists taking pictures below. Or you can go all the way to the top, about 900 feet above ground, for views of the whole city. In the distance, you can just make out landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre.
Shanghai Oriental Pearl, Shanghai
The Oriental Pearl TV Tower stands 1,500 feet over Shanghai. The tower is composed of spheres of varying sizes suspended at different points along the tower’s height as though they were slowly descending. While the view of the tower is impressive enough, the one you’ll get from inside is even better. Fifteen different observation decks include a restaurant, revolving tearoom, and an outdoor observation deck with a glass-bottomed floor.
Guinness Storehouse, Dublin
At only 7 stories up, the Gravity Bar on the top floor of the Guinness Storehouse is the shortest building on the list. But it is also the only one where you can get a complimentary glass of beer to take in along with the view (after a tour of the brewery). You’ll only be about 130 feet above ground, but as the rest of Dublin’s buildings aren’t much taller, you can still enjoy a nearly unobstructed 360-degree view of the city along with your Guinness.
Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore Duomo, Florence
The 15th century Duomo, or dome, at the Santa Maria del Fiore church in Florence remains the largest masonry dome in the world. Visitors have the option of not just gazing at the dome from below, but of actually climbing up the nearly 500 steps to the top. The climb is narrow, but not too difficult, and the rewarding panorama of the city of Florence below makes any exertion worth the effort.
Hallgr?mskirkja, Reykjavik
Iceland’s Hallgr?mskirkja church is the largest in Iceland and Reykjavik’s most recognizable landmark, but when it debuted in the 1980’s, it was to mixed reviews. Some praised the unique design, which symbolizes the lava flows that run through the country, while others found it gaudy and ostentatious. If you’re in the latter camp, you might change your mind once you see the views from the observation deck on top. Below you you’ll see the brightly colored houses of Reykjavik, retired whaling ships in the grey-blue waters of the harbor, and snow-covered mountains in the distance. With a view like that, you might forgive any shortcomings of the exterior’s design.
Space Needle, Seattle
On clear, sunny days in Seattle, there’s no better place to be than at the top of the Space Needle. Head up to the revolving restaurant for brunch, or just take the elevators to the 520-foot high observation deck for a panoramic view of the “Emerald City”. To the north you’ll see Lake Union, with its houseboats and sea planes. In the west, you’ll find cruise ships docked in port, ferry boats in Puget Sound, and the lush greenery of islands like Bainbridge Island fading into the background of the Olympic Mountains. As you make your way to the south end of the deck, you’ll see the city below and just beyond that, the snowy peak of Mt. Rainier.
Top of the Rock, New York City
There’s no city in the world like New York. And there’s no view in New York like one from the Top of the Rock, the 70th floor observation deck at 30 Rockefeller Center, which offers sweeping views of New York, including Central Park and the city skyline. The Top of the Rock also boasts views of the city’s most iconic skyscraper, the Empire State Building (which of course you wouldn’t see from the Empire State Building itself). And the Top of the Rock has glass walls enclosing the observation deck, meaning you get unobstructed views from eye level to your feet.
Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
The unfinished famous work of Antonio Gaudi, Sagrada Familia’s main draw is not the view it offers. But the view is a nice perk to visiting this architectural masterpiece. For a few extra euros, visitors can take the elevator up into the towers, about 230 feet above ground, and walk out onto the connecting bridges. Unlike on most observations decks, where visitors are kept safely behind glass or enclosed by tall walls that cannot be scaled, here you are virtually unrestricted and open to the elements. While you fight the crush of tourists and try not to drop your camera while attempting to take in the view, the only thing that keeps you from falling to the city below is the few feet of stone that form the bridge’s walls.
From the Washington Monument in DC to the Sky Tower in Auckland and nearly everywhere in between, there are countless places to rise above a city and enjoy spectacular views. Next time you think you’ve seen a city from every angle, make sure you’ve also seen the view from above.
Photo credits:
Willis Tower by thomas.merton on Flickr, Taipei 101 by misterbisson on Flickr, Eiffel Tower by switchhook on Flickr, Shanghai by Pixeloflight on Flickr, Guinness by Ian Wilson on Flickr, Florence Duomo by Tama Leaver on Flickr, Reykjavik by Wrote on Flickr, Space Needle by anneh632 on Flickr, Top of the Rock by qbix08 on Flickr, Sagrada Familia by Andifeelfine on Flickr
America’s top tourist attractions
Posted July 15, 2009 , add a comment1. Times Square - Manhattan:
Times Square is a famous intersection and a iconic image of New York City
lying at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue. The whole area is
highlighted with vibrant animated neon and Led signs to such an extent that it
is now compared to the glamour and illumination of Las Vegas. Some of these
adveritisements at Times Square are so huge that they are popularly known as “jumbotrons.”
Times Square is also very popular for its annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop,
millions of tourists pour ito the city around that time. Being the one of the
busiest intersection and a top tourist destination of America, Times Square is
also seen in several films and T.V. shows all around the world.
2. The Las Vegas Strip - Nevada:
It is popularly said that the glamorous city of Las Vegas never goes to
sleeps with “The Strip” being the main tourist area. Las Vegas strip is apx. 4
miles long and consists of some of the largest mega casino hotels in the world
and each one of them is based on a theme and has been lavishly decorated. The
city is also famous for its marvelous shows, adult entertainment and alcoholic
beverages. It is sometimes difficult to believe how such a glamorous city can be
built in the middle of Nevada’s desert and yet be such a famous tourist
destination of America, drawing millions of tourists each year from all over the
world.
3. National Mall and Memorial Parks - Washington D.C.
Established in 1965, the area within the National Mall & Memorial Parks provide
several opportunities to visitors to commemorate presidential legacies,
celebrate the United States commitment to freedom and equality and to honor the
courage and sacrifice of war veterans. It consists of following famous icons -
Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, WWII Memorial,
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam
Veterans Memorial. Located in the capital of America, National Mall and Memorial
Parks is one of the most visited tourist destination of America.
4. Faneuil Hall Marketplace - Massachusetts:
This marketplace in Boston is internationally known for its street performances
including Jugglers and clowns, puppeteers and dancers, musicians and much more.
With over 60 street performances, Faneuil Hall Marketplace has performers from
all over the world and has become one of the top tourist attraction of America.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace is also famous for its other activities and sources of
entertainment including annual events such as Harborfest and The Holiday
Lighting Ceremony along with community events and fun fairs.
5. Disney World’s Magic Kingdom - Florida.:
Disney is a city in its own with millions of tourists that come here each
year to see mickey mouse and various other Disney characters. The Magic Kingdom
is a part of the Walt Disney World Resort and was the first theme park here. The
main attractions of this theme park are Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Galaxy
Palace Theater, Disney Dreams Come true Parade and Dream Along with Mickey show.
There are several tours also to add more fun to your trip, some of the popular
ones are Steam Trains Tour, Disney’s Family Magic Tour, Mickey’s Magical
Milestones Tour and several more. Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is a must visit
destination of America and is a world of fantasy, adventure and wonder.
6. Disneyland Park - Anaheim, California:
Located in Anaheim, CA. Disneyland is truely a dream land not only for children
but also for adults. Being one of the top tourist destinations of America, it
has welcomed more than 500 million guests ever since it opened in 1955. The park
features eight themed lands with over 50 shops, 65 popular rides, 35 restaurants
along with live entertainment and mesmerizing night fireworks and Disney shows.
7. Fisherman’s Wharf - San Francisco, California:
Well Known for its historic Waterfront, beautiful bay views, delicious seafood
and unique shopping area, Fisherman’s wharf is a famous tourist destination of
America that is also popular all over the world. Some of the most popular
attractions of Fisherman’s Warf are - Wax Museum, Ripley’s Believe it Or Not
Musuem, PIER 39, Ghirardelli Square, Aquarium of the Bay and much more. It is
also popular for its street shows and performances, open shopping area, road
side seafood along with authentic restaurants.
8. Niagara Falls - New York:
lying at the border of Ontario (Canada) and New York (U.S.), Niagara Falls is a
must see destination of America. Niagara Falls mainly consist of two sections,
the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side and the American Falls on the U.S.
side. One has to see to believe the majestic beauty and humbling power of these
falls. Its beauty has been a source of inspiration for several writers and
artists. Over the years countless number of people have come here to get over
powered by its sparkling views.
9. Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Tennessee/North Carolina:
The park lies at the border of Tennessee-North Carolina. The Great Smoky
Mountains National Park is home to over 3000 plant species along with several
endangered animal species and is the most visited national park of United States
of America drawing more than 8 million of tourists each year. It is recognized
all around the world as a International Biosphere Reserve and is a World
Heritage Site.
10. Navy Pier, Chicago, Ill.:
Situated near Chicago’s downtown area, Navy Pier is a large pier on Lake
Michigan that has always been a popular tourist destination ever since it was
opened in 1916. It was initially a military training site along with being a
shipping and recreational hub. Today Navy Pier is one of the top visited
destinations of America amongst tourists and has a unique collection of
restaurants and recreational facilities.
10 Most Luxurious Hotels in the US
Posted July 14, 2009 , add a commentDo you have several thousand dollars lying around to spend on an extravagant night of pampering? Me neither. But someone in the United States is enjoying the life of luxury.
Here’s where they’re doing it…
10 Most Luxurious Hotels in the US
Enjoy everything from camping to beachfront property at the nation’s top luxury hotels. Continue reading '10 Most Luxurious Hotels in...'