Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel

I had an excellent stay at the Chicago renaissance hotel. Friendly pleasant staff. Very helpful. Specifically Sherry helped us when something wasn’t working at breakfast and made sure we had what we needed and wanted. She went out of her way and very nice.

Positives:
- Sam at the front desk went above and beyond and is wonderful. All other staff are friendly as well (i.e., gym, doorman)
- Great location
- Nice indoor pool and plenty of exercise machines
Negatives
- Hotel is dated- especially bathtub- had rust, knob was finicky and loose, shower curtain and pink residue from a previous guest

Great Weekend for the D-Rose retirement game!
Recently stayed here on a boys' trip with my son and a friend to catch the Derrick Rose retirement game. I have to give a huge shout-out to the team here—specifically Kyra, Emily, and Mylaan. My friend's son had never been to Chicago before, and they really went out of their way to make his first experience special with some awesome recommendations. They were super accommodating and thoughtful the whole time.
The location is unbeatable. If the weather hadn't been record-breaking cold that weekend, we would have walked everywhere since the hotel is right in the middle of everything. Even with the chill, the city views from our room were incredible.
Kudos again to the staff for making it such a memorable weekend for us. We’ll definitely be back!

TJ at the front desk provided exceptional customer service! He made the check in process a breeze and made sure I had a great view of the river! He did everything in his power to ensure I had a great stay. The complimentary cocktail vouchers he gave me were greatly appreciated! Thank you TJ!

Very nice, clean, and great location. The staff members were great

The staff were so helpful and courteous during check-in and with any questions I had.

We chose this hotel for its location. Everything was great-check in process, room size, shower pressure, lounge and its staff, and any requests made ahead of time were already in place when we got there. The only issue was we only had one night to enjoy this property! Also not there long enough to get the destination charge used and credited.

location, staff, beautiful room view. women cycle products easily available if accident happen.

The location alone deserves applause—steps away from an impressive lineup of restaurants and just around the corner from the iconic Chicago Theatre, which adds a touch of old-school glamour to the stay.

What truly elevates the experience, though, are the views. Waking up to the waterfront feels like the city is showing off just for you—calm, beautiful, and effortlessly photogenic. It’s the kind of view that makes you pause mid-coffee and briefly reconsider your entire schedule for the day.

Equally memorable is the staff. Every person we encountered was genuinely wonderful—kind, attentive, and remarkably composed. It’s important to acknowledge how challenging it must be to care for guests, especially during one of the busiest times of the year like New Year’s Eve, when expectations are high and the pace is relentless. Yet the team handled it with grace, warmth, and professionalism that never felt forced. They made a demanding job look easy, which is no small feat.

Convenient, vibrant, and visually stunning, this hotel strikes a rare balance between energy and elegance. Whether you’re in town for dining, shows, or simply soaking in the scenery, it places you exactly where you want to be—front and center, with a view, and supported by people who clearly care.

Room with a view of the fireworks to celebrate the new year.

I rarely leave negative reviews, but my experience at the Renaissance Downtown Chicago was disappointing enough that I feel compelled to share it for the benefit of future guests.

From the outset, communication was poor. Basic questions and requests were met with confusion, delayed responses, or no follow-up at all. For a hotel that positions itself as an upscale, hospitality-driven brand, this lack of coordination was both surprising and frustrating.

Cleanliness and overall upkeep were also major concerns. The room had a noticeable and unpleasant odor, and this issue extended beyond our room into the corridors and even the bathroom. The persistent smells created the impression that the property was not being properly maintained, which significantly impacted our comfort throughout the stay.

The New Year’s dinner was, unfortunately, the most disappointing aspect of our visit. The steak was served cold, the fish was dry and overcooked, and my cocktail glass arrived visibly dirty and covered in handprints. Additionally, our table was not properly set despite having a reservation, which immediately undermined what was meant to be a special evening.

Beyond the physical and dining issues, the overall hospitality experience was extremely lacking. The staff were not helpful, and the lobby was consistently disorganized, creating confusion and unnecessary stress. When concerns were raised, there was little accountability or effort to provide solutions, leaving us to navigate issues on our own. This absence of basic service standards—attentiveness, professionalism, and guest care—was deeply disappointing.

Chicago has many hotels that deliver excellent service and comfort. Based on our experience, the Renaissance Downtown Chicago did not meet reasonable expectations for its brand or location. I share this review in good faith, with the hope that it informs future guests and encourages meaningful improvements.

Great location, friendly staff and clean, comfortable rooms

Location and the small cafe for coffee and snacks