Well "The Conrad" was essentially the old Le Meridien, minus the two large paintings of aristocrats with dogs' heads that once graced the lobby. The service in the bar and restaurant was somewhat better, but still needs to smooth out a bit. The front desk and the staff were very attentive and helpful.
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What had been added to the room, other than different towels and amenities was TECHNOLOGY. There was a 45" plasma screen TV and this object into which you could dock your ipod to play through the speakers. The TV also had Bose surround sound and a CD/DVD player. We had brought CDs, if we stay there again we'll remember to bring a DVD.
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As it was a slow weekend and my DH is Hilton Honors, we were upgraded to a spacious king on the 17th or top floor. No real view, but the room itself was very comfortable indeed! The bathroom was large with the requisite amount of marble and chrome and Molton/Brown toiletries. The hair dryer was in a drawer, which seems classier to me.
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On a second stay we got an even nicer upgrade to an Executive Room. I was very nice at check-in and my husband's Hilton card and the fact we had stayed there fairly recently must have helped. We even had a scrap of a view of Lake Michigan at the top of Michigan Ave.
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MEREDIEN: We got a great rate here when they were first open -- they asked me to fill out a questionnaire and that must have placed me on a "nice" list as we were upgraded to a deluxe room the next time. [I was very detailed -- the concierge appreciated my comments concerning how to get closer to 5 star status:)] Which was good as the regular rooms are very cramped and I found the air conditioning was blowing on me all night.
Unique Qualities: The Conrad is an elegant hotel perched on top of the North Bridge shopping mall which includes NORDSTROMS. So if you can't get a good deal [as we have been able to] and have the $$$, this is a nice choice. [It is also close to one of our favorite semi-casual restaurants - Ben Pao -- see my restaurant listings.]
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Breakfast is in The Restaurant, except on our latest stay over Easter when it was in the bar.
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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$180 and up
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Phone: 1-312-645-1500
Address: 521 North Rush Street, at Michigan Ave
Directions: Parking is right across the street in the Nordstrom garage.
Website: http://conradhotels1.hilton.com/en/ch/hotels/index.do?ctyhocn=CHICICI&WT.srch=1
on Jun 4, 2003
