Park Hyatt Chicago
Park Hyatt Chicago post-renovation: Gold Coast Suite
Named for the famed Chicago neighborhood in which the Park Hyatt resides, the Gold Coast Suite has been a favorite of mine since I started staying in 2013. What I loved about this room is that it felt like living in a comfortable one-bedroom apartment at one of the nicest addresses in the city.
But things change, and in early 2022 so did the Park Hyatt Chicago. The hotel underwent a $60 million facelift and as someone who has deeply loved the existing hotel and the masculine feel of the fixtures and furniture, I was concerned how new design changes would affect the overall feel of the property when I returned. I followed along on the Park Hyatt Chicago Instagram page to see my home away from home look totally different and wondered if a stay would still feel as special. The question I was asking myself was “Will I like the new Park Hyatt Chicago if I loved the old hotel?”
About the Park Hyatt Chicago
I took solace in the fact that the most charming parts of the Park Hyatt Chicago are things that couldn’t have possibly been renovated. Its location immediately next to the Historic Water Tower and the absence of high-rises between this landmark and Lake Michigan provide a beautiful scene. From many of the rooms if you look up you can see the clouds slowly enveloping the top of 875 N. Michigan Ave., previously known as the John Hancock Building. Aside from the beauty of the location you also have the wonderfully friendly staff who are so genuine and welcoming. And of course, Miss Parker, the resident dog, a partially blind pug who was adopted by the hotel several years ago and can be seen sleeping in her Burberry dog bed when she’s not wandering around the lobby asking for dog cookies.
Evening view of John Hancock Center, Resident Dog- Miss Parker, view of the Water Tower
Hotel Location
The fancy sounding address at 800 N. Michigan Avenue is hard to forget and puts you in the middle of a very special part of Chicago in the vicinity of the Gold Coast area. Aside from the designer shopping along Michigan Avenue you’re also within an easy walk of the 900 Shops and Water Tower Plaza. The most striking part about this hotel are the room views. if you have so chosen a room with a view, you have a front row seat to an iconic l landmark in the Water Tower. It’s remarkable to think about how it was one of the few remaining structures after the great fire. I personally also love that set in the background is the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) and behind that is Lake Michigan. It is quite a sight to see the past, present, and eternal markers of the city right there in front of you.
From a practical standpoint, I happen to love that there is a Walgreens kitty corner across the street and the Ralph Lauren café on the opposite side of Michigan Avenue. When I was waiting for my cab to head to the airport, I also spied a new Stan’s Donuts and was bummed I missed out visiting it. As you’ll find out later in this review, I didn’t leave my room very much.
But you can feel like you are interacting with the city to some extent without leaving your hotel which to me makes it a great place to enjoy a winter break in the city.
What Category is the Park Hyatt Chicago?
The Park Hyatt is a Category 6 Hotel with the highest tier being Category 8 which is reserved for the ultra-luxurious (and most expensive) properties in the family of Hyatt hotels.
The Hotel that Made Me Become a World of Hyatt Member
The Park Hyatt Chicago was my first introduction to the luxury tier of the Hyatt brand and was the hotel that made me decide to become a World of Hyatt card holder with Chase. I didn’t previously have any particular loyalty to a hotel group and would select a stay based on price and location. This is how much the hotel resonated with me.
I opened a Hyatt Chase card after staying here because the $75 annual fee would give you an automatic free night each year to be used at any Hyatt property. I expected to always use mine at the Park Hyatt. Since that time the rules have changed, and the hotel has become a category 6 hotel, so it does not qualify for the category 1-4 free night you get each year.
How Has the Park Hyatt Chicago Changed?
You can read all about the renovation in other articles that were reported during its closing in 2022 so I don’t need to go into all of that here. I’d rather tell you about how the renovations felt to me as someone who loved the previous hotel and share the little details you don’t normally get from a press article.
The Library
Honestly, when I walked into the hotel, I was shocked, first by the library area to the left. I used to work on my computer in this area for hours and people-watch those walking along the streets of Michigan Ave. with the backdrop of exquisite fossils, large geodes, and even a meteorite. It felt very grounding to be surrounded by the energy of these artifacts. So, it was a big disappointment to see my favorite area had changed quite drastically. What I did love about the new space is that there is plenty to look at if you wanted to linger there for a while or even meet up with someone for a catch-up. This was something that two Sheriff’s officers were doing as I went downstairs to work on my computer for a bit.
It is a very comfortable and welcoming space for guests of the hotel and those who want to might wander in from the cold. There is a small replica of the architecture of the neighborhood on both of the seating areas and numerous art books and pieces to view. It is still very private and not so open to the public that you feel over-exposed.
As I was checking in for the day I asked the gentleman at the front desk about the fossils and he mentioned that the Pritzker family owned them and they were on loan. After the renovation they were returned to the family. The famed Gerhard Richter painting that is also normally housed in the large sitting area closer to the check-in desks was also on tour now somewhere around the world.
The Gold Coast Suite
I can only really speak about the one room that I stayed in on this visit but I’m sure many of the features appear in the other rooms at the hotel. I had a look at some of the photos on the World of Hyatt App and the décor appears to be very similar among rooms. The main difference between this suite and the other standard rooms I’ve stayed in was mostly size, and a few more bath amenities and larger pieces of furniture that could be accommodated in a larger suite.
The Living Room
The previous Gold Coast Suite had darker woods, wallpaper, and cool toned furnishings throughout. Upon walking into this renovated area I was bewildered by the amount of light colored wood, and the decidedly more feminine, softer color palette. If I had never stayed in the previous version the reaction may not have seemed so stark. My first impression was that the design was very much in line with what I’ve seen of other luxury hotel brands and felt a little devoid of personality.
As the day passed, I would change my mind about this completely.
When the evening set in and I adjusted the lighting (with the entry lights left on and only the lamps lighting the living room space) it felt very warm and inviting. If you stay in this room you will discover there are almost infinite combinations of lighting available to you between sitting in the armchair with the reading lamp, the standing lamp near the table and the very cool orb nestled on a table near the sofa. All these different lamps are now on my future home wishlist.
Desk Area
There wasn’t a dedicated work desk area per se but the stone top table next to the massive window is an obvious place to set up shop with your laptop if you’re working from the hotel room. There is even an outlet on the window seat. I could honestly stare out that window for hours, so it was a very comfortable place to reside while getting ideas down on my computer.
The Bedroom
The biggest change to the Gold Coast Suite was the reconfiguration of the room. In the previous suite the bedroom had a view on the other side of the building so your only view of the water tower was the living area. In the newly reimagined Gold Coast Suite the bedroom also has the same view with a very large window. The nightstand on the right side of the bed was large and elongated and had yet another lamp that I wanted. Highlights of the bedroom include floor lighting that turns on from under the bed as you walk past so you can find your way around in the dark, push button black out blinds which come in handy because the water tower projects a light at night. I didn’t mind it, I enjoyed seeing the city as I was in bed, but I could see how this would bother others. I spent the least amount of time here as the living room was so comfortable.
Which brings to me to the most luxurious part of the room…
The Bathrooms
Yes there are two, when you first enter the room and head to the left, the hallway leads to a wash closet and stand-alone toilet, which I suppose could be used for guests if they’re visiting you. There’s a formality about having a second bathroom in a single suite that I haven’t quite figured out yet. Maybe I’m not using my hotel rooms correctly.
The main bathroom is essentially the bedroom ensuite and it is luxuriously large. The lighting panel describes the different areas, vanity, toilet, bath, shower, mirror. They all have their own lights and I LOVED being able to control this. Whoever developed the lighting scheme of this hotel room must be as sensitive to lighting as I am because they nailed it. For example, I don’t love to be in the shower under a spotlight so I might light the adjacent bath area for some soft lighting. Being able to have that much control over the lights to me is lavish.
A few other creature comforts that made the space so comfortable were the heated floors, push button shower which allows you to easily choose between the waterfall shower or traditional showerhead (might I add, set at the picture-perfect 100-degree temperature adjustment), the PERFECT bathtub, and automatic toilet with heated seat with a lid that opens as soon as you walk near it. It’s ridiculous how excessive this bathroom is when it comes to comfort.
For those that love the Park Hyatt bath products, the ones in this room are Le Labo Bergamote 22. I love the freebies usually and grab them when I immediately enter a room hoping they’ll be refreshed at turn down service or during the room cleaning.
The two bars of soap at the double sink, a body lotion on the counter, as well as a small bottle of body gel next to the bath salts near the tub were mine to take. The other amenities were three large bottles of Le Labo shampoo, conditioner, and bath gel. These were large pump bottles which were obviously meant to stay with the room, but I did appreciate that they were not anchored to the wall like most other places I’ve stayed. There is a generosity and trust about doing that.
My favorite thing was the push button shower. It seems like every hotel you go to you have to contend with figuring out which way to turn the handle, wait to see if the water temperature lets you know you’ve chosen wisely. This thing was so obvious. You either push the button on the left for the front facing showerhead or the one on the right for the waterfall showerhead. The symbols on each button distinguished them clearly. So simple and brilliant.
Coffee, Tea, and Mini Bar
This area was hidden inside two large, sleek consoles. There was a Nespresso maker, Alessi tea kettle and the glassware and teacups you would need to enjoy a drink. There was a full pull out minibar fridge, There was not room to fit any other items you might want to keep in a fridge just so you know. And plenty of Park Hyatt branded water bottles available to you. The person helping me to my room indicated that if I needed any ice that I could call room service and they would deliver some to me.
Overall, The Park Hyatt Gold Coast Suite Highlights for me:
· Lighting situation is beautiful
· Updated and more feminine than I remember which was a shock but as the day and evening wore on, I found the room to be so comfortable
· The push button shower
· Best tub I’ve ever been in, the water is so responsive
· Little details everywhere.
· The view, of course and especially that the bed and living area both have a view
Is it worth it to stay at the Park Hyatt Chicago?
Yes, and no. Let me explain.
I am biased but I do love the Park Hyatt Chicago still. I will say that this is not a great hotel for you if you want to go sightseeing because you will never want to leave the room. Especially if you are planning on staying in the newly renovated Gold Coast Suite. In fact, I wanted some of my favorites and even ordered Portillo’s on Uber Eats to get my hot dog and chocolate cake slice fix.
The little details everywhere and the ease of use and comfort of all the amenities lived up to the luxury hotel experience.
So yes, if you want to stay in and enjoy the view and creature comforts of a brilliant room. No, if you plan on spending time outside. Because the location is so good, maybe booking a standard room will be better value for you if you want to walk around the corner and have dinner at Gibson’s or something.
Is it Worth it to Stay in a Premium Suite at the Park Hyatt Chicago?
The Park Hyatt motto is ‘Luxury is Personal’ and I think this is extremely true. One person’s tastes can be very different to another which is why I try to describe my orientation or how things felt for me rather than just listing off specs of the hotel in these blogs. I have subsequently stayed at other Park Hyatt hotels which others could easily argue outdo the Chicago version in terms of luxury including the Park Hyatt in Sydney, Dubai, Istanbul, Saigon, and especially Bangkok. To me, however, the Park Hyatt Chicago is hands-down my favorite property and one of the most special places in the world. The reimagined hotel experience infused with style and acute attention to detail have surprised and won me over again.
The Gold Coast Suite at the Park Hyatt Chicago is beautiful to look at, but the real value is in the usability and comfort of the space. They have thought of everything a guest might need to make themselves feel at home.