Can’t decide where to stay in Chicago? We help you decide between the JW Marriott Vs. Ritz Carlton Vs. Four Seasons Vs. Park Hyatt for your next stay in the windy city!
1. Best Location: JW Marriott Vs. Ritz Carlton Vs. Four Seasons Vs. Park Hyatt
The Four Seasons Hotel Chicago enjoys a prime location in the heart of Chicago’s bustling Magnificent Mile, renowned for its upscale shopping, dining, and cultural attractions. The hotel is situated along Michigan Avenue and offers stunning views of Lake Michigan and easy access to iconic landmarks such as Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and the Art Institute of Chicago. The Magnificent Mile is also home to an array of high-end boutiques, department stores, art galleries, and restaurants, making it a vibrant and dynamic area for both tourists and locals alike.
The Ritz-Carlton Chicago is located in the upscale Gold Coast neighborhood, just steps away from the Magnificent Mile. Nestled along Michigan Avenue and Water Tower Place, the hotel offers a more tranquil and refined atmosphere than the Magnificent Mile’s bustling energy. Guests staying at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago can easily access nearby attractions such as the John Hancock Center, Oak Street Beach, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. The Gold Coast neighborhood is known for its historic architecture, tree-lined streets, and exclusive boutiques, creating an elegant and sophisticated ambiance.
JW Marriott Chicago is situated in the heart of Chicago’s vibrant downtown and is a huge and fairly impersonal hotel. This JW Marriott offers easy access to the city’s iconic landmarks, including Millennium Park, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Magnificent Mile shopping district. It’s an ideal location for both business and leisure travelers looking to explore the city’s attractions and cultural offerings.
Park Hyatt Chicago is nestled in the heart of the Magnificent Mile. Park Hyatt Chicago offers a prime location for shopping enthusiasts and cultural explorers. Guests can stroll along Michigan Avenue, shop at luxury boutiques, visit museums and galleries, and dine at world-class restaurants, all within walking distance of the hotel.
Ultimately, the best location for you depends on your preferences and what you plan to do during your stay in Chicago. We like the locations of the Four Seasons and Park Hyatt in Chicago best as they are central to the magnificent mile.
Ritz-Carlton Vs Four Seasons. Which Is Best?
Which is best, Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons? While the choice between these two hotel brands varies between individual hotels, Four Seasons hotels are generally more service-oriented and individual. Ritz-Carlton has adopted a more generic mentality in its service and decor to fit the Marriott brand. That said, both portfolios have exceptional properties, so let's break the comparison down into the different parts of the hotel to compare the two brands. Four Seasons offers a variety of styles across their hotels according to the destination and the property itself.
2. Style & Character
The Four Seasons exudes a contemporary elegance by blending modern sophistication with subtle hints of local charm. Its design highlights sleek lines, neutral color schemes, and luxurious materials like marble and fine wood, creating a serene and stylish ambiance.
Renowned for its personalized approach, The Four Seasons ensures that every guest feels individually attended to. Meticulous attention to detail reflects a fusion of professionalism and warmth, while the hotel’s amenities, including top-tier dining and spa facilities, are meticulously designed to offer a seamless and indulgent experience, seamlessly merging comfort with contemporary luxury.
In contrast, The Ritz-Carlton Chicago embraces a classic and grandiose style, evoking a timeless sense of luxury and refined elegance. Rich fabrics, ornate chandeliers, and sophisticated color schemes featuring deep hues and gold accents create a luxurious ambiance.
The service at The Ritz-Carlton reflects a more formal and stately approach, rooted in a heritage of luxury hospitality that prioritizes discretion and excellence. Its amenities, including the lavish spa and gourmet restaurants, are meticulously crafted to provide a sumptuous and majestic experience, ensuring that every aspect of a guest’s stay exudes an aura of exclusivity and grandeur.
10 Best JW Marriott Hotels In The World
Which is the best JW Marriott hotel in the world? We have already reviewed the best Ritz-Carlton hotels in the world. Now, we look specifically at JW Marriott. JW Marriott is part of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio, consisting of award-winning properties and beautiful resort locations worldwide. Inspired by J.
The Park Hyatt is a beautiful boutique property in Chicago. Its rooms are modern and stylish, and the hotel feels very luxurious. We love this hotel, and it comes in a close second behind the Four Seasons Chicago, in our opinion.
The JW Marriott Chicago has 610 well-appointed guest rooms, including 30 spacious suites. JW Marriott Chicago’s guest rooms are inspired by the iconic Pullman luxury rail car with concepts that transport guests to a bygone era. Sleep in comfort with a king or two queen beds accompanied by an in-room refrigerator, coffee/tea maker and safe coupled with double-paned windows for a peaceful night’s sleep. To be honest, the rooms at the JW Marriott are fairly uninspiring, although they have decent-sized windows (not floor to ceiling though) which let in lots of light. Of these four hotels, the JW Marriott has my least favorite rooms.
The Park Hyatt Chicago is fairly boutique in size, with just 146 reimagined guestrooms and 36 suites, offering a residential oasis in the heart of downtown Chicago’s Gold Coast. Located on Michigan Avenue, our hotel offers sweeping views of Lake Michigan and Chicago Avenue through expansive triple-pane windows and spa-inspired bathrooms featuring dual vanities and lavish Le Labo® amenities. These rooms are modern and bright, with wooden floors and cappuccino or late coloured rugs. These and the Four Seasons rooms are our favorite rooms in Chicago.
3. Pools
The Four Seasons has an excellent spa, fitness center, and indoor pool. The Park Hyatt also has an excellent spa, gym, and lap pool with great views across Chicago. The JW Marriott has a pool, but it does not have nice windows with views, so is not a great pool. It also has fitness and spa facilities. The Ritz-Carlton Chicago has a gym and a spa but no pool. The Four Seasons and the Park Hyatt are the ones to pick if you want a gorgeous pool.
Best Luxury Hotel in Chicago: Four Seasons Vs. Ritz-Carlton
The Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton Chicago are both gorgeous hotels in Chicago but each has its own advantages so we outline which is best for you and why below. The Four Seasons Hotel Chicago enjoys a prime location in the heart of Chicago's bustling Magnificent Mile, renowned for its upscale shopping, dining, and cultural attractions. The hotel is situated along Michigan Avenue and offers stunning views of Lake Michigan and easy access to iconic landmarks such as Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and the Art Institute of Chicago.
4. Rooms
The rooms at the Four Seasons Chicago epitomize modern luxury, focusing on contemporary design and understated elegance. Each room features ahetic, minimalist aest with a neutral color palette complemented by high-end materials like marble and fine wood. Large windows provide abundant natural light and stunning views of the city or Lake Michigan, creating a serene and airy atmosphere.
The rooms have state-of-the-art technology, including flat-screen televisions, high-speed internet, and user-friendly climate control systems. Plush bedding, spacious bathrooms with deep soaking tubs, and thoughtful amenities like Nespresso machines and premium toiletries ensure a comfortable and indulgent stay. The overall vibe is one of sleek sophistication, perfect for travelers who appreciate modern comfort and refined simplicity.
The rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago embody a classic and opulent style, blending traditional elegance with luxurious comfort. The décor features rich fabrics, deep colors, and ornate furnishings that exude a sense of timeless grandeur. Large, plush beds with high-thread-count linens, expansive marble bathrooms with soaking tubs and separate showers, and spacious layouts provide a sense of indulgent luxury.
Many rooms offer sweeping views of the city or the lake, framed by elegant drapery and detailed woodwork. Modern amenities are seamlessly integrated into the classic design, with advanced technology for entertainment and comfort discreetly incorporated. The ambiance is one of refined sophistication, appealing to guests who prefer a more traditional and lavish setting that emphasizes grandeur and classic charm.
Best Executive Or Club Lounges In Chicago Hotels
This article outlines the hotels in Chicago that offer guests club or executive lounges. By reviewing each club or executive lounges, I conclude which hotel has the best club lounge in Chicago. When deciding which hotel to choose for your stay in a city like Chicago, it is sensible to consider the added extras provided by a hotel club lounge. Offerings usually include complimentary drinks and snacks throughout the day, breakfast in the morning, and evening cocktails with canapés. Annoyingly, in Chicago, very few club lounges offer free alcoholic drinks.
4. Club Lounge
The Ritz-Carlton has a decent-sized but exclusive executive club lounge. This is one of the best club lounges in Chicago and is decorated in blue and brown hues. The food and beverage offering is exceptional and has five offerings each day.
The JW Marriott has a small club lounge, which is nice but not as impressive as the club lounge at the Ritz-Carlton. In this lounge, you can enjoy a breakfast spread and delight in delectable snacks and beverages throughout your stay. Treat your taste buds on weekday evenings to sumptuous hors d’oeuvres and desserts. You’ll also have exclusive access to a sophisticated private workspace where you can work in comfort and privacy.
The Four Seasons and Park Hyatt hotels do not have club lounges.
6. Price
Usually, the Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott are less expensive than the Four Seasons and the Park Hyatt, although if you book their club rooms, the Ritz-Carlton is more expensive. Overall, the JW Marriott is usually the cheapest of these four hotels.
Book any of these three hotels via our luxury travel concierge to get a better deal. You will get free breakfast along with priority room upgrades and hotel credit if you book with us.
6. Conclusion
We love the modern and minimalist style of the Four Seasons and Park Hyatt. These are both hotels that will make you feel special, and both have great wellness facilities and pools. However, if you’re looking for more traditional decor and a great club lounge, pick the Ritz-Carlton. The JW Marriott is our least favorite of these hotels as its rooms are generic and dingy, and its pool is not great. It does have a club lounge but it is not particularly special and overall this hotel is large and impersonal.
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