This past weekend we ventured to Chicago so my husband could run the marathon. Traveling to a different city for work, play or marathon running can be stressful in an of itself. You are staying in a strange environment, people talk different, food is different, etc. This is why we prefer, generally, to stay in main name hotels. While the outside can be different, we know what the Marriott should smell like. We know how the SPG property lounges should be. We can expect a certain level of consistency in the places because they are chains. This trip had a few reminders of why we love staying in the Marriott.
Safety
The biggest consistency that we appreciate is the security. You can rest assure that the Marriott will always have a process and people to help you if there is an unsafe situation, or even an annoying one. This past trip, we stayed at the Marriott on Magnificent Mile. There were many events happening this weekend: the marathon, the Cubs playing, Blackhawks, conferences, etc. The hotel was definitely hopping. So as we made it to our room, the ladies next door to us were clearly having a good time. We could hear them from the elevators. Sleep before a marathon is super important. We didn’t want to be “those people” and report them, but what do you do in this situation. We called the front desk. We planned to be blown off. We decided to give them 30 minutes and then we would move, so we sat patiently waiting before unpacking.
Then, less than 10 minutes after calling, we heard someone knocking at our neighbors door. I looked out the peep hole and security was very nicely asking them to be quiet. And this was not your average Joe security. I am pretty sure these guys were former military, make you disappear, not to be screwed with. I even commented that if that guy told me to keep it down I would not say another word while in his city. The Marriott handled it quickly and kindly. I was impressed. Of course the remainder of the trip, we kept lowering the volume on the tv because we knew they meant business. To add to this situation, they called us back after handling to make sure the noise was over, and we received a note from the hotel asking if they resolved our issue. Yes, sir, you did.
Bar
The second reason we enjoy staying at the Marriott is the consistency of the bartenders. I know, weird one right? We pick the Marriott on Magnificent Mile specifically because of the bar. We do not stay at certain hotels because they do not have a decent bar.
Now, this has nothing to do with alcohol. My hubs was running the marathon so there wasn’t much drinking. If a hotel has a good bartender they will take care of you random things. One night it was raining and we didn’t feel like going out. We ordered a pizza and the bartender got us plates and silverware (and I have been places were they will not do this for you). A good bar in a hotel will give you a place to sit while your partner is finishing getting ready. The bartenders at the Marriott in Chicago made us laugh and laugh so much that we wanted to be there even if we were not drinking.
Door Guys
Finally, there are the door guys. Listen, you can go wait in line at the concierge and they will give you the best places to go as tourist. I’m not knocking them, as sometime they have helped us to get tickets and ideas. However, if they hotel has good door guys, they can tell you where to really get bacon and eggs. They’ll tell you the easy way to get to a place and who to talk to. And usually, they will tell you a joke or something interesting to make the day a little better. Talk to the door guys. They know the best bars. They know that Eggs three blocks up and four down is worth the wait.
Read more on Trip Advisor
We like to stay in Marriotts and SPGs (who are the same now btw). I have a ton of reviews on TripAdvisor. They are consistent, safe, and the ones we pick have a good social scene at a great bar.