Our Anniversary to Italy: Part 2 – Park Hyatt, Chicago

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Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook or Twitter! Emily Jablon:  Daraius and I went to Europe in September to celebrate our 2nd anniversary for ~2 weeks.  It was my first time in Italy so I was very excited!  In Italy, we visited Varenna on Lake Como, Milan, Venice, and Rome.

Since we were in Europe, we visited a friend in Strasbourg, France and also spent a night in Zurich.  We started our trip with a one day layover in Chicago to see friends!

Park Hyatt Chicago
Emily at the Park Hyatt in Chicago

Our Anniversary To Italy – Trip Report Index:

Park Hyatt Chicago

Daraius:  We used 9,000 British Airways Avios points each to fly on American Airlines from Austin to Chicago.  The same flight would have cost 12,500 American Airlines miles, which is why it is very helpful to have a stash of British Airways Avios points for short-distance flights!

You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards & Chase Ultimate Rewards points to British Airways.

Emily Jablon:  We rented a cheap rental car and drove to my favorite Thai restaurant, Siam Splendour in Evanston, a suburb of Chicago.

We ordered tom kha kai, a creamy, vibrant coconut milk soup, a seafood salad with at least 5 different kinds of seafood, and panang curry with chicken and peppers.  Everything was delicious and we savored every bite!

Daraius:  I wouldn’t rate this as my favorite Thai restaurant, but they certainly do have a very good tom kha kai soup! Emily Jablon:  Daraius booked us for one night at the Park Hyatt in Chicago.
Park Hyatt Chicago
Entrance to the Park Hyatt Chicago

The hotel is in downtown Chicago, a short walk from the Lake and virtually on Michigan Avenue.

Parking at the Park Hyatt, Chicago

There is a parking garage at 111 East Chestnut, just a 5 minute walk from the hotel.  Parking costs $38 a day, compared to the $62 for valet parking at the hotel.  There is no self-parking option.

Park Hyatt Chicago
Parking Rates at 111 East Chestnut – Credit Cards Accepted!

There’s another parking garage at The Bernardin, at 747 North Wabash Ave.  Daily parking was $36 a day.  It was also a 5 minute walk from the hotel.

Park Hyatt Chicago
You Can Park at The Bernardin for 24 Hours for $36

Park Hyatt, Chicago

We checked-in and received an upgrade to a King Lake View room.  I had written to the hotel and I’m sure my top-tier Hyatt Diamond status also helped.

The entrance was dark and full of drama (in a nice way).

Park Hyatt Chicago
Park Hyatt Chicago’s Dark and Dramatic Entrance

There was a lounge beside the lobby, which was open to all.

Park Hyatt Chicago
Emily Relaxing in the Park Hyatt Chicago Lounge

The lobby lounge had tea…

Park Hyatt Chicago
Freshly Brewed Tea was Available in the Lobby Lounge
…and muffins.
Park Hyatt Chicago
There Were Also Blueberry Muffins in the Lobby Lounge

Upstairs was a large pool…

Park Hyatt Chicago
The Hotel had a Three-Lane Lap Pool
…but there was only a little bit of outdoor space.
Park Hyatt Chicago
Daraius Relaxing Near the Pool

The lounge chairs were located right next to the bar, so I can imagine it getting noisy around lunch and dinner time!

Park Hyatt Chicago
Park Hyatt NoMi Garden Lounge

King Lake View Room

Our room was relaxing and fairly spacious.

Park Hyatt Chicago
We Were in a Lake View Room

There were large windows and at the end of the street, we could see Lake Michigan.

Park Hyatt Chicago
The Room Had Bay Windows To Enjoy the View

There was a desk and flat screen TV.

Park Hyatt Chicago
The Room Had a Large Desk and Flat Screen TV

The bedroom & living area had an amazingly comfortable bed with a down comforter…

Park Hyatt Chicago
The Bed was Very Comfortable!
…and a large flat screen TV.
Park Hyatt Chicago
There was a Large Flat Screen TV

Each room has an Eames chair and ottoman

Park Hyatt Chicago
Emily Lounging in the Eames Chair
…and a spacious desk for Daraius to work on.
Park Hyatt Chicago
The Desk was Large Enough to Work Comfortably

One of my favorite parts of the room was the view of the Chicago Water Tower & Lake Michigan at the end of the street.

Park Hyatt Chicago
Our Room Had a View of Lake Michigan

We could see also see Michigan Avenue from our room.

Park Hyatt Chicago
Emily Sitting In Front of the Window Overlooking Michigan Avenue

There was a privacy door separating the bathroom from the bedroom.

Park Hyatt Chicago
Emily Sitting on the Divider Between the Bathroom and Bedroom

The bathroom had double sinks…

Park Hyatt Chicago
The Bathroom Had Double Sinks
…a bathtub…
Park Hyatt Chicago
There was a Sunken Bathtub
…a shower…
Park Hyatt Chicago
The Shower had 2 Showerheads
There were romantic candles near the bathtub…
Park Hyatt Chicago
Tubside Candles to set the Mood!
…and also bath salts.
Park Hyatt Chicago
Complimentary Bathsalts

Breakfast at The Park Hyatt, Chicago

The next morning, we had breakfast at the hotel.  Since Daraius is a Hyatt Diamond member, we got free breakfast.  But breakfast is expensive otherwise, with an American breakfast costing $32 plus taxes and tip.

There are other cafes and restaurants close to the hotel that are cheaper.

Park Hyatt Chicago
Park Hyatt Chicago Breakfast Menu

I had French toast with strawberry rhubarb and cream.

Park Hyatt Chicago
Emily Enjoyed French Toast With Strawberry Rhubarb & Cream

Daraius had eggs sunny side-up, bacon, and wheat toast.  He’s so predictible!

Park Hyatt Chicago
Daraius Ordered Bacon, Eggs, and Toast

Daraius also had apple juice and I had a latte.  Breakfast was good, but not amazing.

And the buffet was a bit sparse compared to the wonderful buffets at other Park Hyatt hotels.

Park Hyatt Chicago
Park Hyatt Chicago’s Sparse Breakfast Buffet

However, the views from the hotel restaurant were nice, though there are only a few tables by the window.

Park Hyatt Chicago
At Least We Could Enjoy the Views of Lake Michigan While we ate

Bottom Line

The Park Hyatt in Chicago is in a great location and the rooms are very comfortable.

That said, I’m not sure I’d splurge the extra Hyatt points to stay at the Park Hyatt in Chicago when you can stay at the Hyatt Magnificent Mile for fewer points.

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