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!
Our Anniversary To Italy – Trip Report Index:
- Part 1 – Planning & Introduction
- Part 2 – Park Hyatt, Chicago
- Part 3 – One Day in Chicago
- Part 4 – Virgin Atlantic Upper Class
- Part 5 – Virgin Atlantic Revivals Lounge, London
- Part 6 – Under the Channel to Strasbourg
- Part 7 – Hotel Cathedrale, Strasbourg
- Part 8 – What did we do in Strasbourg
- Part 9 – Eating in Strasbourg
- Part 10 – Park Hyatt, Zurich
- Part 11 – 10 Hours in Zurich
- Part 12 – Hotel Eremo Gaudio in Varenna, Italy
- Part 13 – What to do in Varenna, Italy
- Part 14 – Eating in Varenna, Italy
- Part 15 – Park Hyatt, Milan
- Part 16 – What Did We Do in Milan
- Part 17 – Eating in Milan
- Part 18 – Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice
- Part 19 – Around the Hilton Molino Stucky & Free Shuttle Boat Details
- Part 20 – What we did in Venice
- Part 21 – Eating in Venice
- Part 22 – Waldorf-Astoria, Rome Cavalieri
- Part 23 – Eating in Rome, Part 1
- Part 24 – Emily’s Best Meal Was in Italy!
- Part 25 – Rome Cavalieri Imperial Floor
- Part 26 – Activities in Rome
- Part 27 – Activities in Rome – Where to Go, What to See, How to Save Time
- Part 28 – Virgin Atlantic Flight from Europe to US
- Part 29 – Conclusion & Blog Giveaway
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.
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.
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
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).
There was a lounge beside the lobby, which was open to all.
The lobby lounge had tea…
Upstairs was a large pool…
The lounge chairs were located right next to the bar, so I can imagine it getting noisy around lunch and dinner time!
King Lake View Room
Our room was relaxing and fairly spacious.
There were large windows and at the end of the street, we could see Lake Michigan.
There was a desk and flat screen TV.
The bedroom & living area had an amazingly comfortable bed with a down comforter…
Each room has an Eames chair and ottoman…
One of my favorite parts of the room was the view of the Chicago Water Tower & Lake Michigan at the end of the street.
We could see also see Michigan Avenue from our room.
There was a privacy door separating the bathroom from the bedroom.
The bathroom had double sinks…
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.
I had French toast with strawberry rhubarb and cream.
Daraius had eggs sunny side-up, bacon, and wheat toast. He’s so predictible!
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.
However, the views from the hotel restaurant were nice, though there are only a few tables by the window.
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.