Just returned from a stay at the Fairmont with my kids over spring break. There was a great special on the Fairmont site of buy 2 nights, get the 3rd free. With that they gave $100 restaurant credit, $50 spa credit, and discounted parking of $25 per night (regularly $49). Arrival and check in no problem with excellent service from the time I originally made the reservation until we checked out.
Rooms were great size for a Chicago hotel. Decor very simplistic with a Euro style flair. I liked the shower stall with door as I always hate at hotels having water pool all over from shower curtains. Nice large bathrooms with Miller Harris toiletries (my daughter's hated the shampoo but I'm thinking it was the low flow from the waterfall showerhead). There was a closet with in room safe however drawers were almost non existent (our room had a padded bench with two pull out drawers and there was one nightstand drawer and that was it). I did like the padded window seat for catching a glimpse of the lake (blocked mostly by buildings though). Bedding was very crisp and comfy and I always love hotels where they have bathrobes.
We used our $100 credit for breakfast. It covered one breakfast for three adults and one child and with tip was $98 so certainly not the amount I normally spend on breakfast. The other two days we walked to the AON Center next door and there is a Starbucks, and Au Bon Pain, and another little cafe for breakfast. Didn't try out the bar but definately liked the vibe of it.
We pretty much did museums on our trip mixed with a little shopping. Had to take cabs most every place. We did decide the first day to walk to the Field Museum but.....probably wouldn't again. Didn't realize at first but it was about 2 1/2 miles to get there. Within walking distance we found a Giordano's for fantastic stuffed pizza and it's also walking distance to State Street shopping. First time I've stayed this far south and it was a good locale since we only needed one trip up the Mag Mile for shopping the first evening. Just wish I could have found more evening restaurants around the area which is what I felt was lacking.
If you sign up for President's Club (it's free) you get free internet service. Utilized it but had a heck of a time as the connection from the nearby Hyatt kept overtaking the signal from the Fairmont and I kept losing connection.
So in all, a very nice stay. For what I paid for the place it would be a five but if I paid over $200 per night I'd probably give it a 3. So I'll average it out. As mentioned, service was a 5. Decor just wasn't my personal preference and wish there was more within several blocks.

Hotel room nicely decorated, but only one drawer to speak of, lived out of suitcase. Wide screen tv was not HD, only SD and would not maintain SD aspect ratio, kept resetting to stretch. Annoying shower head was rainshower type, too little water pressure, not adjustable, hot water took 15 minutes to arrive in the am. Given only one bar of soap for the week, maid never left any more. Bed very comfortable, ventilation good, reliable wakeup call, elevators fast. Restaurants and bar downstairs were very expensive. No buffet, but a full breakfast was over $35, dinner out of the question. Local brew Honkers Ale was $7/bottle, mixed drinks $12, dizzy bar waitress. Found other places to eat breakfast for $15 and drink, like Houdibras around the corner. Hotel staff very pleasant, doormen very helpful. Valet parking is steep, but then it is downtown Chicago.

We recently completed our second stay at the Fairmont Chicago. The check-in process was quick and painless but the front desk staff was almost disinterested in the whole procedure. That is fine when I am traveling on business, but on leisure trips I would appreciate a warmer greeting.

The hotel was hosting a convention at the same time as our stay, but other than seeing some signage/attendees in the lobby, we wouldn't have noticed. This is probably due to the separation of the conference areas from the guest rooms and the 8 speedy elevators.

We stayed in a Parkview Suite so we had a large room with a great view of Millenium Park. The anteroom was well appointed with a sofa, coffee table, desk, mini-bar with sink and coffee maker, and dining area. The bedroom appeared to be the same as a standard Fairmont room, but maybe slightly larger. The bathroom also appeared to be similar to a standard Fairmont room, and once again, possibly slightly larger. The upscale modern decor is pleasing but not overtly luxurious, and several small touches such as a shoe shine station (with extra collar tabs), are peppered throughout.

We booked a few evening activities through the concierge and everything was perfectly handled. The hotel restaurant, Aria, couldn't find our reservation but they oddly new my name and remembered that the hotel had called to make a reservation for us. They had no problem seating us and the dinner (both food and service) was lovely.

Minor complaints: The pillows could be better. I'm not sure if they remembered our preference for non-down bedding from our last visit, but seriously, these things barely felt like pillows. I'll suffer through some congestion if I can get better neck support. Also, the valet parking attendants seem overly eager to take your car (and charge you $49). And as I mentioned above, the front desk experience could be improved.

Best feature: After our first stay, I gave a brief review in the comments section of the Fairmont President's Club (membership is free) website. I received a phone call from the Director of Rooms the same day asking to discuss our experience. After this stay, I left a comment essentially thanking the hotel staff for a great stay, but still received a warm, friendly phone call from the Director of Rooms asking if he could do anything to improve our next stay. Kudos to the Fairmont for taking its customers seriously, and for that, they've won my loyalty.

My friend and I booked the Fairmont on bookingwiz.com and got the room for $112.00 tax included for 1 night. The lobby is beautiful. We had arrived at 10:00am and wanted to put our bags in the "holding tank" while we shopped BUT they checked us in to a room at that point. We were thrilled!! The room was INCREDIBLE!! The bathroom area was separate with a bar area, a walkin closet, and then as you enter the bathroom there were double sinks, a shower, and a bath and an enclosed toilet. The bedroom was a corner room with windows on 2 sides, 2 comfortable beds, a couch, a desk area, a bench and a HUGE flat screen T.V. The location is GREAT too. So close to the commuter train station and Millenium Park. We ate at Giordono's which is just around the corner. There is a wonderful grocery store, Bockwinkles, located on the backside of the hotel. After spending $15.00 per glass of wine at the hotel we decided to go buy 2 bottles for that price. The people at the hotel were very helpful and we never had a problem getting a cab either. hopefully this helps. HAPPY TRAVELS!!!