I stayed here as I got a great prepaid rate of $109 for a Friday and Saturday night (unsure of why this hotel was so cheap until I got there!). I was also celebrating my birthday. We checked in around 10pm and first noticed that the lobby was great looking however we had the smallest room I have ever been in! We fell asleep and in the middle of the night the airconditioner stopped working, we called the front desk and they said they would send someone to fix it. We waited and no one came up. We called again and finally the engineer came up. Then the remote control for the TV didnt work, we had to wait again to have someone fix this.

After the AC and tv remote was sorted out, the bathroom sink broke...one more thing that was adding to our horrible stay. We talked to the front desk and they moved up to another room...the service never changed...we ordered tea the next morning and it took about 40 minutes to get to our room. We requested a late check out as our flight out wasnt until 7, and this took a solid 35 minutes to sort out.

The location is probably good during weekdays, but on weekends NOTHING in the area is open!! We were not able to find anywhere to have breakfast in the morning, dunkin donuts was closed...everything was closed, which explains why we got such a great rate at the hotel.

I expected more from this hotel holding the W name and was seriously let down.

I booked the W hotel City Center because the hotel was close to amtrak and had an aarp discount. My senior citizen husband and I had a comfortable quite room. Staying at the W is like staying in a piece of art. Design is everywhere (even in the business center). A stunning lobby and swank elevator.

When we arrived the lobby was full of 20/30ish stylishly dressed people enjoying drinks, food and conversation. Check in was quick and the staff was very helpful.

Location, location. This hotel is 4 blocks or so from the Chicago Union Station and about 3 blocks from the Art Institute of Chicago.

If you stay here, ask for a room on the upper floors. Why? Because you can't hear the L as much, and because the rooms haven't been renovated yet. The renovated rooms look like a page out of an Ikea catalog. White, cheap furniture. I was reminded of the super-small rooms you get in European hotels where all the furniture is attached to the walls. Other than the noise and the decor, the rooms are fine. Love the Bliss toiletries, room service was prompt and accurate, wake-up calls came on time, and the facilities were clean. The A/C was broken in the workout room, but it was the first hot day of the year so they probably weren't prepared. Overall, my stay was average. If you plan to stay here, pack your earplugs and get a room on the 18th floor.

I stayed on NYE 08. Management was rude. As a gold card SPG, I was not upgraded, only given late check out. The rooms need massive updates. Also, the former hotel, I forgot the name, was raped with cheap comforters and ugly furniture. Had no view. Got mooned.