The Westin Chicago River North is a posh business hotel with a great location and great amenities. The rooms were top-notch and everything about our visit went smoothly. Read on for details:

LOCATION:
The Westin Chicago River North is located just outside the northern end of the Loop, on the river, between Dearborn and Clark streets. It is about a 5 minute walk from the Magnificent Mile, about 10 minutes from Millennium Park, and maybe 15-20 to the Art Institute and museum district. Driving, the hotel is completely subject to the vagaries of Chicago traffic, but it's in the neighborhood of 45 minutes to O'Hare airport with typical traffic, and about 10 minutes from McCormick Place. Cab fare from O'Hare was $42 excluding tip.

PROPERTY:
The Westin has a nice lobby bar, which also has a Sushi Bar attached. There is a full-service restaurant off the lobby. There are available computer terminals that form a sort of mini-business-center just next to registration. The main entrance of the hotel is actually on the 2nd physical floor, and the two levels leading down to River level are meeting rooms and ballrooms, all of which are in excellent condition. There is a fitness center on the Mezanine level. Guest rooms are between floors 3 and 20, with the top two floors being the Westin Executive Club -- generally reserved for suites, top room rates, and high-level Starwood Preferred Guest members. There is a Club Suite on the 20th floor serving complimentary breakfast in the morning, and complimentary hors d'oeuvres in the afternoon, available to guests staying on the Club floors. The Club also offers an executive Business Center which is slightly more functional than the computer cubicles in the lobby.

ROOMS:
The rooms in the Westin are exceptional. All rooms were fully equipped with the Westin package, including their Heavenly Beds (they are!) and their dual-head showers. As a Starwood Gold guest, I received a complimentary upgrade to a Club-level room upon check-in. The westward-facing rooms have a great view down to the river, and all rooms have large nearly floor-to-ceiling windows, with both a privacy shade and a black-out curtain. Not certain if all rooms have all of the other amenities, but our club-level room also had a clock/radio with included iPod dock, a POD-type coffee brewer, complimentary wireless Internet, a flat-panel TV and in-room electronic safe.

STAFF:
The staff at the hotel were wonderful. The front desk staff was friendly and helpful, the bellmen and guest services crew went out of their way to assist with plans both inside and outside of the hotel, and the lobby bar crew are experts at serving business groups -- attentive but not overbearing.

OTHER:
Anyone driving here should beware that on-site parking at the hotel is criminally expensive -- a whopping $42 per night for valet parking with in/out privileges! While it's definitely convenient to park on-site, there is a lot about two blocks away at (I believe) Kinzie and LaSalle Streets, with an overnight rate of $22. The hotel staff actually told us about this alternative lot, so I suspect many guests elect to self-park there.

In general, our stay at the Westin was exceptionally smooth and productive. Our meetings in their river-level rooms went smoothly, the rooms themselves were comfortable and well-appointed, and the staff did their jobs well. I would recommend this hotel to any business group, but also to any tourist if you can get a decent rate. The hotel's convenient location to many popular downtown Chicago spots makes this a fantastic option for just about anyone!

I stayed hear when my apartment was being painted after moving to Chicago for work. When I got to the front desk (SPG Gold member) they automatically upgraded me to a corner river view room on a high floor. I also had access to their club upstairs. Great hor' dourves and free softdrinks. It was basically my dinner by the time I left. I had a lovely night watching 4th of July fireworks from my window. Slept great and left with late check out. The next year I went their to find a quiet place to talk on the phone and they let me borrow a conference room. AMAZING!!!

I booked this Westin through Hotwire for only $81...a fabulous deal for mid-May. After booking, I called the hotel and kindly requested a King bed room with a river view. What we received at check-in was room 626, a large corner room with three huge windows that overlook the Chicago River! (It seems that rooms ending in x24-x27 are river view rooms). This hotel is beautiful from top to bottom. The location is perfect, right between river north and the loop. It is easy to walk anywhere you want downtown. The room was beautiful and very comfortable. The bed is outstanding, and the chaise lounge is a nice touch. Great LCD TV with HD channels. Huge workstation. Only complaint is that everything is extra $. They charge for internet, fitness center, and a ton for valet parking. Many downtown hotels charge for these also, which is why we still give the WRN 5 stars. Plus, at $81 (regular $250) there isn't much to complain about really. Tip: if you drive in, park your car at the Sterling garage on Kinzie, between Clark and LaSalle. Much cheaper than valet.

I just returned from 2 nights and it is a very nice hotel, esp the deluxe rooms facing the river - there are 2 beveled floor to ceiling windows that offer a panorama of a beautiful view. The bed is comfy. However, the air (and some staff) are stuffy. The bathroom had an acrid smell - a combo of urine & moldy shower curtain. I had to keep the bathroom door shut. The room itself was clean enough, but they do need to deal with the lack of fresh air and really scrub down the floor. My other complaint is the way they nickle and dime you for every silly thing - NOTHING is free, not the Interent, a bottle of water is $7.00, and a $.75 Kit Kat candy bar is $5.60. This is a turn off - they are not thinking of guest comfort as much as making as much $$$ off you as they can.. The overall ambience is a bit high-end sterile, but otherwise this is fine for a night or two. It is close to everything and very safe.