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Calling Yourself a Boutique Hotel Does Not a Boutique Hotel Make

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 75 E. Wacker Drive [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60601
May 7, 2009 at 8:55 AM | by | Comments (3)

File this under "what in the world is going on here:" a new, supposedly "boutique" hotel is due to open this month right on the Chicago River, but it looks to be just a renovation of an old Club Quarters. The "new" spot, dubbed River Hotel, boasts truly affordable opening rates of $79 for a single room and $119 for a suite on weekends, but will you be getting a fresh new property or something with as few upgrades as a new sign and aired-out comforters?

All signs sadly point to the latter, as TripAdvisor displays ratings as recent as April declaring the hotel to be "the dirtiest place ever" and desperately in need of remodeling.

Hopefully this change to the River Hotel is the miracle guests have been waiting for, but if the remodel is anything like the new website, then you just might have better luck with the nearby Courtyard by Marriott. It's closer to a "boutique hotel" than this one will ever be, if their plans don't indeed include a major overhaul.

Aside from the website, we're shuddering at the appearance of the same room pictures on both the old Expedia page for the Club Quarters and on the new River Hotel website; are they planning on at least changing the bedding? Needless to say, we're not holding our breath that this boutique conversion will pack much punch.

[Photos: Expedia]

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Comments (3)

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Return to » Calling Yourself a Boutique Hotel Does Not a Boutique Hotel Make


Still CQ

Even worse, if you click on the reservations tab, it takes you to the ClubQuarters booking portal. Oy, it's like they didn't even try.
adamkirby on May 7, 2009 at 9:03 AM #Permalink

Try Epoque

I think some of the best boutique hotels are to be found at www.epoquehotels.com
jalbertoviz on May 26, 2009 at 10:57 AM #Permalink
Parent

But their restaurant on the other hand...

While I have never seen the guestrooms here and the "renovation" does look quite lame/nonexistent, this hotel actually has a fantastic restaurant. It's called Baccino's, and they serve my favorite thin crust pizza in the entire city (i think they call them pizzes). We often go there for lunch - it's a well kept secret near the loop/business district and we always get a table right away.
ihearthotels on June 2, 2009 at 11:45 AM #Permalink

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