The hype
Guests love the historic charm, the prime South Loop location, and the friendly staff, but warn about the nickel-and-diming.
The Blackstone, Autograph Collection
$135-280/ night
Book this if You want a historic, art-forward stay right across from Grant Park with easy access to museums and a killer on-site tapas bar.
Why People Love It
- Stunning views of Lake Michigan and Grant Park from east-facing rooms
- Beautifully preserved 1910 Beaux-Arts architecture mixed with modern art
- Mercat a la Planxa, the excellent on-site Spanish tapas restaurant
Quick Take: It's a gorgeous historic property, but the $72 daily parking and $29 nightly destination fee will quickly inflate your bill, and the street noise on lower floors is no joke.
Reviewed by @curatedtravelbyem: My stay at The Blackstone was like stepping into a time machine. Hanging out in the grand lobby where Al Capone used to roam was surreal. I highly recommend requesting a high-floor room—falling asleep to that glowing Chicago skyline was the highlight of my trip.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
The walls and windows are thin—you will likely hear your neighbors, elevator mechanics, or downtown sirens.
- Architecture and history buffs
- Museum-goers wanting to walk to the Art Institute and Field Museum
- Travelers who appreciate a lively lobby and great on-site dining
Cleanliness & Maintenance
8
- Housekeeping: Generally thorough, though some guests report late service (after 7 PM) or missed towel restocks during busy periods.
- Bathroom hygiene: Marble bathrooms are widely praised as spotless and luxurious, with rainfall showers.
- Maintenance: Mostly well-maintained, but a few reports of broken room phones and sagging sofa beds.
- Linens & towels: Crisp, fresh linens, though you might have to call down for extra washcloths.
- Odors & scents: Fresh and clean, though it's a historic building so some hallways can feel a bit stuffy.
Sleepability™
6MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Ambulances and sirens from Michigan Avenue
- Elevator mechanical noise in adjacent rooms
- Neighboring guests through thin walls
Before you book
Good to know
- The hotel charges a $29.36 nightly destination fee
- Self-parking is $72 per night at the Hilton garage across the street
- Pets are welcome for a $75 flat fee per stay
What to pack
- Earplugs or a white noise machine to drown out the Chicago street sirens
- Comfortable walking shoes—you are steps from the Museum Campus and Millennium Park
Room Genie
Best picks
- High-floor Lake View rooms for stunning vistas of Lake Michigan and Grant Park
- Corner rooms on the 20th floor or higher for panoramic views and less hallway traffic
Rooms to avoid
- Room 2613 and others sharing a wall with the elevator shaft due to constant mechanical noise
- Lower floor rooms facing Michigan Avenue due to heavy siren and traffic noise
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“Hi team, I'm really looking forward to my stay. If possible, could I please request a high-floor room facing Lake Michigan, situated as far from the elevators as possible? I'm a light sleeper, so a quiet room would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Does the hotel have a pool?
No, there is no pool on the property, but there is a 24-hour fitness center.
How much is parking?
Brace yourself: self-parking at the Hilton garage across the street is $72 per night. Valet is $82 per night, but overnight valet service is being phased out in 2026.
Is breakfast included?
No, unless you book a specific package or have high Marriott Bonvoy status. There is a La Colombe coffee shop (Pequeño Mercat) on site.
What is the destination fee?
It's a mandatory $29.36 nightly fee that covers some minor perks, but mostly just inflates the base rate.
Is the hotel pet-friendly?
Yes, you can bring up to two pets (max 75 lbs each) for a $75 fee per stay.
Can I get an early check-in?
Check-in is at 4:00 PM. Early check-in is strictly subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed without a fee.
Insider Tips
- ✨
Skip the expensive hotel breakfast and walk a few blocks to Eleven City Diner or Yolk for a classic Chicago morning meal.
- ✨
The hotel has a Club Lounge on the Concourse level—if you have Marriott Platinum status or higher, you get free access for snacks and non-alcoholic drinks.
- ✨
Check out the 'Smoke-Filled Room' suite if you can—it's where Republican party bosses famously brokered Warren G. Harding's presidential nomination in 1920.
5 things to know before you go
💡The standard Wi-Fi is $18.95 per night if you aren't a Marriott Bonvoy member.
💡The hotel's art collection is museum-quality, featuring over 1,600 contemporary works by local artists.
💡There's a hidden, intimate bar called Timothy's Hutch that feels straight out of the Mad Men era.
💡The pull-out sofa beds in the suites are notoriously uncomfortable and prone to sagging.
💡The fitness center actually has great views of Grant Park, making treadmill time much more bearable.
Local Playbook
Map
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