The Blackstone Hotel, a Renaissance Property, is sporting an entirely new look post renovation, and our recent visit is solid proof of the new transformation. The Blackstone has long been one of Chicago’s finest hotels, and certainly one of the most well known. The Blackstone has years of history; and even Al Capone was a regular at this Chicago Institution. (He would often get his haircut in what’s now one of the Hotel Meeting Spaces)

After being closed for several years, The Blackstone is once again shining bright. Immediately adjacent to Chicago’s Grant Park (Yes, there were great views for those guests who were there for President Elect Obama’s now famous Acceptance Speech) We’re told that The Blackstone is located in what’s being called “SoLo” short for South Loop, which is an area that has recently gentrified and see the addition of several new restaurants and businesses. For leisure travelers, it’s only a 15 minute walk from most major Michigan Avenue attractions, but museums, Grant Park and Millenium are just across the way.

The Blackstone has made significant improvements to their Guest Rooms & Suites, and in fact have Reinvented them beyond recognition. We were pleasantly surprised to see the finished product, and the renovation has been extremely well received by guests as we’ve been told by the hotel and TripAdvisor.com. Standard Guest rooms are spacious, and very sophisticated. We especially liked the bathroom setup, as all rooms feature Large Stand Alone Glass Showers. Club Level rooms and Suites (Floors 20-23) receive In-Mirror Bathroom Televisions, a feature that we’ve been seeing more and more of in upscale hotels. Additionally, rooms on these floor also feature upgraded furnishings including Eames Chairs along with Bose Wave Radios. Some Guest Rooms and Suites have wonderful views of Michigan Avenue, Grand Park and Lake Michigan.

Standard Guest Room w/ 2 Double Beds & Michigan Ave & Lake Views (Room Number 1819)

The Blackstone has built a collection of Suites that are something to be seen. Some of these Suites were original to the hotel, including the “Smoke Filled Room Suite” along with the “Suite of Presidents” whereas the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Suites, dubbed “Heaven” and “Sky” respectively, were newly created as a result of the renovation. These 2 very special Suites, once the Attic Area of The Blackstone, have been meticulously appointed from top to bottom, and sport a residential feel with Manhattan sophistication.

“Smoke Filled Room Suite” (Room Number 915) Mostly Famously Known as The Place where The Republican National Party Nominated Warren G. Harding as the Presidential Nominee of 1920

Blackstone Presidential Suite aka “Sky Suite” Bedroom Area, Dining Area, MiniBar, Sitting Area (Room Number 2315)

Blackstone Vice-Presidential Suite, Sitting Area, Bedroom Area, View of North Michigan Avenue from Desk Area (Room Number 2320)

The Blackstone Hotel, a Renaissance Hotel TripKick.com Information Can be Viewed Here