The Thompson Chicago

The Thompson Chicago is located in Chicago’s Gold Coast, a great neighborhood, or at least I thought. I’ve visited Chicago countless times, and it remains one of my favorite cities in the world, and historically the Gold Coast or Magnificent Mile has been where I’ve preferred to stay. Shopping, restaurants, fantastic hotels. I’m a big fan of the Thompson brand ( part of Hyatt ) especially when they price as category 4 properties ( I used a category 4 free night certificate to stay here ). I was even more pleased that it’s just a couple blocks off Michigan Avenue with The Drake around the corner, as is the Park Hyatt, Four Seasons, Peninsula, the list goes on and on. In fact, as soon as you set foot out the front door, you’re walking past drop dead gorgeous townhouses and brownstones…it’s pretty darn nice.

Zach, that all sounds amazing, why the…at least I thought?

The morning I left the hotel, heading to O’Hare to catch my KLM Business Class flight to Zanzibar, I hopped in an Uber, and said to my driver, “wow, what a great area, I mean just look at these buildings.” He responded, candidly, “Yep, even this area is getting hit hard. The robbery at gunpoint was there a couple nights ago. This rapper was shot here ( two blocks from the hotel ), that store was just looted a couple days ago, the crime has found the Gold Coast.”

Uhhhhhh…I’ve seen all the news reports, viral TikToks, but that was quite a start to the Uber ride. It continued for nearly the entire trip to the airport. He was from Texas, but had family and roots in Mexico City and he was seriously considering moving back because he felt safer there than here. Not Texas…Mexico City.

I didn’t feel unsafe at all during my one night stay, but the downtown area did feel a lot quieter than on past trips. Take his statement for what’s it’s worth, but I found it worth passing along. On to the review

Stay Details

• When: October 2023
• Where: Chicago, IL ( Gold Coast )
• Rate: Hyatt Category 4
  • Used a Milestone Reward earned from staying 30 nights
• Status
  • Globalist
• Benefits Extended
  • 4pm late check out
  • Free parking ( didn’t use )
  • Upgrade
    • From standard to One Bedroom Corner Thompson Suite with Balcony
  • Free Breakfast for 2 ( One main, One Hot, One Cold Drink )

Location

So you get a better idea:

How to earn the points:

World of Hyatt is a transfer partner of both Bilt Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards.

• Chase
  • Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve®
  • Chase Ink Business Preferred®
• Best Card for Renters
  • Bilt MasterCard®

Check In

I arrived quite early, around noon, and was checked in, without wait, and informed that I had been given an upgrade to a One Bedroom Suite. Cha-ching. Little did I know what a fantastic room it was.

Thompson Chicago: The Thompson Suite – Room 2105

WOW!  Needless to say, this was a wonderful upgrade, and of course, it happens when I’m traveling alone. The website says it measures roughly 660 square feet, and this is a standard suite upgrade. The hotel also has Penthouse Suites with Terraces, Lofts, and two floor Penthouse Suites. This, was a real treat though. I mean look at those views.

This would be an absolutely spectacular room in the summer, I mean heck, it was gorgeous on this bright and sunny October day, but nothing beats summertime, rooftop Chicago, and this suite has none other than a FREAKING TERRACE!

Yes, out that door to the door, is a balcony with incredible views.

The mini bar, coffee station, etc

The Bedroom

Floor to ceiling windows, desk, comfy king bed…yes, yes, yes.

Plugs on each side of the bed, QR code for dining, and closet with safe, robe, etc.

Bathrooms

There are two bathrooms in the suite – one when you enter that is a half bath. It’s always really nice to have a half bath, although unnecessary on this trip, when I’m with a buddy, or my wife, I’m often working at weird hours and being able to use a bathroom that doesn’t disturb other people is fantastic.

The main bath features a large soaking tub, rain shower with great pressure, and plenty of room.

I don’t really like shareable bath products which they did offer in the shower, but not by the sink.

The Gym

This is a more boutique sized hotel and the gym was certainly on the smaller side. I mean…who is going to peloton that close to someone else lol.

Dining

There are two restaurants/bars in the hotel. Behind the lobby is a small, more intimate bar, Salone Nico

And then where breakfast is served, Nico Osteria

I had the Salmon Bagel which was very good

Overall

I’ve stayed at the Park Hyatt Chicago years ago, Hyatt Centric Mag Mile, and the Hyatt Regency Mccormick Place. This is my favorite Hyatt dollar for dollar bar none. I’ve also stayed at the Intercontinental Chicago, JW Marriott Chicago, the Chicago Marriott Mag Mile, The Drake, and the Ritz Carlton atop Water Tower. I’d put the Thompson toward the top of the entire heap when you consider you can redeem between 12k and 18k World of Hyatt points to stay here – that is just incredible.

Since the Chicago Athletic Association property went to category 5, I’ve had my eyes on this Thompson. This is where I’d stay if I were headed back and if you have suite upgrades, and you’re looking to stay for several nights, or capture a crazy good deal and can upgrade for just 6k points…this is a great upgrade from my expeirence.