Allerton Crowne Plaza: Great location and even better service!
Written: Dec 17 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great location, very customer oriented and friendly
Cons: Some of the constraints of an older structure
The Bottom Line: This delightfully charming hotel will make you want to keep coming back. The friendly service, Priority Club freebies, and perfect location ensure this hotel will make you feel special.
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| diverpam's Full Review: The Allerton Hotel - Michigan Avenue |
The Allerton Crowne Plaza has been smack in the heart of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile for more than 75 years. Built in 1923 at the whopping cost of $4 million, it originally served as a “club hotel” for single young men who moved to the city in search of a white collar job.
The residential club became their home away from home, with libraries, lounges, barber shop, pharmacy, miniature golf course, gymnasium and solarium. You have all those options in your home, don't you?
The hotel was designed by a new York firm, Murgatroyd & Ogden, in Northern Italian Renaissance style. The hotel’s red-brick exterior and large rounded windows has a sort of homey look to it, in stark contrast to some of the high rises now surrounding it.
Changing Times
First, the Allerton began accepting women – in a separate area – with only certain elevators going to certain floors. Quite prim and proper, they were indeed.
Then the Great Depression hit and the hotel was forced into bankruptcy.
In June of 1998 the Allerton reached historic landmark status and a $60 million renovation was soon underway.
The Allerton Crowne Plaza Hotel proudly re-opened its doors on May 3, 1998.
Completely Charming
The historic charm of this hotel is quite evident. Upon arrival you will enter the revolving doors into the ground floor area. There I was warmly greeted and luggage assistance was offered. Having stayed in the hotel a few months ago, I knew the routine: take the elevator to the third floor lobby for check-in.
The two-story atrium lobby is quite open and spacious. The large arched windows are beautifully swathed with pleated swoosh draperies that leave most of the window exposed. Polished hardwood floors are partially covered with large tastefully-colored rugs.
Smooth, Personalized Check-In
Check-in was very quick and smooth. There were three desk clerks working and, although there were several other guests checking in, I was only in line a couple of minutes.
Upon pulling up my reservation information, the clerk said, “Welcome back to The Allerton. Your Priority Club number is already on your reservation.”
That’s the kind of service I appreciate. I was given my room key, along with a card entitling me to a free appetizer in the lounge that evening, as well as a free continental breakfast the following day.
To The Room
I went to a different bank of elevators to reach my room on the 14th floor. These elevators are very small (a reminder of the hotel’s heritage), but they are pretty fast. Upon entering my room, I found it to be a good bit larger than the room I had on my previous stay. I was liking the hotel more all the time!
There was an entry hall, with a door to the bathroom on the right. The closet was straight ahead, and the bedroom area to the left.
I had a roomy king-size bed, armoire, small table with coffee pot and supplies, two night stands, an arm chair, and a desk with desk chair.
The desk sat in front of the windows and had a phone with two lines and voice mail, as well as a convenient electrical plug on the desk lamp.
There was also a phone on one of the night stands and a clock radio on the other.
Bathroom
The bathroom was done is white/gray-veined marble. The floor and shower were completed tiled. There was a large, pedestal sink, with narrow marble ledge running the length of the room over the sink and toilet.
The shower stood at the end of the room (no tub) and had sparkling, clear glass doors. (I’m totally a shower person, so this was great for me.)
The towels were huge… more like bath sheets than towels. The toiletries were Lord & Mayfair and included a yummy almond lotion, shampoo, conditioner, as well as facial and deodorant soaps. Both soaps were a decent size.
There was also a hair dryer and a magnifying make-up mirror. (Geez, where are those tweezers when you really need them?)
The closet had plenty of hangers, a full-size ironing board and iron, as well as an extra pillow and blanket.
Temperature Control
My room was a bit warm and I soon learned that the heat was also part of the hotel’s heritage. It is all radiator heat and guests are advised to contact the hotel operator for a heat adjustment. I called and asked to have the heat turned off and was advised that an engineer would be right up.
I decided to head downstairs to collect my free appetizer and have dinner and let the engineer deal with the radiator without me.
Dining
In the bar area, which is connected to the restaurant, they have a separate bar menu with appetizers and sandwiches. They also have a huge selection of $9 martinis. I was taking antihistamines, so I couldn’t sample them. You know I was just dying to pay $9 for a martini, don't you?
However, I did get a $7.95 order of Buffalo Wings at no charge, and had a Midwestern Cobb Salad ($13.95), with bacon, avocado, mushrooms, tomatoes, bleu cheese, onions, and sliced steak (grilled to my specification). It was quite tasty and filling.
There was one bartender taking care of everyone (it wasn’t too crowded). I got prompt, friendly service.
The following morning when I came down to the restaurant for breakfast it was pretty busy. I was promptly seated, immediately greeted by my waiter, and had a fresh glass of orange juice before I could head to the buffet.
The breakfast (continental) buffet is $11.99. For $5 I could have the hot food, as well. The price of the buffet includes coffee and juice. My Priority Club membership really paid off. For a total of $5, I had crisp bacon, a French Toast Souffle that was incredible, lemon poppy seed cake, fresh fruit, and home fried potatoes.
I could also have added Danish, croissants, biscuits, gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage links, oatmeal or yogurt.
Wishing I had gotten more of the French Toast Souffle, I reluctantly recognized that I had dined sufficiently and began to look around for the waiter. Almost immediately he appeared with my check and refilled my fresh orange juice.
This was a dramatic contrast from my previous week’s breakfast fiasco in which I commiserated with Marsha Clark in never being able to get O.J. (Duly noted in my Holiday Inn review.)
Excellent Service
Throughout my stay at the Allerton, the service was outstanding. Did I mention that within 5 minutes of reaching my room, a uniformed gentleman was delivering a personal note from the General Manager welcoming me back and giving me a small, beautifully adorned box of chocolates? The chocolates were quite yummy!
Meeting Rooms
I gave a presentation in the Renaissance North Ballroom on the 23rd floor. It was beautifully decorated, with arched ceiling, a large chandelier, lots of windows and very good acoustics. There were about 50 people seated in a u-shaped design.
Their brochure noted that the Allerton can accommodate meetings for 12-200 people.
Other Extras
On the 25th floor you can find the health club, complete with fitness equipment and sauna. Okay, you know I was a lot more likely to buy a $9 martini than I was to use the fitness equipment. There is also a business center and gift shop in the lobby area.
Can't Buy a Better Location
The hotel has a perfect location on North Michigan Avenue. World-famous stores line the Magnificent Mile along the avenue and the Water Tower Shopping Center is only 5 blocks away.
I didn’t have time to do any shopping this trip, but did more than my share of shopping on my last visit to this hotel earlier this year.
Highly Recommended
Having stayed at the Allerton Crowne Plaza Hotel on two occasions, I can wholeheartedly recommend this lovely hotel. Everyone I encountered was friendly, polite, and helpful. They truly made me feel like a special guest.
Related review:
"How many feet in a Magnificent Mile? Two aching ones!"
http://www.epinions.com/content_23164194436
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
diverpam
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 - Top 200 |
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Member: Pam
Location: Collierville, TN
Reviews written: 263
Trusted by: 347 members
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~~~~So many oceans...so little time!~~~~
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