Review The Talbott Hotel Chicago
This is post six of a ten part series of Chicago hotels reviews. Link to other hotel reviews are below. During lockdown from November 2020-February 2021 I took some staycations. At the time hotels were offering insanely low rates plus I had some accumulated free nights.
Pretty much everything in all hotels were closed at that time so I won’t be reviewing too many amenities. You can check the link to the hotel for more details. I also don’t discuss decor because I don’t care about that. When I travel I care about location, price and cleanliness. That is I want a clean room close to transit and all the things I want to do at a reasonable price.
Review The Talbott Hotel Chicago
The Talbott Hotel, 20 E Delaware Place, Chicago, Illinois, 60611 312- 944-4970. The hotel is located in a 16 story building built in 1929. Hotel tax in Chicago is 17.4%. I stayed for three nights at the end of January 2021. This hotel charges a $20 daily “Destination Fee” (including tax) which includes wifi, gym access bottles of water (I picked up from the desk) and a couple other things no one will use. If you are a member of World of Hyatt (free) you get wifi anyway. Annoying.
Summary
This is a good location to be based at when visiting Chicago. It’s located about two blocks west of Michigan Avenue. It actually backs up to the Waldorf Astoria on Walton. I would want to be closer to Michigan Avenue so I could easily get to all the buses to all the attractions. Pre-covid this hotel was apparently used mostly by business travelers. It was recently sold so it’s hard to say what will happen to it i.e. will it remain in the Hyatt Hotels JdV (Joie de vivre) brand.
Hotel rooms
The hotel originally opened in 1926. The rooms were remodeled in 2017. I felt that the bathrooms were a little dated. Otherwise the room was fine. I was upgraded to a King Studio. My view was the back of the Waldorf.
Hotel amenities
Everything in the hotel was closed except the fitness center. This hotel does not offer any way to contact them via text. Every time I needed something I had to call the lobby. They do not have ice machines so you have to call down for that. The Hyatt app allows digital check in and digital keys at some properties. I’ve used it and it was hit or miss so I always get keys also. The hotel is pet friendly and offers concierge services through the front desk. Call for pet fees.
Dining and room service
The restaurant, 20E, has closed. They used to be a part of Four Corners dining and had a nice happy hour. The restaurant is now called Prime by Butler. I haven’t been there but I walked by and it looks the same as 20E. The website has not been updated and still says it’s 20E. The hotel room service is operating now.
Room amenities
You can request a microwave and mini-fridge prior to check in.
Review The Talbott Hotel – Off the beaten path – sort of
There are a quite a few restaurants and bars nearby on Rush Street. There’s also a Potash Grocery store around the corner on State. There’s a Walgreens across the street. The always free Newberry Library is down the block. Free exhibits Newberry Library.
You can catch the State Street bus (CTA 36 bus) south into the Loop or north into Lincoln Park and Lakeview.
Walk to Michigan Avenue to catch the buses going to all the main attractions. Head south (CTA buses 147, 151) to Grant and Millennium Parks and the Art Institute. Take the (CTA 146 bus) south to the Museum Campus and Soldier Field (CTA bus 146). Take the (CTA bus 151) north to Lincoln Park Zoo, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and the Lincoln Park Conservatory.
To get to Navy Pier walk south to Chicago Avenue and take the CTA bus 66. To get to Wrigley Field or Guaranteed Rate Field walk to Chicago and State Street to the Red Line Station. Only ride the trains at night immediately before and after the game when there are crowds present. Warning: This CTA station has a ton of crime in and around the station so I do not recommend going anywhere near it at night.
To get to the Lakefront Trail walk east on Walton to Michigan Avenue, cross and walk north to Oak Street. There is an underpass to Oak Street Beach just north of Oak. Do not go along the Lakefront, Beach or Lakefront Trail at night. Ohio Street Beach is one block west of Navy Pier.
Booking hotels
I always recommend signing up for hotel loyalty programs. They’re free and they usually offer a member discount plus you’ll get emails alerting you to sales. Always click on the Offers, Deals, Specials, etc. tab on every hotel website to find current deals. Log in to your account when you’re searching. Read all the terms and conditions before booking including the terms for changing and cancelling. Some hotels offer prepaid rates. I never book those. Regardless of how attractive the “no cancellations” rate is don’t do it! There are too many uncertainties, especially now, and you don’t want to lose your money.
Check your rates after booking
Whenever I plan a trip I continually check my room rates up until I can no longer cancel. You’d be surprised how many times the rates go down. In normal times you can just call the 800 number and get them to change the rate. If your reservation allows changes call. 99% of the time I make a new reservation online and then cancel the old one online.
Hyatt website and app
The Hyatt app and website do not have a “flexible stay” search option like Marriott and Hilton. For example online flexible stay options allow you to search for a two night stay on any days in a particular month so you can find the cheapest rate. With Hyatt you have to search day-by-day. Generally weekends are more expensive than weekdays.
Review Talbott Hotel – Related
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