Minooka1145

So, am at the Hotel Burnham for the weekend, booked online via Kimpton.

But, there is major construction directly across the street (jackhammers roaring at 11:15pm when I pulled up). I don't *do* noise!

Also, I realize this is an old building but the room isn't clean! Anyone know what that dusty smell smells like? I noticed it immediately even though it seemed clean. Then I went to plug in my laptop, followed the lamp cord, pulled out a multi-plug transformer that was covered in so much dust, it had lost it's black color long ago and is now white. Ugh.

The Talbott got some good reviews elsewhere but hasn't been active here for a long time. There is also construction but was told that an executive room would be a 'quiet' room(or maybe just 'quieter'). That would be about $225/night and that is about my limit.

anyone? Help? soon? *cough* anyone have extra earplugs? *cough*

Thanks!!

Anonymous

Yikes! I wonder if Priceline would help, but be sure to check the hotel list at bidingfortravel and avoid any chance of getting the Burnham. Some of the very best deals on PL are the last-minute ones.

jewels_02

I would also try expedia, I booked The Whitehall for a trip in August and we got the room for arount 92/night. Booking with the hotel directly typically means around 200+ per night. It's worth a shot.

jen9

recently stayed at the Wyndham on St Clair, as it was the only decent place I could get at a reasonable rate. Room was clean & very large. Very close to Michigan Ave -- only issue for you is that it is near Northwestern Hospital, so you may hear ambulances.

cruisin_tigger

Just did a quick check and the W hotel on Adams had some rates around $179.

http://tinyurl.com/5a39kj

PeaceOut

My daughter and I liked the Hawthorne Terrace for two nights last summer. It is a very well-maintained historic building, run as a Best Western hotel. Service is very good, complimentary continental breakfast, lovely lobby with fireplace.
Their internet rates for this weekend are:

Internet Only Rate (Book on bestwestern.com and save 5% or more. Available to all travelers. Full payment required at time of booking. May cancel or change up to 7 days prior to arrival. Taxes may apply.)
Room Type Thu Fri Sat Total
Two Double Beds, Smoking Room, High Speed Internet Access >
144.49 161.49 161.49 467.47 (USD) Book it
* Indicates that your Rate changes during your stay.
Two Double Beds, High Speed Internet Access, Microwave >
144.49 161.49 161.49 467.47 (USD) Book it
* Indicates that your Rate changes during your stay.
Two Double Beds, Smoking Room, High Speed Internet Access >
152.99 169.99 169.99 492.97 (USD) Book it
* Indicates that your Rate changes during your stay.

http://www.hawthorneterrace.com/

Good luck!

Curious

We always stay at the Talbott. In fact we are coming to Chicago Monday for 5 days and staying there again. Can't be beat.

The construction that is going on next to the Talbott is for condominiums. Nose should not be a problem since construction is daytime hours only starting at 8 and ending around 4 pm. Not a problem.

Curious

LoveItaly

Minooka, I hope you find a clean and decent hotel. And I would sure let the Kimpton Group know about your experience. They always "claim" to be so customer oriented.

wildblueyonder

We stayed at the new Residence Inn, River North, earlier this month. Brand new and wonderful. You might get a room for that price. If not, they have a Springfield Suites in the same building, which is cheaper.

Colette

I don't know what your price-range is, and I don't know exactly the address of the Burnham....but I've had good luck at the Ritz-Carlton (probably too pricey.....I had a friend to split the cost), and there's a fairly new one called The James that looks nice. I always liked the Allerton, and I understand they've just renovated.....it's right on Mich. Ave.....great location. good luck!

TxTravelPro

I am sure it is too late (since you posted this a while back) but ANYTIME you have this sort of reaction to a Kimpton Hotel in a city that has multiple Kimpton properties ASK to be moved to one of their other properties for THE SAME RATE.
Knowing Kimpton like I do, I bet they would do it.

exiledprincess

Sometimes you have to give "happy" advice and sometimes you have to give "not-so-happy" replies on these forums. Unfortunately, the "not-so-happy" advice tends to get you flamed. But if it means helping others in the future, so be it.

Just to be fair about this subject...

It's one thing to have this type of situation thrust upon a person with no advance knowledge given in a reasonable manner, and another when the information is made available ahead of time.

Minooka1145, when you booked your hotel online via Kimpton, didn't you go into the Hotel Burnham's website (which you enter via Kimpton's site hyperlink to make a reservation) to check about the hotel's amenities, location, information and so forth? On the Hotel Burnham's site's home page (not the intro page), there is a large notice in bold face about this construction project, which has been going on for over a year. It even shows an artist's illustrations of what the project will look like once it is completed.

In addition, there is a recent thread here about TripAdvisor and whether to put store in the reviews. This is a good instance where TripAdvisor - or any similar travel website - is of great benefit to a traveler. I know that many recent reviews of the Hotel Burnham on TripAdvisor specifically mention the construction.

There are a number of hotels here in Chicago either undergoing renovation, construction projects, etc., so it's a very good thing to check out in advance.

Here is a not-too-old post on this forum:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=1

You'll see my reply about the Hotel Burnham.

Quite frankly, I'm surprised about the other issue, as the Hotel Burnham routinely gets great reviews. I've never stayed there but have dined at Atwood Cafe many times and have seen the lobby and other common areas. I've never heard or read anyone mention something similar. Was this multi-plug transformer you mention in the open? Or was it behind some large piece of furniture which is difficult to move?

It's unfortunate that you had this situation but I hope you have better luck with the next hotel you choose.

exiledprincess

I apologize that my first response had an incomplete URL for the thread on this forum. Here is the URL for this forum's thread which I mentioned above:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35116758

PeaceOut

I hope Minooka will report back on the outcome of her hotel dilemma.