It is in an excellent location off the Chicago River 1 block west of Michigan Avenue Bridge. It is within walking distance of State Street shopping, The Magnificent Mile, Theater District, and House of Blues.

The hotel staff greeted us promptly, allowing us to check in at 10am. The room was well soundproofed and the beds very comfortable, with deluxe linens and lots of extra pillows. There was a big bathroom. It had every amenity you would expect from a 4.5-star hotel.

We stayed here for our 10th anniversary. We would return in a heartbeat. We booked the room by naming our own price on Priceline.com. Even though we had a discounted rate, we were treated first-class.

I stayed here for a small conference in early June. I admit that I am slightly biased, as I have a soft spot for Renaissance hotels. I like that they are artsy but perhaps less expensive than the other chains. This one did not disappoint.

The front desk was quite accommodating of my coworker’s need for a refrigerator for medical reasons. Additionally, I asked for a water view and got one. One of my other coworkers somehow got a free upgrade to the club level, which he was quite pleased to have.

The rooms are nice, though I got a towel with a mysterious stain on it that had not come out in the wash. I admit that I did not report it to the housekeeping staff. I was a little disappointed in the water pressure, but I think that happens in many large hotels.

Negatives: This hotel is centrally located between the museum areas and the shopping, but it’s a good 10-minute walk, and perhaps not the safest. I did not feel safe in the area around the hotel, as there seemed to be numerous panhandlers. I would not have wanted to walk by myself. Additionally (and this is serious), while I was working at the conference, there was a young man who came into the conference area to panhandle with a scam story about a lost wallet. Security at the hotel needs to be addressed, as there does not appear to be anyone guarding the front door to keep beggars out. That being said, I suppose it’s only fair to acknowledge that when staying in a large city, one should never let one’s guard down.

I think this was a high-end hotel, but we got it on priceline for $80/night. I accidentally booked our other hotel for six nights instead of seven, so I had to get on priceline and get a hotel for one night, and this is the one we got. It was very pretty from the outside and the lobby was gorgeous. We were a little disappointed with the rooms - they really needed a renovation. The price, however, was hard to beat, and the location was excellent. The Renaissance was walking distance from Michigan Ave. and right on top of the red line El station! No schlepping luggage around town if you stay at this hotel!

The Renaissance Hotel was once known as the Stouffer, but it is now part of the Marriott chain. It is a bland-looking high-rise on the outside, but on the inside it is a perfectly fine and elegant property. The hotel opened in 1991, but it seems to have been part of the Chicago hotel scene for many more years (by the way, this is a compliment).

Most people are dropped off at the main entrance with its covered cul-de-sac driveway, which comes in handy during inclement weather. There is underground valet parking next to the driveway, but as we all know it is very expensive to park a car in downtown Chicago. There are almost always a few taxis waiting in front of the hotel in case you need one. Its location at the north edge of the Loop and near the Chicago River is especially suited for the downtown business traveler. Checking in at the front desk in the main lobby is usually painless, and the concierge counter and luggage storage areas are all centrally located. I find the staff to be professionally cordial here.

The Renaissance has 27 floors and 553 guest rooms, with some of them larger rooms on the top-level club floors. The elevators zip you up to your room. Its neutral interiors have a flowery pleasantness that will basically not offend anyone. The very comfortable rooms are rather spacious, with a small sitting area including a small sofa (NOT a sofabed) and a glass table. Bay windows overlook some nice urban views. Amenities include minibar, iron and ironing board, coffee maker, hair dryer, nice toiletries, and fluffy white terry bathrobes. Each bathroom has a small nightlight at the floor level when the regular lights are turned off. The closet has a light that turns on when the doors are open.

Vacationing guests will certainly enjoy the many features of the Renaissance. There is an indoor pool, jacuzzi and a decent fitness room on the fourth floor that is free for guests. You can lounge on one of the beach chairs, gaze out at the Chicago Theater marquee, enjoy a can of juice or a piece of fruit from the complimentary snack area. There are a couple of dining establishments in the hotel and along the retail concourse that can be reached through the back entrance. A Kinko's copy shop and a Bank One branch are also in this arcade.

The Renaissance may not be as distinctive or quirky as other hotels, but I have stayed here several times and it is always an enjoyably comfortable experience here.