I stayed in the W Hotel Lakeshore in Chicago, IL in 2007 for BlogHer, and it was the weirdest travel experience of my life.  My friend Sarah and I were thrown off completely by the shutter-like door and window (!) in the bathroom.  As modest women, we didn’t expect that every little noise would be heard by each other.  As it was, anytime either one of us needed the facilities, we were either full of giggles or embarrassed, or both.  What I did like about that bathroom was a well lit, pull-out magnified mirror to fix my makeup and pluck eyebrows.  Great idea.

The beds were super comfortable, and the wifi was spotty at best. What I didn’t appreciate was the $8 bottle of water taunting me late at night.  Eight bucks for a bottle of water is so out of line in my eyes I could barely stand it.  Couple that small expense with the $31/day for parking a car I never used the whole weekend and my wallet was screaming to go home by the time I left.

Rooms aside, the hotel lobby is BUSY 24/7.  Blaring music, a bar, and a party atmosphere means tipsy, obnoxious people at all hours.  Using the public restroom off the lobby meant, as a woman, subjecting oneself to scrutiny by the men’s bathroom, via one way mirror.  Sure, the warnings are there to tell you you’re being watched, but my goodness, is that really necessary?

Having said that, the service was impeccable.  Whatever/Whenever service, they claim:

Impeccable service? We’re all about it 24/7. Just push a button on your phone to reach our Whatever/Whenever desk. Ask and you shall receive. Need a reservation anywhere in the city? Perhaps a bathtub filled with chocolate milk? Whatever you want. Whenever you want it. It’s all just a phone call away.

You wanted something, you got it.  It may have cost you an arm and a leg, but The W is very good at slipping your money away from you while showing you a great time.  Now I wonder what that W really stands for?

I’m heading to L.A. soon and will be put up at The W Westwood.  Yes, of course I took out a second mortgage so I can afford a few drinks!

Photo Credit: Kvetch Blog