I found a great deal on Travelzoo for $109 a night... almost too good to be true. This hotel was awesome! Amazing views, great location and the most comfortable bed ever! If you can get the same deal, I definitely recommend this hotel. Rooms in similar hotels would usually be about $250-300.

I have stayed at Swissotels before so was expecting excellent facilities in top-notch shape and very clean. I got exactly that. A beautifully decorated, well-equipped and stylish room. It does suffer, however, from a trend that I have been noticing that as rooms at business class hotels are upgraded - particularly with a patch panel for the big LCD-TV - drawer space becomes less and less. As someone who actually likes to unpack if I am staying more than one night, it has become a problem. I end up using the nightstand drawers.

The V.I.K. (Very Important Kids) check-in desk next to the front desk leads me to believe that the hotel is family-friendly.

The location is great - near Michigan Avenue and with a view of the lake, but just far enough from Michigan to feel like you're away from the hub of activity.

My one issue was with the staff. The front desk staff were friendly and relatively efficient but utterly lacked any warmth (both check-in and check-out). Without meaning to stereotype, they were both European and I don't know if that had anything to do with it.

The doorman was another story. He seemed friendly enough and appeared to be a local. I arrived late and just wanted a light meal. He suggested The Palm in the hotel lobby but I told him I wanted something lighter and more casual. He then suggested Houlihans.

Now I don't mean to sound like a snob, but when you're in one of the great cities in the world, staying at what is supposed to be a high-end hotel, to have the doorman recommend Houlihans is like asking what is a good car to buy and being told to consider a Yugo.

Meeting facilities were well-equipped , and the banquet department did an excellent job of catering the meals and snacks (both quality of food and service) for the meetings I was attending.

Didn't get to the gym or pool. There's a fee for the gym, but not the pool.

Came to Chicago for "The Taste". Hotel was beautiful. Staff was very accomodating. If you are going to stay here, be sure and get their points membership before you go. When you arrive, ask for an upgrade. They will ask for your card. I had my number put on my reservation so I didn't take my card. We were upgraded to a corner room that overlooked the river, Navy Pier and the Lake. We didn't have to leave our room for the fireworks as we could see them perfectly from our room.The bed was so so comfortable and the room was very clean. I always tip housekeeping and the staff never disappointed. The only complaint I had about the room was the shower was very very small. I could hardly turnaround in it.
I will say, if you are not a walker and want to be on Michigan Ave then I wouldn't stay here. This hotel is 3 Chicago blocks (which are longer that regular blocks) from Michigan Ave. Then you have to walk Michigan for a long time to see it all. I would use the CTA if you want to stay here and do Michigan Ave.Go to Michigan and pay even more for your hotel. Right now the Swissotel is running a summer special. Our room was only $129/night. It was worth it to me to save money and walk. Besides I had already done the Michigan Ave thing!
If you are into public transportation. From Midway airport, take the orange line to State and Lake. You are appoximately 4 or 5 blocks from the hotel. As far as CTA, the #6 bus stops accross the street from the hotel and goes South on Michigan. Also, if you plan on using public transportation, get the visitors pass. You can get a 3 day pass for only $12 and it gives you unlimited train and buss access. You will need to transfer to get over to State street where the "real" shopping goes on (i.e.: Macy's, Filenes Basement, etc).
I would recommend the "West Egg" fro breakfast (3 blocks off Michigan on Ontario) and for lunch or dinner The Grand Lux Cafe (corner of Michigan and Ontario). Also don't forget to go the "The River North" for great food. Check out the Blue Water Grill for dinner. Pricey, but very good.
I would definitely stay at this hotel again when I come to Chicago!

We checked into the Swissotel on June 30, 2008 without any issues. We were upgraded (with our Swiss Club Gold, get online for free use of gym/ pool otherwise $50 charge) to a corner room. We had a great view of Navy Pier and the Taste of Chicago.

The front desk staff was never very helpful when we had any requests for simple things. When does the shuttle leave for O'hare? How much is the shuttle? Why is the cleaning staff telling us they are out of coffee for the rooms? Can we borrow a screwdriver to fix our daughter's Gameboy? All of these were answered by blank stares and major confusion.

On July 4th, we were checking out. I needed to print out our boarding passes. The business center was closed due to the holiday. I went to the front desk to ask to have 5 minutes of access to the "Executive Level" business center to print our passes. At this point the only place open with internet access. I was told "no, it is an access only room". Huh? I explained what was going on and they could charge us whatever, we needed to print these passes. So the hunt for the key to the business office began. Now most normal people would have saved the hassle and sent us up to the Executive Floor. After 20 mins of not finding anyone with a key, guess where I ended up...the Executive Floor to print our boarding passes, totally silly. Just not a great overall feel from the front desk or the concierge.

The rooms were nice, clean and updated. The beds super comfortable.

BE ADVISED!!! There is major construction going on right behind the hotel at the new development AQUA. Non-stop from sun up to sun down. Drilling, pounding, ect. Did not bother us as we were pretty far away. We could really only hear in our bathroom and in lobby of hotel. However, we were never advised of this. Several other hotels also have major construction going on around them, so not a huge deal, no dust, which would have been a bummer.

Overall, our room was super cheap on Expedia. Would we stay again, if we could get the same rate. Would I pay over $199 a night, most likely not. You can get better customer service elsewhere for much less. If you dont mind the attitude of dealing with a rude staff, go for it. Location cannot be beat.