Take the moment you tie the knot to new heights at The Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown, an exclusive hotel wedding venue overlooking Chicago, IL's infinite skyline. Home to stylishly conceptualized suites and event spaces, it's the perfect place for love commemorations with a modern edge.
The Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown boasts a broad selection of bright, spacious venues that create a breathtaking backdrop for celebrations in the Windy City. Perched several stories atop the hotel is the Penthouse Terrace, a 1,660-square-foot balcony where you can say "I do" to the soft hum of busy streets below. After the vows, you can arrange for this open-air rooftop location to be transformed into a scenic setting for your cocktail party. Big, bold receptions can take place at the Grand Ballroom, a beautifully ornate banquet hall with intricate carpeting, eye-catching chandeliers, and a muted color palette that accommodates multiple themes or aesthetic styles. An open floor plan allows for maximum flexibility when it comes to reception layouts, and with up to 4,361 square feet of space, you and your guests have plenty of room to dine, dance, and socialize. For more intimate gatherings, look no further than the 2,085-square-foot Penthouse Ballroom, whose panoramic, floor-to-ceiling windows promise uninterrupted views of the Chicago River.
A rental experience at The Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown includes full access to equipment, accommodations, and in-house catering. A team of highly experienced planners will also be there to make sure your milestone occasion matches your vision. For the staff at The Royal Sonesta, it's all down to the details, and they look forward to collaborating with you on a wedding event like no other.
Kristyn Resseguie(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 21-08-2021 BRIDES. READ THIS POST. NOT YOUR TYPICAL HOTEL BALLROOM.First of all- BEAUTIFUL VENUE. From the terrace that we had our ceremony on to the penthouse ball room with floor to ceiling windows- we could have set up lawn chairs and the place would have looked stunning.We started touring venues in October of 2020 and by the time we toured Royal Sonesta we were 10 venue tours deep and kind of had our hearts set on a different location. Honestly a “hotel ballroom wedding” didn’t really match the vision we had for our big day. However, within minutes, the initial tour and the vibe we got from Rick changed everything. First of all- the place isn’t your standard ballroom and I couldn’t picture a more beautiful place in the city that TRULY shows off Chicago. The outdoor terrace is stunning with amazing views that continue to be seen throughout the entire floor due to the outrageously tall ceiling and the amount of windows. The city lights when the sun went down was decor enough to be honest. We pictured a very minimal, timeless, classic wedding that didn’t need $30k in floral decor and THIS. WAS. IT. Secondly, this was the first tour that a venue actually WANTED us to have a wedding with them. Rick was laughing at me because I was in a constant state of “this is too good to be true” and he had to remind me more than I would like to admit that it wasn’t. We have been married for 2 months now and honestly I’m still waiting for a “SURPRISE this wedding was actually a million dollars!” Working with a hotel and everything being provided VS working with a venue that is only providing the space made this place seem like a fairytale. They went over package plans but we had such a different vision that the conversation ended up going “tell me your dream wedding and your dream budget and I’ll make something work” and let me tell you- they did just that. We weren’t very traditional in how we pictured our reception- we envisioned a continuous, non-stop celebration of our marriage. With that, we didn’t want a “seated” dinner but instead, wanted guests to indulge in a variety of hors d’oeuvres, food stations, and cocktails throughout the ENTIRE night. We wanted a mixture of high top cocktail tables, seated dinner tables, lounge seating, etc. We wanted guests to grab food/drinks whenever and however often they pleased. Food=incredible btw. We had never been to a cocktail style reception before, only my annual work holiday party and some Pinterest photos for inspo but the Royal Sonesta team (Rick and Emily) took our ideas and easily knew how to make the night more perfect than we could have imagined. Our event coordinator, Emily, is a prime example of someone who is not only just great at their job but truly KNOWS WHAT SHE IS DOING. She was incredibly easy to have a conversation with- via email or telephone. Super attentive. Very nice. And someone who I easily trusted to make our day incredible. She designed and decorated the place perfectly- we had some DIY items- wedding programs, gift table decor, welcome signs, etc. that we just casually left with her and she put everything where she knew it should be- I had zero input besides the main layout plan we had created and I was blown away by her and the preferred florist’s (Anthony Gowder- absolutely amazing btw) creativity. Things are going to go wrong on your wedding day. Period. But no matter the issue, you can count on Royal Sonesta, Emily, and Rick to make your wedding day the best day of your life. Reviewed on 07-10-2021
Emily Specter(other)3 out of 5 Rating
My husband and I had a hotel room block for our wedding guests and we had our rehearsal dinner on the 39th floor. The rooms were amazing. I saw my parents room which was lovely and had an amazing view of the lake. A lot of our guests also had lovely rooms with a view. The staff was amazing. We dropped off welcome bags to all our guests which went pretty smoothly. One of our guests didn't show up on the search for some reason. Our rehearsal dinner was beautiful.The view was gorgeous. So many guest commented. They had very pretty blue table cloths. The food was amazing and the staff was great. The planning process was challenging. Me and my mom planned it. There was a new coordinator every two-three months. We talked with about 4 or 5 different people. The first coordinator gave us a quote that was a lot less then we were charged. The first coordinator, my mom kept asking for the contracts and she never gave them to my mom. After 5 months my mom talked to someone else because the first coordinator worked somewhere else now. I think that was more on the first coordinator and we had to push someone else out of our date because we had been waiting for 5 months but the first coordinator never told anyone that we wanted that date. Getting the food menu finalized was a pain because we kept getting a new coordinator. The event and the rooms itself were lovely but the planning was way more stressful and time consuming then it needed to be. Reviewed on 13-07-2023
Amy S(other)2 out of 5 Rating
We had a beautiful wedding in April 2023 and enjoyed our day with friends and family, but working with Royal Sonesta added extra complexity, time, and stress to our wedding planning process. There was a lot of staff turnover, which in itself should be expected and no problem; however, there was poor communication and limited carry-over of our wedding details throughout each transition. We raised our concerns about 3 months prior to our wedding date at which time we received some concessions and we were told things would improve. Unfortunately, we still experienced the same patterns the last few months leading up to, and even after, our wedding date. Overall, we spent more time and energy than we felt was fair crosschecking their work, pointing out errors, repeating ourselves, providing written documentation that should’ve been in their system, asking for follow-up, and filling in for their mistakes. We had a productive conversation with upper management after our wedding and we hope they are taking action to mitigate these types of problems in the future so that future brides and grooms can enjoy the gorgeous venue and amazing views with minimal disappointment with the management. Reviewed on 27-06-2023
J.P. Callahan(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-10-2021 The Royal Sonesta exceeded all of our expectations. After our initial venue voided our contract due to COVID the Royal Sonesta came through and kept us on track with planning, coordination, and execution of our big day. When it came down to it my wife and I couldn't be happier that our initial venue cancelled because we couldn't imagine a better venue to celebrate our big day. Reviewed on 28-08-2022
Liz Manofsky(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 18-06-2022 Wow. I feel so incredibly fortunate to have had my wedding at the Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown. We were floating in Chicago's amazing skyline all day - we felt so special, our guests were blown away, and the photos are great. As with any wedding, there were a lot of moving parts. A lot of details. And the staff was friendly and capable of navigating through all of that. The things that fell through the cracks were not a big deal. From a planning standpoint, having the ceremony on the penthouse terrace with the cocktail hour and reception on the same floor was so helpful. Saved a lot of logistical planning, everything flowed smoothly, and we got to maximize our time on that amazing rooftop. Also, after the rehearsal dinner held elsewhere the night before the wedding, we hosted a cocktail hour in the hotel's bar for all guests to attend. That was also awesome. Highly recommend. If we could do it all over again, we would choose the Royal Sonesta again and again and again. Reviewed on 20-06-2022
Caitlin Howard(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-08-2021 My husband and I had our wedding at The Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown and ended up having the most magical day! From start to finish, everything was a breeze. Our coordinator Emily, made sure that every last detail was accounted for. She made us feel at ease when we were stressed and provided great solutions to the challenges we faced due to COVID. The rest of the hotel staff was outstanding! The check in team was so helpful when making sure that we had everything we needed and helped to get guests in our wedding block checked in as soon as the rooms were available. I cannot thank the Sonesta team for making our dreams come true! Reviewed on 15-11-2021
Kate Lee(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 19-09-2021 My husband and I had our wedding at the Penthouse Ballroom in September and the Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown staff were a superb group to work with. We had plenty of last-minute requests, changes to reservations, guests with extra accommodations and questions and our event manager, Emily, was an expert at not only handling every ask but doing so with so much grace and enthusiasm. Everyone felt so taken care of! The recent renovations are also really beautiful, and paired with an excellent location, it made for the best hub for a lot of our out-of-town guests looking to explore Chicago. I would definitely have another event here! The hotel rooms were spacious with excellent views of the river--both day and night. We stayed in a suite on a higher floor so we were able to take a peek at the London House roof top next door. The event team also did wonders to accommodate guests' reservations and room requests. The only thing preventing me from providing a full 5 stars was that we didn't know ahead of time that valet parking was not available due to construction/change management, and it was a last-minute scramble for a lot of our guests and vendors. However, we were able to find parking in a garage nearby. I don't think this is a permanent issue, however, and for event purposes, I'd just make sure to be extra proactive about parking questions in case! Reviewed on 07-10-2021
Molly Norenberg(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 05-09-2021 The Royal Sonesta saved our wedding. Four months before our wedding, our original venue closed. We looked all over for a different venue with the same date and with a lot of luck, finally found the Royal Sonesta downtown Chicago. It was even better than our original venue. The team at the Royal Sonesta helped us replan our wedding in four months and had it go perfectly day of. The food was amazing, the waitstaff and bartenders were amazing, Emily the coordinator was amazing, everything was perfect. It was the perfect place to get married with the most spectacular views! (Also it is where Bruce Waynes penthouse in the Batman Dark Knight movies were filmed, an excellent conversation piece). I can't thank them enough for saving our wedding and all they did to have it be the day of our dreams. Their staff will make sure your special day is phenomenal! Reviewed on 10-09-2021
Erin Minne(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 26-06-2021 Our wedding at Royal Sonesta was beautiful! I cannot say enough positive things. With the constant changes to guest count due to COVID-19, Rick and team were there to answer questions as information came in. The guest room had beautiful views as a backdrop to the bridesmaids' morning of hair and makeup. The penthouse had new chandeliers that made the ceremony even more exqusitie, and the terrace was stunning that wowed the guests. I cannot thank the Royal Sonesta staff enough. Eric at the front desk, Marsha and Karen during the day of, Erin in the early stages, and Rick making sure every last detail was right. We provided a lot of feedback on the food, and the chef Ted was willing to work with us to make it perfect. I wish I could live the day all over again. Reviewed on 13-07-2021
Meghan Gallagher(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 05-06-2021 Planning a wedding around covid restrictions that were changing constantly was a difficult task and I could not have done it without all of Erin’s help and guidance. She went above and beyond to work with us and ultimately we had the wedding of my dreams. The ballroom and terrace was spectacular. All of our guests loved the views and complimented the tasty food. Thank you Erin and Royal Sonesta Chicago Riverfront for a perfect day! Reviewed on 08-06-2021
Morgan Armsbury(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-08-2019 My husband and I had our wedding ceremony on the penthouse level of The Wyndham Grand (now Royal Sonesta) in August and it was amazing! As soon as we saw the views we knew nowhere else in Chicago could top this location! It is stunning! Everyone keeps telling us out how beautiful our wedding was. We were lucky enough with weather to have our ceremony outside on the terrace with the most breathtaking views of the skyline and river. The reception was in the ballroom with all floor to ceiling windows with the same gorgeous views. The food was absolutely delicious and the wine and liquor selections were wonderful – it’s safe to say everyone had a great time!! Everyone was fantastic to work with throughout the process, special thanks to Tony, Erin, and Wendy who were wonderful throughout the whole planning process! We really appreciated that Wendy was present at our rehearsal and for the entire reception until the end! They also made sure to hold an elevator for guests coming to the wedding, which I was a little worried about, but they made sure the guests had no issues getting up to the penthouse. We’re so happy with our experience!! Reviewed on 28-10-2019
Omar Martinez(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-08-2019 We had a perfect wedding at this venue. The team and staff worked really hard to accommodate all of our requests and although planning wasn't always as smooth as we hoped everything got taken care of for the big day. We did need to deal with our main coordinator leaving the company so I know they were understaffed for much of the summer when we had our wedding. This did result in some additional planning but as I mentioned it all worked out in the end. If you get a change to work with Erin Ruff, she is the best and super responsive. Her and the team even showed up on the wedding day to our respective suites to ensure everything went as planned. Going into the wedding our biggest concern was the elevator process as other reviews might have mentioned but this really wasn't even an issue. They do a great job moving people along, and I know the elevators are being updated so things are only going to get better with that. We have zero regrets with having our wedding here, our guests were amazed at being able to experience 3 separate event spaces (Terrace for cocktail hour, Ballroom for dinner, and Penthouse Ballroom for dancing) all in one wedding and seeing their excitement made everything worth it. As mentioned earlier big credit to the actual event staff and bartenders because everything went smoothly even with all of our movement between floors. Thank you to Erin, Wendy and the rest of the team for hosting us! Reviewed on 23-10-2019
Ellen Byers(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 05-10-2019 My husband and I had our wedding ceremony and reception here a few weeks ago and it was amazing!!! The terrace on the penthouse floor has breathtaking views of the riverfront and downtown Chicago. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the ballroom were the source of perfect ambiance and inspiration during the reception dinner. Everything was beautiful and magical, including the foods, decorations, and service--especially all of the help that Erin and Wendy gave us! We will never forget the perfect start to our marriage! Reviewed on 23-10-2019
KELCY HALE(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 21-09-2019 We LOVED the Wyndham 39th floor terrace for our rehearsal dinner. The venue is stunning with amazing Chicago skyline views & Erin + Wendy helped us execute a wonderful pre-wedding event. Chef Chris’s food was an amazing way to kick off the weekend! We would highly recommend checking out the Wyndham for any special event — they’ll help make it even more special! Reviewed on 26-09-2019
Susan Smith(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 07-09-2019 We used our hotel suite for a Welcome Party. The next night, we held our cocktail party, buffet and reception in the Ballroom. Erin Ruff was my rock throughout my anal planning; she handled everything from detailed questions to contracts to execution calmly, quickly and professionally. Andrew Smith made sure we had a fabulous suite and our guests had wonderful rooms. The night of the party, the entire team, including AV and Dining, were wonderful. They even found an inventive way to showcase my table gifts. The food was fantastic; all AV in both rooms was perfectly smooth. I can't say enough about how wonderful everyone was. It allowed me to relax and really enjoy my special time. Reviewed on 23-09-2019
Brianna Wayne(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-02-2018 I got married at the Wyndham Grand almost a year and a half ago - and our guests are still telling us how wonderful our wedding was! As you can tell from the photos - the view is spectacular and unique. The food and vendor they include in the packages for wedding cake is amazing! What really sets the Wyndham apart is the service they provide. While our guests remember the beautiful view and the wonderful food, my husband and I remember being treated like the most important VIP's in the hotel. That specialized service is what I remember most about our Best Day Ever! Reviewed on 22-09-2019
Lauren Moneghittie(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 23-08-2019 We had our wedding ceremony at The Wyndham Grand this summer and were extremely impressed with Erin. Erin went above and beyond to make sure everything was prepared and that that we had minimal stress leading up to the bag day as well as on the day of. From checking in via e-mail during the planning process, answering my thousands of questions (and quickly too), to bringing us a gift the morning of, setting up some of our decor, and finding some tape for a last minute broken shoe emergency...she was the best! Even though we were stressed, she definitely made things easier.We had so many compliments on how beautiful the ceremony space looked and how much everyone loved having their welcome bags delivered to them in their rooms. Erin and her team truly go above and beyond to make the day special and memorable. We would highly recommend booking at the Wyndham and having Erin help you along the way. We genuinely appreciated everything she and her team did for us. It was an unforgettable day! Reviewed on 06-09-2019
Karim Languedoc(groom)3 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-06-2019 The venue was absolutely beautiful. The meals were delicious, and and waitstaff were kind, warm and very accommodating. If you want a magical wedding with great views of the city, this venue is perfect!I only wish we had a different coordinator. Our coordinator Brianna left a couple of months before our wedding, and Wendy took over. I cannot stress enough how horrible we both felt when we showed up for the rehearsal and Wendy was no where to be found. Bathrooms were locked and guests were complaining. The day of our wedding, absolutely NO ONE knew how to get to the freight elevator. Not Wendy, nor the building managers. How is this even possible?!? After many hours, our florist was finally permitted to use the main elevators to start setting up in the penthouse, but due to limited time, she wasn't able to finish.All in all, i'd choose Wyndham Grand again, but only if i were given different staff. Brianna was amazing, Wendy, not so much. Reviewed on 13-08-2019
Ashley Jensen(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 27-07-2019 Gorgeous venue! It was perfect. Reviewed on 10-08-2019
Elizabeth Julian(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 07-09-2019 We booked the Wyndham for our September 7, 2019 wedding. We had the BEST EXPERIENCE with both Erin and Brianna. I do not have enough nice things to say about the two of them. The. space is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL with 360 degree views of the city and a huge outdoor terrace space that makes for a gorgeous ceremony space. Because of some unexpected personal issues we were forced to cancel the wedding and are absolutely bummed we won’t get to celebrate our big day there. If anyone is still on the hunt for a beautiful Chicago venue the September 7th, 2019 date is open! It’s too beautiful of a venue to go to waste. Reviewed on 22-03-2019
Nicole Allen(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-09-2019 Brianna and Erin have been phenomenal to work with. I am planning our wedding from out of state, and they have been such an asset in the planning process. They respond to emails very quickly, even for the most minute details (like table number signs!). We recently went for the tasting event for our September 2019 wedding, and were very impressed with the food, service, and of course, breathtaking views. We are so very excited to celebrate our special day at the Wyndham, and are grateful to have Erin and Brianna to rely on in the planning process! Reviewed on 12-03-2019
Molly Pierce(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-12-2018 To start, everything was absolutely amazing! Brianna and Erin were the best throughout the entire wedding process. From when we began our planning until after the reception, they were so helpful and answered every question we had. They were so accommodating to our non-traditional requests and went out of their way to make sure we were happy. My wife and I would definitely recommend the Wyndham to anyone looking for a great experience! They helped us turn all of our ideas into a budget-friendly reality that still felt special. In particular, they made us feel really special by adding personal touches in the smallest areas, such as using our wedding hashtag on our menu tasting, and incorporating our overall theme into an awesome graphic shown in the elevators. They really went out of their way to show us how much they cared. The food was beyond amazing, and they were able to accommodate my dietary restrictions very easily. Many of our guests complimented every aspect of the venue and food long after the reception ended! We knew there was nothing to worry about because Brianna was so amazing and on top of everything. Our wedding was absolutely perfect and we would not change a single thing, thanks to the amazing staff at the Wyndham. Reviewed on 19-01-2019
Susan DelMonico(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-09-2018 The Wyndham was not only a fabulous venue but the team was amazing to work with as well. We were fortunate the weather permitted and we had a terrace wedding with an inbeleivble view. Reviewed on 25-10-2018
Julie Manzella(bride)2 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-09-2018 Had my wedding here on 9/1. Here are just a few of the awful things the Wyndham disappointed us with...1. The risotto was SO dry that they actually offered to refund us. 2. There was no security so we had wedding crashers 3. They did not deliver welcome bags to guest rooms, so they had to refund us. 4. They oversold the rooms and my brother had to wait for his room to get cleaned (when he checked in at 7pm) 5. When my brother got to his “clean room” the bed wasn’t made and it was still dirty. 6. The elevators were SO slow, they’re in the process of working on them. 7. We got several complaints from our guests that the courses were served and taken away so quickly, it didn’t give people an opportunity to eat their food! 8. The bar was outside of the reception room, which I knew. I asked for it to be inside the room but I was convinced otherwise. The issue is that EVERYONE WAS OUTSIDE OF THE ROOMTHE WHOLE NIGHT. 9. They didn’t supply anything essential (easels, table numbers, etc.) table numbers were offered but were so dinged up. You’d think for what we spent they could supply decent essentials. 10. We didn’t get all of the items we wanted back. On the other hand, the view was breathtaking. Hence the 2 stars. Reviewed on 25-10-2018
Ed McGlumphy(parent)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-10-2018 Grand Experience at the Wyndham GranMy son and new daughter-in-law were married in Chicago on October 13th, 2018. My wife and I hosted a 62 person rehearsal dinner and 150+ person welcome reception the night before in the 39th floor penthouse at the Wyndham grand. Everything about the experience exceeded our expectations. Catering sales manager Erin Ruff took care of everything from start to finish. She personally took us on the initial tour of this amazing venue, organized a food and wine tasting event that was almost as much fun as the actual event and personally stayed well into the evening on the night of the event to make sure everything went off without a hitch. She made last-minute adjustments to accommodate some changes we didn't anticipate, without batting an eye. She is a total pro and extremely personable and kind on top of that. I can't imagine there is a better venue in the city. The inside and outside views from the penthouse and Terrace were incredible. All of our guests were highly impressed. The food and bar service was perfect. Audiovisual and other special requests were completely taken care of without issue. We would highly recommend others needing such a venue to strongly consider this space (and particularly the people) at the Wyndham Grand Reviewed on 23-10-2018
Kimberly K(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 15-09-2018 Erin and her staff at the Wyndham were just incredible! I can't recommend them highly enough. From the very beginning, when we were touring venues, Erin was very warm and friendly. She answered all of our questions, even the ones we hadn't thought of yet. Once we moved forward and signed the contract, Erin was very responsive via e-mail--she made the process so much easier for us as we are from out-of-state. The morning of the wedding, Erin came up to our room with her assistant and steamed my wedding gowns. She even thought to bring food and water bowls for our dog :) Her thoughtfulness and kind gestures were very much appreciated during a hectic morning. She was attentive to our needs, and that of our guests the whole weekend. More about the venue: the penthouse ballroom is absolutely stunning at night! We used the balcony for our ceremony and the ballroom for the reception, and the staff at the Wyndham worked seamlessly to ensure everything ran smoothly. The food was incredible! Our guests loved the appetizers and the dessert table, and the salmon entree received rave reviews. If we had to get married again, we wouldn't change a thing. Thank you so much Erin! Reviewed on 22-10-2018
Mel B(bride)2 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 29-09-2018 In the end, our wedding turned out wonderful, but working with the Wyndham staff was a stressful process. The only good thing about having a wedding reception there is the beautiful view of Chicago from both the reception room and the terrace. Otherwise, there are other hotels in Chicago with more responsive staff, nicer guest rooms, nicer bridal suites, a groom's room (the Wyndham didn't even have one), and more competitive pricing. Should you decide to have your reception at the Wyndham, be sure to read the terms in the contract regarding the minimum and beware if their price quotes in the proposal. The pricing calculations they provided to us before we signed the contract was misleading and we were caught by surprise when the final invoices were sent. The city views from the reception room surely made up for the headaches we experienced in working with them, but in the end, we left with a less than ideal experience. Reviewed on 20-10-2018
Alex Brend(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-07-2018 The Wyndham was the perfect place to hold an intimate and unforgettable wedding. Brianna Wayne, the event manager at the Wyndham was like a second wedding planner and was instantly able to make sure everything was exactly as expected. There wasn't a single detail missed and we couldn't be happier. The guests all commented on how fantastic the food and service was and the cake was delicious too (Bittersweet Pastry). The terrace is stunning and made an excellent location for a photo shoot before the reception at dusk. If you're looking for memories that truly last a lifetime look no further. Overlooking the Chicago River, being among the skyscrapers, and the impeccable service are unparalleled. Reviewed on 24-09-2018
Anthony Hewitt(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-09-2018 The staff at Wyndham made this an amazing experience! The terrace venue was amazing, views of the entire downtown skyline and river from the 39th floor made for an extraordinary back drop for our ceremony! Brianna and the rest of the staff were more than accommodating before, during and after the event. I would highly recommend having your wedding at this hotel...plus, you're right across the street from the river walk! Reviewed on 12-09-2018
Emily Carr(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 04-08-2018 We absolutely loved having our wedding at the Wyndham Hotel in Chicago. Erin and Brianna made it so easy for us. They were incredibly organized and responsive. The food was incredible. I would highly highly recommend having your wedding here. Reviewed on 08-09-2018
Amands Thomas(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 26-05-2018 This venue is amazing, but it was the staff that made it a dream!! We had the pent house terrace for or ceremony and reception inside. It's been 4 months and it's still the topic of discussion for all family and friends. Erin was amazing at getting the contract started and Brianna Coyle went above and beyond with all the details, the rehearsal, and the day of. She even hustled my dress without thinking twice! Knowing all that could go wrong in a wedding day is stressful, but with Brianna everything was exactly perfect!!! I couldn't be happier with my experience! Absolutely the best place and staff for your wedding. Reviewed on 07-09-2018
Vicki Goebel(parent)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 04-08-2018 Very professional service, scrumptious food and the most amazing views of the city!!! We recently held a bridal shower for my daughter on the rooftop of the Wyndham Grand! Despite the rainy weather it was a perfect day! The staff set us up indoors in an intimate, beautiful arrangement. Our mimosa glasses were never empty, and all the entrees were absolutely delicious. Since my daughter is the first of her friends to get married, they all commented that she has set a very high bar for future wedding showers!! Thank you Wyndham Grand for making my daughter's shower an especialyl memorable experience. Reviewed on 13-08-2018
Lisa Dubik(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 22-07-2018 The Wyndham has the most amazing views. We were able to have the ceremony on the terrace and reception inside. The guests loved the views and being able to go outside. The wedding team is flawless with their coordinating the day of the wedding. Seriously, above and beyond anything I have seen with weddings before. We had Brianna and she was AMAZING. She is quick with her emails, very professional and accommodating. We loved working with her. The food was great too. The room suite for Bride and Groom is super helpful with all the things you bring with for the big day. The location was perfect for the out of town guests. They were able to go sight seeing. Can’t say enough about this venue. Reviewed on 09-08-2018
Meghan Robbins(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 23-06-2018 WOW, I highly recommend the Wyndham Grand Penthouse Ballroom- the view of Chicago is unbeatable! I had such an amazing experience and even better than I dreamed it could be! My wedding was 4 weeks ago but I still keep receiving compliments from guests about how beautiful the wedding was. The staff is super amazing, especially Brianna Coyle- she is very organized and extremely helpful with the planning process and will make sure you have the wedding of your dreams! Reviewed on 05-08-2018
Lauren Dworak(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 21-07-2018 Wow! Where to begin! Having our wedding at the Wyndham Grand was a dream come true. From the moment we entered the building for our venue tour we knew this was the perfect place for us. The staff, especially Erin Ruff, are extremely kind and helpful. Everyone that you come in contact with from event coordinators to the front desk staff are so kind and personable. We had a wedding of 115 people and it was perfect! They set up our ceremony 3 times due to rain and didn't even bat an eye! You obviously book the Wyndham for the view but everything else is also a five star value. The food (omg the food!!), the rooms, the accommodations... our guests cannot stop raving about what an incredible event we had and we owe so much of that to the Wyndham. They are with you every step of the way and are truly invested in your event. We cannot wait to book our Wyndham honeymoon! Reviewed on 31-07-2018
Jaysie Sexton(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 06-07-2018 I will say what every Wyndham bride before me has said - BOOK WYNDHAM GRAND CHICAGO RIVERFRONT for your big day!!! They were the absolute best choice for my wedding of 70 guests in early July. When planning my wedding, I had the added challenge of finding a venue from out of town as we are from Kentucky and wanted a Chicago destination wedding. The photos of the hotel and penthouse space is what sold us on this venue but to be honest, they do no justice to the views of the city and is only something you can see for yourself so go visit and you will not be disappointed. Along with the many great features of the hotel, the number one best thing about booking my wedding at WGCR was the event coordinator Brianna Coyle. She is everything a bride wants and needs from the moment they agree on a venue until they are walking down the aisle. All weekend, I knew Brianna was close by and ready to help me with anything I needed. She gave my guests information and direction, ran a seamless rehearsal the night before, made sure my groom and I had enough time to eat at our reception, and fluffed my dress right before I walked down the aisle. Along with Brianna, I also spoke with the catering manager Erin Ruff who helped me reserve the space and start the initial planning process before Brianna took over. Both Brianna and Erin took such pride in making sure our wedding was everything we wanted it to be. When they stopped by my room on the morning of my wedding, I was so happy to see their faces because it was a reminder that the day would be so smooth and as perfect as they could possible control. Along with the views and the coordinators, the food was absolutely phenomenal and is something my guests have raved about since. The Chef is incredible and made a point to speak to my groom and I at the reception to see that everything was perfect for us and of course, it was. My family is a bunch of foodies that actually come to Chicago once or twice a year just to eat their favorite foods and they were blown away by the food at our reception. The tomato bisque soup (in July, yep it’s that good) has been a hot topic of discussion among the bridal party and when we had our tasting a few months ago, we had the hardest time deciding on entrees because they were just. so. good. Any and every food item served by WGCR is top notch and great on its own. Book Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront if you want your day to be perfect and blow every expectation of yours and your guests out of the water. Reviewed on 11-07-2018
Rachael Hancz(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 04-11-2017 My husband and I were married at the Wyndham on November 4. In short, if you're looking for a beautiful, flexible venue with breathtaking views and an amazing coordination team, then look no further. For more details, read on...In the months leading up to our wedding, we had the pleasure of working with Brianna to coordinate every little detail each step of the way. You could not ask for a more accommodating, detail-oriented, responsive, and helpful individual to have by your side for such an important occasion! Brianna was quick to respond to any questions, and if she didn't have an answer, she knew exactly who to send us to. The day prior and day of our wedding, Brianna was on hand to tackle all of the final details. She was a huge help in delivering and arranging any of the personal touches we wanted (family photos displayed, table runners, etc.), and consistently checked in to make sure everything was just as we wanted it. On our wedding day, one of our worst fears was realized when it turned out to be incredibly foggy. One of the main reasons we chose the Wyndham was for the breathtaking views, but the city was covered in rain and fog on our big day. Although we missed out on the view up until the fog cleared around 9:00 PM, we were able to capture some stunning fog photos and have a wedding that appeared to be in the clouds! Guests were still able to enjoy the outdoor terrace once the rain cleared, and all were astounded by beauty of the space as well as the view once the fog cleared. The food was delicious, and the catering team was so flexible with our special dietary requests and small substitutions (swapping out a veggie that accompanied one entree for another veggie we preferred). Beware of the $18,000 food and beverage minimum, which was difficult to meet with 100 guests for our food preferences (we ended up upgrading our bar package, and adding on late night bites and a salad). Overall, we were very satisfied with our experience! Reviewed on 30-12-2017
Alex Smurawa(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-02-2019 My wife and I knew that the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront was the venue for us as soon as we saw it. The ballroom's nearly 360 degree view of the Chicago skyline was stunning, and at night the lights were mesmerizing. The addition of the outdoor terrace on the same floor was an integral factor in our decision, and was enjoyed by all the day and night of our wedding. The ability to walk a few feet and enjoy a refreshing breeze as opposed to having to take an elevator down to ground level was not taken for granted. The food was fantastic as well, and truly exhibited the skill of the chefs involved. While the beauty of the venue itself is unforgettable, the service we received left nothing to be desired and was crucial in minimizing the stress of wedding planning. Brianna Coyle, the wedding specialist at Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront, was a godsend, and was able to offer advice, and assistance throughout the entire process. She handled every hotel and vendor related task expertly, allowing my wife and I to enjoy our special day without a care. Both the venue and the service we received at the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront were of 5 star quality, and as such we would recommend this hotel to anyone who is looking to have the perfect setting for their special event. Reviewed on 02-12-2017
Louisa Keefe(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-03-2018 5 Stars for service and elegance. My husband and I were married here on 11/18/17 and it worked out wonderfully. We envisioned our wedding to be elegant, but not stuffy, and it worked out very well. I probably don't need to tell you that the views are spectacular but they really are. The penthouse is located on the 39th floor and the views are right down the Chicago river and 360 degrees in every direction. The twinkling lights at night make it feel like a jewel box. The hotel's location right off the Magnificent Mile worked out well for my out of town guests who were happy they could walk to so many places in the area. The venue space was a good size and it was easy to have the ceremony and the reception in the same place. We simply came back from cocktail hour (on the terrace) and the whole dining space had been transformed into something gorgeous. Brianna the wedding coordinator was helpful and was able to make many recommendations for all of our questions. She also paid great attention to detail so nothing was out of place. The appetizers and sit down dinner were delicious, we had a chicken and vegetarian option. My guests also appreciated the 'late night bites' served at the end of the night when everyone was hungry from dancing. The outdoor patio was fun for guests to take selfies, enjoy the views, and get some fresh air after dancing all night long. The one thing my guests mentioned to me many times was how nice and helpful the Hotel/Catering staff were. It is true, the staff was so nice and it set the tone and added a 'really good vibe' throughout entire evening. We will have so many beautiful memories for years to come, and for this we feel very lucky. We highly recommend the experience of the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront. Reviewed on 27-11-2017
Alex Smurawa(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 07-07-2017 I can't say enough about how great our experience at the Wyndham was! I love that I still hear from our guests how great the wedding was - the food, the service and oh my gosh the stunning views. I can't stop staring at our wedding photos! The Wyndham is such a beautiful setting for any day, let alone your wedding day. Throughout our entire day Brianna was there to make sure everything went exactly as we wanted. She's a real professional that I'm glad was a part of our wedding day. Book this venue for the views, the AMAZING food, and how easy it is to plan your wedding with Brianna and the Wyndham team! Reviewed on 31-10-2017
Cathy Thompson(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 29-07-2017 My husband and I had our wedding reception at the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront on the most perfect July day in 2017. The rooftop terrace was perfect for cocktail hour and the penthouse floor ballroom has the most spectacular views of the city and the Chicago river. Our guests couldn't stop talking about how amazing it was! Not only is the location perfect (Wabash & the Chicago River), but the food was also outstanding. It was difficult to pick our entrees during our menu tasting because it was all so delicious. It is very apparent that the chef takes pride in what he makes for his guests. Lastly, Brianna, the wedding coordinator, was wonderful to work with. She answered our questions promptly and professionally, and her help on the big day was definitely needed. She helped to ensure the ballroom looked just as we had hoped (it actually far exceeded our expectations!), set up our table place cards and decorations, and kept everything on time for us. Between cocktail hour and the reception, they even have chimes they play to help guests to know the reception is about to begin; it was so charming! Brianna is a gem and very easy to work with.Overall, we just loved our wedding reception venue. The location and views are amazing, and the chef, bar/wait staff, and Brianna all worked so hard to make sure our big day was perfect. Reviewed on 18-10-2017
Jennifer Henrikson(wedding party)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 17-12-2018 The Wyndham Grand was an amazing choice for our daughter's beautiful wedding! From our first contact with Brianna, the wedding specialist, we knew we had made the right choice. She was with us every step of the way. She was so helpful in guiding us with the planning and accommodating of our special requests. The food was amazing and the table service impeccable. Brianna was just one email or phone call away when we needed her. I would HIGHLY recommend the Wyndham Grand Penthouse ballroom and Brianna to any bride/groom looking for spectacular views and service. Thank you, thank you Wyndham Grand and Brianna for making our daughter and new son-in-law's wedding so special! Reviewed on 17-10-2017
Megan Carrozza(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-09-2017 We had our wedding at The Wyndham Penthouse in September 2017 and it was truly our dream wedding. Everything was absolutely perfect. Working with Brianna made our lives so much easier. She was so fun to work with and helped make our vision come together exactly how we imagined. She was so organized and always willing to answer any questions I had. At both our rehearsal and wedding day Brianna was so attentive to every detail, immediately calmed any fears I had, and truly made everything come together perfectly. The food was also AMAZING! Beautiful presentation and tasted great. I even had a few guests reach out to me after the wedding that they were still dreaming about how good the food was! Also, both myself and a few of the guests had a food allergies (gluten-free and dairy-free required) and Brianna and staff were more than accommodating to make sure our meal was how we needed it. Truly impressed by the food offering and your guests will be too!Lastly, the venue itself is absolutely beautiful. There are no words to describe the views from every window at the Penthouse. Our guests were in awe at the 360 views of downtown Chicago. Our photos from the day are incredible. Overall, we highly recommend choosing The Wyndham for your special day! Reviewed on 13-10-2017
Greg Oboy(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 17-06-2017 Three Words: ATTENTION TO DETAIL. The wedding coordinator (Brianna) at the Wyndham, did such an incredible job from beginning to end. During setup of the flowers and dining room tables, we had hired an outside vendor to put a personalized wrap on the dance floor. It had our names and wedding date with a few designs on it. The date was wrong due to a defect in the printing and Brianna had corrected the mistake.I wanted to start this review off a little differently because we read thru so many reviews when choosing a location that were all the same, of how great everything was and how wonderful of a day they had. After just spending several months planning a wedding and pouring our heats into all the details, we can say the most important thing that a venue can do for you is provide a point person that will not only provide you with the same level of detail, but also someone that truly wants your day to be the most magical day of our life. The views in the penthouse at the Wyndham are absolutely incredible and no other location in Chicago will provide you with such a great atmosphere. The staff was amazing, attending not only to us (the bride and groom) but to every single guest. You know you picked the right venue when months after your wedding you are still hearing from your guests of how incredible the reception was. Once again I can't speak loud enough for all the work Brianna did for us. There must have been hundreds, which seemed liked thousands, of emails that went back and forth, but each time Brianna wrote back detailed answers, in a a timely matter. She made sure to keep you on point and aware of everything that needed to be done.Good Luck to everyone that is going to be getting married and trust me you will not be disappointed in choosing the Wynhdam for your big day! Reviewed on 12-10-2017
Breanna Coffey(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 23-09-2017 My husband and I had our wedding at the Wyndham on 9/23/2017 and we both were so thrilled with how everything turned out. Its such a beautiful space, everyone couldn't stop raving about the view and the food! The favorite appetizer by far were the grilled cheese dips (so delicious!). Brianna Coyle, the coordinator there, is fantastic to work with. She will go to bat for you on any requests you make. We even had them swap out the beer in our bar package to a local brew and they had no problems! Many guests told us this was the best wedding they had ever been to. Would pick the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront again in a heart beat! Reviewed on 12-10-2017
Amber McReynolds(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-12-2016 We had our New Year's Eve wedding ceremony and reception in the Penthouse at the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront and it was absolutely incredible. Brianna was very attentive and helpful throughout the entire process. She was always available for any question, even if it was an obvious answer. The day before the wedding, I was able to give her a box of all of our items (cake knife and server, confetti, NYE party hats and noise makers, place cards, card box, etc.) and she set all of it up perfectly and then returned it all to our honeymoon suite after the reception. She even left a bottle of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries. Having both the ceremony and reception in the Penthouse worked very well. Our guests were able to arrive at the hotel for the ceremony, proceed into the hallway with floor to ceiling windows for cocktails and h'orderves, and then back into the Penthouse for the reception. Guests didn't need to drive to a new location or pay for parking in multiple places. The terrace was open, so our guests were able to cool down and even see the fireworks at midnight!The best part about the entire experience was that they were able to make EVERYTHING gluten free. My husband has Celiac and needs all food prepared separately, so what they offered was to do the entire menu gluten free. Even though it was gluten free, the food still tasted incredible. Our guests kept asking us how the groom was able to stay away from the food and were shocked when we told them it was entirely gluten free. When I say everything, I mean even the late-night snacks of grilled cheese and reuben sandwiches. We also had a Starbucks cold brew station, which definitely helped us make it to midnight!Brianna worked with all of our vendors, even though they weren't all on the preferred vendor list. She was very open to everyone's ideas and helped up accommodate to make our wedding day absolutely breathtaking. Because the wedding was in winter, she allowed us to go down to the 6th Floor ballroom to take our pictures during the cocktail hour and escorted us back up to the Penthouse for our introductions at the reception. She even helped bustle my dress!To top everything off, we were able to sign up for Wyndham Rewards and earned points for every dollar spent. We have been staying at Wyndham hotels for free for the past year, even on our honeymoon!The views from the venue are beautiful. The hotel is right on the river so you get the city in the background of all pictures. And, the Penthouse was used in the Dark Knight for Bruce Wayne's Penthouse, which my husband has been bragging about ever since we chose the venue.I do not know of anything that went wrong the day of the wedding. Brianna made sure to take care of everything and never once stressed me out. I would highly recommend the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront to anyone looking to get married in Chicago. Reviewed on 11-09-2017
Donata Gasior(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 26-08-2017 We got married at the Wyndham last Saturday on August 26, 2017. Overall, it was a great experience. Brianna who was our on-site contact did an outstanding job responding to all our questions and concerns throughout the whole process and managing the event the day of the wedding. The penthouse is a beautiful venue - the views of the city are stunning and the outdoor ceremony couldn't have been more beautiful. Having the terrace the whole night is a huge bonus as well. Our dinner - appetizers, soup, salad and dessert were delicious; most of our guests ordered the sea bass and the hotel/restaurant did not debone the fish (it was a fillet) which seems unacceptable; we had one of the guests complaint about the bones and, unfortunately, he was given a little negative attitude from the wait staff. The steak was good but on the well done side (little overcooked for some). Bronzini was delicious. There is no storage whatsoever on the penthouse level so bringing your own decorations for the ceremony can be challenging. Brianna was nice enough to put a lot of the stuff (place cards, seating charts, party favors)in her office and even put it out for us but all the ceremony decorations had to be stored in one of our guest's room. At our ceremony we did a wine ceremony for which we needed a glass of wine and I had to bring my own bottle of wine - we were spending over $20k for the wedding and they could not give us one glass of wine before the bar opened. In summary, we had a beautiful wedding and a great overall experience with the hotel, outside of the fact that they did not debone the sea bass - I just wish we knew and did not put the sea bass on the menu; there were no bones during our tasting. We would definitely recommend the hotel for a city wedding. Reviewed on 02-09-2017
Tony P(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-09-2018 Best Location in Chicago!The Wyndham penthouse and terrace has got to be one of the best locations for a ceremony/reception in Chicago. The views are just breathtaking - in every direction! This is a special place that immediately puts everyone in a great mood. We had about 100 guests, which is just about perfect for this venue. Our ceremony was outside - it was a beautiful evening (a bit windy, but guests could always duck inside and still enjoy the setting). The passed hors d'oeuvres were delicious! - and the dinner courses were great too! The interior space is as stunning as the terrace. It's really just a wonderful place to have an event. It should be on everyone's short list! Reviewed on 23-07-2017
Brittany Buckles(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-06-2018 Brianna was everything we wanted in a catering manager. She did much more than expected from the very first day until the last. She helped with our problems, responded quickly, organized difficult situations, was always smiling, and very fun to work with. She made a stressful day relaxing and enjoyable. I would not recommend anyone but her in Chicago. The venue was GORGEOUS. It rained and we still enjoyed every second of being in that windowed room. The view is absolutely unbeatable in Chicago (we visited over 40 places before settling on this one). Cannot praise them enough! Bravo and we thank them for making our wedding the best day of our lives. The rehearsal and Sunday brunch were great too. -Brittany and Cem \"Gem\" Kuru Reviewed on 30-04-2017
Lauren Jordan(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 08-04-2017 Our wedding was absolutely beautiful, and that is of course partly due to this incredible venue. We were very fortunate to have beautiful weather so we got to use the terrace. Everyone was so impressed with the views. Also, being able to stay in the same building after the reception was a Godsend. And the rooms are so nice (especially the bridal suite)! We worked with Brianna, and she was very sweet. She was knowledgeable, responsive and helpful. She also was there throughout most of the event.This space says that it can fit 130 seated. We had 70, and felt like it was the perfect about of people. There was plenty of room to move around and everyone was comfortable! Reviewed on 09-04-2017
Francesca Pellegrino(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 23-07-2016 Do you self a favor and don't ask questions about your wedding venue! If you are into delicious food, gorgeous views, professional service and a wedding coordinator that will make any bride feel like a princess? Look no further. Wyndham Grand River Front was amazing. My husband and I knew we wanted to get married there, we live across the street and every weekend would stare up into the beautiful space and watch weddings and events. Brianna, was amazing! Honestly, as a bride we freak about everything and she was on top of every little detail. Prior to her coming on we signed up with someone who was on their way out and as soon as that happened Grace, who is the the Director of Catering and Events, stepped in for the time being. It was seamless and Grace made us a priority every time I needed her. Brianna came on about 4 months before our wedding. And from the moment I met her, I knew my big day was going to be great! I must have emailed her 10 times a week. Sometimes just to get her opinion on a color. It never took more than a couple hours at max to get a response, even on the poor girls day off! She would meet us on Sunday nights and after her work hours during the week to look at lights and things that only I cared about while respecting that we work and needed to meet at weird hours. But absolutely most all, day of. You have two choices when you are a bride, freak about everything and miss the most important day of my life or sit back relax and enjoy the ride. I wont lie not everything went according to plan, but the minute there was a sign of anything it was like magic, all of a sudden Brianna is there and problem is solved. Mind you we got married on a day when it was 105 heat index and super storm cells raging during my cocktail hour (on the outdoor terrance!). From beginning to end she, and the entire staff at the Wyndham Grand River Front took care of us. I highly recommend their venue. It was the most perfect day! Reviewed on 31-08-2016
Kerry Burnet(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-06-2016 We had our wedding reception at the Wyndham and we were so pleased! It is a true gem in the middle of the city. The view from the penthouse and terrace are amazing and the staff was so accommodating to our guests. The food is good and Brianna is great to work with. Highly recommend as a wedding reception venue! Reviewed on 17-08-2016
Lina Serpil(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-07-2016 My husband, Rob, and I recently got married in the Penthouse Ballroom & Terrace on July 3,2016. Brianna Coyle (our SUPERSTAR wedding specialist from the hotel) was without a doubt the most detail-oriented and helpful person I have worked with! She made sure every detail was ironed out and exactly as I had asked it to be. She was always willing to meet and/or discuss more details and I never felt that she was too busy for my small 100-person wedding. Jessica, the banquets manager was excellent as well. She made sure all of the details were perfect and both checked in with us leading up to and throughout the event. Rob and I are so lucky to have had the PERFECT wedding team to help us on this very special day. I would 110% recommend this property and especially Brianna for your wedding! She is a hard-worker and go-getter and well make sure every aspect of your wedding day is flawless! Reviewed on 22-07-2016
Julie (bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 18-10-2015 This venue (the terrace and ballroom on the penthouse) is absolutely stunningly gorgeous. Our guests raved about our wedding \"literally on the top of Chicago,\" and many described it as the most beautiful wedding they’ve ever attended. The food was exceptional – we’ve received compliments from guests on all three of the food options we served. And most importantly, and a handful of truly wonderful people made sure our night went perfectly. Thank you very much! Reviewed on 20-10-2015
Marissa Holtzman(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-09-2014 My wife and I were recently married at the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront (September 2014) and we have the very best things to say about not only the venue, but Kendall Krug - the Catering Sales Manager. \r\rFrom the first time we met Kendall, she did everything in her power to accommodate our budget, needs, wants, and frankly - our neurotic personalities. As wedding planning can be somewhat stressful, especially for us trying to plan in a 4 month period - we had LOTS of questions / concerns for Kendall. She handled them without so much as a pause and left our minds at ease from start to finish. \r\rWe got to know Kendall personally throughout the process and this put us even more at ease. She, David and Stephanie didn't miss a beat at the ceremony, reception and during the entire night. \r\rIn terms of the venue: I have been a Chicago resident my entire life and can't say I've seen a more ideal setting for a city wedding. Many hotels offer cramped reception areas without windows, views, or outdoor spaces to enjoy. The Wyndham has all of these in spades. Situated on the River near the Michigan Avenue Bridge, the views from the reception hall are nearly 360 degrees of the Loop, River, Magnificent Mile and some of the cities greatest landmarks. If weather allows, I highly suggest having your event when you can utilize the outdoor patio - UTTERLY STUNNING. As for the reception hall, the floor to ceiling windows on three walls mean you do not have to spend money dressing the room with flowers or any additional decorations - the view says it all. \r\rLet's not forget the Chef's - they were so very kind, accommodating, and talented. The food was truly fantastic and our guests raved. Just a teaser - the lamb lollipop appetizer is a must for the meat-eaters interested in the space. \r\rClearly, my wife and I can't speak highly enough of both Kendall and the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront! Our best to Kendall and thank you! Reviewed on 13-10-2014
Katie McGuire(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 19-09-2014 This venue speaks for itself with the floor-ceiling windows and view of the city. The outdoor terrace is a great addition to the reception because it allows for a totally different vibe than the one inside. Guests who don't like to dance, want to get some fresh air, or have a nice chat can sit out there while the dance floor is loud and booming! The food was amazing and we were able to add local microbrews to our bar. The shining star here is Kendall. She is so wonderful to work with when planning. I hadn't the first clue about organizing a wedding and she effortlessly guided me through the whole thing. The day of, I had tons of boxes (vases, candle holders, etc) that I brought up to the Penthouse and all I did was say what it was for and she put everything together for the ceremony and the reception. She was really fun to work with and responded to all my emails very quickly. She goes above and beyond anything I think her position entails and is always so kind, professional and funny! If you're thinking of this venue, I would definitely recommend you book it. They will work with you and help in any way they can. Parking, as with any hotel in the city, is not the cheapest, so I just recommended using Spothero to my guests. The block of rooms set aside was pretty reasonable for the season. The linens and table settings that come with the booking are very beautiful and work with any color scheme, but I did upgrade the chairs. Reviewed on 08-10-2014
Andrea Rich(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-08-2014 My husband and I were married at the hotel earlier this month and cannot say enough good things about the venue and in particular, Kendall Krug,the Catering Sales Manager. To be honest when we started planning our wedding, I did not want a \"hotel\" wedding. However, the minute we saw the views of the Chicago skyline we fell in love. Then we met Kendall, which was the icing on the cake knowing we had made the right decision. Kendall worked with us every step of the way to make sure our food was unique. Beyond that she went above and beyond to accommodate some last minute requests, including skyping my Maid of Honor in for the ceremony. She did so with a smile on her face and a calm that any bride appreciates. Our guests are still raving about the space, the food, and the overall party. Reviewed on 16-08-2014
christine junia(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 08-12-2013 We couldn't have picked a better place to have our wedding reception. The staff at Wyndham grand specially Chelsey the banquet manager made everything really easy for us. We are also very particular with the food and the meal they served was so delicious. Even though we had a buffet set-up, the one they had at the hotel wasn't tacky silver serving dishes, everything was set-up tastefully. And it worked out for the best because the guests loved the food, that a lot of them went back for more. The day we had our wedding was the first snowfall of the season which caused some delays getting back from the ceremony site. But chelsey and her team adjusted quickly to the changes. The venue itself had wonderful glass windows all around that the evening was embraced in Chicago's lovely skyline. The bridal suite was very nice and spacious and we appreciated the treats they had waiting for us in the room. We definitely felt we got our money's worth. We loved it!! Thanks chelsey and to the rest of your awesome staff! Reviewed on 18-01-2014
shawnpmaloney (groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-12-2013 We just had our reception this past weekend and things couldn't have gone better. Chelsey and her team delivered on everything. The food was outstanding. We heard from multiple guests that it was the best wedding food they had ever had. The new outdoor space only adds to the venue (we were able to use it with the heaters).\r \rA million dollar view with great service and outstanding food. We couldn't be happier. Reviewed on 30-12-2013
Cheryl Sokol(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-12-2013 We just had our wedding reception (12/28/13) at the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront (formerly Hotel 71). I can honestly say that our experience, as well as our guests' experience was second to none. Chelsey took care of everything from the beginning, and the end product was spectacular! Chelsey was always very prompt and responsive to our requests, and whenever there was an issue, she worked with the appropriate people to get it resolved as quickly as possible. A few comments we received from our guests were: \"best food I've ever had at a wedding,\" \"million dollar views,\" \"late night snacks were awesome!\" and \"the rooms and views were spectacular.\" The recent renovations made to the ballroom, cocktail area, and outdoor space were beautiful. And more people than we can count told us, \"this was the best wedding I have ever been to.\" Thank you for a truly awesome wedding weekend! Chelsey, you made our wedding dreams a reality! Reviewed on 30-12-2013
Laura Klein(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 06-09-2013 We used The Wyndham Grand Chicago as our hotel for our wedding block in downtown Chicago. They were by far the cheapest of any legitimate hotel downtown for our wedding in September 2013 and I’ve stayed there before and knew the rooms were incredible. They have a sales person that is with you from start to finish which was very comforting; Lori helped us with so many questions. She was able to keep us informed of every detail. The Wyndham Grand Chicago had pricing for valet that was in line with other hotels’ pricing from my research. Their location is perfect for any out of town guest wanting a view of the Chicago River and to be right in the middle of things; a close walk to Michigan Avenue, accessible to the CTA train system for airport routes, and in an area that is easy to find cabs. I was nervous at first to commit to filling 80% of the rooms in the agreed upon block but you just have to have a count of how many people would actually stay there before you sign the contract so you make sure you fill that amount; we met our block minimum with no problem. They had champagne and chocolate covered strawberries waiting for my husband and I when we arrived after our wedding which was so thoughtful. They had cribs available for my nieces and nephews, which was extremely helpful. Their lobby is beautiful and is great to have a few people wait around in. They delivered all of the guest packages to their rooms for a small fee but they all were there waiting for them when they got into their rooms. I would recommend The Wyndham Grand Chicago to any couple for their wedding block because of their inexpensive pricing comparably, incredible service, much appreciated reliability, great responsiveness, and beautiful lobby and rooms. Reviewed on 22-12-2013
Sonila sejdaras(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 10-07-2010 Let me start by saying that I planned our wedding two months before the big day due to unexpected pregnancy. This place exceeded our expectations. It has a great view, Chelsey the sales manager was so helpful and kind that made the whole process go smoothly. We were on a budget, so I didnt have a wedding planner, however Chelsey took care of many things beyond what i was expecting. The food was also the most delicious food in Chicago. We go out quite often to eat, however the chef at Wyndham is amazing. He impressed all our guest but especially us. His food is so creative and delicious that we went back for our first anniversary to get the same food he made for our wedding. The venue, the food and staff have all 5 stars from us. If you want your day to be beautiful, stress free, and delicious food this is the place to be. Reviewed on 05-12-2013
Norma Avitia(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 22-06-2013 We planned our wedding from Southern California and I was nervous about the overwhelming task. I needn't have worried because Chelsey, the Catering Manager, was amazing to work with. She was not only responsive, detailed and organized, but also an absolute delight to work with - very professional, accommodating, and enthusiastic every step of the way. \r\rThe moment I walked into the 39th floor ballroom at Hotel 71 (Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront) during our first site visit, I knew it would be the place to host the best day of my life. It took my breath away! Floor-to-ceiling windows and a 360 degree view of the entire city -- it doesn't get any better than this. \r\rWe had a very precise vision of what we wanted our wedding to be and Chelsey helped me bring everything to life. Everything on the day of went seamlessly without any mishaps whatsoever. It was awesome. \r\rThe food is amazing (Chelsey and the Chef both worked with me to customize portions of my menu and cocktail offerings), the service is top-notch and the venue itself is unparalleled.\r\rFour months later, we still get compliments on our wedding, and we loved it so much we fully plan to fly in to spend our first anniversary at the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront! \r\rIf you're looking for a venue for your wedding, stop the search, you've found what you're looking for. Book it. Now. Reviewed on 29-10-2013
Megan Weiss(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-09-2013 I cannot praise this venue enough! \rThe space is breathtaking with floor to ceiling windows and amazing city views. A night wedding captures the space perfectly. \rEveryone raved about the food and cake. And our coordinator, Chelsey, was with us every step of the way. \rI can honestly say our wedding day went on without a hitch and I was able to enjoy every moment. \rGet married here! Reviewed on 04-10-2013
Laura Newcomer(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-09-2019 My husband and I had our ceremony and reception at the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront on August 10, 2013. From start to finish, the hotel accommodated our every need. We mostly worked with the the catering manager, Chesley Brunner, who was informative, responsive, and friendly. She sat with us during our food tasting, and helped us craft a wonderful cocktail hour and dinner menu. The hotel pull off an impressive room-flip during our cocktail hour -- they switched our ceremony set-up to a full-blown reception set-up (including a band) within 50 minutes. It was great to mingle with guests after the ceremony, and then see the amazing room transformation.\r\rOur guests appreciated the convenience of having the ceremony, reception, and lodging all in the same location. Not to mention that the location of the hotel itself is stellar. Our guests could take full advantage of all downtown has offer -- shopping, dining, museums, theater, etc.\r\rFinally, I can't rave enough about the breathtaking views for our ceremony and reception. We were looking for a unique space, and nothing in our price range compared to the 360-degree floor-to-ceiling windows in the 39th floor ballroom. Between Chicago's impressive architecture and all of that natural light, we had absolutely beautiful wedding photos. \r\rIf you are even remotely considering having your wedding at the Wyndham, you must go visit the 39th floor ballroom. It will blow you away.\r Reviewed on 02-10-2013
Tiffani Simmons(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-09-2013 I used this venue for my 9/1/2013 wedding and I couldn't be happier. The ballroom is located on the 39th floor of the hotel and is completely floor to ceiling windows, which gives you the most amazing view of the Chicago river and the city. The view is absolutely stunning. If you are a city person or are looking for an upscale venue then this definitely the place for you. The ballroom is not large and the hotel was originally built as an apartment building, so it doesn't have the traditional ballroom feel. As a side note, the ballroom was featured in the movie, The Dark Knight, as Bruce Wayne's penthouse. The room itself has a capcity of about a 130ish people. My wedding was small and we came nowhere near the max number so that was not a problem for me. The same space is used for the ecermony and reception and there is a smaller side area that is used for the cocktail hour, so the space is really convenient. The staff is super professional and freindly. Chelsey Brunner, the wedding coordinator at the hotel is amazing and extremely helpful. She is willing to assist in any way possible and is a great resource (even better than my hired wedding planner)! The food is beautifully presented and delicious! The chef is willing to work with you to accommodate your specific food tastes and requests. The hotel staff is super helpful and went out of their way to make sure that I was taken care of on my special day. This place is definitley a great value for the money and my guests we so impressed by the view and the space. I felt like a queen and I definitely have the people at the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront to thank for that! I can't say enough good things about this venue and my guests can't stop raving about how lovely everything was. The only thing that I am sad about is that it had to end... Reviewed on 19-09-2013
Ben Kaplan(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-08-2013 We had our wedding at the former Hotel 71. Everything was amazing. All of our vendors were great, but the nice surprise was Chelsey from the hotel who was not on a pleasure to work with, but made the experience easier and equally special.\r\rDozens of guests afterwards commented on how much they enjoyed the wedding, a few claiming the service the best they'd had.\r\rHighest of compliments to the chef as well!\r\r-Kaplans Reviewed on 17-09-2013
vanessa cabrales(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 07-09-2013 We had the BEST service from Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront. Our contact person, Chelsey Brunner, was there to answer any questions I might have (no matter how unimportant they were). She made my wedding go smoothly and worry free. I wish the night did not go as fast as it did and we could re-live that night all over again. I also want to mention that the suite we were given for the night was huge and unexpected. I assumed it would be small, but we were pleasantly surprised. Overall we recommend the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront and Chelsey Brunner for a downtown city wedding. Reviewed on 12-09-2013
Melanie Lane(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 17-08-2013 Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront is an amazing place with great views for a wedding reception. Our guests were amazed when they got to the 39th Floor. We would recommend this site for wedding receptions to anyone. Great central location in Chicago for everything you'd need or want to do or see. The catering manager and staff were very helpful and accomodating. We got so many compliments on everything. The chef personnally introduced himself and spoke with us on several occasions and the food is amazing! Reviewed on 25-08-2013
Emily Hebrew(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 26-07-2013 I could not have been happier with Hotel 71. The staff was super friendly and helped out with anything we needed. The rooms were nice and welcoming. Chelsey was phenomenal with helping my mother and I with items along the way. She kept us in the loop with renovations and things going on at the hotel. If we had questions she immediately answered and helped us out. I am so glad we chose to have our wedding at Hotel 71. Our guests are still talking about how awesome our wedding was. The view from the ballroom is spectacular and the food had amazing flavor just like it did at our first tasting.I loved everything about it and I could not have asked for a better place to have my wedding. It ended up being PERFECT and more! Hotel 71 is amazing! Reviewed on 15-08-2013
Shannon Member(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 15-06-2013 Chelsey did an amazing job bringing mine and my husbands vision to life! We had so many compliments after the wedding! Beautiful setting! Amazing food! And the best coordinator! Reviewed on 15-08-2013
Jaclyn Whelan(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 06-07-2013 Considering I was planning this wedding a year out all the way from Australia, I was worried this was going to be a difficult task! However thanks to Chelsey, who was absolutely wonderful, my whole reception at Wyndham Grand (Hotel 71) was perfect! Chelsey was so responsive to all my emails and calls and very speedy in her replies. We had a few bits and pieces that we hand-made for our centrepieces as well as special beers from Australia we needed, and she went out of her way to ensure these were set up as planned.\rAfter all the preplanning and finally arriving at the hotel, the front desk/reception staff were so accommodating in helping us organise our guests for the following day. I can’t say enough good things about my experience and my reception. Chelsey was very professional and the hotel staff were responsive and more than accommodating for our big day. And of course, the views from the penthouse are worth every cent! If you are looking for a grand venue that will wow your guests right in the middle of the city, you can rely on Wyndham to pull it off! Reviewed on 12-08-2013
Melissa Potts(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 20-07-2013 Our wedding was on July 20, 2013 and we got married at Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront with Chelsey as our catering manager. The moment we first viewed the ballroom we knew it was the perfect place for our wedding. It has a gorgeous view and allows you to take in the city from the 39th floor. Chelsey and her staff are very well organized and made sure every detail was perfect. Chelsey and her staff went above and beyond our expectations setting up our space beautifully. Everything went perfect because of them. I highly recommend having your wedding at this venue. Reviewed on 06-08-2013
Kristi Nelmark(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 16-02-2013 Hotel 71 turned out to be the ideal wedding venue for us. We had about 125 guests at our ceremony, cocktail hour and reception on the 39th floor on February 16th.\rWhile touring the top floor of the hotel, we instantly knew that it was exactly what we had imagined. The staff at the hotel was so easy to work with, very quick at returning phone calls and emails, and made the decision very easy to book our wedding there.\rDuring the planning process, a bride and groom need to make a LOT of decisions. Chelsey Brunner, the Catering Sales Manager who we worked with most, made these decisions very easy by telling us what she has seen workd (and not work)in past weddings. She also helped bring to our attention small details that we wouldn’t have planned for otherwise (like “will your DJ have an extra speaker for the cocktail hour?”) Hotel 71 cooperates with Alliance Bakery, so our wedding cake was included when we booked our wedding. Chelsey was so helpful in coordinating with the bakery when we asked to have a sweets table set up as well. I made a lot of trips to the hotel to see where the uplighting would look best, choose linen colors, and plan the layout of our cocktail hour, and Chelsey made herself available every time.\rThe weekend of our wedding came before we knew it! We had boxes and boxes of stuff to be set up on that day (a card box, a photo booth with props, sweets table platters, signs, place cards, table numbers, champagne flutes, etc). The bellmen were so incredible and always smiling when we asked them to help us move the boxes. The staff who set up our wedding knew exactly what to do with the contents in each box and made the venue look better than we could have imagined.\rWhen we checked in, our suite was waiting for us with Champagne, delicious chocolate covered strawberries, and a hand-written note from Chelsey. After the Wyndham purchased Hotel 71, they have been undergoing some renovations, but besides some exposed drywall along the hallways, we never would have known it. Our suite was spotless, had an incredible view of the river, and was the perfect place to call home for the weekend of our wedding. It was even spacious enough to have 2 hairdressers, a makeup artist, 6 bridesmaids, 2 mothers, and a grandmother spend time together while getting ready for the big day.\rOur ceremony fell right around sunset, so we had many compliments on how gorgeous the venue was during that time. During cocktail hour, the staff flipped the ceremony room to our reception room. We were able to sneak in for a few minutes before the guests were invited in and noticed the great job they did making the room look perfect in very little time. During dinner, the photo booth was set up, the gift table was turned into a sweets table, gifts sent up to our suite, and each transition happened as seamlessly as the next. Our guests really seemed to enjoy their meals (prepared by Hoyt’s – the restaurant on the first floor at Hotel 71), and then the party started! \r\tFrom beginning to end, Chelsey was on top of every single detail and we can’t thank her enough for her hard work and the fantastic job she did at making our day memorable. Our experience definitely wouldn’t have been the same without her. Because of the incredible customer service, the atmosphere that the staff creates for you, and the views from the 39th floor, we would highly recommend Hotel 71 to anyone who wants to host an incredible wedding in a great city venue! Reviewed on 26-03-2013
Katie Barson(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 10-11-2012 If you're looking for an intimate and stunning wedding venue, this is your place. It is smaller than most ballrooms and provides panoramic views of the city (which at night, are truly breathtaking). It may seem expensive, but the views should be your decoration and therefore, not much else is needed! The on-site rooms are also a plus for your guests, especially because their rooms there are nicer than an average hotel, but the same cost. Small weddings with lots of out-of-towners? Hotel 71 is a no brainer! Reviewed on 28-12-2012
Katherine K(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 15-10-2011 We had our ceremony and wedding here and could not have been happier! The views are stunning and creates all the decor you need. All the guests said the food was amazing (we, of course, thought it was!). The service during cocktail and dinner could not have been better - everyone was attentive and sweet. I highly recommend this place! Reviewed on 19-11-2011
Amy Park(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-09-2010 We had our wedding at Hotel 71 on September 25, 2010. It was truly perfect, down to every last detail. We had wanted our wedding to be a small gathering of family and close friends, more than half of whom were coming from out of town. The venue and location were perfect, as the 39th Floor Penthouse has panaramic views that showcased downtown Chicago. The size of the space (maximum capacity of 120 or so guests) was perfect for our group and helped create an intimate but lively atmosphere. The hotel was elegant, classy and hip, without being overly pretentious or stuffy.\rWe had both our ceremony and reception at the hotel, and the set-up for both was so beautiful. We did our own centerpieces and decor, which the hotel staff set up for us. The set up that they did was even more beautiful than we had anticipated. We did not have a day-of coordinator or a wedding planner, but the hotel's banquet manager, Rebecca Lachman, helped ensure that everything went smoothly and according to our \"vision\". The end result was not only what we had imagined, but better.\rThe menu selections for passed hors d'oeuvres and dinner are expansive and the chef was very accomodating. He helped us customize the menu selections so that we were completely satisfied with each item. The food on the night of the event was delicious and the guests were all very impressed. It was more akin to gourmet fare than typical wedding food. The mini-sliders came on little pretzel buns and the lamb lollipops were a huge hit with the guests. The wedding cake that was designed for us was a perfect complement to our color scheme and was exactly what we had in mind. It was simple but elegant and just perfect for us.\rOutside of the main event, from the moment we checked into the bridal suite, all the little details were very impressive. The hotel provided a complimentary fruit plate and bottle of wine upon check-in, and a complimentary bottle of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries after our ceremony. The suite itself was expansive, elegant, and luxurious. The Property itself is very beautiful, and guests were impressed from the moment they checked in. Parking for the event was very reasonably priced, given the Downtown Chicago location, and the rooms were reasonable priced as well. \rOverall, we could not have asked for a more perfect wedding weekend. We were so happy not only with the venue, the location, the decor, the food, the atmosphere and the service on the day of, but the pre-planning assistance from Rebecca and her understanding of what we had envisioned. It was really more than what we expected. Regarding the cost, it is definitely not a \"budget\" venue, but it is also not as expensive as other places downtown. There is no minimum food and beverage requirement, as there is with many other venues for a Friday or Saturday night, and the cost to us was worth every penny. We still have guests telling us what an unforgettable wedding it was, and many who have told us that it was the most beautiful and memorable wedding they've attended. Thanks to Hotel 71 and Rebecca Lachman, our wedding day was not only perfect, but truly a memory that will last a lifetime. Reviewed on 01-10-2010
CHRISTINA BIJAK(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-11-2007 The view of the river and city are amazing and provide a backdrop like no other. The food was wonderful. Helpful staff.;Only one unisex bathroom on the same level as the reception room. Other bathrooms are available up a short set of stairs. Reviewed on 10-05-2010
79 Reviews, with a Rating of 4.8 out of 5.0
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