• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Jaime Says

wine.quiet travel.lifestyle.

  • About
  • What is Quiet Travel?
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • Amsterdam
      • France
      • Portugal
        • The Azores
      • Spain
    • United States
      • Alabama
      • Arizona
      • Canada
      • Idaho
      • Illinois
        • Chicago
        • DuPage County
      • Indiana
      • Michigan
      • Mexico
      • Montana
      • Nevada
      • New Orleans
      • Wisconsin
    • Quiet Travel
  • Life and Links
  • Wine
  • Work With Me
    • Previous Brand Partnerships
Chicago Blogger|Travel Blogger|Quiet Travel|Anxious Traveler|Lifestyle Blogger|Food Blogger|Wine Blogger|Best Hotel in Chicago near McCormick Place|Marriott Marquis Chicago

Chicago, Hotel Review, Illinois

3 November 2017

The Newest Chicago Hotel Near McCormick Place: The Marriott Marquis Chicago

Last Updated on March 25, 2018 by JaimeSays

Being a major United States city and airline hub, Chicago hosts many conventions.  Many of the larger gatherings occur in the near South side of the city, at the McCormick Place Convention Center.  For years, there was only one hotel option within walking distance of McCormick Place.  Not anymore.  With an official opening date of November 16, 2017, the newest Chicago hotel near McCormick Place is the Marriot Marquis Chicago.

Chicago Blogger|Travel Blogger|Quiet Travel|Anxious Traveler|Lifestyle Blogger|Food Blogger|Wine Blogger|Best Hotel in Chicago near McCormick Place|Marriott Marquis Chicago

An exterior image of the Marriott Marquis Chicago, c/o Marriott Marquis Chicago.

The Marriott Marquis: A Chicago Hotel Near McCormick Place, but How Near?

Chicago Blogger|Travel Blogger|Quiet Travel|Anxious Traveler|Lifestyle Blogger|Food Blogger|Wine Blogger|Best Hotel in Chicago near McCormick Place|Marriott Marquis Chicago

The Marriott Marquis is located at 2121 South Prairie Avenue in Chicago’s South Loop or newly dubbed McCormick Square neighborhood. It is a mere 0.4 miles from McCormick Place.  The building itself is 40 floors high, with rooms as high as the 39th floor.  It is the seventh Marquis of the Marriott brand with other U.S. locations in Atlanta, New York, San Francisco, San Diego, Washington D.C., and Houston.

 

What’s Different About the Marquis Brand?

The Marquis brand acts a flagship for Marriott.  With grander buildings and loads of rooms, the largesse of these Marquis properties makes quite an impression.  While the Marriott Marquis in Chicago is an ideal hotel near McCormick Place for a homebase, it also can serve as an convention location on its own.  With 93,000 square feet of meeting space, this hotel near McCormick Place is ideal for meetings.

Menus

The food and beverage offerings at the Marriott Marquis Chicago are top notch. With the Marquis brand, Marriott elevates the food and beverage scene.  Currently, there are two eateries open at the Marriott Marquis Chicago. The first, Pantry 2121, is a quick and convenient takeaway stand that offers readymade sandwiches and bites.  Woven and Bound is a foodies delight with seasonal menu items and an extensive drink list. Cocktails, craft beers, and a decent wine list round out the exceptional menu.  Here are photos of the menus from October 2017 during the soft opening of the restaurant and hotel:

Chicago Blogger|Travel Blogger|Quiet Travel|Anxious Traveler|Lifestyle Blogger|Food Blogger|Wine Blogger|Best Hotel in Chicago near McCormick Place|Marriott Marquis Chicago Chicago Blogger|Travel Blogger|Quiet Travel|Anxious Traveler|Lifestyle Blogger|Food Blogger|Wine Blogger|Best Hotel in Chicago near McCormick Place|Marriott Marquis ChicagoChicago Blogger|Travel Blogger|Quiet Travel|Anxious Traveler|Lifestyle Blogger|Food Blogger|Wine Blogger|Best Hotel in Chicago near McCormick Place|Marriott Marquis Chicago

 

A Delicious Dinner at Woven and Bound

My fiancé and I were lucky enough to enjoy dinner at Woven and Bound a few Tuesday nights ago.  The cocktail list is such a temptress, but neither Eddie nor I drink during the week. We were super hungry by the time we sat down so we ordered two appetizers: the duck pâté crostini and the grilled pear salad.  The duck pâté was really thick cut and came with a tomato onion remoulade. It was a firm texture, not like a mousse, and not heavily salted.  There were three fist sized pieces so we had plenty to share.

 

Chicago Blogger|Travel Blogger|Quiet Travel|Anxious Traveler|Lifestyle Blogger|Food Blogger|Wine Blogger|Best Hotel in Chicago near McCormick Place|Marriott Marquis Chicago

The duck pâté crostini at Woven and Bound.

The grilled pear salad came out at the same time as thepâté.  With watermelon radish and zingy microgreens, the creaminess of the burrata with the savory chestnuts and smoky pear all melded together nicely.

A Surprise from the Chef

Was I surprised when Chef Josh Murray stopped at our table to say hi!  As the former head chef at the Renaissance in Phoenix, he knows what Chicagoans like to eat. For those of you who don’t know, the Phoenix area is a winter mecca for Chicagoans.  He let us know that all of the ingredients and foods at Woven and Bound are from the Midwest as much as possible.  Ingredients are from from farms that use sustainable farming practices.  Meats on the menu are dry aged from corn fed cows, giving the meat the additional marbling and flavor not seen in grass fed beef.

As an extra treat, Chef Murray sent out a tasting portion of the newest dish on the menu: braised rabbit pappardelle.  Pappardelle is my favorite type of pasta and I haven’t found a rabbit dish I don’t like.  This was a boozy, Koval bourbon braised rabbit along with earthy shitaake mushrooms. The pasta tasted of nutmeg, citrus, and all kinds of perfect for fall.  I gobbled it up and completely forgot about my carbohydrate limited diet in preparation for our upcoming nuptials.

Chicago Blogger|Travel Blogger|Quiet Travel|Anxious Traveler|Lifestyle Blogger|Food Blogger|Wine Blogger|Best Hotel in Chicago near McCormick Place|Marriott Marquis Chicago

My favorite dish from Woven and Bound: Rabbit Parpadelle.

Main Courses

For our mains, my fiancé ordered the amish chicken and I ordered the Vice District burger. Vice District is a microbrewery located right in the South Loop. I love burgers, and anything with an egg on top has my vote.

Chicago Blogger|Travel Blogger|Quiet Travel|Anxious Traveler|Lifestyle Blogger|Food Blogger|Wine Blogger|Best Hotel in Chicago near McCormick Place|Marriott Marquis Chicago

Look how delicious the egg looks atop that burger!

As I have been avoiding carbs, I opted to skip the bun despite the perfect look of it.  Eddie said it was terrific. Now, when I say this burger was the gift that kept on giving, I am not exaggerating. First, it was the yolk of the egg dribbling down the side of the patty and nestling into the folds of the lettuce.  Then it was the burger itself, chargrilled medium well with gooey cheese oozing between every bite. And then the texture of a thick cut pork pâté giving a little bit of chew in each bite.  I won’t forget the creamy, cool avocado, and the spicy house made pickles that added the ideal vinegary heat.

Chicago Blogger|Travel Blogger|Quiet Travel|Anxious Traveler|Lifestyle Blogger|Food Blogger|Wine Blogger|Best Hotel in Chicago near McCormick Place|Marriott Marquis Chicago

Eddie had the Miller’s Amish Chicken.  It was symmetrically plated and evenly cooked throughout.  The chicken was moist and flavorful with an added bonus of having a bone-in to keep it extra juicy.  The braised white beans were creamy and the delightful smattering of dried cranberry hitting the palate was a sweet surprise.  The parsley added a touch of vegetal flavor to cut the fat of the chicken skin and starchiness of the beans.  I normally don’t like to order chicken when I’m out, but dang, this was so flavorful that I’d eat it again.

Woven and Bound Layout

The dinner we ate at Woven and Bound was remarkable.  When looking for a place to eat, I certainly recommend this restaurant in a hotel near McCormick Place. The tall ceilings and open concept felt uncrowded even as the bar was packed with conventioneers. TVs on the back of the bar made sure that we didn’t miss a beat of playoff baseball, something that made Eddie and I both pretty pleased.

Chicago Blogger|Travel Blogger|Quiet Travel|Anxious Traveler|Lifestyle Blogger|Food Blogger|Wine Blogger|Best Hotel in Chicago near McCormick Place|Marriott Marquis Chicago

Seating in the Restaurant of Woven and Bound.

Chicago Blogger|Travel Blogger|Quiet Travel|Anxious Traveler|Lifestyle Blogger|Food Blogger|Wine Blogger|Best Hotel in Chicago near McCormick Place|Marriott Marquis Chicago

Basketball and Baseball on the Screens at Woven and Bound.

What’s in a Name?

Woven and Bound is an homage to the Printers’ Row neighborhood.  While the neighborhood is currently about 12 blocks north on Dearborn Avenue, its original location was right here on Prairie Avenue.  I’ve mentioned that major printing and manufacturing giants lived and worked on Prairie Avenue at the turn of the century.  When the construction of the Marriott Marquis began, questions arose about what would happen with the American Book Publishing building.  Built in 1912, the red brick facade in a classical form is a neighborhood stalwart. Marriott decided to incorporate the building into construction of the Marquis and thus linked the past with the future.

Chicago Blogger|Travel Blogger|Quiet Travel|Anxious Traveler|Lifestyle Blogger|Food Blogger|Wine Blogger|Best Hotel in Chicago near McCormick Place|Marriott Marquis Chicago

Image of the American Book Publishing building, shortly before Marriott Marquis construction c/o Chicagoarchitecture.org

Today, as part of this Chicago hotel near McCormick Place, the building serves as 29 meeting rooms named for subjects of textbooks originally published there. Even the wallpaper in the rooms honors the building as it is made from the pages of old textbooks.

Other Dining Options Coming Soon

A new dining option is coming to the Marriott Marquis Chicago soon. Market is scheduled to open in January 2018.  It will have an entrance built directly from the street, so no need to enter through the lobby. Modeled off of Revival Food Hall, it will have five or six mini-restaurant concepts within the space.  Hopefully it will be open later than Revival as I’ve not yet had a chance to get there since I work in the suburbs and it closes at 7 pm.

Guest Rooms

If you are needing a hotel near McCormick Place, you shouldn’t have an issue with finding one of the 1205 rooms available at the Marriott Marquis. Hotel rooms extend as high up as the 39th floor. Found out about my stay on a 26th floor executive suite here. There are 44 suites and two presidential suites available. The standard room measures 420 square feet and is the design work of Gensler.  Each room includes a safe for valuables and an empty fridge to keep any leftovers from a night out.  There are also safety protocols in place to make sure you are safe in your room.  Elevators require keycard access to get to any of the rooms, and I personally encountered a security guard who wanted to verify my presence on a restricted floor. Safety is a major indicator when picking a hotel for anyone, particularly for a hotel near McCormick Place.

Chicago Blogger|Travel Blogger|Quiet Travel|Anxious Traveler|Lifestyle Blogger|Food Blogger|Wine Blogger|Best Hotel in Chicago near McCormick Place|Marriott Marquis Chicago

West Elm furniture decorates the rooms of the Marriott Marquis.

Chicago Blogger|Travel Blogger|Quiet Travel|Anxious Traveler|Lifestyle Blogger|Food Blogger|Wine Blogger|Best Hotel in Chicago near McCormick Place|Marriott Marquis Chicago

Additional seating in the form of a chaise lounge, a loveseat, and a desk with chair in a standard room.

Chicago Blogger|Travel Blogger|Quiet Travel|Anxious Traveler|Lifestyle Blogger|Food Blogger|Wine Blogger|Best Hotel in Chicago near McCormick Place|Marriott Marquis Chicago

Rooms are decorated with Chicago photography, and include coffee makers.

Chicago Blogger|Travel Blogger|Quiet Travel|Anxious Traveler|Lifestyle Blogger|Food Blogger|Wine Blogger|Best Hotel in Chicago near McCormick Place|Marriott Marquis Chicago

Bathrooms come with THANN branded products.

Chicago Blogger|Travel Blogger|Quiet Travel|Anxious Traveler|Lifestyle Blogger|Food Blogger|Wine Blogger|Best Hotel in Chicago near McCormick Place|Marriott Marquis Chicago

Plenty of counter space in the bathroom.

Event Space

The bulk of the event space in the Marriott Marquis Chicago is on floors two through four.  With 89,000 square feet of space on these floors alone, the Marriott Marquis houses a grand ballroom and two smaller ballrooms.

Chicago Blogger|Travel Blogger|Quiet Travel|Anxious Traveler|Lifestyle Blogger|Food Blogger|Wine Blogger|Best Hotel in Chicago near McCormick Place|Marriott Marquis Chicago

On the 33rd floor of the building, there is also a private event space of 3,600 square feet.  It has north and south facing views of the city and you can even see into Soldier Field.  Speaking of arenas, the Marriott Marquis Chicago attaches via pedestrian skybridge to the newest arena in Chicago.  The Wintrust Arena at 200 E. Cermak Road is home to the DePaul Blue Demons basketball team. When DePaul basketball is not in season, it serves as a major concert hall for the neighborhood.

Consider Staying at the Newest Hotel Near McCormick Place

The design and sleekness of the building and public spaces in the Chicago Marriott Marquis drew me in. The tour of the rooms revealed that those same characteristics also apply to the individual rooms.  The food offerings are top notch and the cocktail list is a sight to behold.  In addition, the Marriot Marquis built a brand new park for the neighborhood kids and families. As a hotel near McCormick Place and the South Loop, the Marriot Marquis Chicago ultimately is a place I would recommend to my friends and family.

.

Pin Me!

Many thanks to Marriott Marquis Chicago and Woven and Bound for hosting me. As always, all opinions are my own.

 

 

 

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
JaimeSays
WSET Level 2 Certified Wine Lover, DuPage County Brand Ambassador. DME + Orthotics By Day, Adoring Home Life and Travel by Night.
Latest posts by JaimeSays (see all)
  • I Hired an Interior Designer and Was Disappointed - November 10, 2021
  • Why I Didn’t Share My Pregnancy - September 18, 2021
  • Awesome Planters for Your Home - July 9, 2021
  • 9 Must See Things to do in Columbus, Indiana - July 3, 2021
  • Garden Advice for the Newly Suburban Beginning Gardener - June 20, 2021
  • 6 Things I Learnedat the 2021 Maremma Toscana Wines of Tuscany Tasting - June 3, 2021
  • Cocktails and Mocktails I’ve been Making at Home - April 6, 2021
  • Birdwatching: One of the Best Attractions in Southwest Florida - January 13, 2021
  • My Endometriosis Story - December 8, 2020

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Related

Related Posts

  • Marriott Marquis Chicago: The Best Wedding Hotel Block in Hotels near McCormick Place Chicago

    People visiting Chicago for a convention will most likely choose hotels near McCormick Place Chicago.…

  • Hotel Review: The Kinzie Hotel Chicago

    This post contains affiliate links.   I've had the opportunity to stay at a few hotels…

  • The Most Instagrammable River North Chicago Bars

    It has been a few years since I spent a considerable amount of time in…

Newer Posts
Older Posts

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Corinne says

    November 3, 2017 at 11:38 pm

    Those rooms look super comfy and I love that the integrated the old building instead of just getting rid of it!

    Reply
    • JaimeSays says

      November 8, 2017 at 1:31 am

      me too! The rooms have plenty of seating outside of the bed, which I really like because I can get work done without getting snoozy.

      Reply
  2. Wendy Awai-Dakroub says

    November 4, 2017 at 8:08 pm

    I attend the NRA show every year in Chicago at McCormick Place in May. I’ll definately stay here next year… Thank you for the review with photos always a plus!

    Reply
    • JaimeSays says

      November 8, 2017 at 1:26 am

      You do?! I would love to take you around or meet up if you have any time…it’s really close to my place!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Categories

Popular posts:

  • Whitefish Montana Restaurants: Where to Eat in…Whitefish Montana Restaurants: Where to Eat in Whitefish Montana
  • Are the Azores Safe to Visit? 9 Reasons Why You…Are the Azores Safe to Visit? 9 Reasons Why You Should Visit the Azores
  • 10 Things to do in Petoskey This Summer10 Things to do in Petoskey This Summer
  • 8 Things to do in Ludington MI8 Things to do in Ludington MI
  • 16 Things to do in Sandpoint Idaho this Summer16 Things to do in Sandpoint Idaho this Summer

Tags

Amsterdam anxiety management Architecture Bordeaux Canada Champagne Charlevoix Chicago Chicago Tours CityPass date night DuPage DuPage County Europe Family France Gadgets home Honeymoon Hotel Review Idaho Indianapolis Life and Links Marathon Weekend Michigan Michigan's Upper Peninsula Midwest Money Saver Money Saving Tips Northern Michigan Petoskey Petoskey Area Portugal Practical Tips quiet travel Québec South Loop style The Azores U.S. Travel Where to Eat Wine Wine Tours Winter Wisconsin

@instagram

  • What is Quiet Travel?
  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Case Studies
  • Policies

Copyright © 2022 · Jaime Says · Designed by Small Shop & Developed by Bella Creative Studio

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT