guest experience – Page 2 – Building The Godfrey

Q&A with Gettys Design Director Chris McDonough

Chris McDonough is Design Director at The Gettys Group, leading interior design for the guest rooms at The Godfrey Hotel Chicago. We spoke to him about where he started with the project, and about how he wanted guests to feel when they arrived at the hotel.

The Gettys Group Design Director Chris McDonough created an urban sanctuary when designing guest rooms at The Godfrey Hotel Chicago.

Q: What are some of your favorite features in the guest rooms?

A: From a guest experience and emotional response, my favorite aspect of the guest room is the overall feeling of sophisticated calm that the space provides. The subtle variance in the shower tile finish is a hidden design element that the guest can discover.

Q: Where did you start when designing the rooms? Or, what was the inspiration?

A: The boldness and the strength of the exterior architecture was obviously a design parameter that we had to consider. When considering the guest room design, our goal was to compliment the unique exterior but also provide an urban sanctuary for the guest from the energy of River North.

Q: What do you want guests to feel when they stay at The Godfrey Hotel Chicago?

A: We would like the guest to feel stylish and sophisticated, and that they have found a hidden, unique gem within the crowded Chicago hotel market.

To see more of our guest room photos, take a look at this blog post featuring the newly designed spaces. You can also learn more about guest room features at The Godfrey Hotel Chicago by clicking here.

Thank you Chris for conducting the Q&A.

Q&A with UrbanBuddy’s Paul Brogna

You’re standing in The Godfrey Hotel Chicago’s lobby with your friends, and you’re trying to decide where to eat dinner. Not one of you is from Chicago, so who do you ask for help? We have our in-person hotel concierge and our on-site touch screens to help you with these questions, but thanks to UrbanBuddy, you can now also download a unique, mobile concierge app directly to your phone.

The Godfrey Hotel Chicago's touch-screen concierge by UrbanBuddy creates a one-of-a-kind travel experience. — Get more information about UrbanBuddy on The Godfrey Hotel Chicago touch screens. You can scan the QRC code to download the app.

We talked to UrbanBuddy’s Paul Brogna about the vision behind their company, and how it helps travelers get the most out of visits to new cities:

Q: How did UrbanBuddy come about? What was the inspiration?

A: Our story began in Barcelona, Spain, where Pete and I spent a semester abroad in 2007 studying architecture. Barcelona is where we learned how valuable knowing a local really is, which became the catalyst to create UrbanBuddy. The inspiration came from one local named Keyan Pak, who was our go-to source for local information and really showed us the local way throughout our entire abroad experience.

Q: What are some of the best tips you would provide guests looking for something to do in Chicago? And in River North? We’ve noticed UrbanBuddy is great with hyper-local questions.

A: UrbanBuddy is a resource for hyper-local and on-demand information. For guests looking for something to do in Chicago, I would recommend downloading the app and ask our expert locals! After all, the service is about real-time information and not based on reviews or static content. For the best tips on what to do in Chicago, ask your UrbanBuddy and chat in real-time.

Q: Why should guests try using UrbanBuddy?

A: I think The New York Times put it best: “[UrbanBuddy is] like an in-the-know friend whispering in your smartphone.” Every traveler has questions, needs and a desire to be wowed and to seek out a local’s perspective. UrbanBuddy provides travelers with the platform and community they need to find the best answers.

UrbanBuddy Co-Founders Paul Brogna (left) and Pete Stam (right). — UrbanBuddy co-Founders Paul Brogna (left) and Pete Stam (right).

#TBT – King Guest Room

Do you remember what The Godfrey Hotel Chicago’s guest rooms used to look like? We certainly do. Following is a #TBT photo from last September, before all the luxurious amenities and furnishings were installed.

Before all of our luxury furnishings were installed! — Before all of our luxury furnishings were added.

But look how far we’ve come… Today’s #TBT post compares the before and after photos of our king guest rooms.

Now completed, our king guest room is inviting with its comfortable, high-quality linens and everything you could need during your stay.

Need to work? We hope you don't. But if that is the case, we offer a fully equipped workspace. — Need to work? We hope you don’t. But if that is the case, we offer a fully equipped workspace.

We have 221 stylish and contemporary rooms: 182 graciously-sized rooms, 12 Executive King Rooms and 27 One-Bedroom Suites. Extra amenities are key to luxurious travel and our rooms offer complimentary Wi-Fi, luxurious linens, a wet bar, iHome docking station, extra seating and more. As you can see from the photo above, the rooms are equipped with large work stations as well, including an ergonomic chair. When working on the road, it’s important to have both comfort and efficiency. To see more details on our rooms, please visit our website.

Make a reservation today and come see the guest rooms for yourself. We’re #NowOpen and we’d love to have you.

The Godfrey Hotel Chicago Fitness Room

Traveling can make challenging to stick with your fitness routines, but The Godfrey Hotel Chicago is here to help.

Take a look at the new photos of our gorgeous 24-hour fitness room, complete with the latest equipment, free weights and more. Plus, the extra space in our fitness room allows for exercise enthusiasts to stretch out before or after they’re finished exercising. Guests can reach their health and wellness goals while having a great time when traveling for business or pleasure. With the abundant food options in Chicago (deep dish pizza, anyone?), this is the perfect way to maintain a balance on the road.

Our brand new treadmills, ellipticals, and exercise bikes will help you work up a sweat.

Another view of the fitness room at The Godfrey Hotel Chicago. Television screens allow you to catch up on news and other programs while you work out.

Let us know how you’re staying in shape this 2014. Tweet us at @GodfreyHotel or share your photo on Instagram at @godfreyhotelchicago.

#TBT – I|O Urban Roofscape

It’s #ThrowbackThursday and we’re celebrating the beautiful rooftop dining experience at I|O Urban Roofscape! The photo below was taken on June 26, 2013 during construction at The Godfrey Hotel Chicago.

I|O Urban Roofscape during construction on June 26, 2013.

Flash forward to today and we’re now open!

I|O Urban Roofscape with the retractable roof closed - perfect for any-weather parties! — I|O Urban Roofscape with the retractable roof closed – perfect for any-weather parties!

Outdoor event seating at I|O Urban Roofscape.

The retractable roof opens for beautiful weather!