hotel – Page 4 – Building The Godfrey

Siobhan Higgins Review of The Godfrey Hotel in AirChicago

Siobhan Higgins wrote about how The Godfrey Hotel is THE hottest new hotel in Chicago for the heavily-anticipated inaugural issue of this quarterly magazine distributed within Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway Airports. Check out what he thinks are the best parts of The Godfrey Hotel and I|O Urban Roofscape.

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).

I|O Urban Roofscape Time Lapse – #NowOpen

If you missed the release of I|O Urban Roofscape’s awesome time lapse video this weekend, you can watch it here. The video captures the entire construction process for the nightlife hot spot, showing the installation of the retractable roof. We’ve also been snapping some awesome photos of guests having a blast at I|O Urban Roofscape since we opened – you can see them in the video, too. Come see us soon and make sure to tag photos of you and your friends with @iogodfrey on Twitter and Instagram, or visit us on Facebook.

I|O Urban Roofscape is Chicago’s largest indoor-outdoor rooftop lounge and is open year-round. We offer unobstructed skyline views, a gourmet bar menu, innovative mixology cocktails and more. To learn more, please visit www.iogodfrey.com. Curious about the menus? Our food and drink offerings are available here.

#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.

#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!