The Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

Gorgeous venue! It was perfect.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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 ROOM THE 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.

Grand Experience at the Wyndham Gran My 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

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

Hosting our wedding at the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront Hotel was a dream. Our wedding of about 108 guests was held in July 2018 in the penthouse of the hotel. We held our ceremony out on the penthouse patio while the reception moved indoors. From the promotional pictures and videos, you can tell that the room and its views are breathtaking—especially at dusk as the sun retreats behind the gorgeous Chicago skyline. What those images fail to convey, however, is the care and detail that the hotel’s wedding staff infuse into their wedding hosting. The event manager, Brianna Wayne, is fantastic to work with; not only is she organized and patient, but she brought a genuine empathy and care to our event that my fiancé and I found exceptionally moving. Brianna moved mountains to ensure that our day was special—from making last-minute centerpiece suggestions to facilitating an entirely dairy-free menu for our dietary restrictions. Brianna’s passion for details was mirrored at all levels of the Wyndham staff. Our menu was exceptional—try the Mushroom Risotto, it’s fantastic! —and the kitchen was patient and flexible with our dietary needs. During both the setup and dinner, the catering staff were also exceptionally adaptable—even when our photography went overlong and delayed them from setting up the room. Moreover, the hotel itself is amazing. Aside from a few issues with the elevators (which were being renovated during our wedding), our rooms were amazing. The bridal suite provided ample space for my fiancé to get ready, and we were even able to use it to host our out-of-town guests throughout the week. Finally, the hotel’s central location made it perfect for everyone to travel to and enjoy Chicago-at-large. Our wedding at the Wyndham—from planning to execution—was perfect, facilitated in no small part because of its staff of hardworking and caring individuals. Because they were so attentive, my fiancé and I were able to enjoy ourselves. Do yourself a favor, and check out the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront Hotel for all of your wedding needs!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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. From 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. We 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. In 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. Let'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. Clearly, 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!

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.

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.

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!

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). A million dollar view with great service and outstanding food. We couldn't be happier.