The Gwen Hotel

We decided to host our rehearsal dinner and welcome drinks at The Gwen, because of the ease and value it provided. We held our events in their Private Events space across from their lobby bar "Upstairs at The Gwen". The space was absolutely perfect for our small group of 35, but could've easily held another 30-40 comfortably. We also decided to spend our weekend there in one of their suites. The suite was absolutely stunning with event better views. I had a total of 10 ladies in there and we had plenty of room to move around. Though, some of our noggins got the better of the beautiful chandelier lol. My husband and I have stayed at The Gwen previously, and this hotel has become our go-to.

My experience at The Gwen Hotel was simply extraordinary, making it the ultimate destination for both a memorable stay and hosting the wedding. Having had the privilege of celebrating my wedding at this remarkable establishment and staying there for an entire week, I can confidently say that every moment was nothing short of amazing.

Vasso Power, the director of event planning, deserves special recognition for her unwavering dedication in turning my dream wedding into a reality. Her impeccable organizational skills, keen attention to detail, and infectious charisma made every interaction a pleasure. Vasso's ability to manage even the most intricate aspects of the wedding made me feel like her top priority. Her exceptional support made the process seamless, even as I was coordinating the event remotely. The culinary experience was equally remarkable, with the hotel not only accommodating our requests but also crafting dishes that left a lasting impression on our guests. The food was so exceptional that it remained a topic of conversation days after the wedding.

Our wedding took place in the Lux Suite, a captivating space boasting a generously-sized patio area perfect for enjoying Chicago's beautiful weather and the breathtaking view of Michigan Avenue.

Beyond the wedding, the hotel's commitment to excellence continued to shine. The room block experience was flawlessly executed, with an easy reservation process and a responsive team that ensured everything was taken care of.

Throughout our stay, the hotel staff went above and beyond to ensure our comfort. The front desk staff's warmth and assistance were particularly noteworthy. The rooms themselves were not only spacious but also beautifully modern. Reflecting on my experience, if I were to redo my wedding, there would be no doubt – The Gwen Hotel would be my top choice. Furthermore, for every future visit to the city, The Gwen will undoubtedly be my preferred accommodation.

If you are considering hosting your wedding in Downtown Chicago, PLEASE add The Gwen to your list of venues to visit! Our wedding was on October 26, 2019, we selected the Sapphire Package. We hosted our Tea Ceremony, Wedding Vow Ceremony, and Reception all at The Gwen. It was an absolutely flawless and magnificent experience, not just for us as bride and groom, but also our guests. 3 weeks after the wedding, guests are still telling us how much they enjoyed the wedding! The food was amazing, for cocktail hour, we served 5 hor d'oeuvres (empanadas, shrimp cocktail, bruschetta, chicken wonton, and crabcakes), a signature his and her drink, prosecco, along with open bar....yes our guests were well fed and hydrated ;).

We served a 4 course dinner, lobster bisque, caeser salad, and guests selected from sea bass or NY strip steak, and two kinds of wedding cake; chocolate cake with hazelnut filling, and vanilla cake with lemon curd from Bittersweet Bakery. Finally, we served late night snacks with our hometown theme, deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati's and Chicago style hotdogs prepared by the hotel! The service is absolutely 5 star! I know the couples that visit The Gwen will be impressed once they meet Senior Catering Manager, Vasso Power. She will take your wedding from great to excellent! Her attention to detail, her experience in the wedding industry, her attentiveness will ensure your wedding day is absolutely PERFECT! We literally felt as if we were her only client, and I know she is extremely busy! The Executive Chef Matt Jergens absolutely delivered the best wedding food I've ever tasted! The food we sampled at our tasting matched the day of the wedding, and guests could not stop telling us how delicious the food was! All I heard was, "this wedding is absolutely amazing!"

The Gwen is a boutique hotel, inspired by Art-Deco interior styling. They are part of the Marriott Bonvoy Chain, and their entrance is located on Rush Street, making it quiet and exclusive for guests. They recently renovated their 6th floor gallery ballroom with new carpeting and light fixtures, it's absolutely gorgeous! I highly recommend hosting your wedding at The Gwen, and I am luckily one of those brides who can say, I would not do anything differently on my big day! Thank you so much to Vasso, Matt, and the wonderful staff, it's a day Tom and I will never forget for the rest of our lives!

The guest rooms are spacious, extremely beautifully decorated, and quiet, you cannot hear the outside sounds of the city even though it is in the heart of the magnificent mile. We got ready in The Gwen Lux (presidential) suite, with a private balcony and heating lamps, overlooking Michigan Avenue. The suite had panoramic views with many windows and natural light! Everyone on site was amazing!
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My husband and I knew that we would have our wedding at The Gwen - we had gone there on our very first date, so it just seemed natural that when we got to the point of planning our wedding, we would check out the function space. Not only was the space perfect for our wedding - it had everything we wanted! Separate space for our Ceremony, with colors and décor that matched my vision perfectly to the gorgeous pre-function space for Cocktails and ballroom for dinner & dancing. We were absolutely thrilled with our day - it was pure perfection and I urge everyone to go take a look. It is stunning!

Tracey was the manager for our event. She was very responsive even when the hotel is experiencing their brand change. She and her team was very accommodating to our needs and helped us create a great event that is within our budget. We decided the venue about 3 month away from our wedding date and all the arrangement and meetings went quickly and smoothly. Our day wouldn't been so great and wonderful without the whole team's hard work. I would definitely recommend this venue for wedding events.