While it’s a little too chilly during wintertime conferences, all other times of year, the picturesque Riverwalk along the West Branch of the DuPage River is one of the biggest draws to Naperville, Illinois. Another allure of this Chicago suburb: Embassy Suites Chicago-Naperville, the area’s first new hotel in almost a decade. Only steps from the Riverwalk and less than 30 miles from both of the city’s airports, the 168-room, all-suite property opened in late July with the largest event space in the area. With more than 13,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and an on-site catering team, the hotel can accommodate conferences for up to 1,000 attendees and is available for buyouts.
In its short lifespan, the hotel has already hosted groups such as the NAACP and the Chicago Hospital Executive Association. General Manager Syed Hasan says he’s gotten feedback from planners that they’re excited about the ballroom and the creative ways it can be divided to accommodate groups of any size.
“We also have menus for all types of groups,” says Hasan. “However, we are happy to customize a menu based on your association’s budget and vision.”
Hungry attendees looking for local flavors off-site can stroll to almost a dozen restaurants and shops (Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant or Maggiano’s Little Italy both have private dining spaces), and a variety of attractions are nearby, including iFly Chicago Naperville, which has indoor skydiving for teambuilding. If downtown Chicago beckons your attendees, they can board a Metra line express train and be shopping on Michigan Avenue or exploring Millennium Park in about 30 minutes.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf addicts will love that the brand is on hand in the two-room standard suites with separate living area and private bedrooms, and complimentary, cooked-to-order breakfast for all guests beats the limited cereal and yogurt display at many hotels. Beyond that, planners can save a few bucks on the property’s complimentary cocktails program: A two-hour reception is held every night for guests, complete with appetizers and beverages.
Insider Tip
Book the nearby Naper Settlement for an off-site event. “It’s an outdoor museum giving a peek back into the history of the area and hosts hundreds of groups yearly,” says Hasan.
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