Hotel EMC2, Autograph Collection — Hotel in Chicago

I recently had the pleasure of staying at Hotel EMC2, and the experience was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with a level of service and hospitality that truly set this hotel apart. I would like to highlight a few individuals whose exceptional efforts made my stay unforgettable.

Gwen: The Epitome of Excellence

Gwen stands out as a beacon of exceptional service. Her ability to anticipate my needs and provide solutions before I even asked was nothing short of magical. Gwen’s warm, professional demeanor and her impeccable attention to detail made me feel both welcomed and valued. Her leadership and dedication are evident in every interaction, setting the highest standard for hospitality.

Aubrey: The Detail-Oriented Maestro

Aubrey’s meticulous attention to detail ensured that every aspect of my stay was flawless. From the immaculate cleanliness of my room to the perfectly arranged amenities, Aubrey’s efforts did not go unnoticed. Her commitment to excellence and her keen eye for perfection significantly enhanced my comfort and overall experience.

Gabriel: The Hospitality Hero

Gabriel’s infectious enthusiasm and genuine passion for hospitality were evident throughout my stay. His friendly and approachable nature made every encounter pleasant, and his ability to handle any situation with grace and confidence was truly impressive. Gabriel’s dedication to guest satisfaction is unparalleled, and he is a true asset to the team.

Davey: The Reliable Rock

Davey’s reliability and consistency were a cornerstone of my positive experience. His willingness to go above and beyond ensured that every aspect of my stay was seamless. Davey’s positive attitude and strong work ethic were inspiring, making him an indispensable part of the hotel’s success.

Destiny: The Warm Welcome

Destiny’s welcoming presence at the front desk set the perfect tone for my stay. Her ability to connect with guests and make them feel at home is a true gift. Destiny’s dedication to providing excellent service and her genuine care for guests made my arrival and departure experiences smooth and delightful.

Shanel: The Service Star

Shanel’s exceptional service skills and her proactive approach to guest needs truly set her apart. Her genuine care and attention to detail ensured that every aspect of my stay was beyond satisfactory. Shanel’s dedication to excellence and her positive attitude were greatly appreciated and contributed significantly to my memorable experience.

Chris: The Bartender Extraordinaire

During my stay, I had the pleasure of enjoying an amazing Lemon Drop cocktail at the Albert restaurant, expertly crafted by Chris. The drink was a perfect blend of tart and sweet, showcasing Chris’s exceptional skill and creativity. His attention to detail and passion for mixology made my dining experience truly special.

Ashley: The Unsung Hero in Housekeeping

Ashley, who assists with housekeeping, played a crucial role in maintaining the high standards of cleanliness and comfort throughout my stay. Her attention to detail and commitment to excellence ensured that every aspect of my room was impeccable. Ashley’s dedication and hard work behind the scenes significantly enhanced my overall experience.

In conclusion, my stay at Hotel EMC2 was nothing short of exemplary, thanks to the outstanding efforts of Gwen, Aubrey, Gabriel, Davey, Destiny, Shanel, Chris, and Ashley. Their unwavering commitment to providing exceptional service and their genuine care for guests have created an atmosphere of excellence that the CEO of Marriott would be proud of. Thank you for making my stay...

[UPDATE: Management ultimately refunded all in-room dining fees, and half a night's room charge.]

Despite being cautious, discerning travelers, we are bummed that we decided to take a chance on EMC2, which was not the safe, healthy place to lay our heads while enjoying its aesthetics we had hoped.

Who serves a moldy room service sandwich? EMC2.

Whose ice machine dispenses ice with a shiny brown glob of something that should never be paired with culinary ice? EMC2.

Whose guestroom floor is sticky? Bet you can guess.

There were so many other issues, in addition to the health violations. Several long hairs -- not ours -- in various places around the room. A broken vanity mirror light. The shower head, which we otherwise would have enjoyed, was also broken. The shower itself leaked for several minutes after we turned the water off. The shower walls were flimsy, which was at odds with the descriptions we had read, and made us feel like we couldn't really touch anything while trying to shower.

Disappointingly, when I looked at my folio, despite assurances from staff that I would be comped for all purchases that involved mold or unidentifed brown goo on ice, I was charged for everything: Brown goo, mold, hair, broken appliances, sticky floor, and all.

Look, mistakes happen, though the aforementioned risks to our health really should not, ever. Yes, mistakes happen, but there was no attempt by staff or management to make them right. Someone brought up a not-moldy replacement sandwich, but failed to bring the required condiments, and then failed to bring up a knife to spread said condiments. And by then it was all really unappetizing.

When I reached out to Marriott Bonvoy, I was offered a refund for the so-called "dining" experiences, but was weirdly gaslighted about the problems in the grody, ill-maintained room. I did read the recent review about bedbugs with skepticism -- this is a common revenge and/or scam tactic, but, given our experience I'm reconsidering. If they aren't taking care of their guests, they aren't taking care of their guests.

I mean, I'm cool with a quirky roadside motor lodge having all manner of maintenance issues (as long as they do not threaten my health), but a high-ish end hotel in a major metropolis? Half a grand a night should pay at least for health and safety, n'est-ce pas? It's just too bad. The artistic concept is pleasing and lively, and the front of house staff are warm, accountable, and humane, but it's time to review guest experience, and certainly attention to health and safety. I won't be returning for more mold, unidentifiable brown slime, hair, broken room accoutrements, and denial. Chicago is replete with wonderful lodging that won't charge me so much...

This has to be… by far… the most wildly inconsistent hotel stay I’ve ever had. We stayed at EMC2 for about a week. If you want to be both delighted and disappointed, stay here.

The Pros: Location: Mag Mile is easily accessible on foot or by ride share if needed. Jason at the front desk was very welcoming, thanks Jason! Convenience: We asked for towels to be sent up twice and the robots promptly came up to deliver them. This is a fun, novel experience. Service (The Good): Some additional staff members were absolutely fantastic! Key word: SOME. The Rooms: The rainwater shower head is such a nice amenity and a hot shower was just what we needed after long days walking in the mist and rain. The beds are super comfortable and the pillows are soft and plush. We slept very well during this trip.

The Cons: Housekeeping: This is a “pet friendly” hotel and yet, we asked numerous times for our room to be refreshed but were told housekeeping couldn’t come because there was a pet in the room and the staff may have allergies (our tiny poodle was in a crate). That’s completely fine if that is the hotel policy. However, pet owners should be made aware of this policy, because this info is not available online when booking (and this is supposed to be a pet friendly hotel). We eventually got service (once during the entire trip) after requesting service three times in the same day. However, we had to take our dog out of the hotel room. Yes, we had to actually leave the entire hotel… for hours… with our dog… while our room was being cleaned. This resulted in us having to cancel some of our plans for the day. Service (The Not So Good): One example, we asked the front desk if we could have some napkins and were told the hotel didn’t have napkins. Yes, you read that right. A whole hotel without napkins. That has their front desk situated next to a restaurant. OK. Interesting… I wouldn’t have included service as a whole because some staff members were great as I said, but, bizarre things like this happened a few times throughout our stay.

Overall, this was a wonderful and awful stay. Definitely memorable. I would say it was a perfectly mixed bag, so if you’re into that. Stay here. At least it will make for some good...