Residence Inn by Marriott Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile — Hotel in Chicago

A True Gem with Exceptional Service Staying at the Residence Inn Magnificent Mile over the holidays with my 82-year-old mother was an experience I’ll never forget. From the moment we arrived, the level of care, professionalism, and attention to detail from the entire staff stood out. It was clear that this team genuinely values their guests, and their efforts made our stay feel truly special.

Our first interaction set the tone. The security Ronald who greeted us with kindness, helped with our luggage, and made sure my mom, who uses a walker, was comfortable getting in and out of the car. His thoughtfulness and care didn’t go unnoticed and made the check-in process seamless. At the front desk, Kyla welcomed us warmly and immediately reassured me that we were in good hands. She took the time to make sure our room was accessible for my mom, even arranging for a wheelchair to ensure she had everything she needed. Kyla’s kindness, attention to detail, and genuine care made an incredible first impression that lasted throughout our stay.

The service at this hotel reflects its leadership. Alexander, the General Manager, went above and beyond to make sure everything about our stay was perfect. After a minor issue that was completely out of their control, he personally reached out not just to apologize but to ensure we felt valued as guests. His sincerity and hands-on approach stood out. He didn’t just solve the issue; he went further, checking on us regularly and even enhancing our dining experience to make us feel truly cared for. I’ve never experienced such proactive and thoughtful leadership in all my years of traveling. The fact that it was out of their control and he assisted showed a lot about who they are as leaders.

Dining at the hotel was another highlight. From the welcoming hostess to the attentive service throughout the meal, every detail was handled with care. Guy, the Restaurant Manager, ensured our experience was flawless. He checked in with us often, made thoughtful recommendations, and added personalized touches that turned a simple meal into something memorable.

The hotel itself is an oasis in downtown Chicago. The rooms are spacious, beautifully designed, and well-equipped with thoughtful features that made our stay so comfortable. While I didn’t cook during our stay, having a fully stocked kitchen was such a convenience. The real dishes in the room were a game-changer. Being able to plate my mom’s meals from take-out meant she didn’t have to eat out of takeout containers it felt more like dining at home. There were plenty of dishes available, making it easy to bring food to the room and enjoy it together in a comfortable setting. This small touch added so much to the experience, especially during a longer stay.

What truly sets this hotel apart, though, is the people. I can’t forget to mention Kennedy at the front desk who has great customer service as well. She truly believes in making sure each guest feels welcomed and is taken care of daily. Every single team member we interacted with showed kindness, care, and a genuine commitment to guest satisfaction. It’s clear that this culture of excellence comes from the top down, with managers like Kyla, Alexander, and Guy setting a high standard for service. Seeing my mom happy, comfortable, and cared for during our stay warmed my heart.

This hotel is truly the best-kept secret in downtown Chicago. The combination of beautiful accommodations, thoughtful amenities, and unmatched service makes it a standout. I’ll absolutely return and recommend it to anyone looking for a place where hospitality is taken to the next level. A huge thank you to Kyla, Alexander, Guy, and the entire team for making our stay...

Good location in-between Michigan and Rush. We stayed here for one night and enjoyed our time here. The friendliness of the staff was hit or miss…the security guard/door guy was very off-putting when we first arrived although there was another guy later on that night and he was super friendly. Same with the reception desk, when we first arrived, our welcome was not very warm and made us feel like we were inconveniencing them by checking in. Our room wasn’t ready quite yet, which wasn’t a big deal, and when we came back, the person behind the counter was much more enjoyable to speak with. Our room was nice, the layout was good and was fairly spacious. The bathroom was a decent size with double sinks and the shower had good water pressure, something I can always appreciate. Typical of all Residence Inn rooms, there was a nice kitchen setup that we didn’t take advantage of but could see how those staying for a few nights would utilize. The rest of the room was nice with a table and two soft chairs along with a big ole TV up on the wall. We had a nice view of Michigan Ave although the walls/windows didn’t seem to be sound proof at all. At night, all we heard were sirens and loud cars racing down Michigan Ave. I would suspect a room facing Rush might be quieter so if you’re wanting a room with a view, be prepared for the annoyances that come with it at night. The bed was comfortable but unfortunately, one of my biggest annoyances with hotel beds occurred during our stay. The bottom sheet of the bed was WAY too small for the mattress, so the corners of the bottom sheet continued to become untucked rolled up to expose the mattress. Some might consider this not be a big deal but when I’m paying a fairly high nightly rate for a hotel, I expect the sheets to fit the bed! I don’t want my feet and face to be touching the exposed part of the mattress that hundred if not thousands of people have slept on. Not sure who to blame for something like this but I can imagine our bed wasn’t the only one with this issue. Housekeeping should be conscious about this when they’re making the beds and the sheets are fitting….don’t force the sheets to fit, only to unravel whenever a guest sits or sleeps on the bed. Instead maybe mention this to someone and find sheets to fit the beds within the hotel. This hotel was just renovated, so there’s no reason for the beds to have sheets that do not fit! Overall, our stay was fine although I can’t imagine we’ll be back soon. There are too many other hotels within a few blocks that don’t have these issues. But the main reason for three-stars is due to the fact that our bottom sheet was entirely too small for the mattress and left us touching the exposed mattress while we slept, the hot/cold staff members, and the noise of Michigan...

Took my almost 18 year old daughter and her friend to Chicago the weekend before Thanksgiving. Stayed on points. (I travel for work and this would also have been an excellent business stay.) We had a great stay in a 2 queen room on the 15th floor, room 1520, with view that includes the Medinah Temple building at the right to give you a sense of where we were. Proximity to both shopping north of us and the Loop made it an excellent location. We did all the touristy things as this was their first Chicago visit.

I chose this Residence Inn (which is the former Conrad hotel) specifically for the room with 2 queen size beds (not doubles/fulls as many Chicago hotels offer) and the extended dual sink vanity to make getting ready in the morning easier. All 3 of us could stand at the mirror with plenty of space. While that design choice was highly appreciated, a couple of others were not and are not apparent from photos online. The toilet/water closet has a stall style frosted glass door open at top and bottom. For privacy, you really can’t have others in the bathroom and you’ll still need to close the outer bathroom door cutting off access to the vanity. A floor to ceiling door, even if still made of frosted glass would have added utility. Similarly in design over function, the shower door - which almost reaches to the ceiling - is made of clear glass instead of frosted glass. This again means that for privacy you’ll need to close the main bathroom door cutting off access to the vanity and the toilet.

Beds were comfortable though sheets a bit crunchy (sound not feel). Street noise (sirens, engine revving) is typical of any city and did quiet down around midnight on both Friday and Saturday, and wasn’t too bad even at the height. You can definitely hear the sounds of children waking (and perhaps parent yelling) in the morning through the walls and hallways, but that’s the only time we heard noise from other rooms.

We took advantage of the included breakfast on one of the mornings and options were varied and plentiful. We also ate at the 101 Club on the ground floor the night we arrived. Grateful to have had the option after long travel day and late arrival. (Note the rooftop terrace was already closed for the season.)

Lobby on 20th floor opens to the 19th floor below with double floor height windows looking out on the city. Seating area along the windows and 2 small outdoor patios are open to all guests. Nice that those views aren’t kept...