Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown by IHG — Hotel in West Chicago Township

I stayed at this hotel for 3 nights (Tuesday-Friday) in October 2019. My overall impression of the hotel is that it is dated and sorely in need of renovations to update and improve it and is overpriced for what is received. I stayed in a 2 Bed Suite (#237). I had requested early arrival in my stay preferences online ahead of time as I was arriving on a Amtrak train from New Orleans at around 9:00 AM. I realize this is quite early, so I wasn't upset that my room wasn't available upon my arrival, although I was able to check my bags until check in time. Upon arriving back at the hotel shortly after check in time, my room was ready and check in went off without a problem. The whole hotel seemed a bit dated, particularly my room. Most of the things worked and were functional, but the overall atmosphere and experience I felt did not equal the high price paid per night for my stay.

On the positive side:

-The hotel staff at the front desk I interacted with briefly were friendly and helpful, and one night at 3 AM when I had a question about a package and called guest services on the in-room phone the staff member was very helpful and friendly -The hotel is in a good location in my opinion in the Near West Side neighborhood. It is located right next to the CTA Clinton station on the Blue Line. I used the station and CTA system frequently during my stay to get around and it worked well.

The hotel room worked as a place to come back to and take a shower and sleep. It just didn’t meet my expectations for the price paid. Most of those are related to the hotel building and the rooms itself just being dated and the need for renovations and repairs I describe more in the cons section.

There were a couple problems I noticed during my stay: -There was a relatively large gap between the door and the door frame, wide enough to see light coming through and the door latch going between the door and the frame

-The fluorescent light fixture right inside over the door buzzed when on, so we kept it off most of the time during our stay and used the other lights instead

-The shower/bathtub drain seemed to drain slowly and didn’t want to remain all the way open sometimes. During a shower, the water would pool in the bottom of the tub around my feet and I would be standing in standing water like the drain couldn’t drain the water as fast as the shower was pouring it in

-Both TV’s seemed to work but A&E wasn’t on their channel lineup which was a bit disappointing

-There was a tall floor lamp in the corner of the bedroom that I couldn’t figure out how to turn on, but using the other lights worked fine for lighting up the bedroom while I was in there

-The walls and the door with the gap didn’t seem to block a lot of the noise from the adjoining rooms. At least two of the nights I heard people going between rooms talking after the ‘quiet hours’ had started on the floor sitting in the living room, and on one night when I went to lay down to go to sleep I could hear a couple through the wall talking and having sex with all of the associated sounds that go along with that

-Along with the noise from other guests, the room was on the far end of the building closest to I-290, and there was traffic noise that you could...

I recently stayed at the IHG hotel in downtown Chicago for a three-day business trip. Overall, my experience was positive, with a few areas for potential improvement that could elevate the guest experience to an even higher standard.

Highlights of My Stay

The most notable aspect of my visit was the exceptional cleanliness of the room. From the spotless linens to the sparkling bathroom fixtures, it was clear that the housekeeping staff took pride in maintaining a high level of hygiene. The attention to detail in cleanliness made the room not only comfortable but also a relaxing space to return to after long business meetings. As a frequent traveler, this is a quality I value greatly, and IHG did not disappoint.

The location of the hotel was another standout feature. Situated in the heart of downtown Chicago, it provided easy access to major business districts and city attractions. Being able to walk to key venues and popular restaurants was a significant convenience that added to the overall experience. For those traveling for work or leisure, this central location is undoubtedly a major asset.

Opportunities for Improvement

While the stay was pleasant, there are a couple of areas where improvements could be made to enhance the guest experience. One of these is the dining options and food services. Although the breakfast restaurant offered standard list of items. For a hotel of IHG’s caliber, a more streamlined and guest-focused breakfast & dining experience would be a welcome enhancement. Additionally, providing more options for guests with dietary restrictions could set the hotel apart in a competitive downtown market.

Another area for potential improvement is parking. While downtown Chicago understandably presents challenges regarding space and logistics, the absence of complimentary parking for long-term guests felt like a drawback. For business travelers or families staying three or more days, offering free or discounted parking would be a thoughtful gesture. This added convenience could make the hotel a more attractive option compared to competitors.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the IHG Downtown Chicago hotel offers a solid choice for business travelers, particularly those prioritizing cleanliness and central location. The impeccable room standards and proximity to the city’s key areas make it a convenient and reliable option for professionals and tourists alike.

That said, there is room for improvement in the areas of food service and parking amenities. Addressing these aspects could elevate the overall guest experience and ensure repeat visits. I look forward to staying here again in the future, especially if these enhancements are implemented.

Overall, I would recommend this hotel for its excellent location and cleanliness while advising prospective guests to plan ahead for dining options and parking...

My family and I were on a road trip to Chicago, so we ended up booking a room at this hotel. On the way here we stayed at a Holiday Inn Express at Ohio along the highway. The holiday inn at Ohio was great. Our family was comfortable and we had no complaints and we were on our way the next day to Chicago. When we arrived at the holiday inn in Chicago, the lady at the front desk was rude. Not professional. As my mother was checking in, someone behind us was waiting and the lady at the front desk said "Is there anything I can help you with sweetheart?", and as soon as he went up to her, she said, "Can't you see I'm helping her (my mother)?" She seemed arrogant the whole time, even somewhat insulting my mother along the way.

The whole hotel building is horrible. It's really old and doesn't seem clean, at least compared to the holiday inn beside the highway at Ohio. It was super crowded and the COVID-19 safety measures didn't seem to be enforced because there were many people without masks.

The worst part was that the lady at the front desk gave us the wrong room, with the keycard that opens this room. My mother opened the door and walked in on the guests in this room, who were minding their own business. The owner of the room and my mother were both shocked and obviously, this is NOT OKAY. The lady at the front desk did not handle this professionally either. As my mother confronted her, she said she gave her the right room and that my mom was wrong, until my mom proved this with the card opening the door and the room that was written on the card. The other person got an apology but my mother didn't. But it wasn't even great on the other side with the actual owner of the room because she only offered free parking as compensation and seriously nothing more than one "I'm sorry". He also ordered a king room, got a queen-sized bed, and paid the same price. The only excuse was that the hotel was under renovation.

For a hotel that is in a major city, with a much higher price than that hotel in Ohio, the service and experience should have been the same, if not better! Renovations are no excuse. Renovations should not get in the way of friendly staff and a safe environment. That situation with the hotel room could've been worse and either way, worse or not, that situation was preventable. I only hope that this hotel just gets better service and the lady at the front desk gets held...