Pamela S.
Yelp
Previously a Ramada, this hotel is about 4 miles from McCormick Place. Chicago hotel prices are ridiculous so it may be tempting to book this lodging - surprisingly the ratings on TripAdvisor and hotels.com are acceptable. But I really would not recommend. The hotel staff here are the most apathetic I have ever encountered... After I checked in, I went to my room and was greeted by a strong cigarette smell. I always book nonsmoking rooms, so for a moment I wondered if I mistakenly did not book nonsmoking this time, or maybe it was not specified and I just ended up with a smoking room. Double checked my reservation and it was indeed nonsmoking... so I immediately called the front desk, and was told that there were no more nonsmoking rooms available but I could call the manager in the morning to see if any open up...
The room was in pretty bad condition. However, this hotel is under renovation so hopefully the lobby and guest rooms will see much improvement. My TV did not work but I did not bring it up.
I had a 6-night reservation but was only staying 2 nights and then my colleague was staying for the remaining nights. I know this is nothing complicated, but probably not a typical arrangement, so it is nice that the hotel was able to accommodate without fuss. However, as I was departing, I asked again (different staff member) to switch to a nonsmoking room for my colleague, and was told that I was already in a nonsmoking room. Hmm... if that is the case, why was this not what I was told when I asked right after I checked in? Later that day I called to confirm that they knew someone else will be checking in for the room again, and to make sure that the room will get cleaned by housekeeping. I was informed that yes, they are cleaning it, but that the sheets were not there. Not sure what that meant, though there aren't a lot of ways to interpret that statement... so I tried to get some clarification, and told her that the sheets were not removed, so they are there on the bed. She repeated that housekeeping could not find the sheets, so I repeated that the sheets are there. Well whatever, as long as the room was cleaned. Not sure what she was even trying to imply... one of the weirdest things I've ever heard.
Their redeeming quality is the free shuttle amenity. They kindly set up a daily schedule to and from the convention center for the huge international show that was taking place.