A K.
Google
Beautiful Views and Exceptional Staff, Undermined by Basic Maintenance
3/5 Stars
My stay at The Wade was defined by truly exceptional staff and a stunning location, but unfortunately, these positives were consistently undermined by a lack of basic 4.5-star amenities and maintenance issues.
Upon arrival, the service was outstanding. Precious at the front desk was highly accommodating with my grocery delivery and generously granted us an extended 1:00 p.m. checkout. Security Officer Dwayne went above and beyond, personally intercepting a required in-person delivery when we arrived later than expected. We were also thrilled to receive a complimentary upgrade to a spectacular 29th-floor lake view room, a kindness extended by Erica that was genuinely appreciated. The view of Lake Michigan and Navy Pier is, without a doubt, the hotel's best asset.
However, the in-room experience was immediately disappointing for a luxury hotel. There was no coffee maker, no proper glassware, only flimsy plastic cups. These essential items had to be requested, and to make matters worse, the ice maker on our floor was non-functional. This resulted in three separate calls for ice, glassware, and the coffee maker, requiring us to tip staff for items that should have been standard, turning a luxury stay into an inconvenient scavenger hunt.
Room maintenance was also below standard: the toilet stool wiggles and the bathtub does not drain properly during a shower, causing water to pool.
Finally, observations in public areas suggested a lack of upkeep: the lobby furniture is heavily worn and torn, and the floor appeared unswept even in the morning. Most notably, the windows in the enclosed pool observation area were extremely dirty.
Overall, the staff and the views are 5-star quality, but the amenity gaps and cleanliness/maintenance issues bring the overall experience down significantly. This feels more like a 3-star property with 5-star staff.