This was our first time staying near the "Mag Mile" during this Chicago trip. Our flight got us to…read morethe hotel around ten in the morning. The hotel was nice enough to let us check in super early. Guests get a free evening reception with light snacks and complimentary house drinks. A free made-to-order breakfast, which includes a buffet and omelet station, is also included. The location is perfect. Self-parking is about sixty bucks a day, so we decided to use public transportation while we were there. A main bus stop is right across the street from the hotel. We never had a problem getting to and from where we needed to go. The elevators were a bit slow in the morning and evening, but it wasn't a big deal. It was a great stay overall.

Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile…read more Unfortunately, this stay was pretty frustrating. The hotel layout was confusing, and there really weren't clear instructions for getting around. To reach our room, we had to take three different elevators, with each one located across the building from the next, which made getting in and out much more complicated than it should have been. Parking was also confusing. When we arrived, I was told the garage was full, but it turned out it wasn't, and we were ultimately able to park there. The room itself was pretty clean and comfortable, so that was a positive. However, two of the elevators were out of service during our stay, which caused very long lines and made the already confusing layout even more inconvenient. Breakfast was probably the most chaotic part. It was extremely crowded, there wasn't enough seating, and there didn't seem to be anyone managing the area or creating any kind of flow, so people were just coming and going in every direction. The room was fine, but the overall experience was disorganized enough that I probably would not stay here again.

A NIGHT TO OURSELVES…read more An enjoyable stay at this Embassy Suites in downtown Chicago was nearly undone by elevator problems. This is a solid - although somewhat outdated - upscale hotel on State St, between Ohio & Ontario St.  It's located in the River North neighborhood and surrounded by bustling city life, not to mention being only a block away from Eataly.  The wifey and I stayed here for one night at the end of February. Bathrooms inside the rooms were gorgeous, I could tell they were recently remodeled.  The bed was comfy enough even though neither of us cared for the squishy pillows.  I loved the view looking east; seeing those massive skyscrapers served as a reminder that we actually left the suburbs for an evening. The complimentary breakfast is really nice and features a little bit of everything.  The highlight is a made-to-order omelet bar, the line for which can get quite long on weekends.  Apart from this, they also have hash browns, sausage patties, Eggo waffles, cereal, oatmeal, fresh fruit, yogurt, juices and coffee. Both TVs in our room had a Chicago slideshow with a custom greeting saying "welcome Eric!"  Little touches like this make all the difference ......and I also happen to like seeing my name on TV.  When we scoped out the pool (which is small to begin with), it was packed with youngins. Hard pass. The guys operating the valet were absolute pros.  Efficient and polite, they shuffled cars around with surgical precision and somehow managed to navigate gigantic vehicles in the comparatively miniscule underground parking lot.  It'll cost a pretty penny to park overnight, though, to the tune of $80. The elevator situation was downright goofy.  Out of the bank of 4 elevators, only 3 were working, and more often than not, they were already filled with guests from other floors.  People became so desperate at times, they'd head "down" in order to go "up" because the next available "up" would inevitably be full! This phenomenon peaked at checkout, when we waited 10+ minutes and STILL couldn't get an elevator ride.  I said "ahhh screw this", grabbed our sh*t and took the damn stairs down from the 7th floor.  The front desk had to open the outside rollup door (the one normally used for cars) just so we could get to the valet!  This was a big ol' logistical mess that added unnecessary stress on a chill Sunday morning.  People, can I get a harumph?  (HARUMPH!) * TL;DR * This Embassy Suites features solid breakfast, a beautiful atrium and tastefully remodeled bathrooms.  The elevators though?  Bogus as hell. Aside from the exorbitant overnight parking fee, the elevators were the only major issue we ran into during our stay, but we - along with everyone else - felt it big time.  Since we booked using Hotwire (and thus got this hotel randomly), it's unlikely we'd find ourselves here in the future. If they get the elevators fixed, I'd stay here again.

I recently stayed at the Embassy Suites Downtown River North location…read more The bright spots: * I selected the location because of the free, made-to-order breakfast. It was hot and enjoyable each day. * I also selected the location because of the free, nightly reception. While I do think they needed more servers on hand to handle the crowd, it was nice to receive complimentary cocktails each evening. * The room itself was comfortable and spacious. Though I identified some bright spots, I also had some significant challenges. * When I checked in, there was no thoughtful welcome or greeting, nor any acknowledgement or appreciation for me being a Hilton Honors member. I was simply asked "checking in." I didn't even realize at the time that I was given the card for tracking my attendance at the evening reception because it was just slid in with my keycard. There was no mention of it. * I booked a suite to celebrate my 43rd birthday and made the hotel aware of that before I checked in. I booked a city-view suite so I could have a few friends come have a celebratory toast with me before dinner, while seeing a beautiful city view. The photo used to showcase the view during booking is VERY misleading! My city view was of the building next door. When I asked about moving to a higher floor to get the city view I was promised, I was told they were sold out. * The on-site restaurant was closed for a private party the evening I checked it, so I was forced to go out for dinner. It would've been nice to know this before booking. * My room wasn't service the first day despite repeatedly requests. * The phone was not working so I had to go to the lobby when I wanted to request my car. They ended up fixing the phone but only so I could use the speakerphone feature. Based on the service I received, it is not likely that I'll return. I also think some level of compensation is required because of the challenges I had with my stay, specifically not being afforded the "city view" that was showcased in the booking photos. #YelpEliteSquad

Embassy Suites is one of my favorite hotel brands. I get points because they are part of Hilton and…read morethey provide what I believe is the best value for comparable hotels. Mainly: 1) Always a suite with a living area, for more room 2) Happy hours in the evening with complimentary drinks and some snacks (chips, pretzels, etc.) 3) Breakfast is included, and it's not continental. They offer a hot food bar and an omelette station. 4) Checkout is usually noon rather than 11 am. At least at this location it is. This location also has a pool and a hot tub, which I love. Hubby and I stayed here last weekend for his birthday/Valentine's Day and we had a great time. Looking forward to another staycation as soon as possible!

I had a great experience at this Embassy Suites for one night. It was nicely situated in an area…read moreclose to where I needed to be and relatively not far from O'Hare. The hotel is large with ample and free parking. The staff who checked me in were very nice (including the trainee) who was very friendly and confident. The room itself, although not a boutique hotel, was updated and modern enough to not feel like a generic motel. It was clean and spacious (and 2 rooms as it's an all suite hotel so there was plenty of space.) I loved that the fitness room was open 24/7 so I could get my steps in even if I got back late. I had a little bit at the included breakfast buffet (which was popping at 8 in the morning on a Saturday.) There were plenty of basic options and the coffee was serviceable. I'd definitely stay here again if I was coming back to this part of the greater Chicago area.

I had a small issue with my room and Brandon in Maintenance went above and beyond to resolve my…read moreissue with genuine kindness and care! He turned a stressful situation into a positive experience, and I'm truly grateful for his outstanding service. The food is lovely at the restaurant downstairs. And overall I had an amazing experience. I will definitely be back!

Customer service. Quick to take money from guests, but much slower to refund it after the mistake.read more

Stayed here for 3 days when visiting the Chicago area for a college visit. I was nervous about some…read moreof the reviews I saw but decided it was worth a try. I'm glad I did! Hotel was clean and staff was friendly. It was nice to have a two room suite (all their rooms are this way) so the kids could be in their own space without needing their own room. Our bed was very comfortable and the shower was devine. If you're planning for anyone to sleep on the sofa bed then just know it's not very comfortable due to the thin mattress, however sofa beds are notoriously uncomfortable anyway. The free breakfast was a big hit with us too since they had a made to order omelet station in addition to continental options and other hot breakfast choices. Another tip, be sure to take advantage of the evening reception to enjoy 2 free adult beverages (more than just beer or wine) and snacks (cheese, crackers, veggies and chips with salsa). All and all we were pleased and want to stay at an Embassy Suites again in the future.

Stayed here over the weekend - Saturday and Sunday. We chose this over other hotels nearby due to…read morethe indoor pool and jacuzzi. There's 4 of us, one king bed and a sofa bed. We got to the hotel at approx 8pm from a long drive and were eager for the jacuzzi. As soon as we checked in, all the common areas are packed and I mean packed with people! There seems to be a family reunion going on. We checked out the pool...it was PACKED with kids jumping in and out of the pool! even the jacuzzi was filled with kids and a handful of adults. So we skipped! We just decided to chill in our room. We asked for extra pillows for the sofa bed. They were out! Not a single extra pillow!!! Not only was that frustrating, there were kids running around the hallway yelling at 2-4am (kids running both days Saturday and Sunday at these times) and the room next to us must've had so many people in the room slamming doors and arguing at 2-4am as well!!! We couldn't understand where are the adults of these children just running in the hallway between 2-4 am! I swear never again to come here! The guests just blew our minds. Etiquette do not exist. Front desk/concierge were no help either.

Stayed here during a business trip and appreciated the location on Grand Ave, walkable to iconic…read moredowntown restaurants and close to the Mag Mile. The conference rooms are well-equipped and the on-site food options made all-day meetings painless. Rooms are spacious and clean; the AC system is quiet enough to serve as white noise, which is a plus. Security card access to floors adds peace of mind. Staff was genuinely friendly and helpful throughout my stay. However, the WiFi kept dropping, which is frustrating for a business hotel, something they need to address. The coffee is also genuinely bad, but nearby cafes are plentiful. Overall a solid choice for location and hospitality, but the tech infrastructure needs work.

This was a great central spot for our recent weekend stay in Chicago to celebrate my husband's 40th…read morebirthday. Lots of nearby garages for parking and it's right by Eataly! The hotel was clean and nice, but not the best place I've ever stayed - but to be expected for this hotel class. Rooms can be pricey but be sure to use the best price guarantee if you find your room and date cheaper elsewhere (I saved doing this!).

Very friendly filipino staff- they explained everything to be expected and are very kind and…read morepatient, making sure all answers asks answer--maraming salamat po Andre C

I was here recently to do my oath-taking for my dual citizenship. I wasn't sure what to expect with…read moreparking and it being downtown so I was able to get my brother to drive me and drop me off. It's nice to know that there's a jollibee next door to satisfy those Filipino food cravings in case you get a touch of nostalgia at the consulate. When I arrived on the floor, there's someone to check you in and explain where to go and the process. I sat down and was handed a form to complete for my voters registration. When I finished, I went up to one of the booths where they took my photo and my completed form. It was a little bit difficult to hear since they were behind the glass and the room was full of people. Once I got registered to vote, we waited to be called up to verify our documentation. I signed a few forms and got fingerprinted then we all recited our oath to make it official! Overall it was a smooth and easy process. Next time I'll be back to get my Philippine passport.

Great location We…read morestayed here because the hotel is located near most of the places that we wanted to go. The hotel shares a lobby with a Springhill Suites. The hotel is connected by a walkway to a selfpark garage. Our upgraded room was fine. The breakfast coffee was disappointing and the breakfast area got very crowded I the last 30 minutes that breakfast was served.

Solid choice for staying in the city. I had a Bonvoy FNA that was expiring so we decided to do a…read morestaycation at this property. The room was a bit dated but spacious and had a tiny kitchenette area which would be convenient for longer stays. The location is fabulous and walking distance from a ton of great restaurants. And the hotel is connected to a parking garage, and if you use spot hero you can get a pretty good deal (we paid $30).

I had recently applied for a Tourism (L) Visa at the Chinese Consulate in Chicago (FYI- they do not…read moreaccept appointments for applying for a visa). I'm visiting from out of state so it did mean I was taking a mini vacation ...twice, unless I decided to stay for 5 weekdays as it takes 4 business days to process and then you can pick up on the 4th day. I applied on a Friday and it was ready by the following Wednesday according to the pickup receipt. The day of pickup, I got there by 9:05 and I was like 3rd in line to wait for the office to open but once it's almost 9:30 you won't see the line in the lobby because the people will be making their way upstairs to go through security. You stay in the same order as when you line up downstairs after you sign in with security. Once upstairs, the line splits off depending on what you are doing. There's a separate line for pickup and a separate line for applying for the visa- so just because you see 10 people ahead of you, maybe 3 of them is for pickup. So, before you go to the embassy, you need to apply via the online form and you need to include a headshot of yourself on a white background, not off-white because the application will not let you move forward. I typed just my personal info in CAPS but did everything else in normal writing with some capitalizations. Though it says that filling in your "position" at your job and "job duties" as optional--You actually need to fill it because they will make you fill it on the spot if you don't. The "where you stay form" is not optional, though it says that...I had to fill it at the embassy so just print and have it ready to give to the officer. I had all my photocopies in color but I'm not sure if that matters but to be safe, I wanted the copies to look exactly as they are. I put that I wanted multiple entries for 9 years and something, and I got multi for 10 years and I am a US citizen who had a 6 months Chinese visa 15 years ago when I was studying abroad in HK. If you have all your documents, it should be very fast at the window. The day I applied I got to the building around 10:30AM, silly me brought a coffee up thinking I can drink it while I wait inside...SIKE. You can't bring any drinks or food inside the office. So, I was outside chugging my coffee! This meant, like 7-8 people passed me while I was drinking my coffee in a span of like 7 mins and I finally went through security at around 10:35AM? I was #19 but they were on #5. I was called around 11:30AM and it took less than 10mins for the officer to review my docs and approve it. They give you a pink receipt to bring back to pickup your visa! You can pay with credit card on day of pickup and it's $140--NO CASH ACCEPTED Here's what I brought with me: - my actual valid passport with at least 6 months - printed copy of my passport -my actual copy of old passport (this is required because I had a visa before) -printed copy of my OLD passport (this is required because I had a visa before) -printed copy of OLD CHINESE VISA (this is required because I had a visa before) - copy of your state ID - printed copy of your completed Visa application with the QR Code -copy of marriage certificate (because of name change) -Where you Stay Form They had 2 officers that were just for the visa application line.

The address is 1 E. Erie. Everything was very fast and efficient. They no longer have computers…read moreto use and making copies is .25. It would have taken us a few minutes because they are so fast and efficient but we needed to take pictures which took longer that the actual processing our documents. It is a great deal for the pictures and they looked better than the ones at Walgreens.

The location is perfect for my needs. I travel to and from Elmhurst to see family. Plus, the hotel…read moreis really close to Oak Brook Mall. They have a nice little bar/restaurant area just past the lobby and they have some pretty decent bar food there as well. Service is a little slow because the bartender always leaves the bar to go in the back. I've stayed here multiple times once with our Dog so it is Dog Friendly. The staff is usually very nice and accommodating. My only complaint is the rooms are pretty worn & outdated. The Place sure could use a renovation! The area outside the elevator on my floor had garbage overflowing which is not a good look! Not to mention it smelled like someone threw a dirty diaper in the garbage.

Hotel management, Cleanliness Comfort is a disaster!…read more The only plus's to this Hilton property are front desk employees and location!