Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago - Downtown by IHG

The staff were friendly, and the price and location were both good. There's a separate parking lot down in front of the hotel that costs $25. If your room faces west, you can see your car from the window, even though the lot isn't connected to the hotel.

I like the rooms here, and they're clean, with a fridge. There's free water in the main lobby and on floors 3 & 5. Breakfast is available for a fee. The gym is decent enough, with weights up to 50 and treadmills, and the pool is open at certain times or in certain seasons. For anyone who's been to Chicago a lot, the location puts you between the West side loop and downtown, with plenty in walking distance and a train very close by. I'd get a pass if you're staying a while or heading farther out, since Uber costs can pile up, and parking around Chicago usually isn't free. Good value and good service.

We were in town for the weekend, and the location worked really well. What stood out was how the housekeeping team noticed our AC making a strange noise and arranged a repair while we were out sightseeing. We hadn't even asked for help, so it was reassuring to return to a working room. Everyone we met on staff was pleasant. The room itself was reasonably clean.

My only real issue was a terrible smell coming up from the bathtub drain overnight. We had to seal it off with towels. When we went outside the next morning, the smell was there too, so I wonder if there was a sewer problem nearby. This was my second stay, and I'll keep coming back if that was a one off. The location is handy for Union Station on foot, and there are several good restaurants nearby. Maurice at the front desk was the best I've ever dealt with, friendly and truly helpful. I hope the hotel knows how good he is.