Residence Inn Chicago Downtown/Loop

We spent 10 weeks at this Residence Inn and checked out at the end of January. The team worked hard and clearly cared about guests, and we had a very positive long stay. Nearly every interaction came with a smile. Jada told us about our upgrade right at check-in, and it made a big difference to have more space for that length of stay. I’d particularly like to thank whoever arranged it, and recognize General Manager Tommie Van if he was involved. Taylor, Ameera, Ahmad, and doorman Larone were consistently friendly, helpful, and professional. Housekeeping also did a great job caring for our room throughout. The excellent location made it easy to reach buses, the L-train, and subway, as well as restaurants, bars, museums, and stores. Breakfast was outstanding for a Residence Inn, with healthy choices like egg whites, vegetable egg-white mixes, veggie patties, chicken and turkey items, fresh fruit, and yogurt, plus waffles, pancakes, sausage, eggs, bacon, oatmeal, and Cream of Wheat. The breakfast staff kept everything clean, stocked, and running smoothly. The fitness center was the best we’ve seen at a Residence Inn: large, well equipped with several treadmills and ellipticals, and kept very clean, with staff regularly wiping down equipment. There were plastic dividers between cardio machines, plenty of free weights, two weight benches, and a cable machine. The elevators were plentiful and fast, so we rarely waited, and the ice machine was always working and conveniently placed. The business center computer and printer were easy to use and reliable for most of the stay, though the printer was down for the final two weeks. A few things to know: Room 1715 was noisy because it was near a staff service area and laundry traffic. We had trouble sleeping there at first, but staff kindly moved us to a quieter upgraded room. The pillows were long, thin, and unsupportive, the only bedding issue we had. Cigarette smoke often gathered outside the entrance in colder weather, with both staff and guests there. Packages cost $4 each to receive, and you have to pick them up rather than have them delivered to your room. Getting extra toilet paper could be difficult since they usually supplied one roll at a time. We sometimes requested more through the app or by phone and it arrived, sometimes it didn’t, so on a longer stay it may be easier to buy your own, as we did. Hand sanitizer stations were spread around the property but always empty. It would have been nice to have them stocked as flu and cold season kicked in with a vengeance.