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Hotel Overview
great location, good value
We easily traded rooms from a double to a single bed, the staff were courteous and helpful, overall...
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teeshe
- Apr 16, 2012
Basic, but affordable
The pool and terrace are great, making up for the small rooms. The beds were very comfy, though...
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klinf
- Apr 8, 2012
Affordable hotel south of Chicago's bustling downtown area
Chicago's Essex Inn has an ideal location ideal on Michigan Avenue, just a few blocks south of the more congested areas of downtown Chicago. Grant Park is across the street, along with many famous Chicago attractions, including Millennium Park and the Art Institute. Sleek in design, the Essex Inn boasts a metal and glass lobby, floor-to-ceiling windows with city views and an impressive atrium housing a large pool. ADA-compliant areas are also available at Chicago's Essex Inn.Highlights
- Great value in the city for its location and amenities
- Rooftop pool and sauna available year-round
- Large, well-equipped fitness room overlooks pool deck
Rooms
A color palette grounded in rich orange and brown earth tones keeps the scene warm. Floor-to-ceiling windows play up the hotel’s strongest asset, the city views. Flat-screen TVs and refrigerators are standard amenities in each room at Chicago's Essex Inn. Guests can have complimentary access to wireless Internet. Rooms also feature ADA-compliant areas.Features
In a metropolis like Chicago, pools and green space are precious real estate. Chicago's Essex Inn has both.The garden pool feels like a competitive swimming complex, with a retractable atrium and global flags hanging from the rafters. The pool area features large windows that look out onto the well-manicured grounds of the rooftop garden. From the garden, guests enjoy skyline views of Grant Park and Lake Michigan from comfortable patio chairs and tables. Next to the pool is a large fitness center, featuring bikes, treadmills, weight machines, free weights, as well as six TVs.
Visitors to Chicago who have come to sightsee take advantage of a hotel shuttle bus free of charge. It makes several stops along Michigan Avenue, including Water Tower Place. Other stops include Navy Pier and the Museum Campus.
Travelers who want to stay connected access high-speed wireless Internet throughout hotel for a fee, or visit the 24-hour business center.
Transportation
- O’Hare International Airport (16.1 mi/26 km)
- Chicago Midway Airport (8.7 mi/14.1 km)
- Blue Line (LaSalle to O’Hare) (3.8 mi/6.1 km)
- Orange Line (Roosevelt to Midway) (0.3 mi/0.5 km)
- McCormick Place Convention Center (1.5 mi/2.3 km)
Nearby attractions
- Grant Park (0.5 mi/0.9 km)
- Millennium Park (0.8 mi/1.3 km)
- Lake Michigan (1.4 mi/2.2 km)
- The Magnificent Mile (1.5 mi/2.5 km)
- Museum Campus (3.1 mi/5 km)
Business
- Six meeting rooms with space for 12 for 125 guests
- 24-hour business center with desktop computers, high-speed Internet access (fees apply) and a printer
- Complimentary high-speed wireless Internet available throughout Chicago's Essex Inn
Policies and fees
Parking fee is $41 per night plus tax
This is not a comprehensive list of fees. Any amounts listed above may not include taxes and are subject to change.
Chicago's Essex Inn Rooms
- Standard Room
- Our tastefully designed guest rooms are thoughtfully appointed with everything you need to enhance your stay whether you're traveling for business or pleasure. Our standard rooms feature one queen size bed or two double beds and have amenities such as hairdryers, data port hookups, voicemail messaging, automated wakeup service, iron and ironing board, and 25-inch color TV with extended cable package, including HBO.
- Standard Room -ADA accessible
- ADA-compliant entrances to the hotel, valet parking in the hotel garage and Accessible public restrooms. There are a number of designated accessible guest rooms which include accessible features as: grab bars in the showers; ADA-compliant sitting stools for showering; hand held shower spray wands; protected plumbing covers; ADA-compliant lavatory fixtures; Lowered security "peep" holes on the doors. Touch lamps and TTY Kits for hearing & visual assistance. The swimming pool and garden deck areas are also accessible and we provide ADA-compliant pool lift; and Accessible Fitness Center with ADA Universal Gym. There are accessible paths of travel to the restaurant located on the premises of the Essex Inn and the restaurant has accessible dining tables.
Hotel Map
- Area served
- Chicago
- Nearby airports
- O'Hare International Midway
- Area description
- Millenium Park, Art Institute Chicago, Navy Pier, Adler Planetarium, Field Museum, McCormick Place, Buckingham Fountain, Lakefront, Grant Park
Amenities
- Business center
- Elevators
- Fitness center
- Fitness center or spa
- High-speed Internet
- Indoor Pool
- Internet Access
- Laundry Service
- No Smoking Rooms/Facilities
- Parking
- Pool
- Safe Deposit Box
- Wireless Internet
Meeting facilities
- Meeting Info
- Five meeting rooms and an outdoor garden overlooking Lake Michigan and Grant Park provide an ideal environment for small and medium size meetings, conferences and social events. Essex Court - 40 people Windsor Court - 50 people Private Restaurant - 40 people Park East Gallery - 150 people Rooftop Garden Deck - 50 people
Dining
- Restaurant
- The lobby restaurant has re-opened.
Hotel Policies
- Check-in:
- 1600
- Check-out:
- 1100
Terms and conditions
Rates quoted in currencies other than the hotel's base currency are subject to the rate of the international exchange. Rate may change throughout stay. Rate may reflect average nightly rate. Extra charges may apply. Incidental charges, such as room service, are not included in the rate.
The amenities and/or facilities may not be located at the hotel, but within a reasonable distance, and additional charges may apply for use.
Guest Reviews (182)
Ratings and reviews for Chicago's Essex Inn
- All travelers (182) 3.7 / 5
- Business (26) 3.8 / 5
- Couples (44) 3.8 / 5
- Families (70) 3.7 / 5
- Friends (22) 3.6 / 5
- Singles (18) 3.9 / 5
- Amenities:
- 3.7
- Room cleanliness:
- 4.3
- Hotel staff:
- 4.2
- Room comfort:
- 4
- Location:
- 4.5
- Value:
- 4.1
86%
would recommend to a friend.
- Most recent
- Highest score
- Lowest score
Reviewer score
Would recommend
teeshe
great location, good value
We easily traded rooms from a double to a single bed, the staff were courteous and helpful, overall a good experience. Parking was expensive, but we saw a lot a block away for $10 but decided to go for the ease of using the valet service.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 3
- Room cleanliness:
- 4
- Hotel staff:
- 3
- Room comfort:
- 4
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 4
Dining tip:
Not Applicable
Plan ahead if you normally eat dinner late, during the week all of the close by eateries closed by ten.
Reviewer score
Would recommend
klinf
Basic, but affordable
The pool and terrace are great, making up for the small rooms. The beds were very comfy, though rooms were a bit drab. Bathrooms are very basic. you can't beat the location, which was the most important aspect for me and my 3 children.!
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 3
- Room cleanliness:
- 3
- Hotel staff:
- 5
- Room comfort:
- 3
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 3
Reviewer score
Would not recommend
ljohnson
expecting better
I know you don't get a lot of space in a city hotel but for almost $200/night, I was expecting a bit more than a minuscule sink (literally, barely large/deep enough to wash my hands) with serious drainage problems; large flat screen TV with no cable signal; and a toilet which looked like it had taken out a public restroom stall and plopped down into the hotel bathroom. The room was just not cozy ... and it didn't help that teenagers' shouts could be heard the ENTIRE night. When I told the staff about our issues, all I got was, "Thank you for your input. We'll take that into consideration." In other words, 'Sorry you had a bad time but I could care less. See ya later.' I think next time we'll pay the extra $20 and try the larger hotel chain next door.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 3
- Room cleanliness:
- 4
- Hotel staff:
- 3
- Room comfort:
- 3
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 3
Dining tip:
Short walk from hotel
Gioco's is cute, rustic Italian restaurant less than a mile's walk from the hotel. The atmosphere is cozy, prices are fairly average and the food is good!
Reviewer score
Would recommend
Regular visitor
I have been a regulaor visitor to Chicago since 2006 & nowadays always stay at the Essex. Excellent hotel, good rooms, facilities & helpfull staff. Great location too, have not used a cab in years as the nearby red line will get you anywhere in the city. Have stayed in other Chicago hotels but find the Essex by far the best, for value, location, comfort & friendlness.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 5
- Room cleanliness:
- 5
- Hotel staff:
- 5
- Room comfort:
- 5
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 5
Time-saving tip:
Short walk from hotel
Red line CTA 2 blocks away
Reviewer score
Would recommend
emva
Great location and inexpensive price
The Essex hotel is in a great location that is walking distance from the Orange line to Midway, 2 blocks away from the Red line, and has bus stops right in front. There are plenty of tourist attractions walking distance from the hotel, including Buckingham fountain and the Bean! The hotel room is small and has an incredibly small sink. It was hard to share with 4 people because there was not enough storage space.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 4
- Room cleanliness:
- 3
- Hotel staff:
- 4
- Room comfort:
- 2
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 4
Trip purpose:
Business
Reviewer score
Would recommend
waiwai
Perfect semi-budget stay
Shared a room with a friend, room was spacious and equipped with all the essentials we need! Even come with hair dryer, ironing board and iron, flat screen TV etc. Also, it's near the loop and attractions, we just walked everywhere, and the free shuttle from the inn was just awesome. And luggage storage service after we checked out. Really value for money for all the facilities offered, very satisfied stay overall.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 4
- Room cleanliness:
- 5
- Hotel staff:
- 4
- Room comfort:
- 5
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 5
Reviewer score
Would recommend
BKentL
My favorite heart of Chicago retreat
Walk everywhere easily, metro to/from airport, museums, restaurants, theater, symphony-- free wireless internet, coffee, fridge in room, easy to check in/out, friendly and convenient
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 5
- Room cleanliness:
- 5
- Hotel staff:
- 5
- Room comfort:
- 5
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 5
Entertainment tip:
Short walk from hotel
Walk everywhere easily, metro to/from airport, museums, restaurants, theater, symphony-- free wireless internet, coffee, fridge in room, easy to check in/out, friendly and convenient
Reviewer score
Would not recommend
Richardfl
Good location
Near good restaurants and convention center. Nice staff attitude, very helpful at all times. Gym and Restaurant closed, which made me qualify with a low score, they should make arrangements for breakfast availability either in the room or the lobby to overcome the closed restaurant.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 1
- Room cleanliness:
- 5
- Hotel staff:
- 5
- Room comfort:
- 5
- Location:
- 4
- Value:
- 3
Trip purpose:
Business
Reviewer score
Would recommend
weekly biz travel
exactly what I needed
The room was clean, small but adequate, interesting, inexpensive, and perfect for my one-night business stay. They provide Rusk toiletries. My only minor complaint was that the vending machines on 5 floors would not accept my change - all my quarters were perhaps too new and the machines too old? - so I gave up (and did not pursue with the hotel staff, so perhaps a fix was available). But I will definitely return for all my business trips, and have already suggested to my husband using this hotel as a base for future leisure travel to Chicago. I would highly recommend this hotel.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 5
- Room cleanliness:
- 5
- Hotel staff:
- 3
- Room comfort:
- 5
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 5
Trip purpose:
Business
Time-saving tip:
Short walk from hotel
This is a short walk - 10 min maximum - from the Red Line Jackson station.
Reviewer score
Would not recommend
sus74s7s
it was alright
the location was great. located near three trains and walkind distance from lake shore drive. i was not impressed with the 39 a night in and out parking tab and no free breakfast in the morning like many other hotels that i have stayed at. plus the restaurant in the hotel was closed the entire weekend.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 3
- Room cleanliness:
- 4
- Hotel staff:
- 2
- Room comfort:
- 2
- Location:
- 4
- Value:
- 2
Dining tip:
Not Applicable
rannilis is amazing and they do deliver . the food and portion size is out tof this world for the price.
