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Affinia - CLOSED
Category: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Hotels [Edit]
166 E Superior St(between Michigan Ave & St Clair St)
Chicago, IL 60611
Neighborhoods: Near North Side, River East
(312) 787-6000
- Nearest Transit:
-
Chicago-red (Red Line)
Grand-red (Red Line)
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Paid
78 reviews for Affinia
Review Highlights
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"Highlights: free pillow menu." In 4 reviews -
"...Ave's Magnificent Mile and walking distance to Navy Pier." In 5 reviews -
"The rooftop bar is delightful." In 10 reviews
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78 reviews in English
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Review from Christine M.
Rolling Meadows, IL
2/26/2012
We really like this hotel and have multiple times on staycations and business. Bed and pillows are so comfy. It was quiet, nice view, great location. The layout of the room is unique. We were brought a lovely bottle of champagne and chocolates for our anniversary stay. The rooftop bar is very nice (better in the summer, of course). Only complaint: staff knocked on the door at 9 AM despite the "do not disturb" sign on the door. What's up with that? But we will stay again.
-
Review from Carolina Z.
Long Beach, CA
4/27/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I hate to sound like a total snob but "Meh. I've experienced better."
There are some really nice aspects about this hotel like the curb appeal, the mini bar and cute snacks, the pillow menu and the roof-top lounge. However, even with all those positive aspects it's still one of the most annoying hotels I have ever stayed at. The front desk was pretty clueless, the interior design was poor IMHO, and they have no continental breakfast. Most things are forgivable but the main thing lacking was service.
The last thing you want to hear after a 5 hour flight is that your room is not ready (at 3:30) The person at the front desk was not apologetic about it, but rather matter-of-fact about it. I sort-of griped that I needed to get to my room to get ready for a dinner meeting and was offered a random room. Holes and stains in the lamps and broken, dingy roman shades made for the ultimate creepy feeling. Gross. I called the front desk to get another room and they gave me the disabled room. *eyeroll*
My new room smelled like fish. But what was I to do at this point? So I kept it. Other minor things happened every day. For example, there was not a do-not-disturb sign offered. I saw it on other doors but I guess they forgot about mine. The dry-cleaning shrunk and faded my sweater and they took the creases OUT of my dress pants. (???) The wallpaper in the bathroom looked like red-orange galvanized steel print and I was certain I would have a Pokemon seizure every time I used it. The bottled water was never restored when my room was cleaned. There was rust in the bathroom under the toilet paper valet. The windows were not sealed all the way so its freezing unless you blast the heat. The drapes were roman shades which looks bad on such a long window. There were random scuff marks all over the walls. The elevator takes up to 5 minutes to arrive. Room service closes early. The tea in the room was gross.
I'm sure you get the point by now. -
Review from Jennifer P.
Chicago, IL
1/2/2012
Meh is definitely the perfect word to describe this hotel. The man checking us in seemed like he'd rather be anywhere but there, which did not make it for a very warm & welcoming experience. The room itself was nice and I didn't feel that they were dirty but it was just underwhelming, especially with a rather nicely decorated lobby. The bathroom was a tight squeeze. I hated the toilet paper rod. So weird and awkward. It's also pretty clear that the older windows let cold air in, which really sucks when your small bed is so close to the window. We had the heat set at 75 on auto and it still wasn't all that comfortable. Also something to note: the elevator takes forever. Get ready for a five minute wait.
We got room service for breakfast. The pancakes were alright but I loved the fruit plate. It was huge with a great assortment of really fresh fruit. Any plate that has pineapple on it is good with me!
While this hotel is in a great location, there are probably better ones just a block or so away. I'd try them first before the Affinia. -
Review from Jax R.
Chicago, IL
12/28/2011
I have stayed at hotels all over the world and unfortunately I was not impressed with Affinia Chicago. I purchased a room for my boyfriend and I as a post Christmas treat for the two of us. On the website it said for $25 I could bring my pet - a 4pound yorkie who is potty trained and well behaved. It seemed as if they put us in a room that had been soiled by a previous pet. I didn't feel comfortable walking around the room without my shoes on, and by no means am I a germaphobe.
However, the workout room was quite nice. It was larger then I thought it would be and the machines were up to date with built in tv's in the treadmills.
Overall, the staff was more then welcoming and friendly and provided you with what you needed. Unfortunately, the room wasn't all it was hyped to be. -
Review from Matt T.
12/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Eh, meh. Affinia proclaims itself as a swanky top notch hotel with affordable prices but the quality just doesn't hold any weight. I was lucky enough to have a contract discount through my work so my wife and I (along with our dog) could stay here at the last minute when our apartment was consumed by awful fumes. The rooms look nice and modern but you can tell how cheap some of the materials used are in the rooms. In this day in age, the flatscreen TV should have a high-def feed and the remotes should not be these ancient and broken hotel remotes that Red Roof Inn uses.
I appreciated the spacious bathroom but would have expected the shower to be more modern rather than a shower that you would find in a HoJo. I liked that the hotel service brough us two dog bowls, some dog biscuits, towels and a toy for the dog to use. The toy was a piece of crap and torn to bits by our dog, within minutes.
The bed was very very firm and uncomfortable. The pillow were terrible - we could have taken advantage of the free pillow menu but we were too tired to deal with it.
Affinia does benefit from having a really good restaurant attached (C-House) and it's rooftop bar (C-View). I expected more from the hotel quality. The front desk staff was very helpful, which is always a plus.
The room just felt like I was in a HoJo with cheap nice looking things mixed in with some standard cheap motel crap. I guess you get what you pay for. Oh, and when they tell you you'll be getting a king bed, you really are getting a queen bed.
A great location and an affordable hotel that's surely better than a Best Western - just don't expect lush accommodations or free wi-fi ($10 per day). -
Review from Jason A.
Cumming, GA
4/3/2012
What a complete rip off. Help was rude and management was worse.
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Review from Raymond N.
Oakland Gardens, NY
8/30/2011 9 Check-ins Here
Stayed here for a week during my stay in Chicago. It is located on the corner of Michigan Ave (awesome if you are into shopping). A block away from the Lake and about half a mile South from the closest beach. Staff is friendly and professional. This hotel is pet-friendly, $25 a day. Price is reasonable.
Room has a modern decor. Bed is somewhat on the soft side, bad news for people with bad backs. The pillow options are cool, simply call the front desk for a variety of pillows. It is free of charge. Bathroom products are provided through Philosophy.
There is a rooftop lounge, great view but overpriced drinks and crappy food. Gym is on the 7th floor. Great facility, very clean and hardly busy with plenty of equipments. There is a touch-screen computer at the lobby, which allows you to send video messages to family back home. Pretty cool.
Downside? The elevator takes forever. Only two elevator go above 7th floor. Elevator is small and poorly ventilated. Try to avoid returning or leaving your room during rush hour. Or you can wait as long as 10 minutes. Never use their valet parking. It costs $40 a night. Also, no free wi-fi at this hotel. Not cool. -
Review from Janine K.
10/8/2011
I won a free night in a jr. suite from a raffle at work. I stayed at the Affinia last night...and it was very enjoyable.
I've lived in Chicago and the suburbs my entire life only I've never stayed in a hotel in downtown Chicago. Even though I had a view of Northwestern, the location is great...right near the great restaurants and shops on Michigan Ave's Magnificent Mile and walking distance to Navy Pier.
Upon check in the staff was very friendly and gave me the choice of having a suite with a king size bed on the 4th floor or a queen size bed on the 17th floor...I opted for the view, of course! My custom pillows were delivered to my room within a half hour of checking in :)
I didn't visit the restaurant but I did have a drink at C-View, the rooftop lounge on the 29th floor - the weather was great, it wasn't too crowded and what a view!
I'm not sure what kind of price range this place has as my night was comped but it's definitely worth looking into, tourist or not. -
Review from Thomas P.
Manhattan, NY
12/2/2011
Affinia hotel is not one of the prestigious hotels of Chicago, but it is very well located.
We had reserved a double room, and the staff put us in a single + couch... The day after they finally moved us to a double room (considering the hotel was full, I wonder who got the single instead of a double after us...)
The room was quite small and the "Queen" beds too, but good AC system and quiet.
Still one thing I don't get, why don't you get free WiFi when you pay that price for a room ??? -
Review from Meg S.
Crest Hill, IL
10/10/2011
For a Chicago hotel, this place is okay.
We had a wedding to attend at Navy Pier and decided to book a hotel in the area a few months ago. After searching, we found Affinia. I was really excited that I found something cheaper than where the bride wanted us to stay (Swissotel). I thought it was a pretty good deal, especially when we shared the room with another couple.
Location was great, as well as the condition of the room and hotel itself. The front desk staff were okay, nothing special. A gentleman named Victor helped us with our luggage and he was a riot. He gave us recommendations on bars and a restaurant for breakfast.
Upon booking, I had asked for a BYOB kit for wine and a hairdryer diffuser, both part of their "My Affinia" program where you can customize your stay. I needed the wine opener for my wine because the wedding we were going to was cash bar, so I was hoping on enjoying a couple of glasses of wine before we went. It was not in the room when we arrived, so we called the front desk for it. It never came. So we went to the wedding, came back about 10 pm and it still wasn't there. This time, my husband went down to the front desk and requested it in person. The kit showed up about 20 minutes later. At this point I didn't even really want the wine anymore, but since I had asked 3 times already I wanted to see if it would happen! Also, the TV in the room did not work at first... my husband had to figure out the cords which apparently were hooked up wrong or loose or something.
Upon checkout, there were no questions about our stay, no thank yous, just "here is your receipt" and on to the next guest even as I was starting to ask if we could leave our bags there for an hour while we went out to breakfast. So then I had to wait for her to help the next person while I was still standing there. Luckily Victor saw us and helped us right away, and told us exactly where to go for our meal.
All in all it was a decent place to stay, especially so close to the Pier. Maybe my expectations were too high, but they didn't even come close to what I had in mind. For as much money as I was spending, I could have gone elsewhere and gotten better customer service. -
Review from Caesar R.
Brooklyn, NY
7/29/2011
This location is great. Close to all the touristy attractions and Miracle Mile Shopping. And the staff is super friendly and helpful. Definitely take advantage of their 6 different choices of pillows.
The rooms have a great modern decor and super comfy beds. The bathroom wall paper was a little weird, but otherwise everything else was perfect.
And Gino's East is right next door so you can order in the pizza and have less hassle. Super convenient. Not to mention the MCA is a block away for all you artsy folk. -
Review from Amy B.
6/24/2011 3 Check-ins Here
My friends booked a suite at this hotel for a bachelorette party through an online deal. I was staying on in the city afterwards and needed a room for one night, so used Hotwire. When I saw I had booked a second room at the Affinia, I got nervous: What kind of terrible hotel participates so enthusiastically in these rock bottom online sales?
I needn't have worried. The Affinia offered us big, clean, modern rooms in the heart of downtown Chicago. The bachelorette suite comfortably slept 4, and we were able to get a cot for an additional nightly charge. My king-bed room the next night was similarly attractive and well-stocked. I would stay here again in a heartbeat; this was a steal for the location and the quality of the rooms.
My only real complaint about the hotel is there was frequently a long wait for the elevator. Get on that, Affinia.
If I stayed here again, I would like to try the house restaurant, C-House, whose head chef is Top Chef All-Stars winner Marcus Samuelsson. While I've heard mixed things about the restaurant, I get food-star-struck.Comment from Claudia E. of Affinia 7/8/2011
Thanks for the feedback & sharing with the Yelp community!… More » -
Review from Chontelle M.
Glenn Dale, MD
4/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
This hotel is in the middle of everything! We were a block and a half away from the mall, right next to Gino's and a half a block away from the Contemporary Art Museum. The staff is very friendly and they take the time to be very helpful. If the weather wasn't so bad, we could have walked to "the bean", the Hancock building, and the Magnificent mile. We were also able to hop on a trolley and go to Navy Pier for a discount that was through the hotel.
I am definitely going back to Chicago soon, and when I do, I am going to stay here! If you join the Affinia mailing list, you get discounts at all Affinia hotels. I stayed here in a deluxe room for 149 a night. -
Review from Mathew N.
7/23/2011 7 Check-ins Here
It's great to stay in a hotel where the front desk remembers you from check-in to check-out even if you're not a big spender. The door men always said hello and offered to help us with directions or just made chit chat.
Our room was fairly spacious, had a great view from the sixth floor and was nicely designed. If I had a wish list for the room it would be that there was a bathtub (perhaps inside of the already huge shower) and that the window shades opened electronically (if this sounds spoiled, note that these are massive shades that aren't easy to open and I stayed at a Hyatt and they had the electronic blinds).
The location was central to everything. We walked as far north as the Grand Hyatt and as far south as the museum campus (Field Museum, Aquarium, etc.) The walk south was a long one so bring comfortable shoes but this is a great place to stay to remain in the thick of it all. -
Review from Anna Z.
San Francisco, CA
9/11/2011
I was so happy that I got a great deal staying at Affinia through http://Hautelook.com. It is a great boutique hotel located on the same block of Neiman Marcus, within 4 blocks of John Hancock Observatory and walking distance to the Red-Line subway station. Also, Walgreens is a block away, so you can just buy water and snacks to bring it back to your room.
We stayed in the studio suite on the 18th floor, and it was PERFECT! Fabulous view of the tall buildings. The staff is friendly. Wi-Fi is $9.95 per night. There is a sofa bed for the third and/or fourth guest - I thought it was pretty comfy. They have a clean gym located at the 7th floor. There is a mini fridge filled with mini bottles of alcohol, so there's not a whole lot of space to keep your own treats. There is no microwave, so don't think about reheating any leftover food. Unfortunately, this hotel is a block away from a medical center, so you'll hear the sirens from the paramedics throughout the day, but thankfully it gets pretty quiet late at night. According to my cousin (who traveled with me), they don't have a pool. But overall, I had a fabulous time and great service at Affinia. I will definitely return when I visit again. -
Review from Helen B.
6/16/2011
Rooms are a great and decent size. Comfortable beds, clean, modern and service is extremely friendly.
The wifi is slow though, so be prepared for things to load when you are on your VPN. I found it much better to work off my iPad for some things and use wifi when sending emails. -
Review from Annie N.
7/9/2011
I stayed here with my parents before I moved to Chicago and I was in love with the place. I got lucky and booked the room for a bit more than 110/night, which I thought was such a good deal.
The staffs were super friendly. The room was clean and nicely decorated. It's very modern, and everything looked brand new. I wasn't crazy about the bright orange color - it hurt my eyes. but I dealt with it.
Location was perfect - they were close to everything, and not right on busy Michigan avenue. They also have the friendliest door men who were always trying to help out.
I'd definitely recommend the hotel to anyone. -
Review from Allison H.
San Francisco, CA
1/31/2011
Of all the hotels I've stayed at in Chicago, this one is my favorite. I'm in Chicago about 4x/year for business, and Affinia has those nice little touches that makes them stand out from the crowd.
ROOM: I stayed in a king room, and this category is one where affinia is fairly standard. Bed, TV, desk, bathroom are all pretty par for the course, although I appreciated the big oval ottoman which is perfect for putting your shoes on before heading out the door. The bathroom, however, was really nice. I hate it when you stay in a nice hotel and the room is spacious by virtue of making the bathroom a closet. There was no tub in my room, but the shower was huge - the size of a small walk-in closet, practically. In-house toiletries were a step above standard.
FITNESS ROOM: Really nice! Several treadmills, ellipticals, free weights, and weight machines. The treadmills have TVs and plugs for your iPod so you can listen to your own music and also listen to the "fitness guide" recite your workout milestones to you. There's also a water cooler, towels, and a bathroom in the fitness room itself, which was nice.
SERVICE: Great service. Quick and friendly check-in and check-out, and they were kind when I called with embarrassment that I couldn't find the fitness room.
OTHER AMMENITIES: Affinia offers these cool "kits" that while I didn't try them out, were a nice touch and are definitely on my to-do list for my next stay. Guests have their choice between a wine themed kit, a fitness themed kit (with a yoga mat, blocks, weights, and dvds), and a city walking tour kit (including an iPod pre-loaded with a walking tour of the city and a map) - for FREE! A definite differentiator for this hotel.
In case you can't tell, I really enjoyed this hotel and will certainly put it at the top of my preference list next time I book a trip to Chicago. -
Review from Shirley H.
Los Angeles, CA
12/18/2010
I really enjoyed my stay here. The location is pretty much perfect. It's right off the northern end of Michigan Ave (aka magnificent mile) and only a few blocks away from Northwestern, if you need to go there. Walking outside and seeing Saks Fifth Avenue right across the street from me made me happy. The hotel is also right next to Gino's, which I hear serves good deep dish pizza. Will definitely be trying it when I return to Chicago in January.
I booked a one night stay during a 72-hour sale they were having and ended up paying $89 (not including fees). Regular price was $110 at the time. For around $100, the room you get is pretty spacious, and well-decorated to boot. I think it was about as big as my hotel room at the Hyatt in Oahu, which cost more than twice as much.
The front desk is accommodating. When I decided to extend my stay at the last minute, the person helping me gave me the sale price rather than the full price, even though the sale was technically over. Yay!
Affinia doesn't have super awesome amenities. No toothpaste in the bathroom (wtf? that was one thing that did kind of upset me), not much of a lobby, limited dining options inside the hotel, no wifi/free internet access. But I think I got what I paid for. And the bed was gigantic and comfortable, the room was clean, and the basics were there (minus the toothpaste). That's really all I needed. -
Review from Richard C.
Palo Alto, CA
4/16/2011
Older boutique hotel nicely redone. Some small limitations but nothing annoying - especially when priceline got us in there for $170/night.
No free wifi anywhere in the hotel. -
Review from Matt F.
New Haven, CT
9/5/2010
Overall we had a great stay at Affinia. From the minute we pulled up to the hotel front and were greeted by Joel, the valet/doorman/bellhop, we knew we had picked a great place. And we were reminded of that every time we entered of exited the premises when we were greeted by our names and given recommendations regarding places to eat and check out while in the city. All in all, the service rocked!
Our room was excellent - very modern and hip, without sacrificing comfort. We even had a pretty sweet view of the Hancock tower which is about 2-3 blocks away. And while we're talking about location, you can't ask for much better. You're a stones throw from Michigan Ave, the Navy Pier (use the hotel's free trolley), part of the Northwestern campus and the lake. If you are in town to eat you're really in luck; Gino's East basically shares a wall with this hotel.
I agree that $49 per day for valet sucks, but that only seems a little above par for the rest of the hotels in the area. You can save $8-9 by self parking or go for one of the sketchier lots a few blocks away if it's that unbearable - or better yet - try to avoid bringing a car to Chicago in the first place. The city is very walkable, taxis are abundant, and the trains and bus system seem pretty straightforward.
I guess my only other gripe is paying for Internet. I get why hotels charge for this service, because they know that people can't live without it. It's the same reason airlines can get away with charging you for your checked luggage. But I still can't help but feel insulted when I'm already paying a premium to stay at a nice hotel only to be confronted with this extra charge for what today is basically a necessity. The WiFi signal is present whether you use it or not and if the hotel really needs to recoup the cost of this they should just wrap it into the nightly rate. The jokes on Affinia though since we were able to tap into another network nearby for free.
Other than the Internet and parking costs, this place is well worth a stay. They really do go out of the way to make your stay pleasant and leave you feeling like they personalized so much of it just for you. My one (albeit creepy) example of this was that one of the coffee table books in our room was titled "Colorstrology", a book that tells you what your personal color is and what your personality is, all based upon your specific date of birth. Not only were the decorative pillows on the bed my personal color (mandarin orange, apparently), but the page for my birthday - May 21 - that was to describe my personality type, had been ripped out of the book and was completely missing. So either this was all coincidence, or the hotel really went out of their way to simultaneously make me feel comfortable, frustrated, and creeped out. -
Review from penny t.
Oakland, CA
6/13/2010
Chicago is an amazing city, especially in the spring. I probably would've been happy staying anywhere halfway decent. Luckily, my sister didn't feel the same way and she actually did some research. Because of her diligence, we found a great deal on Priceline.
There was some construction happening next door. This fact did not take away from our experience at all. Our room was gorgeous and spacious! It felt almost like a suite because we had to take several steps down into the bedroom area. The bathroom had a huge, oval mirror that lit up. The lighting was quite flattering, actually. (Note to self: Install one of those mirrors in my future fantasy home.)
The fitness room is pretty decent. I love exercise machines with individual television sets and Affinia provides those machines. Also, we hardly saw anyone working out in the room, so it felt like a personal gym.
Three small complaints:
- the complimentary bath and shower products were very mediocre. For once, I didn't try to scoop up the products into my luggage! (Although maybe that's the point?)
- the elevator area smelled really strange. To this day, I can't place my finger on the rank smell.
- the valet parking fee is ridiculous! $49 for overnight parking?!
Still, we were steps from the Magnificent Mile, so the stay was definitely worth it! -
Review from Nina F.
Long Beach, CA
7/28/2007
I'm a big fan of the Fitzpatrick Hotel group, so when I came to Chicago I was eager to stay in another of their hotels. Sadly, the Chicago Fitzpatrick was no more, and was in the process of being remodeled into the Affinia Hotel.
The Affinia appears to be aiming for W-esque vibe -- the walls of my bathroom were bright cherry red, and there were large 9-foot mirrors placed strategically throughout the room, which was complete with a flat screen. Also, a book on birthday color astrology adorned my coffee table -- my birthday color is Sangria, who knew?
The rooms are large, with a small entrance area; descend three stairs and you're in the living room with the bed a ways off to the side. One of my favorite things about the Fitzpatrick Hotels is their bed -- beyond heavenly with thick down comforters -- and I'm almost positive that when the Affinia took over they kept the Fitzpatrick beds. Another plus was the Aveda bath products
The hotel construction means there is no bar or room service, but I felt the staff more than made up for that loss, pointing me in the right direction for nearby entertainment and being overly accommodating with cab service and other general hotel pleasantries. -
Review from Sonali B.
12/6/2010
This could easily be the best hotel I have ever stayed in. I loved it that much.
The service was excellent, the suite was completely spotless and comfortable. The bed? The most comfortable (apart from my own) that I ever slept in. If you EVER STAY THERE, order the vanilla bean cupcakes from room service with a bottle of champagne...best way to spoil yourself in the hotel. The restaurant in the hotel has fabulous dessert options if you need something sweet with your night cap. It is in a fabulous location, as well - I didn't have to walk far to get to Michigan Avenue ...just a few steps and I was there. I was extremely pleased with the service and the look - it was chic and fun to stay in. I would stay there again over any other hotel in Chicago, any day of the week. I love that place and I can't wait to go back! -
Review from Jennifer L.
San Francisco, CA
4/29/2009
Disclaimer - have not been here yet, but am planning a meeting with them from afar. The photos make it look lovely and the staff has been pleasant to work with, if not a little slow.
I LOVE the cute little "My Affinia" club they offer where you can preselect and personalize your in room amenities. Several are free (customized pillow options, contact lens solution, nail polish remover, work out kits, walking tours of the area, picnic kits and more), while others come with a nominal fee (guitar, putters, rubber ducky, cupcakes, etc.).
What a fantastic idea - I only hope the implementation is as successful! -
Review from cherie c.
1/20/2010
Excellent hotel stay. C-view lounge is cool, and the staff are nice. Drinks were just fine; yes, they are overpriced, but that's what happens in a hotel bar, I guess. I bet it's especially nice to sit outside in better weather.
The room was great. It had a nice little sunken area two steps down to the bed. Decor was not necessarily what I'd choose but still was sleek and very clean. Lighting was good, something that is hard to find in many hotels. Yes, the mini-bar was exorbitant, but we just avoided it. We did use the fridge to store some beverages we bought at a store at a much better price.
Highlights: free pillow menu. We chose what kind of pillows we preferred and they were waiting for us. We also chose an 'experience kit,' which included an ipod with a walking tour, maps, a tour book, and a deck of cards with cool walks around the city. It was a great resource and came at no additional charge.
Low points: despite free magnetic therapy pillows, in-room coffee is no longer free. They charge $1 if you open the packet of cheap coffee to make in the Cuisinart one-cup machine. Boo that. Luckily we knew about Intelligentsia. Also, daily wi-fi rates bother me. No free wifi in the lobby either.
That said, it only cost $1.35 to print our boarding passes in the business center, and the friendly front desk staff helped us find our destinations easily.
Overall, we loved our room at the Affinia and hope we get to stay at another one of their hotels some day. -
Review from Stephanie G.
Miami, FL
1/30/2010
We stayed at the Affinia Chicago in the early summer of last year for about 4 nights and were extremely pleased with the accommodations. Not only is the location excellent (right next to Gino's East and walking distance to several landmarks), but the staff is extremely helpful, and the rooms are extremely clean and seem like they're recently renovated. The hotel has a rooftop bar and the view from up there is absolutely beautiful.
Before this trip we hadn't stayed at an Affinia hotel before and were so happy with our stay that we decided to try at the Affinia Dumont in Manhattan on our next trip to New York. We were disappointed. Although the Dumont wasn't a terrible hotel, it was nowhere near as grand as the one in Chicago.
I will absolutely be staying at the Affinia each and every time I return to Chicago and would highly recommend it to anyone traveling to this beautiful city. -
Review from Becky G.
Geneva, IL
5/27/2008
I stayed here with DH for a night downtown for our anniversary over Memorial Day weekend. We got a great rate through http://expedia.com. The hotel was very nice with very polite staff. I knew going into it that they're still finishing the renovation (thanks to reviews on this site and expedia) so there's no bar and the restaurant is only open for breakfast, but we didn't really need all of that. The room was great! We booked a queen, but were asked at check-in if we wanted a king, so we got that instead.
The bathroom was nice and I loved the fact that they provide Aveda products. The only thing I could think of as an improvement for the room is an extra mirror outside of the bathroom so one person could get ready while someone else is in the shower, steaming up the bathroom. I'm sure the rates will skyrocket once the enter renovation is done, but it was a steal at the state it's in. -
Review from Michael L.
San Diego, CA
7/29/2009
When I first arrived, I was super amped by the look of the building and lobby. Contemporary "I love Helvetica" cool.
Here are your first thoughts...
1.) My room is going to be soooo pimp
2.) No matter who I bring up, I'm SO going to totally get laid
3.) Super cool staff = top notch service
Here's the problem...
THE ELEVATOR
That's right...2 elevators that serve floors 1-7. 2 more elevators that serve 8-29. Why is that a problem?
THE ELEVATORS ARE SO SLOW THAT I'M CONVINCED THERE ARE INDENTURED SERVANTS OPERATING THE PULLEYS.
Yes, the place is super nice...but if you enjoy waiting 15 minutes or more for an elevator, then this is the place. If you're thinking about getting laid here, better get a room on the 3rd floor otherwise you might sober up while waiting for the elevator and realize how ugly your date is. -
Review from Linda C.
I had an excellent experience here. Awesome location right by Magnificent Mile with shopping, restaurants, and sights just literally steps away! This is a reasonably priced hotel and an absolutely 4 star hotel. The staff was amazing! Really friendly, polite, and truly there to help make your stay enjoyable. If you are a guest here, you can get a free "cut in line" pass for Gino's East Pizzeria, which is right next door. The line is sometimes crazy there so it's a big plus!
The rooms are a decent size with simple modern decor. The AC ventilation was a bit annoying as it blew directly at one of the beds so the person sleeping on it kept complaining and we had to do some bed-hopping before all parties were satisfied. Besides that, the room was clean and comfy.
The front desk staff were so nice and helpful! They gave us maps, dining suggestions, and shopping information. We did try to call to get some extra blankets, but they never came even though the front desk person said it would be there in 15 mins. We called again the next day for ice & blankets and it came in 30 mins. Wish this place had a pool too, but at least they have C-View. Calling a cab for the airport might take a while so you might be better off waving one down on the street. -
Review from Drew G.
Columbia, SC
1/26/2011
Have stayed here a few times and never been dissapointed. Very convenient location in streeterville and good pizza next door and great beer at E&C a block away. Checked ot the rooftop bar while we were there this time, it was decent but probably would have been better if it was warmer out and the outside section was open.
My only gripes are that they have no ice buckets or machines (have to call for it) and the beds are not super comfortable. If you get a sale rate this place its great but if you are paying the normal $200 there are better places close by with more amenities. -
Review from Tom C.
Los Angeles, CA
11/28/2010
Great Suite here at the Affinia. Very large w/nice step-down living room. King bed was great & good linens. Perfect MagMile location for walking, shopping, dining. Staff was always helpful. It was winter, so was unable to enjoy the rooftop bar. Nice gym.
Nice bath products, tho the maid was a bit skimpy on replenishing the soap/shampoo. -
Review from Laura D.
San Francisco, CA
10/11/2008
Wow. Wow. Wow.
I love the "welcome drink" in the lobby- sweet citrus yumminess.
I love the extremely friendly staff at the Front Desk, including the young man who took my luggage up to my room.
I love the room- the decor is modern but not cold. It's warm and the large windows overlook the beautiful windy city. Simple and iconic pictures line the walls in the room. Reading lights attached on each top side of the bed. And, I certainly love the pillow menu, which allows you to choose from Feather & Down, Sound (you can plug your MP3 in while you sleep), and Magnetic Therapy pillows- just to name a few.
I love the sweet chocolates they leave on you r pillow at night.
I love the thick robes in each room and magnifying makeup mirror.
I love the Aveda Rosemary & Mint bath products.
And I love all the food that they catered our workshop with- fresh and delcious.
My co-worker and I picked the Affinia Hotel Chicago (all the way from SF) to coordinate a workshop for a bunch of our doctors that we work with. Mainly, we thought the boutique-y-ness of the hotel-not too big or small, but unique and warmly decorated, would suit our needs. Additionally, Erin, in sales, was incredibly accommodating from the first day we spoke with her over the phone. All of our doctors LOVED it.
The 2-day workshop was an absolute stellar success. I cannot express how impressed I am with this hotel. Erin & Kila in Sales were organized, Charlotte in Catering was attentive (and her staff-Geronimo, was amazing), and the Director of Operations was incredibly welcoming.
The Affinia was the absolute PERFECT venue for this meeting. It is also a perfect hotel to stay at and simply enjoy Chicago. I simply cannot say enough positive things about this hotel- I beyond highly recommend it to anyone planning a trip or business function in Chicago. -
Review from Rahul V.
Atlanta, GA
2/14/2010 1 Check-in Here
I stayed at the Affinia - Chicago last week during a short business trip. Being the responsible corporate employee that I am, I tried to pick the least expensive hotel in downtown. $109, that's a steal in Chicago, and should have pushed this hotel into the 4 star range.
The Good Stuff - Staff, decor, location - The employee at the front desk had no problem checking me in early (it was 10AM), so brownie points for her. The rooms are small but interesting, and the pillows were killer.
The Not So Awesome - This has to be the loudest hotel I've ever stayed in. It wasn't rowdy guests or hallway talkers, but the walls couldn't be more than an inch thick. Anytime anyone opened a door on the floor, you hear it. I could hear every word the people in the room next to me were saying, and I'm pretty sure they weren't talking loudly. I'm not that picky (I promise), but I woke up constantly during the night to a door opening or closing...not ideal.
With that said, it's still a pretty cool little hotel. If there are quieter floors, I'd give it another shot. -
Review from Stephanie S.
Maplewood, MO
3/3/2010 2 Check-ins Here
The good?
The hotel is nice. It's walking distance to Michigan Avenue. The rooms are spacious. The fitness room is AMAZING and open for 24 hours.
The bad?
When we pulled up with our car, there was no bellhop. No help at all. We literally had to go inside and ASK someone to valet the car and help us with our bags. Umm...hello?
The internet is not free. $9.95 for 24 hours. Don't most hotels usually have free Wi-Fi nowadays?
The rooms aren't cheap. For the price, I was expecting top of the line service and amenities.
The ugly?
Our first night there, there was a leak above our sink. We called maintenance. The most unprofessional maintenance man I've ever seen came up to our room, looked at it, and said there was nothing he could do. We had to ASK to be moved to a different room. Sorry, I don't enjoy brown water leaking into the sink. Yeah.
So we were begrudgingly moved into a different room. Mind you, this is after we were all unpacked and settled in for the night. It was after 9pm. No one helped us move all of our bags. It was a huge inconvenience. Any decent hotel would have offered us SOMETHING for our troubles, right?
They offered a $50 comp for their overpriced restaurant. For three girls, that wouldn't have gone far at all. After browbeating the front desk attendant (sorry, I was VERY annoyed at this point!), she comped one of our rooms for the night.
In conclusion, I would NEVER stay here again. The hotel was nice, but so is the Avenue (a block or two over). The Avenue hotel is cheaper, has friendlier service, and has free wi-fi.
So why 2 stars instead of one? The fitness center just can't be beat. Seriously...WOW. -
Review from Laura B.
Chicago, IL
8/14/2011
Review of the rooftop bar:
Went here for happy hour. It was crowded, but for awhile there was only one bartender and service was slow. But when the specialty cocktails arrived, they were fantastic. Recommend the Western Exposure. Gorgeous view of the city. Comfortable, sheik outdoor furniture. Attentive waitresses. And, wait for it...
A super unusual crowd. Most people were in their 40s. There was a gaggle of grey haired gay men. Not used to being the youngest group at happy hour. But it was great fun. -
Review from Dawn M.
Chicago, IL
9/2/2009
I love Hotwire! We got this room for just $90 a night, I mean...you can't even stay at a Hampton Inn that cheap! The hotel is modern and swanky with a simple decor. We had no problems with the elevators, as many other reviewers have mentioned. We were on the 6th floor and the elevator always quickly arrived each time we came and went. The room was a good size...much larger than I expected. We also had a good city view toward the front of the hotel. It was quiet, although we overlooked Superior. I liked the decor, Aveda products, regular/powerful hairdryer in the room and that they offered little free getaway baskets for wine/picnic, fitness, whatever. (although we didn't take advantage of it).
Housekeeping was fine, although I get annoyed when they don't put the ironing board/iron away. Why don't they do that!? They also came to the door twice trying to clean our room the morning we were checking out. No...we're checking out today and we haven't checked out yet. Come back after the check-out deadline.
We ate in the restaurant twice for breakfast. You can actually get out of there for a regular price if you choose carefully (breakfast sandwich or regular breakfast without the meat). We were a little disappointed there weren't many food places nearby, especially for breakfast. You are next door to Ginos East and just a block away from the heart of Michigan Avenue.
I would definitely stay here again. -
Review from leah s.
Akron, OH
12/2/2008
It's a love and hate relationship.
Check in: slow
Elevators: even slower
I stayed here for a work trip in August for 199/night in the suite which for the location is an excellent deal in Chicago. The room was very large and I am a sucker for any hotel with large windows. The decor was random with orange and gray and a very ugly bathroom. WIFI will cost you $10 a day and still have a poor signal.
The restaurant downstairs was open (c-house) but I did not get the chance to try it. I would have but after terrible service from staff I'd most likely go elsewhere. I ran downstairs after work on a weekday and sat right next to Anthony Bourdain without even realizing it at first. I should have figured while the 3 working on serving him hand and foot they would completely ignore me and my empty vodka cranberry. It was interesting to see everyone go up and greet him but all I wanted was a refill.
This place is a good hotel and I think once they get all their crap in order it'll be worth it. I wouldn't be surprised those to see them raise their price dramatically though because of the great location. -
Review from Jen K.
Sacramento, CA
4/25/2011
I loved this hotel! I booked studio suite for one night and it was amazing. I took a red eye from LA, arrived in Chicago at 5am feeling dead tired. When I called Affinia, they let me check in right away (usual check in time is 3pm). I walked into the room not expecting much since I paid $120 for this room but I was surprised by such a huge room. When you walk in, there's a desk, walk down 3 stairs, then a large living room that leads into a bedroom with a large flat screen TV that you can swivel around. Decor's modern and comfy. Although no free wi-fi, you can pay $10 for unlimited internet. They have top chef Marcus Samuelsson's C-house restaurant in the hotel, Gino's East right next door, then Neiman Marcus and rest of stores on Mich Ave just one block away. What a fantastic deal! Definitely staying here again next time!
-
Review from Mike R.
Westminster, CO
8/26/2011
Good service, clean rooms, reasonable pricing. The buildings central utilities, like the elevators, could use some updating. Would definitely stay there again.
