Amalfi Hotel
20 W Kinzie St
(between Dearborn St & State St)
Chicago, IL 60610 (312) 395-9000
- Nearest Transit:
Grand (Red)
State/Lake (Orange, Brown, Purple Express, Green, Pink)
Clark/Lake (Pink, Brown, Green, Blue, Purple Express, Orange)
- Price Range: $$$
19 Reviews for Amalfi Hotel
I spent 4 nights at the Amalfi Hotel while in Chicago for training. The rooms are very nice and clean. There is a continental breakfast on every floor with good coffee. They offer free use of the business center for those of us behind the times without a Blackberry or laptop. There were also free cocktails from 5:30 to 7:00 pm every day.
The rooms were clean and comfy. The fitness center was on the same floor as my room but there was nothing to wipe down the machines with after use so I suggest bringing your own wipes.
All in all, after 4 long days, it was a comfortable place to stay.
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I travel to Chicago about once a month for work, and I always try to stay at the Amalfi if possible. It is a boutique hotel (so no reward points), and the check-in area is a bit unconventional, but the service and amenities here are always great. The rooms are on the small side, but they're adorably decorated and stocked with Aveda products. I take *really* hot showers, and I've never had problems with the heat or water pressure here. The workout room is very easy to find and set up nicely, with multiple treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes, and cable tv.
During my first stay, I was surprised by the fact that there are no vending machines in the building. The rooms are stocked with ungodly expensive designer bottled water, but luckily, there's a 7-11 right around the corner where you can grab your necessaries. Room service comes from Harry Caray's across the street; it's not great, but there are plenty of better dinner options in the River North area within walking distance (I recommend eating at the bar at Frontera Grill). I do appreciate their complimentary continental breakfast, which is available on every floor. The selection isn't mind-blowing or anything, but you can get baked goods and fresh fruit, which is all I really ask for.
The best part is that I've never had to spend over $179/night on a stay here! The Amalfi's not the cheapest place in town, but if you do your research and get on their mailing list, you do tend to hear about their deals and specials.
Check-in is a bit weird (one small desk with one or two dudes behind it), but other than that this was a pretty nice place. Supposedly they offer some high end concierge services but I didn't take advantage.
Continental breakfast is meh, but at least it's on every floor.
The main downside of this place is that the damn Harry Caray bar thing is right across the street. I happened to have the room that looked directly at it. Freaked me out.
I might try the W next time, I dunno.
Note to self: When planning a last minute trip to Chicago, don't choose a weekend when 60,000 doctors are in town for a medical convention.
For a quick family trip (my mom, dad and brother), we decided to head to Chicago to visit old friends. Unfortunately, because of the convention, every last hotel room in the city was booked. Finally, we were able to find one last room at the Amalfi Hotel. As a 20 something, the prospect of sharing one hotel room with my parents and my younger brother was frightening. Fortunately, the Amalfi made it an amazing experience. The room was spacious enough with it's 2 queen sized beds and large bathroom to accomodate us and our stuff. Upon check in the concierge remembered my mother from their phone conversation a few days prior and was so sweet, friendly and helpful. She gave us great recommendations for places to go for dinner and drinks which really made the trip all the more worthwhile.
One of the best perks is the free happy hour from 5:30-7pm every night. They served tons of antipasti appetizers - cheeses, breads, olives, bruschetta, etc. They also had a bartender making any drink you wished. The complimentary breakfast was great too! They had one on every floor and served standard croissants, bagels, yogurt etc. The gym was also great - plenty of cardio equipment, free weights, and fun movies playing on the tv to keep you entertained.
The location was great too, which a few bars and restaurants within a few blocks and the Magnificent Mile a few blocks more. This hotel had everything you needed and wanted for a place to stay in Chicago and great staff and amenities to make the trip even more pleasant. It's more of a boutique-y hotel then say, a giant Hyatt, but for me, that was exactly what I wanted.
Thank you medical convention for forcing me to stay at what is now one my favorite hotels!
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I recently stayed at The Almalfi and it was just so-so. I am not quite in-line with the other reviews here. It was a hotel, but nothing special, particularly for the price it was charging. It's fairly nicely located for tourist (such as myself) but you still have to walk a few blocks to really find anything. The room was decent, nothing special. Lobby is really small. Service was so-so. Gym was not that great. There's no fan and it's fairly stuffy and hot. Would I stay there again? Perhaps, but I would definitely look else where for.
Bring your Ipod because they have an Ihome/alarm clock/Ipod player to blast your music while you browse through the free internet -- Yes, none of that $14.95 b.s. internet charge/day. Complimentary breakfast AND cocktails-hors d'oeuvre? You can check out DVD's downstairs and watch them in your room. (and no, not THAT type of DVDs). They offered door-to-door chocolates service after happy hour.
We got lucky, our room is right in front of the work out room.
Overall, I've been here for 3 hours already and I'm loving it here. Its a smaller hotel than the Marriott (where we stayed last time in Chicago)- which I find it to be an advantage on customer service and attentiveness. I think the staff -job title being "Experience Designer, Information Specialist, Convenience Architect, Maestro " to be a little pretentious but I can't complain because they made reservations for us to TRU so we can blow $250/person.
The view is pretty lame but the plasma television compensates the view of someone's living room. Location is good; Michigan Avenue is overrated so I do not mind staying a few blocks away from Miracle Mile. A block or two away from The House of Blues.
I don't know what people are talking about when they mentioned Amalfi is in 'desperate need of an upgrade' because, its clean, sleek and chic hotel. Designer wallpaper throughout the room, granite counter top in the bathroom, dual high pressure shower head and ladies-- a little vanity chair for you to apply your make-up.
CDs and books in the room for your pleasure. Robes and slippers for you to lounge around in (or not...its not like anyone can see through your window)
$300/night during our May 28- June 3rd stay. (for a conference)
$5-$7 Voss water.
Highly recommended.
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We stayed here two and a half years ago when we were apartment hunting before moving to the city. I can't say enough good things about it. Every night there is a happy hour buffet of delicious food appetizers - a lot of them Italian like fresh mozzarella and olives and bruschetta. They also have a server making drinks, including their specialty, the Amalfitini, made with lemoncello. When we stayed there we had asked at the front desk for a resonably priced restaurant recommendation. The concierge recommended a delicious restaurant and since she knew someone who worked there, set us up with 25% off the meal and free desserts as well.
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Our experience was all around great. We loved the location which is close to the river, and we were able to walk everywhere downtown or hop on a bus or train quickly. The staff was really friendly and I usually won't even look at free "continental" breakfast, but theirs was really nice. They even refreshed it numerous times so it wasn't like if the family with ten kids shows up right before you, you are screwed. I loved the decor of the rooms and was inspired by their color choices in the bathroom. I would definitely stay there again.
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I've stayed at The Amalfi many times since it first opened.
The main reason is that it is centrally located right in the heart of downtown; 3 blocks from The Merchandise Mart where I usually work and only slightly further from all the fabulous shopping on Michigan Avenue.
Conveniently located right across the street from Harry Carreys and right next door to Keefers...both great choices for food and drink.
My only problem is that the hotel is in desperate need of an upgrade...it literally hasn't changed since I first stayed here 5 days ago.
Still, the best value for any hotel in this location!
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The staff at this hotel are very well trained professionals.
The Hotel itself is very discreet, private and unassuming.
I stayed for a few nights in the earlier part of the year when it was a necessity.
Their bar and food happy hour is something to look forward to each night. Anti pasto to rival any Italian B and B. good selection of beer and wine too.
The beds are so accommodating and the view and location are excellent.
I have stayed in many hotels around the world; this one is as impressive as any!
On a side note you cannot compare this hotel to the Peninsula or Ritz Carlton. Do you compare a Toyota Matrix to a Mercedes Benz?
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My experience with the Amalfi was great! I stayed there last year when I came to the city to look for housing for when I moved. We got a great deal booking online and were extremely happen we decided to stay there. The location is perfect. It is around anything you need and restaurants galore. The free cocktail hour was a very pleasant suprise. They had an extremely nice spread of food and drinks for this cocktail hour (including their house made "Amalfitini"). They have fresh mozarella and proscuitto among many other things. When we went to the concierge to get a dinner recommendation, not only did she recommend something to us, but she knew someone at the restaurant and was able to get us 25% off our entire bill plus free dessert. That was a great perk!
Other than that, the hotel is very nice and is a more modern looking style. I highly recommend this hotel.
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I enjoyed my stay at the Amalfi hotel. The only thing that I did not like about it was the lady who sits at the desk and greets/checks people in. She was kind of aloof and distant. Then later there was another woman at the front desk area who seemed the same way. That was weird to me. The hotel though was nice. They had some magazines,which I love, waiting in the room for me, some CDs, and a very nice robe to lounge around in. The bed was very nice. I could have fallen asleep in it seconds after my head hit the pillow. Oh yea, and I cant forget the the happy hour. The drinks were not all watered down as I would have expected. They were pretty good and top notch. I'd stay here again for sure.
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This is a cute little boutique hotel right in the heart of River North that is a wonderful value for the price. I would not say that it should get five stars, because it is certainly not on the caliber with a Peninsula, or another 5 star hotel, but for the cost it is a great value. I enjoy staying at boutique hotels because they offer unique extras: although the Amalfi doesn't have its own bar, they have a complimentary happy hour on weekend nights with wine, limoncello martinis, and bar nibbles. They have cd players with complimentary jazz and world music, cool decor, and a nice sized bathroom. We found our room on expedia for about $150 a night; unbelievably cheap considering the value you receive. It's also right in the middle of many great bars and restaurants. Great place for a fun getaway in the city; it's a nice 3.5 to 4 star hotel for a great price.
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i gotta be honest, my bullshit detector was twitching when i learned that the folks at the front desk are not 'clerks' but 'experience consultants'. think of the amalfi as a 'mini-w hotel'. it's hip and comfortable and (unlike the w maybe) an incredible value considering the location.
it's right across the street from harry caray's so I can look out my window anytime i want and see a huge cartoon of harry practically ordering me to have a beer. ah, harry, the master enabler. strangely, i find comfort in this.
in the room, i like the cd/dvd player with assorted jazz and blues cds, some novels and magazines (gq, instyle and others). i didn't particularly like the robe they provide. it's made out of strangely uncomfortable materials and was on the small side. hotel robes should be soft terry cloth. period. and large. i think in the effort for maximum hipness, they erred.
nice FREE happy hour (not just wine and beer. well drinks, skyy vodka, jim beam, etc) and continental breakfast. interesting to note that the breakfast is on every floor...so you can run out into the hall in your odd robe and grab a chocolate croissant and fruit and scamper back.
i will happily stay here again!
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I agree, five stars. The staff was very friendly, professional and quick. They had the perfect recommendations for sightseeing, dining and drinking. Hangover cure breakfast @ 1 pm - the Temple Cafe was the right suggestion. The room was modern and sleek, with the most comfortable bed out of any hotel I have stayed at (and I travel for work plenty). Continental breakfast on every floor - thus allowing the guests to sneak out in pjamas, grab delicious fluffy croissants, and run away back to the room. The location was perfect - minutes from the CTA, right next to the river, and walking distance to many sights, Mag Mile, dinning and boozing. Yay Amalfi...thanks for the wonderful time.
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I stayed at the Amalfi while in town on business with a little weekend of pleasure.
Cute Boutique Hotel
Location: Great location near the River and 3 blocks from Michigan behind the new Trump Tower. I walked everywhere from up and down Michigan toward the Loop and Mill. Park.
Check In: I flew in early on Sat morning and my mother flew in that morning too, as we were coming from different cities. She arrived at the hotel about 9am. I really didn't expect to check in but at least hold our bags there and give us a place to meet up. Mother called me and said the lady at the desk said she could check in if her name was on the reservation. I called when I landed and spoke to the front desk and gave them the OK to let mom check in. VERY NICE of them to let us check in at 9am!!
I arrived and preceded up to the room.
Room: The original Room they let my mother check into was not the Corner King we had booked. It was fine, and very nice of them to let us check in that early, but I had paid more for the upgrade.
So I went down to the desk and asked the lady if there was a corner king available? If not, not a big deal as long as she could credit me the difference in price for the room.
They ended up giving us a Corner King that was nice. It was not available until later so they let us keep our stuff in the other room, while we went out for the day, and then upgraded us when we returned from shopping.
The Corner King was nice. Extremely comfortable beds, the windows around the whole room were nice, but a lot to close up at night. Nice views, much better than the original room where we looked into another building. I will say other than the corridor where you walked into the room, space wise it wasn't that much different than the original room. Not really worth the upgrade unless you want the better view and all the natural light.
Breakfast and the Happy hour was a great touch. Fruit and bagels for breakfast with your choices of juices, coffee, and tea. nothing special but perfect for us.
The Free Happy Hour was very nice - they had Sky and Belvedere Vodka, Jim Beam, Captain Morgan, and others. White and Red wines and a couple Italian beer selections. Nice little apps too. anti-pasta setup, cheeses, and breads.
Service - lightbulb was out in the room and I called and someone came up in 5 minutes and replaced it.
We did receive turndown service the 2nd night and they left a chocolate on the pillow, very nice.
Lobby isn't anything much, but why do you need it to be.....
Bellmen were very helpful in directions to a drug store and transportation.
I typically stay at the Wyndham in Chicago but I think I will be changing to the Amalfi now.
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I stayed at this hotel with family over Thanksgiving. I had not only never heard of it, I couldn't figure out where it was even knowing that "it's across the street from Harry Carry's". It is small (only 6 floors) in an office building. So even on the top floor, you are not going to get that 'fabulous city and lake view' that other hotels boast. But the location is great. It's a few blocks from State St. shopping and still only a few blocks from the south end of the Mag Mile. Lots of restaurants within a block each way. It was a 20 min walk from AMC River East. I asked why they picked this hotel vs. the Inter-Continental which was a few dollars cheaper and I was told it was because of all the great reviews and the free cocktail hour(s) and continental breakfast every day! Each floor has their own breakfast so you don't need to go into the lobby with someone watching over you as to how much you take. There is coffee, juices, mini-bagels, muffins, bread, etc and the cocktails are served on the 6th floor and is taken advantage of by probably most, if not all guests. The lobby isn't your usual hotel lobby, they have a piano (that actually was playing cd's), contemporary furniture, and 2 counter-top table like "front desks". There is a fitness center that I did not use but no pool so not a big draw for families although there were kids staying there. The rooms were good sized with nice furniture. Our tv didn't have a good picture as everyone looked white. The bathroom was pretty big with a some-what large counter top and a shower with double shower heads! Either the tub was too small for the double shower heads or the drain was clogged b/c by the time I got out of the shower the water was up to my ankles and took a long time to go down. You can even bring Fido with you as they take in dogs.
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Five stars all the way. Where to start???? The service is awesome from the valet to the reservations. From Check in to check out . One word CLEAN! Continental breakfast on every floor! Free drinks and small appetizers from 5:30 to 7. Location location location... this small boutique hotel is right around the corner form the hustling Hubbard street clubs. One block from the House of Blues, Bin 36, Flatwater, Keefers, 10 Pin etc.... across from Harry Carry's next to Red Fish. Ten minutes from everything!!! The bed was so comfortable I didn't want to get out of it. They have every amenity and when we needed something and had to call for it, it took like two minutes for it to arrive! There was even a men's bathroom on the floor we were on. so when the women were in the suite's bathroom, we could go right down the hall and use the facilities. awesome! The decor was really hip too!
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The Amalfi is a very nice hotel. my wife and i spent my birthday downtown wining and dining. we then retired to the Amalfi Hotel. it's a very nice stay. the room was different than others. they've added a lot of nice touches. the only reason i am not giving it another star is cause i really like architecture. i wanted more. Italian contemporary can really be wonderful. we got free drinks at 5:30 and the drinks were great. the bar atmosphere was not there. i had already imagined what the hotel would be like from their website and i wanted a swank, fancy bar.
the breakfast was specacular. great choices in coffee and breakfast items. very kind and helpful service at the front desk. again, the front desk could have been a real beautiful room. it is my disappointment and not their short-coming. the Amalfi's rates are considerably more reasonable than the Peninsula or the Four Seasons. honestly, stay at the Amalfi before you go to one of the larger chains, if money were not an issue, i'd stay at the Peninsula.
cheers
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