- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Lakefront
Category: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Hotels [Edit]
511 N Columbus DrChicago, IL 60611
Neighborhood: Near North Side
(312) 836-5900
- Nearest Transit:
-
Grand-Red (Red Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 12 am - 12 am
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Paid
About This Business:
We offer not only the finest in lodging, but can accommodate small groups for private receptions or catered events for up to 40 people in an elegant… read more »
47 reviews for Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Lakefront
Review Highlights
"...hotel is blocks away from Navy Pier and blocks away from..."
(in 13 reviews)
"You really can't beat the free breakfast."
(in 13 reviews)
"Made to order omelets of your choice."
(in 3 reviews)
Loading...
47 reviews in English
-
Review from Steve M.
Stevenson Ranch, CA
2/2/2012 1 photo
We enjoyed our stay at this hotel. The location was great. It was within walking distance to most everything: Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile and Pizzeria Uno and Pizzeria Due. We had a beautiful view looking over toward the river and the Wrigley Building.
I stay at Embassy Suites whenever I can and find them to be consistent in quality where ever they are. This location was no exception. The rooms were clean and well maintained. The complimentary breakfast was excellent. The hotel staff was helpful and attentive to our needs. We had a wonderful stay. -
Review from Jill M.
Chicago, IL
11/26/2011
My review from http://yelp.com:
I don't get to vacation too often. I think the last one I went on was 5 years ago. Earlier this week, I stayed here for my very first grown-up-all-by-myself-vacation.
I booked a room for 4 nights two months ahead of time so I could get a really good rate. I only spent $89 a night. I booked through the Embassy Suites Hilton website, not through Orbitz.
For a Downtown hotel, I wasn't expecting too much. And I was a bit frightened that it would be a bit gross. Apparently, that was NOT the case here!
This is one of the best hotels that I've ever stayed at! I know it's not super-fancy, but it exceeded my expectations! I stayed in a 2-room suite with a flat screen tv in the living area and one more flat screen in the bedroom, a sofa-bed in the living room, Crabtree & Evelyn shampoos and soaps, plentiful towels, 2 additional sinks (one in the bedroom and another near the microwave and fridge), self-fluffing pillows, a very clean bed with clean, soft sheets, free cooked to order breakfast and a free 2-hour evening reception at the hotel bar!
The free breakfast and the evening reception isn't over the top, but it's free! I'm so happy they at least offer it! The breakfast was very good; you can choose what kind of eggs you want or get an omelet, and they also sausages, bacon, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, cereal, english muffins, donuts and other baked goods, fresh fruit (melons, bananas), yogurt. They had an awesome selection in case you don't want what they are cooking. I personally thought the omelets were pretty good.
And there is a swimming pool, jacuzzi, and sauna.
The kitchen staff, bartenders, and housekeeping staff were all very nice and they made sure I was taken care of.
Seriously, who could ask for more?!?!?!
There is only 1 downside, wifi isn't free. It's $14.95 a day. It is free if you are an HH member. But it is worth it if you pay in advance for a lower room rate.
I would definitely come back again and again for a quiet weekend. Or maybe a week.
I love that Fox & Obel is around the corner too in case you want gourmet eats without spending too much $$$. But that's for another review.... -
Review from Nicole B.
10/25/2011
This hotel is lovely. I love the elevator and how you can view it from the outside. Its pretty kewl. The rooms are nice and spacias and the windows are really cute.
The complimentary breakfast was tasty and there was a lot of options.
We order room service, mainly finger foods, and everything was just right! I didnt hear any sex noises in the middle of the night, which is good!
I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone planning to stay in downtown Chicago for a few days. -
Review from Amy J.
10/20/2011
Stayed here for a night for a quick stay-away to celebrate the anniversary with the S.O. This place is just lovely! The lobby is beautiful. We got there just in time to catch free happy hour & snacks! Awesome. The room was great. Two flat screens, a couch area, nice bathroom, the bed was so comfortable- we slept so well that night! And the view was to die for- our window was facing the lake & navy pier.
And then free breakfast in the morning.
This hotel really added to our romantic get away!
I cannot wait to stay here again! -
Review from Allyson C.
Waukesha, WI
1/20/2012
Good location, right near Navy Pier. Greta view from our room facing the lake. However there was NOTHING fancy about the room, it was the exact one you get at a Country Inn & Suites suite for a lot less. It was weird to have to take an elevator to the lobby, then another to the room. There were kids everywhere. Too many kids, you would think there was a water park in it or something. I'm a Mom myself but this was a kid-free (our own at least) girls trip with 4 of my friends (we all fit in the room fine btw) and I wasn't in the mood to deal with apparently orphaned kids running amok, with parents nowhere in sight. A group of 4 or 5 kids decided to sit on the floor in the hallway in front of their room 2 doors down from us and hang out. At 10:30 p.m. We went to use the Jacuzzi, it it was full of..you guessed it, kids. More like teenagers but still kids! Also at 10:30 p.m. Called the front desk, who said they would call security and make them leave since kids weren't supposed to be in there. Went back down and there they were. UGH! We never did get to use it, or the narrow tiny pool (also brat filled) Waited FOREVER to get a drink at the manager's reception (didn't mind though since we brought our own drinks from the room, and by the time we got to the front they had been drank. The drinks were gross, my friends apple martini was disgusting! And I have never been known to turn one down. I slept through breakfast but my friends said it was good. Nice building and location, but I wouldn't go back.
-
Review from Sara M.
9/27/2011
I'm staying my way through all of the Chicago downtown Hilton properties when I visit, so this Embassy Suites is the latest one! Convenient to Navy Pier and a variety of shopping and restaurants, it's well-located and transit-accessible. It's important to specify that this is the Embassy Suites on Columbus when you get a cab, by the way, because there's another on State Street and people get confused!
This is a "sky hotel," meaning that the lobby and rooms are all on floors 6 and higher. You get some pretty nice views, but it also means that you have to catch more than one elevator to get anywhere! Luckily, they have enough elevators and they move pretty fast. The lobby and central "courtyard" (like nearly all Embassy Suites have) is really quite spectacular and modern. The lobby does have a bit of a chlorine funk, either due to the fountains or the hotel pool. The bar and breakfast area are right by the front desk and very convenient - the hotel offers a free breakfast and nightly "manager's reception" like other Embassy Suites properties.
The rooms were a little dim for my tastes, without good lighting at any mirror to do my makeup. Otherwise, very standard suites. Living room/dining room area, wet bar, separate bathroom and bedroom. Three sinks in total... one bar of hand soap. I'll never get that. The wifi is free for elite HHonors guests.
I'll keep trying different properties - I think my favorite so far has been the Hilton Garden Inn, followed by the other Embassy Suites on State. -
Review from Jess S.
Lexington-Fayette, KY
9/28/2011 6 Check-ins Here
Embassy suites has some nice rooms with decent beds. With the suites you get the seperate room which isnt much use in Chicago since you shouldnt be spending much time in the room anyway. There is free breakfast here and a managers drink hour which isnt worth much either. The breakfast is below average and you have to wait in a line across the lobby to get a free drink.
The location of this hotel is great with plenty of great restaurants near by and very close to Michigan ave, and the Navy Pier.
Dont plan on parking your car here since it is about $50/night try to find parking near by.
If you stay here skip the free breakfast and head over to Yokes which is awesome, also go to Joes steak seafood and crab for a great dinner -
Review from beth i.
Really loved my stay here especially after my stay at the Sheraton across the street. The rooms are newly renovated so they are fairly new and set up like an apartment with a living/dining room and separate bedroom. There is also a microwave, sink, and fridge which has lots of room for you to buy snacks or drinks, etc. and not full of overpriced liquors you don't want to buy. There is also a Dominick's/Safeway right across the street so there is no reason not to stock your fridge. There are tv's in both rooms so I'd be great for a small family to have some room to spread out.
The atrium in the middle of the hotel brings in a lot of light and the glass railings are both cool and scary! The extras that they throw in are what made me love my 3-day stay. Free breakfast buffet, free happy hour from 5-7, a free US weekly newspaper at your door in the morning, and really nice Crabtree and Evelyn shampoos and soaps (this seems basic, but lots of hotels don't give you free shampoos anymore). Oh and they have an internet room that has free printing so you can check-in to your flights or check email. All of this for less than what I paid for a single room at the Sheraton which was decent, but nothing special. (No free anything at Sheraton! Not even good soap!)
I have to admit I didn't have the breakfast here as I was too busy, but the fact that it is offered is a total plus in my book! Yes there were lots of people in line during breakfast, but I asked a couple how the food was and they said the make your own omelets and fresh fruits were good.
The bell hops and valets downstairs are also curteous and friendly. They will help you with your bags or get you a cab in a second.
One tip -- get your hotel on http://priceline.com for the best deal ever! -
Review from Jaymi A.
Leawood, KS
1/2/2012
We had a wonderful time here. My husband, I and our almost two year old son took the train from Kansas City to Chicago. This hotel was just what we needed to spend 4 days in Chicago. The hotel itself is pretty. The room was beautiful. It had a separate bedroom that can be closed off. It had a little fridge and a microwave which was perfect for milk and snacks for our little boy. They also provided a crib. In the morning, there's a build your own omelet breakfast. It was really nice. it's not your typical continental breakfast. My favorite was the happy hour. Every night from 5-7 or so, most of the drinks at the bar are free! Yes! I said free. You can just lounge around the bar/eating area sipping a cosmpolitan martini munching on some nuts or chips and salsa. The best part was that this hotel is close to everything. I mean walking distance to the The Miracle Mile, the Pier(which was awesome)Childrens museum... For the price we paid, we definitely got our moneys worth at this great hotel. And, would recommend it to anyone staying in Chicgo.
-
Review from Lyn P.
8/12/2011
I stayed here for Lollapalooza weekend - it's close to the north location of the festival and just a block away from Michigan Ave so very convenient. The closest L stop is Grand-Red which is a few blocks away.
Staff was pleasant but not overly friendly - I appreciated that the front desk staff found an available room before check in time and everyone was helpful when needed, they just didn't go out of their way to make nice if that makes any sense.
Rooms are standard Embassy Suites with the separate bedroom and living room. The bathrooms were roomy and the towels were the nice big bath sheets which is always a plus.
Complimentary breakfast was just okay - when the hotel is sold out like it was the weekend I was there, the lines are long and they run out of things fast. But if you're patient, you can pretty much get whatever you'd want for breakfast. They also have the complimentary evening reception with snacks.
I'd stay here again but can't really give more stars since I wasn't wowed. -
Review from Justin L.
Arlington, VA
6/10/2011
I had a pretty darn good stay here over the course of two nights. The location is not quite as convenient as being directly in the loop but it is very close and near enough to many shops, restaurants, cafes and the lake. The value proposition here is two fold: firstly, the room, or should I say rooms, give you more of an apartment style set up than a typical hotel room. The key here is that because you have a living room and a kitchenette area separating your bedroom from the hallway, blocking out the vast majority of noise from passer-bys. My bed was huge and comfortable. I had a view of both the lake and the city.
The second area they really stand out in is the extras: all you can eat breakfast, and a two hour complimentary happy hour in the evening at the bar. Combine this with a 24 hour fitness center, a pool and sauna and it is pretty difficult not to enjoy your stay here. The staff, especially in the dining area, were exceptionally friendly.
As for the drawbacks. The carpet was ugly and the interiors themselves were drab and in need of an update. The fitness center could use an update too. The style of Embassy Suites means you have a view of the exterior of all the rooms all the way up to the top floor from the lobby. Because they all look exactly the same you get the feeling of looking up at an old tenement building in a former Soviet bloc country. The hotel is very, very kid friendly, which means it may not suit all business travelers.
Summary: This Embassy Suites meets and exceeds expectations on every level except the aesthetic side, and even that was not so bad. I would definitely stay here again. -
Review from Le Thu N.
New Orleans, LA
I couldn't believe the price when I booked a suite here for me and five others. The rooms are not the most spacious, but for the price, it's great. And the location was perfect. They were located a few blocks from everywhere we wanted to go. To your left is the Art Institute of Chicago, Aquarium, Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain, and more. To your right was the Magnificent Mile shopping area, tons of restaurants, Chicago Water Tower, and John Hancock Observatory.
Although we weren't directly located next to anything, it worked out perfect to me in close to everything rather than closer to some places than other. Another perk was that we located right across from Dominic's Pharmacy. We walked there regularly for snacks.
Saving the best for last, the absolute BEST thing about this hotel is:
- Complimentary breakfast buffet every morning. (Time varies by the day)
- Made to order omelets of your choice.
- Complimentary happy hour w/ chips & salsa and other snacks.
- The nicest bellperson(s). Greeted everyday entering and leaving. And were very helpful with any questions we had.
Other perks that I didn't take advantage of:
- Indoor pool.
- Gym.
- Lounging area in lobby.
I highly recommend this hotel! My friends and I were very pleased with our experience. -
Review from Kevan C.
Dayton, OH
2/22/2011
Positives: close to many attractions, free breakfast and managers reception, very nice staff
Negatives: $41/day parking, needs a little TLC
Stayed for the long weekend with family. If we had to get somewhere and feed breakfast for the nine of us, would have been time consuming and expensive. You could have cooked to order omelets or buffet style scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, biscuits and gravy. Also had a managers reception with free drinks and snacks. Was nice to unwind after being out in the city all day. Some minor issues with soap rack in shower loose, toilet seat loose etc. I know that it is expensive to park in the city but at least cut something off for staying at the hotel vs. just parking there. Easy walk to shopping, site seeing or dining. -
Review from Allison V.
Chicago, IL
3/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
We went here to meet my boyfriend's mother for drinks.
When you enter on the street level, whomever the gentleman working the desk was, was rude and abnoxious screaming, yes I mean screaming, at somebody inside. We thought he was yelling at us. We asked for instruction on how to get to the lobby and he remained unapologetic and angry. Anyhow, we wandered around and realized we were at the wrong Embassy Suites (Monopoly : Another Embassy Suites is 4 blocks away).
This Embassy Suites does not have a working waterfall fountain at this time. -
Review from Mitsuaki M.
Bloomfield Hills, MI
Stayed at this hotel at the end of the year to check out the fireworks at the Navy Pier.
The hotel valet enterance is easily missed (on a one way street), but made it in the 2nd loop. Also the valet area is very crowded with people checking in and out, as well as cabbies. We waited for a few minutes before we could pull in. (Our car blocked the drive during check out, but we were prepared to load up and go. So only about a 3 minute hold up...) Upon checking in, the car was moved safely into a heated garage space by the valet (yes we snuck out and checked later). The hotel registration is up the elevators to the right. After we cheked in, we went up to our floor, and was welcomed by a grand view (see posted picures to see what I am talking about.)
Already mentioned in a lot of other reviews, but...
1) Cooked-To-Order Breakfast (6:30am - 9:00am) is basically a tailored omlette your choices of spinach, chedder cheese, ham, bacon, jalapenos, peppers, onions, sausage, mushrooms and tomatoes. I just went for everything!
2) Managers reception (from 5:30 till 7:30pm) is basically free drinks and appetizers (chips and fries). A nice perk.
3) The room has a bedroom with either two full or one king (we stayed at the one king room suite) and a door that separates into the living room with a pull out sofa bed. (I heard that it was on the stiff side, but hey I didn't have to sleep in it.)
4) Pool, gym and sauna (6:00am till midnight) are available for people who want to work out. I went for couple laps at the pool, and used the sauna. Very refreshing in the morning.
5) Walking distance to main shopping area of town (i.e. Michigan Ave.).
6) Navy pier is two blocks from this place. A great place for a family visit
Definitely a great family hotel, and if the rates meet my budget, definitely will stay again. -
Review from Marjie T.
11/23/2010 1 Check-in Here
I stayed here for 3 nights and while it's not the best hotel I've stayed at downtown, it has some perks.
1) Free breakfast. And I mean a full breakfast, including cooked to order items. I didn't take advantage of that, but they had pancakes, bacon, eggs, pastries, breads, etc. It can get really busy so it might be difficult to find a table at times.
2) Big rooms. It was very nice to have a separate living room and a bedroom with a door on it. The rooms also had a mini fridge and microwave.
3) Super comfy beds. I mean seriously, they were awesome.
4) Convenient location.
5) Fast elevators. This can be a challenge at some hotels, but the wait was never long here.
I definitely wouldn't pay full price for these rooms, but if you get a good rate it's a nice place to stay. If you're looking for luxurious, go someplace else. -
Review from Will M.
Washtenaw, MI
9/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good value. Really easy to get to off Columbus from Lakeshore and close to everything. Wifi free to HHonors gold.
-
Review from Savannah K.
Hoffman Estates, IL
9/15/2011
BUSINESS ONLY. Other than the friendly tip hungry Italian evening bartender - this place is all business. Large desks that you can work long hours at. The front room is quite a nice office. 8am is like a herd of cattle as high heels and luggage rollers rattle down the hallways as coffee slugging kids who take their jobs too seriously rush to another meaningless seminar. There is a lack of warmth to this place and I only stay here when working long hours.
-
Review from Stella H.
Hatboro, PA
7/20/2010
Spent this past weekend in Chicago and stayed (with 4 "young adults + husband). Booked two rooms, the kids stayed in one, hubby and I in the other. There was plenty of room, even with 4 in a room. Kids complained that pullout sofa was uncomfortable, as most of them are, but in the end, they slept pretty soundly as evidenced by the fact that we had to wake them up each morning!
The real draw for us was 1) location - within walking distance of Navy Pier, Michigan Ave. and many of the major attractions, and 2) free buffet breakfast and happy hour. Buffet breakfast was pretty eh, the made-to-order breakfast (omlets, etc. are a better option) and the nightly happy hour gets so crowded you almost WANT to pay for your drink if it makes the line move faster. Also, don't go there looking for top-shelf - it ain't happening! They really should figure out some way to make this run more smoothly.
This property is somewhat older, but it is in very good condition; rooms and public areas were very clean and service was top-notch. We arrived about 2-1/2 hours before the 4pm check-in, but the rooms were ready and they allowed us to check in early. The elevators are a little on the slow side, particularly during the breakfast buffet and evening happy hour, when everyone seems to be wanting to travel at the same time. -
Review from Rob B.
Crystal Lake, IL
12/27/2010
Embassy Suites is always perfect for families. The suites are large enough - two full beds in one room, and a pull-out in the other (yeah - you'll need a back re-alignment in the morning). Microwave and fridge included. They have a managers reception (read free beer/wine) downstairs in the lobby, but it never really appealed to me - lines seemed way too long - no thanks. The cook-to-order breakfasts are a big hit with the kids and easy on the wallet (included). It gets fairly crowded so you should probably get down there early (8-9 am). The pool is small and heavily chlorinated - so take advantage of the free skin exfoliation. Kids loved it, and if the kids are happy . . . .dads happy.
Location is great - especially if you want to walk along Michigan avenue pre-Christmas. Navy Pier is also just a couple blocks a way.
Careful when ya travel - especially around holidays and breaks - during these periods make no mistake about it - this is a FAMILY hotel. If you go expecting a nice, romantic, quiet evening - you will be disappointed. It's wide open and loud, and kids are everywhere. That can be good or bad depending on your status. For us, it's perfect for travelling with kids. -
Review from Kristin K.
Lake Forest, IL
10/18/2010
I enjoyed a 2-night stay here over my birthday weekend. It is a nice hotel with extremely courteous employees and clean rooms.
In addition to the great employees, the breakfast each morning was great - and this is coming from someone who isn't a big breakfast eater! Seriously, all these complaints about it being busy are RIDICULOUS. Obviously it's going to be a happening place with all the options you have - scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, omelettes, cereal, donuts, pastries, yogurt, fruit, soda, milk, juice, pancakes, waffles, hashbrowns... How could you not be happy?! I was there on a Saturday and Sunday morning which I assume would be busier than weekdays and both times had no problem finding tables.
Now on to my cons...
Parking. Parking is $49/day. That's probably normal for Chicago hotels, but still... that's murder, and a very pathetic way to spend $100.
Exercise room. The room is TINY and has like 5 cardio machines (3 treadmills and 2 ellipticals or something like that. I really don't remember since I didn't get to use anything). For a hotel of this size, that's ludicrous. I ended up going for a jog outside in rainy, 50-degree weather which wasn't ideal, but whatever.
Room issues. None of these "complaints" are a big deal, but I'll share them anyway. The sitting area/office room that you walk into is pretty big. It has a flat screen tv, desk, etc. (No free internet...) And then there's the bedroom - it's small, or at least seems small thanks to the huge bed. There was probably a foot of walking space on each side of the bed so it wasn't easy to do anything but sleep in there. I left my suitcase, got dressed, etc in the other room. Also, the tv in the bedroom is the old cube type...kind of strange to still see those, especially with a newer tv in the other room, and what was even stranger was the extra sink in the bedroom! So random.
Also, taking the elevator to the lobby then the lobby elevator to the ground floor was interesting, but nothing to hold against the place.
5 stars - 3 stars for cons = 2 stars plus 1 star for an overall good experience and being a "good deal" (minus the parking) for a total of 3 stars. It was fine, but I'm not sure I'll stay here again. -
Review from Taryn T.
9/25/2010
This turned out to be the perfect hotel for a spontaneous weekend trip in the city. We got a great last-minute rate on a two-room suite with a lake view, and the place itself is within walking distance from Navy Pier and Michigan Ave - perfect for someone who's just looking to chill out and enjoy Chicago without having to figure out how to commute from point A to point B.
The free continental breakfast is okay, but I don't think it's as impressive as some previous reviewers mentioned. Definitely eat there before you start your day, but don't expect a gourmet experience!
I would recommend skipping the free happy hour cocktail because everybody bum rushes the little bar at that time. -
Review from Njon W.
San Francisco, CA
7/19/2007
Shatangi had a blast at Embassy Suites. From day one, the staff went above and beyond to accommodate even the smallest request. The suites are well maintained and very clean. The breakfast is outstanding. I am amazed at the efficiency of the breakfast staff. In the PM, the bar staff that run the manger's special take the time to get to know you and always remember your order (remember to tip them well) even if the snacks are kind of costcoesque. It was a great opportunity to touch base with my colleagues and see them well liquored. Overall, a great stay in a well-run and well-located hotel.
Shatangi told you... -
Review from Clint U.
Washington, DC
9/4/2007
For an old building, this Embassy Suites is very well maintained and has been remodeled well. If you ever want to see how old the hotel is...go down the stairs and check out what that's like...they never repaint or remodel stairwells.
The rooms are spacious (another clue that it is an older building) and laid out well....your standard ES....but still excellent. The open atrium Embassy Suite trademark...makes it noisy at times in the living room...especially during happy hour or during a party.....but the bedroom in the back of the suite with it's locked door...takes the edge off the noise. Four people can stay in this suite and not feel cramped at all...plenty of room for even 6 people.....if they let that many stay in the room.
The included breakfast and happy hour...wine. beer and snacks...is very welcomed if you are on a per diem or budget. One dinner downtown can set you WAY back......That takes the edge off staying downtown and its high prices.
Breakfast is the best of any of the suites hotels around the country. The highlight is the omlette station. A chef prepares a custom omlette for you . You pick out all the ingredients like peppers, onions, tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, bacon, sausage, ham, cheeses, etc. With that you also get fried potatoes or pancakes. Quite a wide range of selection. There is also a large fruit area to get all your standard fruits...melons, apples, oranges, bananas, etc. There is a danish/donut/pastry tray as well as cereals and oatmeal. Apple, cranberry and orange juices are available as well as all the coffee. In downtown Chicago, this would easily be a $25 to $30 breakfast if you eat alot. Everyone in your room gets this breakfast as part of your room rate.
In addition to the breakfast is the free happy hour as well. All the wine, beer and sodas you can drink in 2 hours as well as appetizers. The wine is one grade above screwcap bottled wine. Beer is standard Miller quality. One night was puff pastry mini hot dogs and cheese balls. The next night was buffalo wings and meatballs. Again, in downtown Chicago, you drinking a few beers or glasses of wine plus these appetizers could easily set you back $20 to $30 per person. However the quality was not good for the appetizers....2 stars....most of the dishes were way too salty.
My only complaint here is that many times no one answers the phone ...either the operator, concierge, front desk. They get overwhelmed frequently. I just hope an emergency doesn't happen here and I can only call out to get help
For downtown Chicago at the lakefront area, Embassy Suites is an excellent place to stay, especially if you are travelling with a family. I like this place much better than the Sheraton up the block. -
Review from Meghan M.
Philadelphia, PA
2/26/2009
You could do worse.
Through a very strange hotel mix-up, i.e., budget cuts, I got booked here instead of my regular hotel. At first, I was a big old cranky bitch about that - I travel regularly, so I have certain expectations, and I have to be here for 5 nights. Ordinarily, I don't want to be staying in an Embassy Suites for 5 nights in ANY city. It's nothing personal - they're just great for a night or two, then that's it. Any more than that, you need a little TLC. And, when I first walked in, it reeked so badly of chlorine that I thought I was going to pass out. Not a good first impression.
But, the bed is comfortable, they are keeping it clean, I have a lot of room to spread out, I have a great view of the city, and there is a really nice Dominick's market across the street that is keeping me well stocked in the snacky-time essentials (Pellegrino, almonds, and fruit! OK, OK...and Twizzlers. Lots of Twizzlers.)
So, I think it's a matter of keeping your expectations in line - and for that, it's fine. Walking distance to Michigan, close to everything - not top of the line, but certainly not bad for the price, especially when you're travelling on business.
However, if you aren't paying the tab, and the economy's not in the crapper - it ain't The Peninsula! Just sayin. -
Review from Paul K.
Syracuse, NY
8/9/2009
I usually don't review hotels in YELP (at least not yet) but I figured I would for this one since I stay here so often.
Embassy Suites Lakefront is my 'go-to' hotel when I stay in Chicago. It's in a great location if you need to be downtown. It's short walk to either Navy Pier or Michigan Ave, or just a short cab ride away to most other places in Chi-town.
The hotel staff is very friendly across the board. The rooms are all pretty good and the hotel is clean. If you're a Hilton Honors member, be sure to ask if they have any corner rooms available, for they usually have larger living rooms than the traditional rooms.
Their morning breakfast buffet is quite good with a lot of variety. Probably one of the best Embassy Suites breakfasts available (trust me, they're not all created equal). The made to order omelets are worth the (short) wait.
The evening Happy Hour is also a nice plus and a great place to unwind or congregate before heading out to dinner.
If heading to Chicago for a few days, be sure to consider this as an option for your stay. -
Review from betsy b.
11/12/2008
I had my wedding here last month and couldn't have been happier. My contact, Brooke, was a doll. She was always there to answer questions and made sure everything was the way it was supposed to be on my bid day. We booked about 25 rooms for the weekend and everyone seemed pleased. The remodel of the rooms is gorgeous. They are very nice. You really can't beat the free breakfast. Since they don't collect the coupons we joked that we were going to go there every weekend for breakfast.
I deducted one star because we got a free room the night of the wedding. They made it seem like this was some fancy suite and it wasn't much different than the regular rooms and they made a huge deal about getting us into it. Which I still don't understand.Listed in: Wedding Vendors
-
Review from Linda C.
Queens, NY
4/26/2011
Thanks to Chicago yelpers, we were here last week.
You get a 2 rooms suite with free breakfast and free drinks at night.
The breakfast is a good spread and it is the same menu everyday.
You have the choice of 1 line with cooked to order omelets and biscuit with gravy or 2 lines with already made tray of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, home fries potatoes and pancake.
You can also get oatmeal, dry cold cereal, english muffin,toast, small danishes, donuts,oranges, banana, yogurt,coffee, tea, orange juice, cranberry juice or apple juice.
The drinks at night is from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. The snack items are the same every night: nacho chips with salsa, peanuts, yogurt pretzels, raisins, banana chips, trail mix. and sesame sticks.
The kiddis drinks every night is cherry sprite, lemonade,sweet tea or orange slices in water.
The place was packed with kids.
It is nice to have 2 TV sets and an extra room.
It is about 6 blocks to the CTA station.
You have to check in on the 5th floor.
PJ Clarke is right on the property.
Walgreens is down the street.
Dominicks is right across the street.
Close to everything but not near anything.
We were down for breakfast before 8 AM and never had to wait.Listed in: Chicago restaurants
-
Review from Anne d.
Fremont, CA
3/11/2007
Very modern hotel, beautiful sky ceiling to look up to from the lobby. Looks nice inside and out. The lobby bar has free drinks from 5 to 7pm, which would have been nice, had I not been working until 8:00 most nights I was there! The free breakfast is made to order omeletes with sausage, hash browns, bacon; other dishes include hot oatmeal, fresh fruit, bagels, toast, and yogurt choices. Starts at 6:30a.m.
Rooms are all suites, which makes it nice and roomy for two, and decent for a third or fourth person. Plenty of closet space and an extra sink in the master bedroom. Two tv's make it nice when sharing or if entertaining. -
Review from Ella B.
Los Olivos, CA
10/9/2007
I'm usually not a fan of the big conglomerate hotel chains and much prefer the smaller local places... but when i looked it seemed that this was the most bang for the buck. I was pleasantly surprised. The hotel has an updated style and a modern feel. The check in was a little confusing to me, but that's probably b/c i live in a place that doesn't normally have basements and such.
The hotel lobby has a modern water - statue thing that was pretty neat looking till my bf said that it resembled an urinal... uhm, there goes that modern feel! lol. nevertheless, my initial take was that the lobby was clean and comfortable.
The suites are well maintained and clean. The bathroom was updated with granite counters; unfortunately, they didn't update the whole thing and the wall paper was peeling a little, but it wasn't a huge deal. Otherwise, the bathroom was fine.
Love that they had a microwave in the room, esp. with all those HUGE Chicagan portions!
Really loved that they have a managers reception with free drinks and snacks at 5:30 - 7:30. Helped me finish some reports before i starved to death before dinner!
The gym was ok, on the small side, but it had most of the equipment one needs. The pool was a lap pool, but there were kids in the pool that didn't treat it as such, so i didn't try it out.
Breakfast was fast, lots of choices. Overall, a great location, great price and good service. Only thing keeping from the 5 star rating was that the business center was incredibly small (3 computers, one printer) and they charge for internet which i think is ludicrous in any hotel! -
Review from John V.
Hanover Park, IL
12/5/2009
The beds were comfortable enough and the location is nice for downtown happenings...
We had someone trying to sleep in the "first" room, on a Friday night, and that was a mistake, as the lobby stayed pretty loud, and a group of drunken revelers tried to get into our room at 3 in the morning... they finally did manage to get into the room next door, and the walls are pretty thin.
$15/day for internet is completely unacceptable.
Breakfast was ok, especially for the price (free) but the cooked-to-order stuff is the way to go. The buffet offerings don't stay warm or get refilled often enough... you have to get lucky. -
Review from Anne W.
7/6/2007
I really like this place. I went here with 11 of my friends last weekend and we reserved three rooms. These rooms are suites so they are much bigger than regular hotel room! Pluses included that there was a sitting area (plus a pull out bed in case), plenty of sinks (one in the bedroom, one in the sitting room, and one in the bathroom), fridge, good breakfast, and free drinks in the evening. And we also hd a party in one of the rooms after we came back from going out...and it fit everybody.
The location is also pretty good.. two blocks from Navy Pier and two blocks from Michigan Avenue. And it's much bigger than the other Embassy Suites in downtown.
The biggest thing I didn't like was the check out time was 11 am. Way too early in my opinion. Also, the check in time was 4 pm.. a little too late. But they have a great concierge service to leave your luggage with them. -
Review from Russ T.
Bethlehem, PA
4/20/2011
Stayed here for five nights - didn't have a car (thank goodness).
I think it was the time frame we were there but the hotel seemed to have a lot of families. Nothing wrong with that, just take it as a comment. I'm more used to staying in hotels that were more business people or couples. When you add in a bunch of children it changes the dynamics a bit.
Breakfast -- Crowded but seemed to work itself out. You either went early or went last minute. If you wanted the "made to order" then you would need to be there early (tips are accepted). The cook was amazing. Also amazing were the people who cleaned up after the hordes. These folks kept tables cleaned and new people got tables.
The food was broken into three areas. Made to order, hot dishes (eggs, bacon, pancakes) and then continental breakfast.
Kudos to Oscar -- always had a smile and kept tables moving...
Rooms - Ours had a comfy bed and the rest of the furniture was a hodge-podge. The televisions had a limited number of channels and the only pay per view worth watching was "The Kings Speech", but why spend time in the room. There was a fridge and a small microwave. You will have to borrow some plates/silverware for your food.
Dominicks is across the street so you can get food from there if you really need it.
Evening food/drinks -- yep, it's there. Nothing to go nuts over (no pun intended). Small drinks (beer, wine) and some mixed drinks. You save a little with not going to a bar but it depends what you like. Munchies were of the nuts, salsa/chips variety.
Noise -- even with the noise of the families your room isn't that bad. Yes you can hear them next door but if they aren't the party type then all is good. Put the TV up a little.
Elevators -- very fast
Internet - go across the street to Dominicks or down the street to Panera Bread and use theirs. Also there is a business center on the ballroom floor that you can hook at cat5 cable into and not use the wireless but it is a small room.
Workers there were very very nice -- even with the rude tourists. I never saw them lose control. Even the mother who dumped orange juice all over the place and proceeded to yell at everyone. They cleaned it up and kept things moving. I like the people there.
Would I go back, sure, if the price was good. -
Review from Chris P.
San Jose, CA
7/29/2010
This hotel has a good location close to the lakefront, Navy Pier, and Michigan Avenue; all are less than a 10 minute walk. away. There is a large supermarket right across the street, so for an extended stay you can get drinks or snacks to keep in your room. Extensive and high quality breakfast buffet included in the room price. Internet access is costly ($15/day); it should be included. The only complaints I can muster are (1) accessing the street requires using two elevators and a short walk; the guest elevators reach a "sky lobby" at 4th floor level and then you then have to go to another elevator to get to the street and (2) it's not near public transit; taxi fare from Midway is about $30 and from O'Hare about $45, or you could take the trains to Union Station and then a taxi for about $10.
-
Review from Monique C.
Skokie, IL
1/18/2011
The rooms were okay. Honestly, the bedrooms were probably smaller than the living room area. It wasn't the nicest hotel I've stayed at, but it definitely wasn't bad. I like that this place has a free breakfast buffet, free drinks at the bar from 5:30p-7p, and location.
-
Review from Andrew W.
New York, NY
4/25/2007
As a loyal Hilton traveller, I would rate this the better of the two Embassy Suites in Chicago. Still, I guess I have a thing with them because I feel like there's a cost you pay for having a suite and having free breakfast.
The workout room is slightly above average, the breakfast is pretty good and the staff is quite friendly. Big negative in getting a smoking room, though I didn't mind that much since it didn't smell. Also, negatives for not recognizing my status (yeah, I have it so I'm officially that guy) and for making me pay for the internet.
The manager's special is a nice touch, though you only get well drinks and draft beers. The food is slightly edible.
I guess I'd come back here, but still want to try other hotels in town first. -
Review from Blair E.
San Francisco, CA
6/23/2009
Good reasonably priced hotel, rooms are clean, bed is very comfortable, 5 pillows - love that. rooms are suites so very large for one or even 2 couples.
Very close to all the Downtown action.
Watch out for rooms with no cell phone reception, $15 wifi and $50 parking.
Overall very enjoyable. -
Review from adam g.
Saratoga, CA
11/20/2010
I've stayed at the ES twice now, both for business. The rooms are very clean and modern looking. The front desk staff is quite helpful. The location is great for walking to Michigan Avenue and nearby attractions. A taxi ride to Wicker park for instance cost me about $6. The breakfast each morning is good, although I didn't care for the eggs. The gym is small: there are 4 treadmills and a small variety of free weights. I would continue to choose the Embassy Suites Lakefront as my hotel of choice when visiting Chicago.
-
Review from Jessica S.
Chicago, IL
1/22/2007
By far, one of the best deals on a nice hotel in Chicago. My mom stays here when she comes to visit, and after seeing some of the other hotels she has stayed ta in the city this is by far my favorite. The rooms are two room suites, which give you tons of space. Free breakfast with made to order omlettes, yum- I tried them and they get 5 stars for sure! Free open bar from 5 to 7 I think. This hotel is blocks away from Navy Pier and blocks away from Michigan Ave. I think the average price for a night is about $115, which is super cheap for downtown. Very clean and all of the staff seemed very pleasant. I would recommend it for anyone looking for a nice hotel on a budget right downtown.
-
Review from Bill M.
8/12/2005 2 photos
This modern Embassy Suites features very fast glass elevators, so just riding up to your room is cool. Look down upon the atrium space to the main floor below. The rooms are all mini-suites, and the buffet breakfast is a big spread. The hotel is connected to a large movie theater complex and is not too far from many of Chicago's attractions, though it not really next to any of them.
