Essex Inn Hotel

, Chicago, United States
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Essex Inn Hotel

, Chicago
3 star

Rooms: 254

800 South Michigan Avenue - Chicago - Illinois - 60605 - United States Hotel Website | | 312 939 2800
499 Traveller

Reviews - Essex Inn Hotel

9/10
Clean, comfortable, and inexpensive
Submitted by: Robert in 14/02/06
  • Age Group: 41 - 50
  • From: United States
  • Traveller type: Family Traveller
I stayed at the Essex in January 2006 with my wife. They had just installed all new bedding and it was very, very nice. Our room was clean and comfortable. Location is terrific for tourists and the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. Indoor pool and fitness area are first class. This is the best value we have found in Chicago for lodging.
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9/10
Almost Perfect
Submitted by: Michael Burton in 06/10/05
  • Age Group: 18 - 25
  • From: Australia
  • Traveller type: Young Couple
When I booked this hotel I wasn't sure exactly what to expect because the rate seemed pretty cheap given the location (granted the cheap rate was due to the "buy two nights get one free" promotion) but it was bloody great. All the features are as advertised, the rooms are big, clean and pleasantly furnished, and the location is almost fantastic. My only quibble is that the price now seems to have inflated quite substantially since I was there. If the price is in your budget, however, I can unreservedly recommend the Essex Inn.
6/10
Look elsewhere if you want to do shopping
Submitted by: Linda in 08/08/05
  • Age Group: 51 - 60
  • From: United States
  • Traveller type: Family Traveller
Our room was small but clean. The beds are not made for anyone tall. My husband who is 6ft 2 said his feet were hanging off the end. The bathroom door stuck so you couldn't close it all the way. This would be bad if you were alone unless you were pretty strong. Our room looked out over 8th Street and one of the entrances to the Hilton. Pretty crummy view but we weren't there to spend all our time in the room. Surprisingly it was fairly quiet and we slept fine. It was right across from Grant Park and within walking distance of the Museum Campus. There were no shopping areas close. You had to take taxis or the hotel shuttle which did not run that often. The restaurant Savoy Bar and Grill was a little overpriced for what you got. Also mornings were often busy because they were short on help. The elevators were a joke. Long waits many times. The swimming pool was ok but the photos on their web site make it look bigger and nicer. The little room they had with 2 computers was a little too small but hey that's life. If I were coming back to Chicago I probably would stay elsewhere even if I had to pay more.
9/10
Great Location-Great Price
Submitted by: Maureen Egan-Simons in 09/06/05
  • Age Group: 51 - 60
  • From: United States
  • Traveller type: Mature Couple
This was our second stay at the Essex in about 6 months. The first was in July,2004 for the A.S.I. convention. We booked 2 rooms, 1 for us and one for our kids. Had a great time. Staff was very nice. Rooms were clean. Location was great. Spent quite a bit of time at Buddy Guy's Legend's!! Second time we came in Jan. of 2005 and brought another couple for the Buddy Guy concert at Legends. Both times were great.
3/10
Not so clean small rooms but great location
Submitted by: Greg Percy in 29/04/05
  • Age Group: 41 - 50
  • From: United States
  • Traveller type: Family Traveller
I was disappointed. Kind of dingy and old. Could use some updating. "Business Center" was a little alcove with 2 computers and a data port that didn't work. Space could be reconfigured-very tight around reception desk. Ok for a day or two, but wouldn't stay for a week. Not very clean.
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Historical Traveller Reviews of Essex Inn Hotel

highly recommend

from hmcare63
Have stayed at the Essex Inn 3 times in past year. Will never stay anyplace else unless the Essex is not available. A little older hotel, but rooms very clean and well kept. Any request for needs have always been taken care of quickly. All staff is friendly and go out of their way to make your stay enjoyable. Very knowledgeable about area and do their best to assist you with all your needs. The shuttle service is wonderful. We have not taken car out of garage except to go home. Staff pay attention to detail. Many remember where we are from and often remember plans from previous day and ask how they went. This is definitely home away from home.

Look harder or spend more

from A TripAdvisor Member
My family (2 adults, 2 kids) stayed here for 4 nights in June. The rooms are tiny and just seemed "not clean" (dirty is too harsh of a discription). Who knew there was a bed smaller than a double but bigger than a twin. The shower drained so slowly that we had to wait 20 minutes between showers. The sink was worse. The restaraunt was mediocre at best and was dirty (spoons with gunk on them, coffee cups with lipstick...). On the positive side:
The location is excellent if you are planning on visiting the Museum Campus. The hotel offers a free shuttle that was very convenient and the pool area is great.
For $100 a night, it was an inexpensive 4 nights in Chicago but I would have preferred spending another $50 per night and staying at the Hilton next door.

Great place, great value

from A TripAdvisor Member
Great value! Good hotel to choose if you are budget-minded. The pool area is excellent and enjoyable for kids and adults. It is a smaller hotel with fewer amenitites, but it was clean and comfortable. I would recommend this hotel to anyone!

Great location, good deal

from A TripAdvisor Member
We've stayed at the Essex a number of times while visiting Chicago. It is a great spot for the budget conscience. Located a short walk from the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, Chicago Art Museum, the park (where music & more take place) and pretty decent dining, I'd recommend this hotel for those who'd prefer to save the few extra bucks to use on shopping & touring.

We've also used the deli for a quick brunch before heading out to the shopping district or hitting the museums and attractions. It's not bad, a smidge more than you'd pay in, say, Toledo for the same fare but a fairly decent deal.

This hotel is not a rush-rush-rush like some of the other hotels in the area which is good and bad, I suppose. As we've stayed all over Chicago, this is not our first choice but definitely one of our top choices for the money.

Best Value, the Essex

from A TripAdvisor Member
I go to the Windy City at least once a year, I stay almost exclusively at the Essex. The location is fantastic! In the summer, there is a dance/music festival inside Grant park almost right across the street from the Essex. From this hotel, one can easily walk to the Field Museum, the Aquarium, Buckingham Fountain, the Harbor, and the Chicago Art Institute. It is one of the few independent hotels that has its own parking, and they don't charge an arm and a leg.

When you are driving to Chicago, you take Interstate 55 to the end, it dumps you off on Lake Shore drive, you travel north for a few blocks, then left, and you are right there! So, despite the horror stories regarding traffic in Chicago, this hotel has easy access.

I just can't say enough great things about this establishment. And, hands down, best value.

Friendly and very well kept secret

from A TripAdvisor Member
My family really enjoyed staying at the Essex Inn in Chicago. The prices were very reasonable. The rooms were very clean and tidy. The staff was more helpful than anywhere we had stayed before. The food at the Hotel was very good. Another thing the Hotel was located right on the bus line, making it very easy to get around. The shuttle from the hotel was a real nice benefit for someone that doesn't know their way around. This was our first time to Chicago and would recommend this hotel for anyone. The pool was very big and has a lifeguard on duty.
3/26/04

ll Ever Stay IN Chicago

from A TripAdvisor Member
The hotel price was great, the rooms were clean, and the staff was courteous. What more could we have wanted. Well, my husband and I went on one of their football packages and it turned out perfect. The convenience to the football stadium was unbelievable. Also, the hotel ran shuttles to the shops and it was within walking distance to all the musuems. Next trip we need to take our kids because they have the best indoor pool. Also, our kids would enjoy the musuems.

Very Cozy

from A TripAdvisor Member
I was very happy with the Essex Inn. I arrived on a Friday afternoon and stayed until Sunday. As soon as I arrived, the hotel Valet took my car to a parking garage and I was greeted by a very friendly bellhop that carried all of our luggage. Check in was quick. I had 1 room with 2 double beds for me and my 3 girlfriends. The rooms are on the small side and the decor is a little outdated but everything was very clean and cozy. The price was fantastic, even hotels farther away were much more pricey. The hotel had a free shuttle that left every hour to take you to the strip of shops on N. Michigan , the Navy Pier, or anywhere else you wanted to go in the vicinity. In the evenings we visited the restaurant and the bartender there was fantastic. She was very friendly and we all had a great time conversing with her. All of the staff went out of their way to be friendly and helpful. If you can't afford a luxury hotel but still want some of the same amenities, I highly recommend the Essex Inn. I plan on coming back this summer

RSNA, here we come!

from A TripAdvisor Member
After travelling for over 10 hours, we were pleased to see our home for the next 6 nights "Chicago's Essex Inn". Upon arrival, all the staff were really welcoming and we were escorted up to our room. Having read the reviews on this page, all I can say is that I was pleasantly suprised! Two big beds, a nice big TV and an en-suite bathroom.
Perhaps, what lets it down was no coffee & tea making facilities, but we could make do with the cold drink dispensor by the lift! What is great is the location, walking distance to Soldier Field (Chicago Bears ) and major museums. McCormick Place, where our conference was held was also close. To get downtown, there is a courtesy bus running every hour which was great. The "savoy grill" in the hotel was excellent for breakfast and dinner, food really good, although a smile from the waitresses wouldn't have gone a miss!

Good bargain, nice staff, rooms are clean but small.

from A TripAdvisor Member
Clean rooms and the staff was very, very nice. I really appreciated the free internet access. If you're looking to a place to rest your head at a low price, this is an okay place to stay for a 3-* hotel. Personally, though, I had a chance to stay at a 4-* hotel for an extra 20.00 and I should have done that. The room we stayed in was small and I felt a bit cramped with two people in there. This hotel is perfect for a solo traveller who wants to save a bit of money.

Top Local Tips for Chicago

Buddy Guy's Legends Blues Club Check who is playing and if it is your kind of blues. We were disappointed, but with the right style it would have been great. There is a street market, ask at reception, where we heard excellent blues being played by street musicians at the flea market. Better to go by bus.

Michigan Ave, Grant Park, Millenium Park and Science & Industry Museum Must walk up and down Michigan Ave. on building side, lots of beautiful old & newbuildings. Walk Michigan Ave park side & enjoy - walk to Burnham fountain (so colorful at night) and Millenium Park & check out the sculptures/fountains/outdoor pavilion for free concerts. Must visit the Museum of Science and Industry it's just AWESOME!!!!

trolley bus There is a free trolley bus which runs every 15 minutes from Navy Pier to the city centre. This is fabulous.You can get on and off whenenver and I think it runs until 11pm.

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Other names for Essex Inn Hotel

  • hotel chicagos essex
  • essex inn chicago
  • chicagos essex hotel
  • Address: 800 South Michigan Avenue - Chicago - Illinois - 60605 - United States
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