Pros

  • Convenient downtown location near the Magnificent Mile
  • Spacious two-room suites with microwaves, many with skyline views
  • Free hot breakfast and free evening reception with alcoholic beverages
  • Heated indoor pool and whirlpool bathed in plenty of sunlight
  • Fitness center with cardio equipment and free weights
  • Lobby bar in a lovely setting under the atrium's skylight
  • Large inventory of meeting space
  • Valet and self-parking with in/out privileges
  • Free Wi-Fi for HHonors (a free loyalty program all guest can join)
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Cons

  • Complaints of ambient noise from the atrium in rooms
  • Long lines for free breakfast and evening receptions
  • Parking is expensive
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Bottom Line

The upper-middle-range Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile offers a great location near the Magnificent Mile, along with 455 spacious two-room suites that attract leisure and business travelers alike. Each Suite comes with a sleeper sofa, two TVs, Keurig coffeemaker, mini-fridge, and a microwave, but some get noise from the hotel's atrium. The free made-to-order breakfast and evening reception with free drinks are immensely popular, but past guests have complained of long lines for both. Other highlights include an indoor pool/whirlpool, a fitness center, a bar, and pricey valet parking. Rates are competitive given everything that’s included. But many nearby alternatives exist, such as the DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago Magnificent Mile, which typically offers lower rates, although they don’t include a free breakfast or evening reception. 

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Amenities

  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile

Scene

Busy 17-floor hotel with a large atrium that gets crowded at times

This 455-room, 17-story hotel buzzes with activity and attracts families and business travelers alike. The hotel features a huge atrium with rooms facing inward. The atrium has gray tile floors and a black granite “eco wall” with live plants. It would be dark were it not for the natural light from the skylights above. The long wall and other barriers separate the large atrium into smaller spaces that feel comfortable and, in some cases, even cozy. Both the free breakfast buffets and evening receptions are hosted in the atrium and with a hotel of this size, the lines can be quite long at peak times. Also, note that the crowds can create enough noise to be heard in rooms, even those on the upper floors.

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Location

On Chicago’s Gold Coast, a five-minute walk to the attractions along the Magnificent Mile

The Embassy Suites is just north of the Chicago River on the city’s Gold Coast. It’s directly connected to River Center East, which features a cinema complex, a bowling alley, and restaurants. A Whole Foods supermarket is across the street, and there are several other restaurants and shops a short walk away. It’s about six minutes on foot to the Magnificent Mile along Michigan Avenue, and a couple of minutes more to the nearest train station. Many top attractions are within a 15-minute walk, including Millennium Park, Museum of Contemporary Art, Navy Pier, and Water Tower Place. Union Station is 10 minutes by car or 18 minutes by public transit, and Wrigley Field is a 16-minute drive or about half an hour via public transit. McCormick Place takes about eight minutes to reach by car. Approximate driving times to Midway International Airport and O’Hare International Airport are 30 and 35 minutes, respectively, or an hour by public transport.

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Rooms

Spacious, contemporary suites with sleeper sofas, coffeemakers, microwaves, and mini-fridges

Suites are sophisticated and contemporary, though drained of color. They feature shades of gray, brown, and beige to create a sleek and pleasant decor that borders on minimalist. The wood furniture is modular in style, but not cheap, often topped in black granite. Bright-white linens and curtains contrast nicely with the gray-and-brown striped carpet and light beige walls. Black-and-white photos of city skylines hang on the walls and the rooms are brightened by large windows. Separate living rooms have sleeper sofas, desks, and additional TVs, while bedrooms offer king beds or two doubles. The hallways between the living and bedrooms have wet bars with microwaves, mini-fridges, and Keurig coffeemakers. Bathrooms have standard shower/tub combos and are only average in size, but they do feature roomy black-granite vanities. Some of the rooms feature terrific views of Lake Michigan or the Chicago skyline, while others simply face neighboring buildings. Ambient noise from the atrium can be significant at busy times (such as during the peak breakfast and evening reception hours). 

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Features

Free hot breakfast, free evening reception, indoor pool, fitness center, and concierge 

This large, business-oriented hotel features all the amenities typically found in Embassy Suites properties. These include a free breakfast with made-to-order omelets and evening receptions featuring free appetizers and alcoholic beverages, but past guests have complained of long lines. The atrium also has a bar, and a full-service restaurant is attached. The heated indoor lap pool has an adjacent whirlpool, and there's a fitness center with several pieces of cardio equipment plus free weights. The hotel also offers 20,000 square feet (6,100 square meters) of meeting space and a 24/7 business center with multiple PCs. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, though guests have to sign up for the free HHonors loyalty program to access it. Concierge services include valet dry cleaning and laundry, and while valet and self-parking are available, both options are expensive.

See More Features

Things You Should Know About Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile

Also Known As

  • Embassy Suites Chicago - Downtown/Lakefront
  • Embassy Suites Hotel Chicago Downtown Lakefront
  • Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown Lakefront

Address

511 North Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60611-5590, United States

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile

Scene

Busy 17-floor hotel with a large atrium that gets crowded at times

This 455-room, 17-story hotel buzzes with activity and attracts families and business travelers alike. The hotel features a huge atrium with rooms facing inward. The atrium has gray tile floors and a black granite “eco wall” with live plants. It would be dark were it not for the natural light from the skylights above. The long wall and other barriers separate the large atrium into smaller spaces that feel comfortable and, in some cases, even cozy. Both the free breakfast buffets and evening receptions are hosted in the atrium and with a hotel of this size, the lines can be quite long at peak times. Also, note that the crowds can create enough noise to be heard in rooms, even those on the upper floors.

See More Scene

Location

On Chicago’s Gold Coast, a five-minute walk to the attractions along the Magnificent Mile

The Embassy Suites is just north of the Chicago River on the city’s Gold Coast. It’s directly connected to River Center East, which features a cinema complex, a bowling alley, and restaurants. A Whole Foods supermarket is across the street, and there are several other restaurants and shops a short walk away. It’s about six minutes on foot to the Magnificent Mile along Michigan Avenue, and a couple of minutes more to the nearest train station. Many top attractions are within a 15-minute walk, including Millennium Park, Museum of Contemporary Art, Navy Pier, and Water Tower Place. Union Station is 10 minutes by car or 18 minutes by public transit, and Wrigley Field is a 16-minute drive or about half an hour via public transit. McCormick Place takes about eight minutes to reach by car. Approximate driving times to Midway International Airport and O’Hare International Airport are 30 and 35 minutes, respectively, or an hour by public transport.

See More Location

Rooms

Spacious, contemporary suites with sleeper sofas, coffeemakers, microwaves, and mini-fridges

Suites are sophisticated and contemporary, though drained of color. They feature shades of gray, brown, and beige to create a sleek and pleasant decor that borders on minimalist. The wood furniture is modular in style, but not cheap, often topped in black granite. Bright-white linens and curtains contrast nicely with the gray-and-brown striped carpet and light beige walls. Black-and-white photos of city skylines hang on the walls and the rooms are brightened by large windows. Separate living rooms have sleeper sofas, desks, and additional TVs, while bedrooms offer king beds or two doubles. The hallways between the living and bedrooms have wet bars with microwaves, mini-fridges, and Keurig coffeemakers. Bathrooms have standard shower/tub combos and are only average in size, but they do feature roomy black-granite vanities. Some of the rooms feature terrific views of Lake Michigan or the Chicago skyline, while others simply face neighboring buildings. Ambient noise from the atrium can be significant at busy times (such as during the peak breakfast and evening reception hours). 

See More Rooms

Features

Free hot breakfast, free evening reception, indoor pool, fitness center, and concierge 

This large, business-oriented hotel features all the amenities typically found in Embassy Suites properties. These include a free breakfast with made-to-order omelets and evening receptions featuring free appetizers and alcoholic beverages, but past guests have complained of long lines. The atrium also has a bar, and a full-service restaurant is attached. The heated indoor lap pool has an adjacent whirlpool, and there's a fitness center with several pieces of cardio equipment plus free weights. The hotel also offers 20,000 square feet (6,100 square meters) of meeting space and a 24/7 business center with multiple PCs. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, though guests have to sign up for the free HHonors loyalty program to access it. Concierge services include valet dry cleaning and laundry, and while valet and self-parking are available, both options are expensive.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Business Center

  • Concierge

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Free Breakfast

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.