Magnificent Mile, United States
Within walking distance to Magnificent Mile and Lake
Michigan’s coastline
Stylish rooms have flat-screen TVs and kitchenettes
Some guest rooms offer views of Lake Michigan
Outdoor rooftop pool and fitness center feature views of downtown
Free breakfast buffet and an evening reception
Business center
Convenient shop for late-night snacks
Coin-operated laundry facilities
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Valet parking (for a fee)
Pet-friendly (for a fee)
Valet is expensive
Outdoor pool is only open seasonally
Street noise and ambulance sirens can be heard from
rooms
Complaints concerning elevator wait times and maintenance issues
The three-pearl Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago
Downtown/Magnificent Mile is located right off of Magnificent Mile, the most
bustling area of the city. The location makes it convenient for tourists and business
travelers to walk or catch a subway to their destination. Its 127 guest
rooms are stylish and well-equipped for extended stays with kitchenettes and flat-screen
TVs, and some even have views of Lake Michigan. A free breakfast
buffet and evening reception are budget-friendly perks, while a (seasonal) rooftop pool and a fitness center have superb views of downtown. Travelers might also consider the Courtyard Chicago
Downtown/Magnificent Mile for its indoor pool, on-site restaurant, and business
amenities.
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.
Scene
Bustling mid-range hotel with chic gray decor
Homewood
Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile is housed in the same
skyscraper as Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile, which makes for a
bustling lobby as guests from each hotel use the other’s amenities. It also
tends to cause long elevator wait times; guests say the elevator is fast, but small. The Homewood Suites' side of the lobby has a
chic style with a light gray wooden floor and a dark wooden front desk. There's a brown leather couch and gray
plush chairs on a gray carpet with triangular patterns. Other areas of the hotel have a similar style; the hallways have gray wallpaper and carpet with black-and-white
photographs displayed on the walls. And the breakfast room has a hip vibe thanks to
patterned carpet, wooden tables with leather chairs, a fireplace, and plush blue
chairs or leather couches. With walls of windows, it’s a nice place to people-watch while having breakfast. Most guests are families and couples exploring
the city for the weekend.
Location
Located off Magnificent Mile, within walking distance to public transportation
The hotel is located right off the popular
entertainment avenue of North Michigan Avenue, known as Magnificent Mile. Less
than a minute’s walk will bring guests to this avenue filled with shopping,
museums, bars, and restaurants. Across the street from the hotel is
Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The John Hancock Center is seven minutes away
on foot, and Water Tower Place is a five-minute walk. The Lakefront Trail (a trail that lines
the coast of Lake Michigan) is an eight-minute walk, while the Navy Pier is a
19-minute walk. It takes 18 minutes on foot to reach Millennium Park. Travelers
can hop on the closest metro -- eight minutes away -- to explore other parts of
the city. Wicker Park, for example, is about 30 minutes away by metro. Chicago Midway International Airport is a 30- to 40-minute drive.
Rooms
Trendy rooms with kitchenettes and sleek bathrooms
The rooms at Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago
Downtown/Magnificent Mile have a trendy decor with a neutral color scheme.
Patterned carpet, white linens, wooden furniture, brown leather sofas, and
photographs of the city make for a posh atmosphere that reflects downtown
Chicago. Families and extended-stay guests will appreciate the flat-screen TVs, MP3 players, sofa beds, and kitchenettes in each room. A refrigerator, microwave, two-burner
stove, dishwasher, coffee/tea facilities, dishes, and cookware can be found in each of the kitchenettes.
And a free packet of microwave popcorn is a nice touch. Some of the bedrooms are separate from
spacious living rooms, each with a couch and multiple armchairs. But complaints
have been made concerning maintenance issues with the
heaters and water temperature. Travelers should note that ambulance sirens from the nearby hospitals and street noise
can be heard from some rooms. The limestone-tiled bathrooms have luxurious
aspects like gray granite sinks, lighted vanity mirrors, and Neutrogenatoiletries. They also include shower/tub combos and hairdryers.
Features
Free breakfast buffet, afternoon reception, rooftop pool, fitness center, and business center
A free daily breakfast buffet is served in the
mornings, while a free reception with drinks, wine, beer, and a light meal is
offered in the evenings, Monday through Thursday. It's worth noting that the breakfast room for Homewood Suites is
different than the Hampton Inn one, an aspect that has caused confusion among
guests. There’s a convenience shop in the lobby if guests want a late night snack. Though
the hotel doesn’t have a restaurant, guests can access The Windsor, which
serves American dishes like thick-cut pork chops and prime rib, from the lobby. There’s an outdoor rooftop pool that’s
open seasonally and a fitness center with free weights, weight trainers, and cardio
machines lined against a window that displays superb views of downtown Chicago. The fitness
center isn’t open 24 hours a day. Business travelers can use the business
center, shared between Homewood Suites and Hampton Inn. There's no meeting room, however. For guests with
extended stays, the coin-operated laundry room is a convenient amenity. There’s
free Wi-Fi throughout the property, but there's no self parking available and valet parking costs a hefty fee.
