Just a quick weekend trip to Chicago, had a coupon for the Affinia. First time staying there, very nice staff, reasonable rooms, and close to Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile, and many restaurants. We didn't even have a chance to try their own restaurant and top floor bar!

We always stay at the W, but on our last trip to Chicago we went for lunch at Gino's East and found the Affinia next door. I looked inside and it looked trendy and was in an excellent location. So for this trip, the price per night at the W was double the price of Affinia - and at Affinia we got a Junior Suite which was PERFECT for a couple with a 5 year old in tow. The staff knew my name and greeted me with a "Welcome back Mrs. XYZ" everytime we returned to the hotel. The room service breakfast was OK at best and the drinks at the C House were overpriced (we paid more there than we did at the Penninsula Bar for the same single malt scotches), but those are my only "semi" complaints. We were in room 2701 which was right next to the elevators - yes, we saw that and thought OH NO - but I have to say that there was NO noise at all from the elevators or the hallway. I will most certainly recommend this properties to friends. The location is absolutely outstanding!

This is rather an old review for our stay in June. My mother was visiting me in the U.S., and we have decided to spend a few nights in Chicago. We really like Elysian, but wanted to be low-budget this time, so I chose junior-suite at Affinia. Overall my impression is that the hotel had a potential of being a cool quality hotel, but lack of professionalism in their service made us determine not going back. I have received much better service at 2-star hotel or even at B&B.

The property is relatively well-kept. Yes, this is not a 5-star hotel, so the furniture in the room is on a cheaper side (the bed is comfortable). But the service was 1 star. If I could, I prefer 0 star.

The front desk staff greeted us friendly, but the lady who took care of us was just irresponsible. Yes, they could handle the reservation but nothing more than that - just like some of the reviewers have mentioned. One of the front desk staff suggested dinner cruise, and we were thrilled about the suggestion, and we asked her to make the rservation. She promised me that she would leave a voicemail. Nothing happened. I called the front desk, no note. I went to the front desk next morning, they had no idea. I came back to the hotel (just to find her) in the afternoon, and all she told me was just to go to Navy Pier. I didn't imagine that I had to ask her to give me more details. That was just unprofessional. And yes, no word of apology.

The lack of professionalism did not end here. We have decided to go to C-House. The food was not superb, but it was okay. Having eaten food in other countries, we felt that Marcus' food was just overrated. What really surprised us was the unprofessional server. His job was minimum, and he did not come back to the table (even for the check) until we had to call the manager of the restaurant. We thought that the hotel should know about it, and sent an email. The response was just a quick email saying that they will let the GM know. I seriously wondered how come these people are working in the service industry.

It is natural to have these mis-haps in the hotels, I think. At the same time, the way the hotel responds to mis-haps will change the customer's perception of the hotel 180 degrees. Just a card with a few pieces of candy would have made us enjoy this property. Yet, this did not happen at this hotel. Not again.

Stayed at the Affinia, a last moment decision, this weekend, had a delightful time. Was greeted with a smile, the room was very nice. The bed was comfortable. Had a view of the Hancock tower,nice and the back of buildings, not too nice, but that is what you get for a view with a hotel facing North and South in Chicago! The property is very nice, the C-House restaurant was wonderful, home made ice cream to die for. C View, the roof top bar, has some some nice views, a small, but nice bar. Location is wonderful, close to Michigan Ave, everything on the "mag" mile. Two drawbacks, some of the other guests, were alittle loud Saturday night, a lot of parties, and it was hot, the heat was turned up too high in the building. Besides that, a very nice place to stay in Chicago, at a good price, and with a very friendly staff.