Last year my wife and i stayed at the Essex Inn in Chicago for a few days.The location is superb as your are right on lake Michigan. The room was clean and bright but don't expect a large room. The food wasn't good there but around the corner (200 yards) we found a breakfast place called Yoke. This was well worth it.

I stayed here because of the price but you get what you pay for. Parking cost is high. Internet and in room coffee both weak. The pool, rooftop deck and fitness room all closed due to emergency maintenance. Too cold to exercise outside. My teenage daughter wanted to sleep in so I tried to get some business done in a too small and dark business center or using one outlet in the lobby by the door where all the smokers smoked. A cold, stinky, uncomfortable place to work so dd could sleep in the room. Not the conveniences I expected. Staff as kind as they could be under the circumstances that they could not meet my needs. I would look harder next time I book in Chicago.

The hotel is located is in a good area and it actually has a decent shuttle service. I don't know if it was only the floor where I stayed but my room was small and ugly. There is no way to control the heater other than to turn I off when hot and on when cold. I do not recommend if staying for longer than a night.

If you have a car to get around, or are comfortable with public transport, I still think this is one of the best places to stay in downtown Chicago. The prices are terrific and the rooms, while small, are just lovely. They are tastefully decorated, clean, and well maintained.

We had a "family suite" which is a small king room, with a tiny cute bathroom, adjoining a room with two double beds. It shares the bath and door to the hall. It was perfect for giving our kids (and us) some privacy, but feeling they were safe and secure.

The only reason I did not rate it was excellent was the pool and areas around it seemed dirty...I was surprised since I know it was completely updated just a couple of years ago. I will say though, they had an attendant at the pool, which was a very nice touch.