River Hotel

plan for extra 30+ min every time you depart/retur

Prós: Location is perfect. Rooms are tiny, with no wasted space and good views. Lobby non-existent, but 2nd floor desk/relax space makes up for that.

Contras: They have no lot, no arrangement with a local lot, and only one valet on staff as best I could tell. This guy would disappear for up to 20-30 min, or flat out say it will be 20+ min before I can get your car. All that, for $55 per trip. Don't drive, or plan to find a distant garage if you want to pay less than $50-70 per night parking. Atop the valet-delay, they only had one elevator servicing floors 11-30s, and every trip up or down took at least 10 min of waiting (don't leave anything behind!) and every trip in the elevator was packed body to body.

1st time in Chicago

Prós: Chicago is a beautiful city. The River Hotel couldn't have been located any better. Our view was ok nothing great because we were in the 2nd floor. The hotel staff was very nice. And the marble stair case was gorgeous. I liked that they had complimentary bottled water. That's help whenever you walking continuously around the city.

Contras: I had issues about several things that may not matter to some people but it bothered me. I asked twice for a sleeping mask and the first night they're were out said they'll get some in the next day. On the next day I asked again and they already have them out.?.? I feel they should have notated I requested one the first day and then have it ready the next. The bed linens leave something to be desired. They use a flat sheet for the bottom sheet which kept coming undone. The comforter wasn't big enough for the bed. It continuously kept falling off so in the middle of the night I had to get up and cover my wife back up. The room was for the most part clean. However I drop something and when I looked under the bed I saw individual skittles covered in dust :-/. And the restaurant... We tried to eat and drink there but the service was terrible. Took 20 mins to get menus and a water. I guess they're understaffed? But we left before ordering anything due to the service. The overal stay wasn't terrible. I would stay there again but I would never pay full price for it.

Contras: The elevator service was terrible. We would often wait over 20 minutes to catch the elevator during the day, and the stairs were not practical when you're staying in the 28th floor.

Prós: Central downtown location, good restaurant, nice service

Contras: Needs a good cleaning and update, grungy.

Oh my aching back

Prós: Good location

Contras: My king bed was actually a king box spring with two twin mattresses. Who does that? The seam is right in the middle of your back.

Not a good deal

Prós: Location

Contras: Smallest room I've ever seen. Valet parking outrageously expensive.