Based on its amazing views of the river and downtown, I selected the Holiday Inn for a four night business trip. The first night's rate was very reasonable, but nights #2-4 were nearly double. Other comments about the difficulty in finding the hotel are well founded; the signage is inadequate. Exiting the elevator on the 15th floor, where the hotel begins, one is met with NO signs or personnel, just some construction work in progress. Turning the corner, though, and you can find your own way to the reception. At that point you realise that the HI signature dining room beneath the atrium is not there, or at least it isn't finished, so meals are served in two other locations. The bar overlooking the city is very pleasant, though you should check carefully what you order, and not assume you'll be given a promotion/cut-price drink unless you explicitly ask for it. The rooms are adequate in terms of amenities, and the exercise room/indoor pool really quite nice. But the major drawbacks are - apart from the dining issues - the constant rumble/occasional roar from the trains etc. below the hotel, and the workers who began their hammering at 6:50 am. To make the most of its location, the hotel needs a signifcant upgrade on its double/triple glazing, and either it should close while construction is underway, or it should warn the guests and require its building workers to hold off until, say, 8 am. Personally, I was disappointed, and I checked out by 8:30 am, finding another Chicago hotel for the same price that was drastically better on every level except the absence of a pool. By the way, don't use the internet facility in the rooms - they have obsolete software, and many major sites (including, ironically, orbitz.com) can't be accessed. When I complained about this, I was refunded the cost, but other than that there was only a half-hearted apology from the front desk. I expect they're weary about the current situation too, but when you have the choices Chicago can offer, this is a recipe for customer disenchantment and longterm disaffection.
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