For our repeat trip to Chicago, we won a Priceline bid for River North and this is what we received. Hotel location is not necessarily what I would call River North, as it is located on the edge of Priceline's map and would put it in the Loop area. It was a healthy walk to the heart of River North and for a Monday night, the streets were deserted. Not like NYC where restaurants and bars are lively every night. A little disappointed in Chicago for a Monday night. We found the hotel and entrances just fine as the hotel is on top of an office tower. The hotel has its own secure open air parking lot with a nice view of the river and places to sit. We could see our car from the room vs it being hidden in a garage out of sight. You can walk thru the handicap entrance and take the elevator up to the 15th floor for checkin. If you don't know this, you will end up taking the steep stairs from the lot to the building entrance. This also keeps you from giving your belongings to the bellhop if you are traveling light. Park or walk over to the handicap area and you will find the door that takes you into the building and elevator. Check in was not great as a quirky, too much talk guy named Edgar helped us. He let us know we were a Priceline guest or 3rd party, that is! Thank you for announcing us as a Priceline guest, duh! I am also a Priority Club Member and was not recognized like I am at other HI hotels. He did not offer to stamp our parking ticket and we had to ask about it. This hotel needs a tick list to go over with each guest b/c of its configuration. I would think many guests are confused and have to figure it out on their own. We had a 2 double room overlooking the city and river. Fabulous view. Room was in good condition and nice decor for a HI. This is an old commercial and not historic hotel that has been patched too many times. They still have the old ac/heat box units, but a little white noise is ok with me. We walked to dinner at Carsons and over the Michigan Avenue and back. A nice, long walk was what I needed that night. Slept well, but the bed could have been more plush. Nice bathroom and plenty of towels. Husband used the pool area next morning. Good feedback. We visited the food court for breakfast as we don't like hotel restaurants. We checked out and were able to leave the car until 6pm as parking is based on a 24 hour rule. Spent the check out day walking around in Chicago and headed out around 3pm before rush hour. Would not stay here again and hope to not win this hotel again on bid sites. Good hotel if attending the Merchandise Mart. I prefer the Gold Coast or Lincoln Park area as this gets you away from the tourist areas.
Pros: large room, clean, decor, parking arrangement and indoor pool.
Cons: desk attendant, location, in/out of hotel to get to street level, typical convention hotel with no personality,
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