Whitehall Hotel, Chicago > Reviews (3)

OK. My experience is a little different from the other reviewer!

We have just been to the hotel this last weekend. We paid $100 US per night.

Our room was small by US standards and rather shabby, looking as though all the furniture had been in the room since the hotel first opened.

The staff were polite, efficient and helpful. We ordered room service on the Thursday evening as we were hungry and nowhere in the area was open for food (10pm - early closers these Chicagoans). It arrived quickly and was nice but there wasn't much choice - especially not for vegetarians (only a cheese plate for $16!).

The hotel is very close to Michigan Ave - the main shopping area. (Don't miss Filene's Basement (on the third floor!!) for the best of the bargains). However it is a long walk to the somewhat delapidated and painfully slow 'L' - the (in)famous Chicago transit authority. Taxis are plentiful and cheap though.

You will need to take out a second mortgage to eat in the immediate area of the hotel and people were queueing outside just about everywhere Friday & Saturday evening. Be prepared for a long wait unless you go further afield.

Back to the hotel itself. As I said, our room was shabby but basicaly clean. The airconditioner/heater was broken when we arrived though and there was a ferrocious cold draught from the gaping holes around it! We got it fixed the next day. The draught and holes were still there but at least we could put the heater on. There were also bare wires on one of the bedside lamp leads - so not too child friendly!!

Our room was terribly noisy. We could hear the people either side of us clearly and the noise from the corridor sounded as though it was in the room. And that was just normal conversation, nothing excessive.

In summary, in no way does this hotel qualify as 5 star, in my opinion. 2 to 2.5 would be more accurate. Don't pay more than $100 per night - its just not worth it. The staff were good and the location is excellent for shopping. You will need to travell a fair way to get reasonably priced food though.