More about Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown
Sleepless in Chicago
by A TripAdvisor Member
I stayed in a king suite for two nights. While the room was attractive and fairly spacious with nice french doors dividing the bedroom from the living, there were some annoyances that made for two terrible nights sleep.
While I very much enjoy feather beds on top of the regular mattress, their feathers kept poking out of the fabric, through the sheets and into my skin. I felt like I was sleeping on a bed of nails. Every time I moved another feather would poke out and into me. I pulled at least 6 to 10 of them out each night while I'm trying to sleep. I have had feather beds at home and this is a common problem. However to protect yourself from the feathers poking out, I have had to layer a thick blanket on top of the feather bed so as to avoid being poked by the feather that ultimately find their way through.
The other major contributing factor to my lack of sleep both nights was the heating system in my room. The unit is controlled by a nice new electronic thermostat on the wall, however the fan on the heat source operates at only one speed - high and loud. The thermostat is responsive to adjusting the room temperature quickly, however the noise from the wall unit is unacceptable. I searched around to see if there were any settings to lower the fan speed, but finally resorted to simply turning off the heat all together. Only then did I get any peace and quiet, which didn't really matter since I was already awake from the feathers.
Lastly, the in-room coffee pots and Starbucks Coffee is a nice touch, however I learned the hard way that it isn't complimentary. A very small sign almost hidden away says it costs $4.00 per packet of coffee. It seems petty to me to charge $4.00 for coffee in your room, when coffee in the lobby is complimentary.
Good value, Great location
by A TripAdvisor Member
Stayed there over Memorial Day weekend. Would highly recommend. Found the rooms clean and spacious enough. Large work-out facility. Hallway outside our room seemed as though it was always 60 degrees. Subway station is just over a block away. Shopping and nightlife are nearby. Prior review described area as ranging from touristy to "bit rough" but I never saw the "rough" side apart from the many homeless which seemed everywhere in Chicago. Was able to leave luggage w/ bellman on check-out day as we had a late flight to check.
Courtyard Downtown- A Good Place to Stay
by TripAdvisor Member roxian
We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott Downtown for 3 nights, June 1-4, booked as a package thru Orbitz.
The hotel was easy to find. Check-in was very simple with no lines. The staff was all polite. Our standard room was clean and spacious. There was no street noise and no hallway noise. There was no odor in the room (you know how hotel rooms are sometimes).
The bathroom- the tub and toilet are separated from the sink/mirror by a door, which was very convenient for 3 women sharing a bathroom! I called the front desk a few times, and either no one answered or it took a while. At other times, however, they picked up right away. The front desk was helpful in providing directions to buses, etc. We did not use the pool, gym, or eat at the restaurants so I cannot comment on those.
I don't think anyone would be disappointed staying here, as long as they know that the Courtyard chain is not a "resort-style". It is basic but fulfills all your needs. I would definitely stay here again.
Not bad, but not great
by TripAdvisor Member Masonpips
A co-worker and I shared a 2 double bed room here Sunday, June 11 - Wed, June 14. The NeoCon conference was nearby and the rate (via our company travel site) was $439/night. OMG. Given that most of Chicago is booked, we knew it would be pricey.
The hotel was fine. We checked in about 2 and there were no double rooms, they asked us to check back around 4. We did some shopping and eating and came back later. Were sent to a high floor (14?) to check in and our room faced East. Never got as far as the window as the room was unmade, looked as someone had literally just crawled out of the bed. My co-worker hadn't even shut the door and we hauled out of there, back downstairs where we were met with an "Oh, we figured that out as you went up" and a minor apology but they acted like it was no big deal. Not a huge deal, but more than a small apology might have served better. We then ended up in 612 RIGHT across from the elevator. The view (ha) was of the roof one floor below us. Luckily we had no hallway noise.
Given the rate, would you expect to pay for coffee in the room? $4.00 to make a pot of Starbucks coffee? I think not. Other than that, the room was fine, although the shower drained slowly.
The location is excellent and for a far lower rate (maybe via Priceline?) this would be a great hotel. Given the rate and the lackluster service, I'd say it was only average
Horrible Customer Service-Very Rude!
by TripAdvisor Member BPapin
I AM A REWARDS MEMBER OF THE MARRIOT HOTELS AND ALL I CAN SAY IS I WAS TOTALLY DISAPOINTED! We were on a Girl Scout outing for the “American Girl” weekend which was suppose to be a weekend filled with fun and adventure for al of the girls and ladies who went. Our group was large, we had made reservations over a year ago and paid well in advance through AAA. And they should have been well prepared being we had a tour guide who prearranged everything.
My biggest complaint is the front desk was very rude to anyone who called there for anything from as simple as directions to a wake up call. It did not matter, who called or what we called for, they were always rude no matter what as if we we’re bothering them.
If we stopped at the front desk, and interrupted their social conversations with colleagues, etc., even though “paying customers” come first, completely upset any of us that we were so rude to interrupt them.
The pool was very small for such a large facility and the chlorine was unbearable.
Many of us were scattered throughout the hotel we were suppose to be on the same floor and the reservations was completely screwed up. My name wasn’t even on the guest list (may not have been their faults, but the Touring company knew) I shared a room with another parent and child and no one would have known I was in the hotel and I don’t completely understand that, I thought all guests were to be registered,
I doubt I would stay there again because for a weekend of fun by Sunday when we departed most if us were quite upset and it really put a damper on the rest of the day and trip home. A week earlier I stayed in PA at the White Rose, paid less and got better service. I think they need to train their personnel and require them to attend culinary/hotel restaurant management classes because the reaction was utterly ridiculous. I usually do not complain but the Marriott made big bucks off our tour and being a degreed Culinary and Hotel and restaurant major, I expected way better from such an impeccably rated hotel. Totally disgusted and disappointed.
Courtyard Marriott - Almost felt like home!
by TripAdvisor Member cwc54
I followed the recommendations found here on TripAdvisor, and I was not disappointed!
The staff: very friendly and helpful, the room: very comfortable, especially the bed and pillows. I enjoyed the variety of complimentary fresh fruit available at the front desk every day, and the complimentary "Wall Street Journal" and "USA Today" newspapers.
We visited in July, and the hotel seemed to be undergoing renovation, outside. The front of the hotel was covered with some kind of scaffolding, which isn't pretty, but didn't affect our entry or exits, in any way.
I don't travel with a laptop, so I especially appreciated being able to check my email and use the (free) computer and printer downstairs. There was only one, but it was almost always available.
Nice visit
by TripAdvisor Member brad120
This is a very nice hotel. The staff was polite. The rooms are clean. I thought that $40 a night for valet parking was a bit steep, but it is downtown Chicago. The property is a couple of blocks from Michigan Avenue, so you have to walk a bit for transportation. I was not out after dark, so I don't know if it is a pleasant walk at night or not. I had a great view from my room.
The Chicago Downtown Courtyard
by TripAdvisor Member vinceclark
The Chicago Downtown Courtyard at 30 E Hubbard St.
Date: November 12, 2006
Trip Advisor Member - Akron, OH
The check in process was speedy and pleasant. The room was more than adequate. The breakfast buffett was well prepared and the service was very good.
In the bar the first night the lady bartender made my wife hot choclate. While preparing it, she took it to the kitchen to use their microwave to make sure it was hot. I think that is above and beyond.
The second night the male bartender, when asked for hot choclate, said, "We don't serve that here." When he was told it was served the previous night, he responded with the same unpleasant tone, we do not serve it here.
Would I return? Yes, it is convenient and except for that one minor incident, the staff was accomodating and the facility was comfortable and very clean.
Decent hotel - meets or exceeds the Courtyard brand/reputation
by TripAdvisor Member Canada_Turtle
This review is based on a two-night stay in December, 2006 and is written by a business traveler who frequents many Marriot-chain and Hilton-chain restaurants throughout the US.
Tagline: meets or exceeds the Courtyard standard; a good bet for your money.
Features / benefits:
- new sheets / linens; comfortable beds.
- 10MB/s Internet is wired; network card or USB port required.
- separation between vanity sink and spacisou tub/toilet room.
- curved shower bars; new shower curtains.
- bright fluroescent light in the closet.
- very spacious breakfast area.
- cook is located outside, preparing waffles and eggs made-to-order for you as part of the buffet.
- Hotel located two walking blocks from Magnificent Mile.
- Within walking distance to all types of restaurants.
Cons:
- Lobby is somewhat small (exascerbated by a major conference being held in town the time my wife and I were there).
- first room had a toilet that could not acquire water, even though it was fixed; at least front desk staff quickly moved us to another room.
- Windows and curtains do little to prevent the cold from coming in from the outdoors.
- Be prepared to hear some amount of road traffic from your room.
- Price of valet parking can be $30 - $40 per day; however, remember that you are very close to Magnificent Mile.
Summary:
- Good bet for you money (less than the full Marriotts nearby).
- I woudl recommend this hotel to friends and family.
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