Ambassador Gold Coast, The Chicago Hotel Collection

This hotel, known for its historic charm and prime location in the Gold Coast neighborhood, offers a unique blend of classic ambiance and urban convenience. Its proximity to key attractions makes it particularly appealing to sightseers and couples seeking a vibrant city experience. However, a pervasive issue with undisclosed and mandatory fees has significantly impacted guest satisfaction, leading to widespread frustration. While the hotel's setting is ideal for exploring the city on foot, potential guests should be aware of these additional charges. To ensure a smoother stay, it is highly advisable to confirm all potential fees directly with the hotel prior to arrival and to verify reservation details, especially if booking through a third-party platform.

Facilities & Amenities
Guest experiences with the hotel's facilities and amenities are varied. Many guests found the elevators to be small, slow, and occasionally out of service, leading to frustrating wait times, particularly during peak hours. While Wi-Fi is generally available, some guests reported issues with unexpected charges for it. The hotel features a fitness center, though some found it to be small with a low ceiling. The bar area is frequently praised for its inviting ambiance and quality drinks, often featuring live music, creating a lively atmosphere. However, a common complaint among guests is the absence of essential in-room amenities such as a coffee maker and microwave, which many expect from a hotel of this caliber. Issues with the functionality of in-room refrigerators were also noted by some.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Feedback on room cleanliness and comfort is mixed, with many guests expressing disappointment. Numerous reviews describe the outdated rooms as drab, run-down, and in need of renovation, often citing stained carpets and worn furniture. While some guests found the beds comfortable, others reported them as being too low to the ground, lumpy, or having flat pillows. The small bathrooms are a frequent point of contention, often described as old, dirty, or having issues like mold, poor drainage, and noisy toilets. Noise is a recurring problem, with guests complaining about thin walls allowing sounds from neighbors, noisy AC units, and general street noise, impacting sleep quality. The lack of basic amenities like in-room coffee makers and quality toiletries also detracted from the comfort.

Dining & Food Quality
Guest opinions on dining and food quality, particularly breakfast, are quite polarized. While some guests found the breakfast variety to be good and the food quality decent, others described it as terrible, with cold eggs and awful coffee. Many felt the breakfast was not worth the mandatory fee associated with it, especially if their schedule did not allow them to utilize it fully. The hotel's restaurant is noted to have limited hours or be closed entirely, and some guests experienced slow service. The bar generally receives positive remarks for its atmosphere and drink offerings, though some found it to be too loud at times.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is consistently highlighted as a major advantage, making it a popular choice for visitors. Situated in the beautiful and safe Gold Coast neighborhood, it offers easy walkable access to a plethora of attractions. Guests appreciate its proximity to Lake Michigan, the Magnificent Mile for shopping, and numerous restaurants and bars. The hotel is also conveniently located near public transport, including the Red Line subway station, providing easy access to other parts of the city. While the location is highly praised, valet parking is noted as being very expensive, prompting some guests to seek more affordable alternatives in nearby garages or street parking.

Staff & Service
Guest experiences with staff and service are notably inconsistent. While some individual staff members, particularly in the bar and bellhop services, are praised for being friendly, helpful, and professional, the overall sentiment regarding front desk service is largely negative. Many guests reported rude front desk interactions, describing staff as unhelpful, indifferent, and unorganized, especially when dealing with the mandatory fee issues or reservation problems. Slow check-in processes and a perceived lack of empathy were common complaints. Inconsistent housekeeping is another significant issue, with many guests reporting rooms not being cleaned daily, a lack of towel replenishment, or failure to address specific requests, leading to a sense of lack of service and an unprofessional service experience.

Additional Information
A predominant theme in guest reviews revolves around the hotel's mandatory guest benefit fees, which are often undisclosed at the time of booking and significantly increase the overall cost. These undisclosed charges, sometimes referred to as "resort fees" or "experience fees," are non-negotiable and include amenities like breakfast and drinks, which many guests found to be of poor value or unused. Furthermore, numerous guests reported issues with reservation cancellations without prior notice, particularly those booked through third-party booking issues, leading to significant inconvenience upon arrival. Problems with security deposits not being refunded promptly or at all were also a recurring concern, adding to the financial frustration experienced by many visitors.