The Wade

This hotel is highly regarded for its stunning lake views, offering guests picturesque vistas of Lake Michigan and Navy Pier, which serves as its signature feature. Its prime location provides easy access to major attractions, making it an excellent choice for sightseers, families, and couples looking to explore the city. While many guests appreciate the hotel's convenient setting and the attentiveness of its staff, a recurring theme highlights the dated condition of the rooms, indicating a need for significant updates. Visitors should be aware of ongoing renovations that may cause noise and consider requesting a room on a higher floor facing the lake for the best experience. Additionally, exploring alternative parking options is advisable due to the hotel's high daily rates.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests frequently comment on the hotel's facilities, which include a well-equipped fitness center praised for its spaciousness and updated equipment. The indoor pool is generally seen as a positive, though some guests noted an overwhelming chlorine smell and visible mold, and many were disappointed by the absence of a hot tub. A significant point of contention is the lack of basic in-room amenities; most rooms do not include a coffee maker, mini-fridge, or microwave, which often require a request and can lead to delays or unavailability. Furthermore, Wi-Fi is not complimentary, incurring a daily charge that many guests found excessive. The elevators are frequently described as slow and noisy, with reports of long wait times and occasional malfunctions.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Feedback on cleanliness and room comfort is mixed. While some guests found their rooms to be very clean and well-maintained, others reported issues such as stains on couches and carpets, dirty bathrooms, and uncleaned rooms upon arrival. The most prominent concern is the outdated and worn condition of the rooms; many describe them as tired, not matching advertised photos, with chipped furniture, peeling wallpaper, and cracked baseboards. Bathroom issues are common, including white or black stains, chipped sinks, loose tiles, and showers that leak or have poor drainage. Bed comfort also varies, with some finding the beds comfortable while others criticized the pillows for being too soft or lumpy. Noise is a significant disturbance, with constant elevator noise, construction noise, and street noise from Lakeshore Drive impacting guest rest.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining options receive varied feedback. Breakfast is a particular highlight for some guests, described as awesome, with good taste and large quantities, and excellent service from staff. However, other guests found breakfast disappointing, citing wrong food orders, poor communication from kitchen staff, and high prices. The lobby bar is frequently praised for its lively atmosphere, often featuring a DJ, and offering good cocktails, making it a popular spot for evening entertainment. Conversely, some guests found the restaurant's food quality mediocre and its menu limited, with slow service. Room service is available but is noted for being quite expensive.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is consistently highlighted as a major advantage, offering spectacular views and easy walking access to numerous attractions. Guests appreciate its proximity to Navy Pier, Michigan Avenue for shopping and dining, and various downtown landmarks, beaches, and parks. While the hotel is well-situated for exploring the city on foot, its distance from "L" train lines (approximately 15-20 minutes walk) can be inconvenient for those relying on public transportation. A significant drawback frequently mentioned is the parking situation; the hotel's valet parking is exceptionally expensive, with daily charges often exceeding eighty dollars, leading many guests to seek more affordable self-parking options nearby.

Staff & Service
The staff generally receives high praise for their friendliness and helpfulness. Many guests commend the team for being attentive, professional, and accommodating, often going above and beyond to assist with requests and ensure a pleasant stay. The check-in process is described as smooth and quick by some, though others reported long wait times, issues with mobile keys, and instances of unhelpful front desk staff. Housekeeping services also garnered mixed reviews; while some guests found their rooms meticulously cleaned, others experienced issues such as missed cleanings, unreplenished items, or intrusive service. Overall, the hotel's commitment to providing excellent customer service is a recurring positive theme, despite isolated negative experiences.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of ongoing construction and renovation work at the hotel, which has been a source of noise for some visitors, particularly during the day. The hotel maintains a pet-friendly policy, and guests appreciate the nearby green spaces for pet relief. Some guests noted that the hotel has undergone a rebranding, which has occasionally complicated access to past records for billing inquiries. While the hotel does not offer in-room wireless charging, the front desk staff is willing to charge guests' phones. The hotel provides complimentary bottled water in rooms and offers free coffee in the lobby each morning, a thoughtful touch for guests.