Residence Inn Downtown Chicago/Loop
 

I recently stayed at the brand new Residence Inn Chicago Downtown/Loop hotel at 11 S. LaSalle St. Here are my thoughts:

Location/getting there
The location is fantastic if you're doing business in Chicago. It's at the intersection of LaSalle & Madison, just a couple of blocks northeast of the Willis Tower. If you're coming in from MDW, you can take the CTA orange line to the Washington/Wells stop and walk 1.5 blocks; if you're coming from ORD, you can take the CTA blue line to the Monroe stop and walk 2 blocks. Parking is $62/night (!) so I'd avoid driving if possible. The location is not bad but not the best if you're touring Chicago, as it's more near businesses and less near tourist attractions. Millennium Park is about a 10 minute walk, Navy Pier is a 40 minute walk, and River North with its restaurants is about 20, depending on exactly where in River North you're going. The area around the hotel does get a bit sketchy at night. Not unsafe by any means, but panhandlers and the like are in the area. Also, they're doing construction on Madison overnight, and if you have a room facing that street, you'll hear it. I had to use my noise cancellation headphones to sleep one night.

Also, one thing to be aware of: the reception is on floor two and you enter floor one. There's only a small sign by the elevator telling you this and I saw lots of confused people trying to figure out where to go with their suitcases.

The room
I stayed in a studio suite. The room is larger than a standard CY/FI room, but not as large as rooms at other RIs I've stayed in. That's to be expected in a large city. Supposedly this is the largest RI in the world, with 380 rooms. The TV is huge and comes with YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu apps built in; the latter two require active accounts with those companies to use. The bed was *very* comfortable and of course, there was a full size fridge, burners, and a microwave. The bathroom was normal except the shower screen only stretched halfway across the shower, so it's hard to not to get water everywhere when you're showering.

Food
Breakfast was standard RI fare. There were plenty of seats, and one smart thing they did was to have two trays of everything (two trays of scrambled eggs, two trays of potato pancakes, etc,) to make things more efficient. Weekday evening apps were non-existent. I asked about that at the front desk and the clerk had no idea what I was talking about; when I told him I thought that was an RI standard, he said he'd check with the GM and get back to me. I have not yet heard from the GM, but if I do, I'll update this thread with what he says.

Also, there's a restaurant in the hotel that's open weekends as of now and a bar that's open every day. The plan is eventually for the restaurant to be open every day.

Service
This is where the hotel falls down. I had done mobile check in before arriving. I arrived at the front desk and had to wait 15 minutes to speak to anyone; only two clerks were working and the lines were long. When I checked in, the clerk said they had put me on a low floor and he "upgraded" me to a higher room, which meant the 7th floor (out of 21.) From what they said, the hotel had been empty the previous night so if they're not putting plats who request a high floor on the high floor, who are they putting there? I went back down about 30 minutes later to ask about that, but the check in lines were twice as long as when I initially arrived, so I decided not to pursue it.

I got normal housekeeping on the first day of my stay, but the second day, a Monday, I left at 8, got back at 5, and housekeeping had not yet been there. I called and after a 10 minute hold, they said they'd send someone right up. I went out for dinner, got back around 8, and housekeeping still hadn't been there. I didn't call again that day. On Tuesday, I left at 8, got back at 4, and housekeeping hadn't been there. I called down again, they said they'd send someone, and this time someone did come. She was clearly very frazzled and from the conversation I had with her, it became clear the hotel is woefully understaffed right now. Apparently, they're working on it.

I did not receive the bill under the door on my last day. When I went to checkout, there was no line and the clerk asked me how my stay was. I said it was OK and explained about the lack of housekeeping. She comp'ed me 1000 MR points on the spot without me asking.

Special note about the elevators
There are five or six elevators. The elevator buttons on the left only control the left two elevators, as they're the only ones that go down to the basement to the fitness center & guest laundry. However, the buttons on the right control all five or six elevators. That's not clear at all from the signage.

Overall thoughts
It's a good choice for a price concious traveler to the Loop. (It was an M11 rate for $287 a night vs. the JW that wanted $600 a night & the Ren that wanted $400.) Just know that it's a new hotel and it has its kinks that they'll hopefully work out. And if service is one of the key things you're looking for, you may want to find another spot until those kinks are worked out.

I figured I could help add in some commentary for all this. I actually was invited to the property on a hard hat tour and again for a pre-opening ceremony, so got to know a lot and asked a number of questions too.

I can see what you are saying here, but overall, probably no major concerns. The entire loop area actually becomes pretty dead at night. Madison Street is adding in new bike lanes and Express Bus lanes, so yes, construction is on-going (actually on-going for way too long, but that is Chicago for you).

Correct, largest RI in the world and correct on entertainment. Also, the beds are actually not standard RI beds, they actually used the Marriott FS bed type when I asked. Note there are some one-bedroom units (two beds) that actually have to have a hole in the wall too at this property - this is due to fire code in Chicago in case anyone books that expecting full bedroom privacy

One of only two RI in the world that offers a full kitchen. They are also part scratch kitchen and make own goods on site (so yes, real eggs here). You are correct, no weekday evening reception - this is confirmed, but they will from time to time offer a special managers reception. This model is using the bar concept instead.


I am not 100% sure, but I believe they are actually still in staged openings. The top floors have not been completed yet and for some reason recall January for full-opening. I have the GMs card and can email them if you want.

Funny you mentioned that. I said the same thing to them too. They said they are ordering signage right away and actually plan to make some technology adjustments to the elevator system to make calling certain elevators possible - the reason they can't do the full elevators down is due to the historic nature of the building

Thanks for the detailed trip report LoganFlyer.

Very disappointing that this new RI is violating RI brand requirements by not doing the Mon-Wed evening offerings.

I've created a wiki for the property.

Cheers.

Officially open. Press release on Marriott website today. It mentions free brekkie but not evening apps, so going against RI standards. Given it's going to have both a bar and a restaurant, perhaps not so surprising.

http://news.marriott.com/2015/11/res...ntownloop.html

"Situated in the heart of Chicago’s central financial district, the hotel offers an ideal location for business and leisure travelers alike. Its premier locale provides easy access to Chicago’s public transportation system, the nearby theater district, Millennium Park, State Street shopping, world-class dining, universities and museums. This prime location, coupled with the building’s historical significance and exceptional architectural detail, provided a perfect opportunity to convert the building into an extended-stay hotel.

The hotel encompasses a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites, many of which include original details and views of LaSalle Street. Naturally lit rooms average over 500 square feet and feature 10-foot ceilings, large windows and spa-inspired bathrooms with walk-in showers. The hotel will also offer a lobby bar and lounge, fitness center, business center, private meeting rooms and, like all Residence Inn hotels, free Wi-Fi, complimentary daily hot breakfast and a laundry facility for guests. A new restaurant is also slated to open in March 2016."