My husband and I got a good deal on priceline, considering a summer weekend in Chicago. At check-in, they ended up upgrading us to a corner 2 room suite on one of the top floors. We didn't even ask!

The bed was very comfortable and it was amazing waking up to a wall of windows looking DT and to the lake. You couldn't beat the location of this hotel...a block away from North Michigan with shopping and restaurants.

We just spent a very enjoyable weekend at the Ave.
Family and friends used the Ave as our "home base", while attending
a family wedding. The hotel renovation is complete. From the front lobby to the sky lounge on top of the building, the Avenue is new, fresh, clean and very comfy! The staff continues a great reputation for outstanding guest service. Their genuine attention to the details makes every visit
hassle-free. The Ave is located in the heart of the Magnificent Mile within walking distance of fine restaurants and outstanding shopping. Great people, great service, great location, that's the Avenue Hotel!

OUr stay in the Avenue was quite nice, the 2 queen bed studio suite is quite nice. Tv reception is poor, but the view and bedding more than make up for it!!! The english pub attached is reasonably priced and decent food. The lobby has an interesting design with somewhat annoying euro-pop techno music playing. The sky lounge seemed a bit small, but cozy. The ambiance is nice except the same music in lobby, plays there, loudly. The drink prices there were outrageous though, $9 for a rum and coke. I had to make sure one lasted awhile! The pool area was also small but nice. The pool was clean and nice and warm. Just a handy tip is that there is a dunkin donuts and a 7-11 two or three blocks down St Clair so you can save a little money there to dodge the breakfast costs in the hotel. The concierge was friendly and helpful in arranging the boat tour and just general getting around. This hotel is in fairly comfortable walking range of the Navy Pier, Ogden Slip (where some of the boat tours leave from) The Magnificent Mile, and Millennium Park.

The room itself was spacious with a feeling of privacy even when sharing. The bathroom is a wonderful size, with plenty of space to change without standing in the splash of the shower. The shower though left much to be desired. The fixtures were loose against the wall and the pressure was dreadful. You would have better luck bathing in a water fountain. The water just dribbled out and never really left you feeling clean. Everything else about the bathroom was great. I'm not sure if the water pressure was poor due to being on the 34th floor or what, but I was glad I didn't take advantage of the weight room because I know I would have never gotten the sweat off of me.

Outside the window you can hear the ambulances coming into Northwestern University Hospital, but its not too bad as it quiets down at night and if you're from another city, like I am, the sound kind of disappears. It was nice though to have free wireless internet!

Overall we did have a pretty comfortable stay here, but I think the hotel needs a little bit more work, before it can really be as classy as its neighbors. I'd recommend a pianist for the sky lounge and make it a piano bar. Kill the lobby music all together so its easier to communicate with staff. Also figure out how to get more water to the top floors so the guests can feel clean and truly refreshed.

If you do stay at this hotel, be sure to walk from home (it's probably cheaper.) Parking is outrageous, and you will not be informed of this charge until after you check out of the hotel. If I had been informed of the extremely high rates to park my car, I would have taken a train or even parked somewhere else cheaper. Also they offer to check your bags for you, don't do it! It is such a cluster, that its easier to just hold onto them and lug them down Michigan Avenue yourself. Staff seems very disorganized and unfriendly. Great location, and that is just about it.