Having read previous reviews we had some concerns regarding the fire horns but having stayed for 5 nights our fears were unfounded. Yes we did hear the odd horn but we have experienced that in any city centre hotel we stayed in.

The hotel was clean, the staff courteous and efficient and whilst the breakfast was not the best we have ever had it was fine taking into consideration the rates. We would however have preferred proper plates and cutlery.

The location could not have been better - just round the corner from Grand subway station (Red line) and 10 minutes from Michegan Ave.

We stayed here in a lovely corner suite for under $170 a night. There was a kitchen, living area, separate bedroom and bathroom. The beds were super comfortable, the staff very courteous, and helpful. Even without the breakfast that is included, you couldn't get a better deal in Chicago.

This is a great place to stay visiting Chicago with a family. The breakfast is nice and the rooms were clean. Great location to utilize the public transportation to see the city. The staff was very friendly. The attached Italian restaurant Ballo was very good. I would definitely stay here again.

After spending a night in less than acceptable accommodations out in the suburbs, my wife (who is also my business partner) and I chose to move to cooler digs. The Hampton Inn offered us a room at pretty much the going rate for a place in town, about $260-something. We are not from Chicago, nor have we ever been before, so I can’t speak to the value of the actual street address, however, we did find our way around town pretty easily (all credit to the dynamic trio of Google maps, a Treo and my navagatrix wife). The hotel was typical of the properties one finds in a world-class city. The staff, much like virtually every human being we encountered in Chicago, was delightful. The parking at the hotel, again like most other properties, was steep; $38.00 a night! But there is a lot right next door for $20 and one a across the street for $25. In and out privileges are okay at the independent lots, so don’t worry about that.

The rooms at the Hampton were, again, right on par for the type of property they represent; handsomely furnished, modestly sized and nicely equipped with toiletries and little extras (a bottle of water and some cookies). There’s an Italian restaurant downstairs and a sky bridge connecting to a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. The property offers a “hot breakfast” which, sadly, leaves much to be desired, like perhaps a good breakfast. The coffee was nice (and is always available) but the selection of breads lacked any whole grains, the chafing dish of eggs tasted like a science experiment gone wrong and the orange juice formula used to be restricted to astronauts. Breakfast is not the best feature of this hotel!

The city itself is just terrific! We enjoyed a pair of blues bands at the packed, raucous (but cool-vibed) “Kingston Arms” blues bar the night we arrived and the next day made the most of our late flight and rented car by touring the whole city. This included a slice of authentic deep-dish pizza (I’m a New Yorker, so I’m a tough sell on pizza, but this a local tradition and it should at least be experienced) and a trip up the Sears Tower. I used to work at the top of the World Trade Center, so I was probably less thrilled than most, but it is quite a view!

One thing to keep front of mind is the traffic! I live in Los Angeles and even I was freaked out by it. Give yourself an extra hour at least to get to the airport. We didn’t but thanks to a flight delay still made it to our seats… or else we absolutely would not have.