Expectations are everything. As a reasonably priced hotel, Affinia Chicago is a good place to stay in a good location. But, as a very well regarded (on Tripadvisor, at least), premium property - with a luxury price tag - Affinia Chicago is underwhelming.

Is it more like a Kimpton or more like a Four Seasons/Park Hyatt? Either way, it's not succeeding. If you want me to buy it as quirky, distinctive luxury, then I want the hotel staff to have personality and engage me. If the latter, then be excellent in all respects.

- Hotel feels "converted" - much of the fit and finish elements throughout hotel aren't well integrated.
- Elevators are extremely slow - seems like a small thing, but when you're on business and constantly rushing, it's aggravating and disappointing.
- Touted programs - free toiletries upon demand, welcome kits upon demand - seemed like burdens to the staff. My one free toiletry took 45 min to show up (in the evening) and when I asked about welcome kit staff seemed like I needed to wake them up...and they never actually "offered."
- Clock was set wrong in room. Again, not worst thing on earth, but just one more thing to deal with.
- They charge $1 for coffee bag in room. Really? Hilton doesn't. Tacky.
- As noted, staff wasn't excellent. No personality, not engaging, not into service.

(Interestingly, restaurant C-bar was great and staff was fantastic there.)

We arrived early afternoon, tried to check in, but the room wasn't ready. No big deal, we were able to check our bags. I booked the room on Priceline, got a good deal, however i wasn't able to get the proper sleeping arrangements. I called the hotel, they informed me i would have to upgrade to a suite for another $100. I didn't do this until we checked in. If you want a roll-away cot you have to upgrade to a suite, and pay another $30 plus the upgrade charge. We didn't, we made do. The room was really nice, no complaints. Very modern decorations, nice flat screen tv centrally located in the room, it swiveled around so you can watch it from just about anywhere. The room was exceptionally clean. The view isn't bad from the room, you should definately head up the bar and check out the view from there. Drink prices at the bar where comparable to any place else in the city.
Many people complained about the hosiptal noise, i didn't notice it at all. However Supieror is under construction, so maybe the ambulances are using a different route. I will admit the elevators are a bit slow and small. I wouldn't even consider trying to drive here and park. Rates start at $22 for an hour or less, we took the train into the city so we didn't have to worry about it thankfully. All in all a good hotel, definately a good place to stay if you are in town to shop the Magnificent Mile, good location for most things. The closest "EL" stop is a few blocks away, but there are plenty of taxis that hover around.

I stayed here for two nights for business and had a terrific stay. The hotel offers an amazing location - - right out the door from the Magnificent Mile...which is right at your fingertips. Famous Gino's East is next door, Neiman's two doors away, Apple Store on the corner - oh, and the North Western University Hospital about a block away. That is the only drawback - the noise. I stayed on the 4th floor, facing the lovely hospital - and if you can suck up the noise-factor, it's fine. I think by the time I left, I was pretty used to it. Working in NYC, you would think it wouldn't bother me, but just keep the noise factor in mind if it's something that will bother you. It's pretty constant - 24/7.

That said, the staff at the hotel is just so nice - - from the people at the front desk, the bellmen, restaurant staff -- they're all going out of their way for you.

The room was very nice too! All very modern with great appointments. Large, modern bathroom with a great shower, (water pressure a little low - wonder if they are saving the planet), lots of mirrors everywhere and VERY clean.

Internet was an additional charge per day.

My king size bed was very comfy - helped me sleep and drown out the noise!

So all in all, I would totally stay here again. I hear Priceline has some great deals too. I should only be so lucky! But - I'd pay full price to stay here again. It would be worth it!

The price is ok. The rooms are great. The bar and dining was good. The location is good and bad. It's right there where you can do a lot of things easily but it's also right by a hospital. We only stayed one night and weren't really in the hotel much and we still heard sirens about 10 times while in our room. Everything was good except for all the sirens! Oh and the huge spider that I killed on the window : / Overall I docked it a point on cleanliness just based on the spider and two points on location because the annoyance of the sirens. It's a nice place but I don't think I'd go back.