Very POOR customer service!!!! Besides refusing to honor a confired, in writting, reservation front desk told my wife that a Walgreens drug store was just 3 blocks up Michigan Ave. It was 3/4 of a mile!! With 2 small children, it was a great hardship on our whole family. We woudn't stay there again, even if it was free.

The Essex is in a great location overlooking Grant Park and the Lake and within walking distance to Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum etc. Not far away either is city center, magnificent mile etc. Public transport options are quite close as well.

The hotel itself is clean and tidy, albeit not overly attractive. The room was quite small overall however the fittings and furniture were new and quite nice. Hotel amenities weren't too bad with onsite pool and restaurant.

Service from staff wasn't outstanding but they were polite and willing to help.

Overall, good value hotel in a good location.

Helpful staff.
Handy for all transport.
Within walking distance of main locations.
Overhead trains on the loop can be a bit noisy at night.

Small point: Do they need to charge $1-50 to mind your bags for a few hours after check-out, whiler you kill time, before going to the airport !

My family of 6 stayed at the Essex Inn last summer. Overall, it was a very nice hotel. The location on Michigan Avenue was great. Right across from Grant Park, and in walking distance from The Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, and other museums. The hotel has a shuttle that took us to Navy Pier and the Magnificent Mile. The employees there are generally friendly, and were very helpful in suggesting family-friendly restaurants, all which were in walking distance.

We stayed in a room that had a queen bed in one room, and then 2 double beds in another room. The room was very cramped for 6 people, but we managed. Each part of the room had a big tv, but the only kids channel we could find was Disney. The bathroom was extremely small, and was very cramped. The shower was nice though. The biggest complaint I have about the room is the air-conditioning. It was extremely hard to control the air-conditioning, and it got many of us sick.

The pool was good sized, and nice. However, the water was FREEZING, and it made swimming much less enjoyable. The sauna was nice though. We would spend a little bit of time in the freezing pool, and then would go heat up, and repeat the process. I really wish the pool had been warmer, but after you got used to the water, it was fun.

Overall, you get a good deal. The price was great.