The first impression is the beautiful lobby and cafe. The work-out center and pool were the best in any hotel I've seen. Service was excellent from all staff. We booked through Priceline - what a pleasant surprise!

It's across the street from Grant Park & the Art Institute.

I liked this hotel overall. We booked through Priceline and saved a lot of money. It is not quite in as good of a location as North Michigan Avenue, but is still in a good location (close to Millenium Park), and for the money you save, is well worth it.

It is an older hotel, but the lobby is immaculate. It is huge as well and was very crowded the weekend we were there.

The room was a little small and we didn't have a nice view (were on the 11th floor). However, the bed was very comfortable. The water pressure from the shower was a little light, so this wasn't perfect. Its probably not the very best hotel in Chicago, but it is nice and clean and a good value, compared to other prices that I've seen in this city.

I stayed at the Hilton Chicago the last weekend of April, on a Priceline bid ($85/night), and was happy with my stay overall. Check-in was a breeze; I waited only a minute. (There are also self-check-in kiosks to use during busier times.) Despite my low pre-paid rate, my request for a spacious, quiet room on a higher floor was readily accommodated. (I was offered a lakeview room at an extra cost of $25/night, but I declined.) I was given a bright, spacious room with a king-size bed on the 17th floor, with a west-facing city view (Loop skyscrapers). I found the brown-and-gold decor rather boring and dated, but the room must have been newly renovated, because everything seemed brand-new and spic and span - not a stain in sight. The bathroom was also spotless. Bed and bath linens were pristine, bright white, soft and high quality. The room was quiet (except for howling winds one night) and I slept really well.
Only shortcoming of the room: the thermostat wasn't working well, so the room got a bit chilly at night. It wasn't a big enough deal for me to bring up with hotel staff. Also, the room lacked a safe, which was a minor inconvenience.
As expected for a hotel of this size, the lobby was often bustling with tour groups and convention-goers, so it wasn't a very relaxing place to hang out. However, despite the crowds, I never had to wait more than a couple of minutes for the elevator.
The hotel doesn't offer free wi-fi, but there are nearby coffeeshops that do, including a Caribou Coffee (at 8th and Wabash, just 1/2 a block from the hotel's 8th St. entrance.) Hi Tea, a fun, off-beat teahouse on 11th St., also has free wi-fi, as well as dozens of tea selections, and tasty sandwiches, salads and gelato. Yolk, 3 blocks south of the hotel, is an excellent breakfast place. With all these great choices nearby, I never tried any of the dining options within the Hilton.
Some reviewers consider this hotel's location to be too out of the way, but I actually enjoyed the chance to explore the Loop and South Loop. There are convenient bus routes (esp. the No. 3) right outside the hotel, to whisk you up to North Michigan Ave. or elsewhere in the city.
I would happily stay at the Hilton again, esp. at a bargain Priceline rate.

Check in was good - they even upgraded my room to a suite with 2 bathrooms. The room size was decent for downtown (but this may have just been because they upgraded my room). I booked this hotel based on some of the reviews mentioning that it had been newly renovated. I don't think they had gotten to my room yet...or it was just outdated already (by about 10 years). I'd give it a 4 out of 10 on the cleanliness scale. I noticed a large brown stain on the bedding the morning AFTER I had slept in the bed. Pretty gross. I did like the location, view, staff, and the fact that I could open the windows. This was particularly nice when the strong smell of smoke drifted into my room through the vents. Stay was okay, but not worth the cost. I will not stay here again.