Recently stayed at the Hotel 71 over Thanksgiving weekend during a visit to Chicago with my wife. Made our reservations through Hotwire, so got it at a discounted rate. Honestly was a bit apprehensive after some of the reviews, but it ended up being a great stay. They seem to have addressed the elevator issue that people have complained about (we never waited more than a minute or two for the elevator (we were on the 36th floor)). The room was clean and comfortable, although the bathroom fixtures could use some updating. The staff was polite and more than accomodating. The location was absolutely perfect. Literally a few minutes walk from many chicago attractions including the theater district, miracle mile, rush street and many of the museums and restaurants. My wife and I would absolutely stay here again without hestitation.

I booked 20 rooms for a convention. The rooms were very nice in my opinion. Not a bad view from any of them. However . . . they need to get the elevators fixed and finish renovating the restaurant. We were lucky to be near so many restaurants and bars within walking distance. I had booked this hotel early in the year and didn't know at the time there was no restaurant. I was embarrassed learning this. The last night there a man in the elevator told me the elevators were not working a year ago and the restaurant and bar we also being renovated then.

For this to be on my list ever again. They need to finish it.

I got "upgraded" to a remodeled room, #1601. Right next to the elevator, and the noises kept me up all night (and usually I have no trouble sleeping). Internet amazingly slow to the point of being unworkable. No ethernet cable to back up the wireless access. Very poor entertainment options. Colleague found a dirty sock under her bed, also found internet access unworkable, had a dripping faucet, and had a used bar of soap in her bathroom- Yech.

I stayed here last year and it was ok, but I'm not going back.

We stayed at the 71 for the Chicago marathon from Oct. 9-15 in 2008. We booked online through lastminute.com already in February and received a really good rate considering the period - marathon times are always crazy. They upgraded us to a riverview room in the 28th floor, gorgeous views. Location is ideal, close to magnificent mile, Navy Pier and downtown - all in walking distance. You can tell from the bathtub and the wallpaper that it's not a new hotel, but the rooms are really big and very nice. Staff is ok although not over-friendly. There's no restaurant at all, they have roomservice and a very good corner bakery cafe right next to the hotel, very convenient for breakfast.

Only downside are the elevators - from the 2 going up to our floor only one was working for the entire period, and this one got stuck on the last day of our stay, which meant everybody had to take the service elevator.