Millennium Knickerbocker exceeded my expectations. Yes, I asked for a renovated room. I was told that all rooms were now renovated. I asked if an upgrade was possible since I was staying for 6 nights. They were able to accomodate and we got a mini-suite-new, clean barely used. The first room we saw was also renovated but was a standard room, good but not large. If all rooms are indeed renovated this hotel is above average and located in a great area, just off the truly Maginificent Mile.

This is a great old hotel. The rooms are small as you see in all historic hotels, but it has a lot of charm, a happening bar, and a wonderful location. This is a great place for a romanatic Chicago getaway.

i got 2 nights at Knickerbocker Chicago on hotwire. last week
I got a newly renovated room on 10th floor - very nice & quiet & compact.
I could see the beach front from my window
I thought the staff were excellent and enjoyed my stay.
Providing you get a new room, it's one of the best locations in the city.
Would definately return here

but
Why do 4* hotels charge $10 daily for internet ??
Also no tea / coffee or fridge in room

I'm sure the Millennium Knickerbocker was once a nice hotel. Even one of the nicest, in its heyday. It's a good thing they're doing renovations...

Although I was staying for 6 days, they were not able to accommodate my request for a renovated room. The hallway on the third floor smelled funky. My bedsheet had a big pink stain on it. The furniture was in bad shape. The TV was in a very tall cabinet, which meant that I had to strain my neck to watch TV from the bed. The showerhead sprayed all over the bathroom (I had to ask to have it replaced - the new showerhead was very nice). One evening, I opened my door to leave for dinner and the hallway was lined with mattresses - they were replacing them on my floor. It's a good thing I'm skinny, or else I wouldn't have been able to get down the hall. Can you say fire hazard? The elevators were also blocked off with more mattresses and the carts they were using to carry them.

Food at the hotel was hit or miss. The yogurt parfait was always delicious at breakfast time (although I tried every day to explain that I didn't want raspberries, and the waiter got it wrong every single time). The burger I got through room service was crazy salty - inedible. But I also got a turkey sandwich which was alright. The fries were delicious both times.

Very convenient location if you're in Chicago to do shopping at the fancy stores on Michigan Ave (Magnificent Mile). There are a lot of hotels in this same area, though, and I assume most of them are nicer than the Knickerbocker.

Warning: There are not a lot of reasonably-priced restaurants within walking distance (I recommend the restaurant/bar at the Conrad Hotel - it's got an open-air terrace with a nice view, amazing albeit pricy food, and very nice staff).