There’s a really interesting and historical story behind the name of the Midland Hotel in Chicago. I have no idea what that story is, but I know that the name is still appropriate. The Mid-Land hotel is centrally located to just about anywhere you want to be in the city of Chicago. But enough with the cheesy play on words, let’s get on to the review.

I stayed in the Midland for three nights while I was on vacation in Chicago in the late summer of 2000. I don’t believe I could not have selected a better hotel for the rate.

STYLE

The Midland has a classic, elegant air to it that lends itself to an old Chicago style. You walk in and automatically feel transported into the 1930’s. Much attention has been paid to detail on the interior finishings of the lobby and banquet rooms. Gold railings, black marble, and rich wood abound throughout the hotel.

The rooms are well decorated and furnished, but with a bit less style than the rest of the hotel. The style is still somewhat classic, but a bit more contemporary than the rest of the hotel. Both the regular rooms and the tower rooms are spacious and provide quite the comfortable stay.

AMENITIES

The hotel has a restaurant and bar that I’m told are quite good, and the bar is a popular place for local businessmen and women after work hours. I have not been to either, so I will refrain from personal comment. The hotel does have an exercise facility, but don’t expect a full gym. It consists of one multifunction weight machine, a few freewieght benches, some treadmills and bikes. The hotel also has a business center, consisting of a computer, copier, and fax machine. These must be paid for per use or by the minute. I found the hotel staff extremely helpful. They upgraded my room for free just because it was open and I asked. (It never hurts to ask.)

The regular rooms come with a full bath, TV, alarm clock, iron, ironing board, phone, and desk. The tower rooms also have a CD Player, safe, big TV, and two phones. The tower room beds have down comforters and pillows. The beds are truly wonderful and very clean. I slept like a baby.

LOCATION

The Midland is located in the middle of the financial district in downtown Chicago. It’s just about next door to the Sears Tower. In fact, hotel guests use Sears Tower parking because it’s so close. You could throw a baseball from the Midland and hit many of the major attractions of Chicago (you might have to one-hop it, but it’s still true). The Art Institute is just right down the street, less than one mile. Just beyond that is Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain. Around the corner from there is the Magnificent Mile and you are still less than 2 miles from the hotel. The Navy Pier is about 2 miles away as well. The Chicago Board of Trade is less than a block away as well. The L has one stop right outside the hotel and one a couple blocks down that will take you anywhere else in the city you want to go. I would also like to highly recommend the muffin/bagel place right across the street from the hotel (“My Favorite Muffin” I believe it was called) as a great place for breakfast before leaving the hotel in the morning. The hotel could hardly be more centrally located to the sights of Chicago.

CONS

Unfortunately, with the sights of Chicago come the sounds of Chicago. With the hotel being so close the L and in the financial district, some people find it a bit noisy. I stayed in a room on one of the upper floors though, and found it very pleasant. I could see if you were on one of the first couple floors how the noise might bother you, but for the majority of the hotel, I don’t think it’s a problem. Being in the financial district, things die down around there pretty early in the evening. Most shops close around 9:00, so get your shooing at Walgreen’s done early.

OVERALL

I think that this is a fabulous hotel because of it’s style, comfort, and location. Because of the location and its history as an office building originally, some of the upscale amenities are sacrificed such as a full exercise center or pool. I truly enjoyed my stay at the Midland all four days I was there, and I would love to stay there again on my next visit to Chicago.


Recommended: Yes