Residence Inn - Downtown Chicago

The Marriott Residence Inn is located in downtown Chicago, just blocks from the "Magnificent Mile." The hotel is located at 201 E. Walton Place, Chicago, Illinois. The building does not command immediate attention as you approach, so you should be looking for it on your right as you drive east on Walton Place. I recently had the privilege of staying at this hotel to celebrate my fifteenth wedding anniversary. Overall, I was very pleased with the experience.

Parking
Valet Parking is available at the front entrance of the hotel. The cost for parking is $30.00 per day, which compares reasonably to other parking rates in this area. Parking rates apply to hotel check-out times, so if you were planning on leaving your car past noon (after checking out of the hotel), be prepared to pay an additional rate for parking.

Check-In
The entrance to the hotel is average. There are no fancy chandeliers, or luxurious accoutrements. The check-in desk is located to the left as you enter. The desk staff were extremely courteous, and helpful. They offered information about local attractions, and provided a map of the area. Checking in was quick and painless.

Lobby
There were several people lounging around the lobby when I arrived. The lobby contains several couches, interspersed with tables. When I arrived, I didn't realize the lobby doubles as the eating area during meals. During breakfast, the lobby was virtually packed to capacity, with people occupying every available place to sit and/or eat.

Elevators
My biggest complaint would be the elevators. There were only two elevators in this hotel, which meant a short wait (several minutes) during the busier times. However, the elevators rode smoothly and seemed well maintained.

Accommodations
The room was spectacular. Anyone who has spent any time in a hotel room on a business trip would appreciate this room. The hotel room was large and inviting. The Kitchen area contained a full-sized refrigerator, cabinets stocked with cooking utensils, an eating bar and stove. The bathroom was large enough to move around in, without wasting space on extra sinks and mirrors (like some hotels I have stayed in). The room had a small storage area outside the bathroom with closet and drawer space in case you need to settle in for a long-term stay. This room could easily make a long-term trip tolerable.

Across the bar from the Kitchen was the living room/bedroom area, which was contained in one large area. There was a television facing the bed, which could be adjusted for viewing throughout the room. The bed was large and comfortable. There was a couch and table in the room, in case you need to do any business or entertaining.

The room had other benefits, which we didn't have the opportunity to need. Among them are telephone with two lines, free coffee and popcorn in the room, an iron and ironing board, data ports on the telephone for internet access/faxing, hairdryer, etc. This room had a very cozy at-home feeling to it. There were artificial plants and other small touches that gave the room a very lived-in feel.

Meals
This room also came with complimentary breakfast buffet. The breakfast included a variety of fruits, muffins, bagels, eggs, and sausage. There was also a waffle maker with batter available for fresh waffles. The food was hot and edible, if not necessarily "gourmet." It was definitely a bargain (free). I am picky about my coffee, and found the coffee they served to be satisfactory as well.

General Information
Check in time is 4:00 pm, check out time is 12:00 PM. They offer an express check out service that prevents unnecessary waiting in line. It seems that many hotels are going to the express check out service, which is very convenient. The hotel has nineteen floors, with a total of 221 rooms. The hotel can be reached via telephone at 312-943-9800. Reservations may be made by calling 1-800-331-3131.

Nearby Attractions
The Residence Inn is located two blocks from Michigan Avenue. This stretch of Michigan Avenue is known as the "Magnificent Mile" and contains many high-end shopping venues. Water Tower place is nearby, with the historic water tower and pump house. Of course, you should find time to visit the Giradelli Chocolate Shop across from the water tower! The Art Institute, Grant Park, The Hancock Building, Navy Pier and Sears Tower are all reasonably close.

Conclusion
I was impressed with this hotel. I have stayed at many hotels over the years, both for business and pleasure. I would enjoy a room like this one for either travel experience. The location and amenities make this hotel a very attractive destination in downtown Chicago.

Grannie Mose

I haven't had much time to write articles for Epinions lately. Although I wish I had more time, I have to prioritize. However, I was recently invited to write an article commemorating Granniemose' 80th Birthday. Well, I didn't even hesitate in responding. Many of the cornerstones upon which Epinions was built have long-since stopped contributing. I miss that sense of community we once shared. Yet, Granniemose is a wonderful name from the past that evoked in me those stirrings of being part of something special. In creating a place in cyberspace that felt like home-away-from-home. So, I take this opportunity to thank Granniemose for her contributions and longevity (at epinions) and to wish her a spectacular eightieth birthday.



Recommended: Yes