The Chicago Hotel Collection Ambassador Gold Coast in Chicago

Unethical practices! This property has recently changed ownership. Initially, the terms with the Hyatt sale was that Ambassador would honor existing reservations. Apparently, they canceled reservations instead and offered the rooms at a much higher rate when patrons showed up at check-in.

Despite the online booking system advertising rates between $30 and $80 per night (depending on the night) my stay ended up costing over $300 for one night due to hidden fees demanded upon arrival. The front desk was rude and unhelpful, refusing to resolve the issue, and the owner Robert was equally dismissive, even as multiple guests faced the same problem. This is clearly a scam.

Additionally, I received only two of the three promised drink vouchers, and the two dinner vouchers provided for a one-night stay were not accepted by the hotel’s restaurant. The hotel takes no responsibility for third-party bookings and fails to communicate properly with its partners.

Do not trust this hotel. There are far better, more honest options available at this price point. It is a sick joke to prey on people who can’t afford it, yet this is how they operate and profit. Avoid at all costs, save yourself the trouble! I would give a negative rating if possible.

I don’t typically leave reviews, and really wish I would have read these before we chose to stay here- because I clearly would have made a different choice.

We booked our hotel through a 3rd party site (I believe booking.com) and paid in full- $280 a night for our rooms. Upon arrival, we learned of an additional “resort” fee of $140/night that we are required to pay (even though our email confirmation confirms we are paid in full). This is supposedly to cover 3 drink tickets (at the bar that doesn’t open until 3pm) and breakfast (that they won’t let you bring up to your room and looks raw and disgusting). When we even asked questions about this “resort fee”, we got attitudes and sass from the front desk person.

The rooms themselves are mid as hell; old, outdated, small bathrooms, loud AC units. The bed is basically on the floor and hard & uncomfortable to get in and out of. Elevators are tiny and slow.

Definitely would not recommend a stay here. Between the room, “resort fee” and parking, we’re paying over $1000 for 2 nights- and it’s not worth it in the slightest.

I don't write reviews often, but I want to do whatever I can to help the next person be aware of the risks with booking at this hotel. I initially paid $354 for a three night stay WITH 16, 400 points through southwest (so that prices the hotel at over $500 total).

I did notice at the bottom of my receipt from Southwest that an additional $268 in "resort fees" would be charged at the hotel. But that did not prepare me for the $419 EXTRA that I ended up having to pay when I checked in. Just to clarify what everyone else is saying about the $89 amenity fee, it's applied PER DAY, which is over $300 for a poor excuse of an amenity pack.

On top of that, I had a $125 security deposit hold placed on my card. After checking out, a mysterious $25 charge was also placed on my card... So I will be disputing that with my credit card. I tried emailing their billing email as instructed by their phone line (with no option to speak with a live rep, mind you), but the email was bounced back to me as their email was an invalid address.

Aside from the shady pricing and no option to decline the amenities package, the room itself was mediocre. Stains all over the carpet and small bathroom. Nothing to rave about. But I guess it was manageable. With the money you end up spending on this (Close to $1,000 for three nights), you're better off getting a stay somewhere closer to where all the action of Chicago is through a more reputable business.

They added an extra $90 a night to my bill for "Daily Guest Benefits Package". They did not give me the option of saying no and didn't tell me it added $90 a night to my bill. Read all the other comment below explaining the same thing. I used to stay here 2-3 times a year for several years. Not anymore. On top of that the service was terrible because they cut so many staff. The maintenance has really gone down hill. I know this place has gone through a lot of different owners in the last few years but I think this one might be end of this place. Also check out the BBB review of this hotel

As a wedding planner, I am truly so sad to be writing this review because we have been working with The Ambassador Hotel for years. If you didn't know, the hotel is currently under a management change and they were recently bought by Chicago Hotel Collection.

If you are a bride considering the hotel for a getting ready space/room block, please read through this entire review. I would feel awful if another sweet bride had to experience what mine did this weekend.

Long Story Short: My bride had the penthouse suite booked for the weekend, as most do. Unfortunately, when the MOB went to check in, the front desk told her the room was given to another couple. The room the other couple had booked was covered with bugs due to the terrace patio door being left open. Instead of reassigning the couple elsewhere, the front desk thought it would be best to upgrade them to the Penthouse Suite--even though there was already a reservation prebooked. As you can imagine, my bride was absolutely shocked as she booked this specific hotel for the suite and the suite only. To make matters worse, the hotel staff couldn't have been more rude to the MOB. When I touched based with management, they were unwilling to comp anything and even mentioned that throwing in 'chairs and tables' at no cost was a suiteable upgrade. Truly unbelieveable!
If you already have room blocks confirmed, without attrition, I would highly recommend moving them immediately.

The hotel aspect should be the least stressful component of your wedding weekend (for both you and guests), which was not our experience. I promise there are other amazing suites out there and hotels that will make you the number one priority!

I'll start off with my few positives, location is great and walkable to the stations near by, breakfast was way better than expected, room was fine not great, water pressure was great as well.

Unfortunately this hotel chain for what it's charging which is a mandatory fee of $89 each night for drinks,breakfast and other perks you will most likely never use. For the amount you end up paying this hotel is not worth it. The pillows were not great, elevator is cheeks, the seats in the breakfast area are falling apart, everything is so worn down for a hotel charging nearly $900 for 3 nights you would expect better. It's really scummy and I would avoid this place. Most people book hotel rooms third party it's just the modern way of booking hotels. Room service never came which is pretty disappointing considering the price you pay.

Avoid this hotel, there are nicer ones in downtown Chicago. The value gets worse if you have children. Only stayed because everything was already booked when we arrived.

The deposit is not refundable. When you arrive at the hotel, you need to pay 150 dollars for each room multiple times. With the deposit, the total cost for each room is 300 dollars. I have never seen such a rubbish black shop.