InterContinental Hotels CHICAGO MAGNIFICENT MILE by IHG in Chicago

Very old facility, did nit meet the standards of a 5 star hote

We are on night two of our two night stay. The location of this hotel is truly prime—within easy walking distance to an abundance of food, entertainment, and nearby attractions, which is a major plus!

The check-in staff, especially Than, was wonderful. While we were due a complimentary room upgrade, unfortunately none were open at the time. As a kind gesture, he instead provided us with two complimentary drink tickets, which was an unexpected and appreciated surprise. When we went to redeem them at the bar in MJ Steakhouse, we learned after placing our cocktail orders that the tickets could not be used for the drinks we had chosen. This would have been helpful to know beforehand, but we still appreciated the initial gesture.

Breakfast was convenient, though nothing particularly memorable. We were grateful not to have to leave the hotel for our morning meal, but it is quite expensive at $36 per person plus a service charge/gratuity. I recently had bariatric surgery and carry a medical card intended to allow smaller portions. When I explained this to our breakfast waitress and requested the $19 kids’ meal, the request was declined. While I understand this is not legally required, accommodating it would have gone a long way in terms of customer service, as I was unable to eat more than a small portion of my nearly $40 breakfast.

Our room itself was nice and comfortable. One downside was finding a used bar of soap left in the shower, complete with a long black hair on it. On a positive note, staff were kind enough to provide us with a box fan upon request, which we appreciated.

The pool area was very nice, though it is not handicap-accessible in any way. This is important to keep in mind for anyone traveling with guests who may require accommodations. (We didn’t require this but I noted for the future in the event we travel with family)

The architecture and history of the property are incredible and truly add to the experience. We did notice that city noise was fairly loud in the executive tower, which didn’t bother us personally but may be an issue for lighter sleepers.

We were initially told there were no reservations available at MJ Steakhouse, but we were fortunate to get seats at the bar. The food was amazing and absolutely lived up to expectations. We were a bit disappointed to see a party after us receive a table for three without a reservation when we had been denied, but we chose not to let it impact our dining experience.

Overall, the hotel has many strong points—especially location, history, and food—along with a few areas where clearer communication and flexibility could enhance the guest experience.