Le Meridien Essex Chicago

Hotels
•
Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts
9 (821 reviews)
800 South Michigan Avenue , Chicago , US

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Paid
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Fitness center
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Room service
Business center
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Extremely helpful and friendly staff (Kiera/Kierra, James, Isaiah, Sam, Nico, Dontrell)
Great, walkable location and sense of safety
Clean, comfortable rooms
Exceptional customer service (early check-in, upgrades, local recommendations)
Memorable overall experience
Cons:
Poor food at the on-site cafe (burned toast, generally bad)

Categories

Cleanliness
9.3
Multiple reviews explicitly state rooms were spotless and everything felt clean and well cared for.
Service
9.8
Overwhelmingly positive mentions of staff (Kiera/Kierra, James, Isaiah, Sam, Nico, Dontrell) — described as incredibly helpful, attentive, friendly, and providing exceptional service including early check-in, upgrades, and useful recommendations.
Location
9.4
Several reviewers call the location great and within walking distance to attractions; guests felt safe even during busy festival weekends.
Room Quality
9.2
Rooms described as comfortable, spotless, and well cared for; one guest received an upgraded room that improved their stay.
Amenities
9.5
Standard quality for this hotel tier.
Value for Money
9.2
Standard quality for this hotel tier.
Food and Beverage
6
Negative feedback specifically about the cafe food being poor (mention of burned toast and generally bad items).
Overall Experience
9.6
Many reviewers describe memorable, excellent stays with repeated praise for staff and overall hospitality; multiple explicit 'great stay' and five-star sentiments.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-08-11 14:09

Property Description

City Views Terrace and Free WiFi Access
Hotel Essex offers a stunning terrace with panoramic city views, perfect for relaxation and enjoying the urban scenery. Stay connected with complimentary high-speed WiFi access throughout the property.

Modern Fitness Centre
Stay active and energized during your stay at Hotel Essex with access to a modern fitness centre equipped with state-of-the-art cardiovascular equipment. Maintain your workout routine while enjoying your time in Chicago.

Convenient Location
Located just steps away from the best Chicago experiences, Hotel Essex is in close proximity to renowned attractions such as Grant Park, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and DePaul University. Explore the city with ease from this centrally situated hotel.

Book your stay at Hotel Essex now to experience the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and luxury during your Chicago visit.

Important information:

Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: ORD

Location

Guest Reviews

9
Based on 821 reviews
Cleanliness: 9.3
Service: 9.8
Location: 9.4
Room Quality: 9.2
Amenities: 9.5
Value for Money: 9.2
Food and Beverage: 6
Overall Experience: 9.6
M
Marketta • couple • us
8
This was much needed getaway, didn't stay in the room much. I would stay at this location again.
Pros:

The location was perfect, close to shopping,restaurants and attractions.

Cons:

There was nothing I didn't like about this location.

2026-09-15 • via Nuitee
S
Shanell • couple • us
10
Pros:

Everything was clean and fresh smelling. The staff was amazing.

2026-09-13 • via Nuitee
A
Allyson • solo_traveller • us
10
Very good
Pros:

Clean and inviting

Cons:

Doors slam when people leave there rooms. Woke me up several times.

2026-09-09 • via Nuitee
C
Ceili • couple • us
9
2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
J
Jocelyn • couple • de
9
2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
T
Timothy • couple • us
8
2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
S
susan • solo_traveller • us
8
Cons:

Reservations via phone were not helpful

2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
L
Leavitt • solo_traveller • us
10
Exceptional hotel, will be going back
Pros:

Cleanest hotel ive been to in years! As a cleaning business owner, I notice the small things and they did not disappoint here!!!

Cons:

Loved every single thing about the stay. Safe, secure, someone always there if you have a question, exceptional housekeeping!!!

2026-09-07 • via Nuitee
L
Leon • solo_traveller • us
10
2026-09-04 • via Nuitee
A
Andrea • couple • us
10
2026-09-03 • via Nuitee
D
Diane • solo_traveller • us
10
2026-09-01 • via Nuitee
N
Neglia • solo_traveller • us
10
Our knight in shining armor
Pros:

Literally everything, especially James.

We came in from out of town and had a truly nightmarish experience at our original hotel. After hours of being transfered to new room after new room we fled and found Essex. Check in was so easy and James came up to me to help me book our parking. He then walked out to our car and helped bring in all our luggage and stored it while we parked.

It took us a very long time to find parking and on our walk back we ran into James. He said he was worried about us because we had been gone awhile. I could have cried. He literally felt like a knight in shining armor, saving us from the horrific day we had at the original hotel.

We will be booking this hotel again, every time we come to chciago. I cant say enough good things. Since we booked this hotel it felt like our whole trip fell into place and everytbing else that happened felt like a blessing. Our trip went from a nightmare to a dream.

Truly, thank you.

Cons:

Everything was perfect

2026-08-31 • via Nuitee
M
Melanie • solo_traveller • us
9
Beautiful, week-situated hotel with an excellent on-site restaurant and very friendly, helpful staff.
Pros:

I love the whole vibe of this hotel. The design aesthetic, the friendly staff, the little perks like providing a daily coupon for the excellent onsite restaurant, all of it has been wonderful. It’s ideally located for using public transportation, and centered between a lot of the museums and other must-sees in Chicago. The price was very reasonable considering the large room, location and service.

Cons:

My issues are very small, and in no-way deal breakers. I wish the bedside tables had drawers. My room faced a gym so if I kept my curtains open I was facing people on treadmills. I wish the bathroom had more counter space or shelves.

2026-08-30 • via Nuitee
G
Gladdylyn • extended_group • ca
5
It was ok. Not very good value for room space / service received
Pros:

Close to restaurants and touristy destinations

Cons:

Room is too small for 4 people
Staff was ok — reception was not very informative of amenities and location

2026-08-29 • via Nuitee
B
Bailey • extended_group • us
7
2026-08-26 • via Nuitee
N
Nana • solo_traveller • gb
9
Amazing staff, great location
Pros:

Every single staff member was amazing and really helpful.

Cons:

My room was so cold, the heating was under maintenance so I couldn’t make my room warmer

2026-08-26 • via Nuitee
J
Jessica • solo_traveller • au
9
2026-08-26 • via Nuitee
N
napoleon • couple • us
9
I don’t see any problem in the property
Pros:

Property was very nice and clean

Cons:

All good

2026-08-26 • via Nuitee
T
Terrell • couple • us
10
2026-08-23 • via Nuitee
W
Whitney • family_with_children • us
9
Overall a nice property, very close walking distance to soldier field. I did not use their valet parking option as it wa
Pros:

Very secure and clean

Cons:

I got to the property to check in and the lady at the front desk told me that they overbooked the type of room I booked. It took her a while to figure out a solution and needed help from other staff members to fix it.

2026-08-23 • via Nuitee