Not luxury but just fine

Our family of six stayed at the Downtown Chicago Travelodge. It is an older hotel but the room we stayed in was decent if you are not looking for luxury and are on a budget. We stayed an

over-sized room that included a main bedroom area, a kitchen area, a large bathroom, and a kid's bedroom area that was decorated in teddy bears. Our kids are young so they loved it and thought it was the best.

It was more spacious than most hotel rooms we've stayed in. So, ask for the teddy bear room if you are going to stay here.

The worst thing was the older heat-register pipes were noisy at night at times.

No complaints...

Stayed at this great downtown location for a sports filled weekend in Chicago. Public transportation from here was simple, with the Subway and El both less than two blocks away.

Took the subway to Wrigley. Could have walked to Soldier Field, but took the car to tailgate. Both good choices.

The hotel was adequate. Decent room with 2 double beds on the 4th floor. No problems, and our room was clean.

Would recommend this based on location and price. We paid 120 a night for a very busy weekend compared to most other downtown hotels which were over 200.

Not so bad

I spent three days here and much of what the other reviews say is true: the hotel is very convenient to the Art Institute and the new Millenium Park; it is relatively inexpensive; the rooms are not great, but considering the cost, they are ok. I disagree, however, that the staff is rude and disinterested. I found most of the folks at the front desk helpful and even friendly once we got to know them. Perhaps they had read the reviews and are working on being better hosts. Tripadvisor is a great resource and most importantly an agent for change.

Perfect for our needs

My fiancee and I are very independent and active when it comes to travel. Except for sleeping and bathing, we did not plan on spending any appreciable time in our room.

Travelodge more than met our needs. The staff was courteous and informative; the room was clean enough (one small spill stain and mold on bathroom window curtain - who cares?), and the bed was good. The location was terrific, with foot access to all of downtown Chicago. We will certainly go back.

Don't plan to spend time in the room

The Travelodge is not on the main drag- it's south of where all the action is. It's fairly central to museums, but for the cool skyscrapers, restaurants, clubs, and shops, you'd have to go uptown in a cab. The whole place smelled like mildew and the elevators seemed on the verge of breaking down. The front desk staff was unhelpful, verging on surly.

The bed was acceptable. The AC worked, mostly. It was very close to the park and the Taste of Chicago festival. That's everything that was good about the hotel.

Get it for under $80 a night and plan not to spend time in your room when not sleeping, and it's a good deal.

Good basic value!

We stayed here in September 2003, and have to say that as far as basic accommodation goes, this wasn't at all bad. It has a good location, only 10 mins walk from the magnificent mile. Our room was very spacious with a double bed each, a small kitchen area, and spacious bathroom.

The room was also very clean. The reception staff were friendly, and helped us with all our queries. There is also a nice Chinese/Japanese restaurant ajoining the premises. Good value for the traveller on a budget!

Does the job

If you're looking for luxury, then this isn't for you. If you want somewhere to sleep every night that is adequate, conveniently located and economic, then it's ideal. We found the staff very helpful, rooms big enough and comfortable

Unfriendly overall

See reviews above. They are accurate on all counts.

The rooms? Dingy. The air conditioner was hardly any better than a fan and only cooled the area immediately in front of it, which consisted of a very uncomfortable couch. Not even the toilet worked properly -- we had to have it fixed twice during a one-week stay.

The staff couldn't be less friendly. They were far more interested in entertaining themselves than they were in providing even the most common courtesies for their guests. In fact, the two men at the front desk *laughed* as they watched my husband and me struggle to get our luggage out the front door upon our scheduled departure. In addition, they refused to honor the rates/policies for phone service that are clearly listed in the Travelodge brochures that were on display IN OUR ROOM, which they insisted must be old (why leave them in the room, then?!).

I will never stay at this hotel again.

Worst Ever

It is the dirtiest place I have ever stayed at. I wouldn't let my dog stay there.

It's got the budget without the hospitality

Despite excellent location--just at the edge of the Loop--for tourists and business travelers, this budget motel has a lot to desire in terms of hospitality and comfort. The desk staff were rude and abrasive--no "how can I help you" or "thank you" for these folks. While renovated rooms are apparently not bad, the unrenovated rooms are cramped and dingy. We also had to move rooms after our first night, due to noxious fumes from nearby renovations. The hissing and clanging from the radiator woke us several times a night, and we often had to run the AC to counteract the excessive heat.