Chicago is a big city, and as Anthony Bourdain said in one of his shows, it’s a city of many neighbourhoods. For those who are unacquainted the Windy City, it’s hard to decide on where to stay.
Mapping out the places I wanted to visit on my first time, I decided to choose a downtown hotel and settled on the DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago Magnificent Mile, and it turned out to be a great place to stay at.
DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago Magnificent Mile is located in one of the the most expensive addresses in America. Magnificent Mile, after all, is Chi-Town’s prime commercial district that hosts upscale shops, famous restaurants, as well as landmarks, such as the Chicago Water Tower and the Wrigley Building. Staying there means being in the center of the action, making it perfect for leisure and business travelers alike.
Reaching the hotel from Chicago’s two airports, O’Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW), is easy, even on public transportation. From either airport, it only takes one ride on the city’s commuter rail (Orange or Blue) plus one bus ride to right outside the hotel.
DoubleTree by Hilton has a footprint of almost 600 properties in 47 countries. Under the Hilton Worldwide portfolio, it is joined by popular brands, such as the Waldorf Astoria and Conrad. Its philosophy is “making guests feel comfortable while traveling,” and its signature is the warm chocolate chip cookie welcome, which always is a nice touch.
I arrived in Chicago for a two-night stopover en route to Mexico. I used the city’s efficient public transportation to get to the hotel—which, as I mentioned, was easy to do. Upon checking in, I was offered a warm chocolate chip cookie, and being a huge fan of these cookies, I shamelessly asked for an extra one—and thankfully, they obliged. I wasn’t really expecting my room to be ready because of my early arrival, but as luck would have it, I was handed my keys, allowing me to rest a little before exploring the city.
The room, as expected, was up to Hilton’s high standards. Listed as a “Contemporary Room,” it was renovated recently to suit what a room at the DoubleTree should look like these days. The design was simple yet neat, and it was well laid out, making good use of the space.
The room had everything I needed for my trip from the DoubleTree Sweet Dreams Bed—which I always find to be comfortable—to the mini refrigerator. The bathroom was spotless, and it was stocked with nicely-scented amenities by Crabtree & Evelyn.
The hotel offers a range of facilities. The fitness centre is open 24/7, while the outdoor pool is seasonal. As for dining, it features HotHouse, which is a restaurant, bar, and market space combined, and for those who want to grab and go, there’s Made Market, which serves Starbucks Coffee.
In all, it was a pleasant stay—DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago Magnificent Mile lived up to my expectations for a Hilton hotel. And the location was just unbeatable—it was the perfect place to stay for my first time in Chicago.
DOUBLETREE BY HILTON CHICAGO MAGNIFICENT MILE
East Ohio Street, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Telephone: +1 312 787 6100
Website: www.hilton.com/en/hotels/chimmdt-doubletree-chicago-magnificent-mile/
Social Media: Facebook and Instagram
Note: This feature is based on a stay before global COVID-19 travel restrictions were put in place.
