PUBLIC CHICAGO | AN IAN SCHRAGER HOTEL Review

Love this hotel and location! Everyone is very nice and very accommodating!

Service: all staff were very polite and accommodating. Room: corner room on the 13th floor needed work. The furniture was gorgeous but the fixtures needed updating. Our tub had rust and a pool of water that hadn't drained when we arrived. Common Areas: the lobby was recently renovated and looked amazing. However, the main elevators were certainly dated and operated accordingly. We had resigned to use the additional elevators in the back after a few long waits for the normal elevator. Halls on the 13th floor needed some TLC but expected as it is a historical building. Location: great location near the lake. Close to lots of things Chicago has to offer. Bar: wait staff took longer than expected to get drinks to our seating area. But the atmosphere of the bar was great.

I left something in my room and nobody will call me back. I stayed here for a company trip and won t be coming back! I use to stay here 2/3 times a month.

The building is beautiful and something that makes for a great experience. I intend to visit again and recommend this place for anyone.

Great location... Great hospitality.. Excellent staff...had the suite for 4 days with a private balcony..excellent view of the city..

Great hotel. Awesome feel, bar inside is perfect for a late night drink before going to your room. Rooms are a bit older, but have a great feel.

Very cool old school classy hotel. Nice rooms with unique layout.

Tiny room and bathroom, long wait for the elevators

We just returned from a 3 night stay at the Ambassador Chicago. The location is excellent in the Gold Coast where a walk 3 blocks south, the boutiques start to pop up! Great food and shopping were close and Michigan Avenue is a bit longer walk, but not bad. We enjoyed the bar two evenings during our stay. It has a concave ceiling so if it's not overcrowded, you actually hear the people across from you as if they are sitting next to you. So, don't talk about the people across the room!

The actual room we stayed in was clean and the beds were possibly the most comfortable beds I've ever been in. The bathroom had not been updated and was an old tub that had been painted. The room was very spartan and could use some fun hooks on one of the bare walls since there are so few months in Chicago when you don't have a coat. Ours were strewn about the room because we didn't have enough hangers in the closet. I appreciate the old walls in the room because we couldn't hear our neighbors at all! The room was very quiet and the neighborhood is as well.

We ordered room service for breakfast and it was disappointing. The croissant filled with ham and cheese was cold and could actually be purchased in the lobby/library. The omelet was overcooked but the hash browns were very good. We would not eat at the restaurant based on the breakfast food that was Starbucks quality food.

Valet is typical Chicago, which means quite spendy. We chose to park across the street for $40, and when we were ready to leave, our car had been scraped of the snow. I believe there are other lots around, but we didn't feel like searching.

We will definitely stay here again when visiting our son in Lincoln Park. While he couldn't walk to our hotel, we preferred this location. Just a 5 minute cab ride away.

The staff were extremely courteous n friendly n very helpful the moment you pull up under the well lit canopy. The atmosphere was strictly old school, yet contemporary in the Booth One. Perfectly located within walking distance of several unique shops and convient stores, i.e. CVS n Walgreens. Quaint places to dine at or stop by a barbershop or spa to spoil yourself. Plan to book another quiet n relaxing time again.

Older hotel, which is renovated with a neat style. Breakfast options were ok, but not great. I wish it was a bit more "green" with more veggies available. The location is very good, we got about easily by walking or by bikes (we used the Divvy rentals from Lyft) and the neighborhood is really nice. The best part is the short distance to the beach which was great for a morning walk.

Absolutely my favorite Hotel by far. The staff was absolutely amazing and so friendly down to every detail.

Slow drain in the bathtub good ankle-deep in water.
Requested to adjacent rooms to which they said would not be a problem before arriving we called to confirm that and they said yes they will be able to accommodate us however when we arrived they gave us rooms at two opposite ends of the floor.

Clean and nice , Elevator is annoying should go to the highest level and back every time use it, parking is expensive

My husband and I just stayed at the hotel for 3 nights. I have 3 issues with the hotel/room. (1)There was no recycle bin in the room. (2) There was no full length mirror in the room. (3) There was no fan in the bathroom. Petty details? Maybe, but a concern for me. Overall a beautiful hotel. A/C worked great, king sized bed was a treat, front desk was very courteous, room was very clean.

I stayed there in November for a sales meeting and they charged me for a room I didn't stay in. I checked into the room and realized I was supposed to room with a co-worker. I was in the room for 5 minutes and went back down to the front desk. I explained the situation and they said if I brought my bags to the front desk and the key they would not charge me for the night as I moved into the other room. I said thank you and did just that.

When I checked my credit card statement the following month there was a charge for the room of $263. I called the hotel and they said sorry, our records show you were in the room. I left multiple voice mails for managers and nobody would call me back. I was routed at one point to the accounting department and they said there was nothing they could do. I asked to speak to the manager and they said he doesn't want to speak to me because his answer would be the same thing. I said that's ridiculous and transfer me to him. They then routed me to a voicemail box of a person that was no longer with the hotel. I have contacted my credit card company to dispute the charge. I still can not get anyone at the hotel to speak to me. Their customer service is awful and I would NOT recommend staying here.

Everything was ok. The restaurant staff seemed to need additional training.

Nothing spectacular about this place. The valet and the front desk lady were both very friendly. I do believe the valet wither smoked in my car or on the way to pick my car up. The hotel could use some work. I felt like all the furniture and even the toilet were made for short people. The bathroom was very small and the sink was rammed up against the toilet. The plumbing sucked. By the end of my shower I was ankle deep in water. Cleanliness isn't a top priority either which is evidence in chipped glaze in the tub and the disgusting vent. I would not return to this hotel.

I gave it one star because they didn t offer zero! This place needs updating 20 years ago! The rooms are horrible and depressing. I wouldn t spend another night here for sure!

Very nice hotel, nice experience from arrival to the last day! Very friendly employees, very comfortable beds and everything very clean.
Very affordable food and drink options.
Very well located near to walk and enjoy the beautiful streets of Chicago.
A place to recommend!

The location was ideal and the lobby and ambience were great. The shower was a little difficult to turn on and they did not offer breakfast however.

Nice enough for the price, but not great. No enough electric outlets.

Room was clean. Met all of our expectations. Comfortable. Room service showed up at 8am though

This was a beautiful hotel. Very romantic atmosphere. The only complaint I have is the bathroom door was old (Ofcourse the building was old so it s to be expected) so it didn t lock or close all the way. It was fine for us but if you need your privacy, might wanna check that in your room. This is a small thing though and I wouldn t count this against the hotel. The all around decor was absolutely beautiful. The only thing I would change is the breakfast. You can pay for it or charge what you get to your room but I would probably offer coffee with pastries or something to carry out complimentary. I definitely recommend for a romantic getaway. Oh! I absolutely love the downstairs wall of fame!

Young, vibrant atmosphere in a beautiful neighborhood. Simple, tasteful white decor.

Beautiful hotel, right in the center of Chigago. (A bit too chic for our party.)
Parking costs are very high, $ 59 per 24 hours.

The hotel is beautiful. The pump room was amazing. There's no in room coffee, but when you go down to the coffee bar in the morning and you get the most delicious cup of coffee in the most beautiful atmosphere and then sit in front of the fire and enjoy it, there can be no complaints! The only place to stay in the Gold Coast .

Our experience at Public Chicago was horrible. My friend is getting married this weekend, so she and I stayed for one night in Chicago to celebrate. We had to wait to check in then were double charged 365.00 in addition to the 295.00 it cost to book the room. The room was small and our view was of a concrete balcony (room 303). Room service food was awful - tasting like something you would purchase at a gas station. No special care was given to our group and even through we explicitly informed Public Chicago that we were a small bachelorette party, they placed us next to older customers who complained that we ere laughing to loud during the night. What a missed opportunity. I would never recommend this hotel to anyone. Usually I can find at least one positive experience to mention, but in this case I am lost for words. Thanks for nothing Public Chicago.

It was a great place to stay clean the concierge is very nice the food is very good and in Tip-Top shape in the help is amazing

Love our stay great staff comfortable relaxed and walking distance from magnificent mike will have to come back here my next visit to Chicago

The hotel lobby is very nice and the staff was very friendly. The actual hotel location is great and near many restaurants.

Very nice and informative staff. Rooms are modern and cozy. Very good quiet spot in Chicago. Lots of restaurants and bars within walking distance.

Attended a work event held in Booth One. Absolutely beautiful room and top-notch service.

Great place for the price. Lobby is beautiful. Service is extremely friendly and attentive. The rooms are nice as well but it seems during the renovations they skimped out in a few things but its still very nice. Comfortable bed. Lobby does become a scene. Would definitely return and highly recommend!

The hotel itself is pretty nice, however if you are driving yourself DO NOT LEAVE ANY MONEY IN YOUR CAR AS THE VALET ATTENDENTS WILL STEAL ALL OF IT. They even took all my coins to include every red penny. Low class AF. This is why this hotel get 1 star. Your valets are thieves.

Excellent venue for my event, the staff was very kind and helpful.

Nice valet service. Professional and courtesy check-in staff as well.

Rooms are nicely designed! The lighting is pretty cool, as it goes along the edges of the cabinetry and drawers. Bed's are low to the ground and have this cool contemporary feel.

My favorite part? Thick walls, and a long black glass desk!

Most DEFINITELY staying here again without a doubt. If you don't mind walking a block or so there is a cheap garage off of Dearborn.

10/10 for value, will be back.

The room looks nice at a glance, but was very dirty. The filter in the air conditioner looked like it hadn't been cleaned in over a year. It was like a bad laundry lint trap.
The "mini bar" is far over priced even for Chicago. $6 for a standard tiny bag of m&ms...You have to be kidding.
They leave no room in the fridge for you to add your own things and there's no microwave.

The biggest plus is the staff. They were very friendly and did everything they could to help with questions.

Loved this hotel. In a great location that is a short walk to many dining options. Second City and the Lincoln Park Zoo are a quick walk to the north of the hotel, and downtown Chicago is an easy walk to the south. If you aren't up for walking a few miles a day, the subway station is only a few blocks away by the Jewel-Osco grocery store.

Elegant and swanky place in a beautiful neighborhood. Its smallish bathrooms are somewhat problematic for taller people.

The location is excellent-close to downtown, near a farmers market on the weekends. It was a mostly positive experience. The beds were incredibly comfortable. We visited while hotel staff were on strike, so I think the staff who were working were temps...it took 30 minutes to get a coffee on Saturday morning and room service came into our room 3 hours before check out to see if we were gone. I'm guessing those sorts of issues wouldnt happen with normal staffing.

Cleaning staff was amazing. The rest meatioker. Older bldg small rooms. Noisy AC unit.

Very nice hotel, the room is very good. It is also very well located for sightseeing in Chicago

gorgeous hotel. a wonderful place to get a drink. a great tucked away hotel right in the gold coast - perfect for out-of-towners that want to feel like Chicagoans for the weekend. library has great drinks & a great crowd on the weekend.

Just gorgeous hotel with decent prices for the city and certainly the most beautiful waitresses and staff in general... great ambiance and decoration the Schrager way !

I live about an hour south of Chicago, but when I do work in the city (trade shows) I always try to stay at the ambassador. It s close to the lake, and restaurants but it s in a neighborhood so it s not so in the middle of the business. I like to run and walk in the morning so I have a access to the lake and parks with no issue. The hotel itself is somewhat modest in the rooms but cozy and the lobby and restaurant are incredible. I love just reading next to the fire in the library lounge. I feel spoiled. This truly is my home away from home.

Everyone was so helpful and really nice. Thanks! Great place to stay, from beginning to
end.

I would like to give an additional star, but I was disappointed by the hairs I found under the top sheet, in the bathroom sink and ceiling inside the bathtub. At first look the room seems clean, but no . It was off putting.

The staff is pleasant, helpful and accommodating. In the first floor is a restaurant (hours available for breakfast, lunch & dinner) and bar. Beautiful lobby, gym access, free wife for up to (2) devices. Hotel is near Downtown Chicago, located near bus and subway lines. Took the Red Line to hotel (Clark/Division sta.), about (4) subway stops from Wrigley Field (Addison sta., also Red Line).

Stayed here during my visit to see a Pearl Jam concert at Wrigley.

Excellent hotel!! We had a small key problem when checking in and they more than made up for it! Clean, comfortable rooms, great atmosphere and the lobby smells Awesome!

Hotel promotes itself as upscale but falls short in certain areas.

Location was perfect. The service was god awful. Booked Sunday night instead of Saturday night, was informed when I was checking in. The hotel wasn't at capacity, they raised the rate on me and didn't do anything on their part to help me fix it.

Well appointed rooms and facilities. Bar service was slow and some times rude. Good food though and location.

We stayed recently at the Public and had a great stay. The decor is hip and fresh, the bar is hopping in the evening, and the morning coffee and baked items are delicious! Staff is friendly and helpful, we'll be back!

This was a great location for a weekend trip to Chicago. Nice area for walking. Friendly staff. The pump room bar was a nice landing spot after a long drive. Lots of people hanging around and chatting. The room was great and quiet. Valet parking deals with your car.

The Public is a nice, modern feeling hotel with room for improvement. Clearly you could see bones of the former Ambassador East which was what this property used to be known as. The Public did keep the name of their well-known restaurant, Pump Room.

There is no vent in the bathroom so expect it to take a while for the steam to clear off the mirror after you take a shower.

When we checked in they offered to upgrade us to the larger, Deluxe King room for an additional $70 per night. The Deluxe has more sitting space. We did not take them up on the offer.

Wi-fi is barely functional. You get free basic wi-fi that has a rate of 1 mbps. You can pay $20 for the the premium wi-fi of 4 mbps. The premium is still quite slow and definitely overpriced. This is clearly a function that needs to be modernized.

We went to the Library and Coffee Bar on a Saturday night. We are in our mid-50 s and felt a bit out of place so took our drinks back to our room. It was loud and crowded with young, stylish professionals. We found out the next day that there were two parties going on in the bar which is why it was so crowded and boisterous.

All of the staff at the Public we encountered were very gracious.

We called down to the front desk on Saturday evening because our neighbor s TV was so loud we could hear it in our room. I think it was a combination of their TV being turned up as well as the walls being thin. Security did come up and asked them to turn their TV down (and they did.) We could even hear our neighbor s phone when it rang.

After our first night we were surprised that the maid service did not refill the toiletries and emptied only one waste basket

Sunday morning I went to the front desk and received a complimentary Chicago Tribune. I wanted a Diet Coke, but found that they don t have coke products or any vending machines of any kind on any floor. The front desk directed me to the Library and Coffee Bar which has a breakfast service but they didn t have any diet soda. They directed me to the Pump Room and I couldn t find anyone there so I just went back to my room. I found that the Pump Room doesn t open for brunch until 9:00 and I was there at 8:30.

Nothing special about the hotel itself; staff was helpful but nothing over the top. The location may be it's best feature.

We utilied the Ambassador for day-of prep for a Wedding, hair and makeup in a suite. The valet was quick, the concierge was helpful, and we used the lobby for First Look with the father of the Bride. The elevators we're a bit slower, but otherwise a pleasure to be there.

This place felt rundown and there were problems with the room. The water pressure was low in the shower, the AC cover was broken off, wallpaper was coming up in one corner of the room and so was the carpet. There was also cracking paint on the bathroom door that they just painted over which made it look cheap. Not what I expected for 230 a night. There was also no hair dryer in the room nor a coffee maker. Finally, the street address got our Uber drivers constantly confused, because the entrance is actually around the corner from where it's listed on maps. Wouldn't stay again.