Voco - Chicago Downtown, an IHG Hotel

AM

Alyssa Matula

5/5Google· 2 months ago

My partner and I stayed here for Go fest Chicago and we had such a wonderful time. We were within walking distance for so many things and had a gorgeous view from the hotel. The hotel staff was absolutely incredible. From before check in to my check out process I had a smooth and seamless transition. The folks helping us were Heidi, Santiago and Alonzo. They all made sure our stay was comfortable and they were always available for questions or assistance. I want to give a special shout out to Heidi. She really went above and beyond to make mine and my partner's stay incredible. It was also his birthday weekend and Heidi managed to make our experience so magical and easy. Thank you so much to all of the staff, we will definitely be back!

R

robbg223

2/5Tripadvisor· 3 months ago

Hello, I am writing this review as someone who travels frequently for both work and leisure. I typically stay at IHG properties such as Indigo and InterContinental, and I travel to Chicago about eight times a year. With three additional trips planned this summer, I decided to give Holiday Inn Downtown Chicago Wolf Point a try after seeing the pictures online. Unfortunately, my stay started off poorly. When I arrived at the hotel, the lobby was crowded with guests waiting with luggage. I approached the front desk to check in and was greeted by a short older lady. As soon as I mentioned I was there to check in, I was immediately cut off and told that check-in was at 4:00 PM. I had actually intended to ask whether I could pay for an early check-in, but before I could finish my sentence, she smirked and replied, “I can pull up your reservation, but what do you want me to do if I don’t have rooms available?” The interaction felt unnecessarily dismissive and unwelcoming. I stepped away and sat in the lobby alongside several other waiting guests. A short time later, an older doorman walked past the desk and the same lady at the front desk yelled at him, saying, “Do your job so I don’t have to do it.” Guests nearby looked confused by the exchange. Credit to the gentleman for remaining professional and simply continuing on without responding. After waiting a while, we noticed other guests beginning to check in. Another waiting guest commented that it would have been nice if someone had updated those of us waiting in the lobby. We got back in line, but when I got close to the front, I was instructed with other guest to go upstairs to the 15th floor to check in there instead. After a long day of travel, I was honestly relieved to have the opportunity to interact with someone else. However, when we arrived upstairs, the employee at that desk informed us that we actually needed to go back downstairs to complete check-in. The woman in front of me, who had clearly been waiting longer than I had, looked completely defeated. I explained that we had specifically been directed upstairs by the front desk. Although visibly frustrated, the employee did check us in. Once I got to my room, I tried to reset my expectations and assumed perhaps the staff was simply overwhelmed. However, there were several maintenance issues in the room itself. The temperature was inconsistent, alternating between too cold and too warm. The television was mounted crooked, the shower made a loud noise when first turned on, and the air vent above the shower had visible cobwebs and what appeared to be spider eggs inside. The next evening, despite being hesitant after my earlier experiences, I went downstairs to ask for a dinner recommendation. That interaction completely changed the tone of my stay thanks to that lady at the desk at the time. Another guest later informed me her name is Amy. Amy greeted me with the kind of warm, professional hospitality that travelers hope for when they are away from home. She first suggested the hotel’s dining options, which I appreciated, but when I explained I wanted to try something local, she took the time to look up nearby restaurants and gave thoughtful recommendations based on the area. It was a small gesture, but it genuinely made a difference. Throughout the remainder of my stay, Amy consistently stood out. One evening, while walking back into the hotel with several other guests, she warmly welcomed us back as we passed the desk. Everyone smiled immediately, and one of the women in our group commented that Amy “must be a manager” because of how polished, calm, and professional she was. That same guest shared that she had accidentally been given a room key to an occupied room during check-in by another employee and had gone downstairs upset and ready to leave the hotel entirely. She said Amy handled the situation with professionalism, kindness, and genuine care, even offering complimentary breakfast while resolving the issue. According to her, Amy’s response completely changed her mind about leaving. Another couple in our group mentioned they had seen Amy training a newer employee and joked that she should be training everyone at the property. At one point, another guest nearby overheard our conversation and joined in to say that Amy was “the best” and the only employee they went to when they needed assistance. He explained that he had requested towels through the front desk without success, but once he mentioned it to Amy, they were sent to his room almost immediately. I also did not even realize the hotel had a sauna until my third day there, when I overheard Amy thoroughly explaining the hotel amenities to another guest during check-in. Her attention to detail and genuine professionalism consistently elevated the guest experience in a way that stood out from everyone else I encountered. I sincerely hope Amy is recognized by management because she represents exactly what hospitality should look like. She is what managers should want the others to be. Classy, profesional, caring,with problem solving skills. I genuinely enjoy staying at IHG properties and had hoped this location would become part of my regular rotation for future Chicago visits. Unfortunately, due to the other issues I experienced, I cannot confidently say I will return to this property for my upcoming trips. That said, the location itself is excellent, and the walk to the train offers some of the best views in Chicago. I wish the property success moving forward, and I especially hope employees like Amy are valued and treated as such, because she made a lasting positive impression on more than just me.

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Kat516

3/5IHG· 3 months ago

The hotel is in a great location - I was in town for a conference at the Willis Tower and the hotel is an easy, and lovely 15 minute walk along the river or 10ish minute drive (traffic dependent). Because I was there for work, I didn't use the hotel amenities beyond the market. The market was fine - overpriced, but you expect that. The room was ok. The ceilings are a bit low, but I'm tall so I might be more sensitive to that - also I was on the top floor, so it might not be an issue everywhere. The bed was comfortable. The HVAC in the room took some getting used to. The biggest issue was the bathroom. The shampoo and conditioner were lovely, but the bottles weren't well-filled, so I didn't get enough conditioner. The shower itself had really poor pressure (again, maybe an issue of a higher floor?). I had very different towels as well - the first day was your typical hotel towel that barely covers anything. Second day were nice, fluffy, larger towels, but housekeeping had taken my bathmat, even though I'd hung it up to keep using it! Ultimately, it was fine. None of the issues were so huge I wouldn't stay there again.

JD

Julie Duncan

5/5Google· a month ago

I stayed at this hotel while visiting a friend, and I had a wonderful experience. The hotel was clean, comfortable, and welcoming, but the staff truly made the stay even better. Alonzo was absolutely amazing. He was friendly, professional, and genuinely helpful throughout my visit. He took the time to recommend restaurants, great places to eat, and things to do in the area. His warm personality and excellent customer service made me feel welcomed and well taken care of. Great customer service can completely elevate a hotel stay, and Alonzo certainly did that. He is a wonderful representation of the hotel, and I would gladly stay here again.

TL

Tom Liberatore

5/5Google· 2 months ago

Desk attendant was able to work with manager to find us an Accessible Room with a roll-in shower. We ended up staying in an upgraded suite under the Holiday Inn Brand. We enjoyed our stay to include a room credit and complementary breakfast for my wife and me. We loved the location and views. We left with a renewed positive view of IHG and Chicago!

KW

K W

4/5Google· a month ago

The highlight of our stay was Heidi! We came to celebrate my daughter’s 8th birthday, and she truly went above and beyond to make it special. She upgraded us to a beautiful room overlooking the Chicago River and gave us a $100 hospitality credit that we could use at the snack market, breakfast buffet, or for dinner and drinks. That thoughtful gesture made our trip even more memorable. The staff overall was very kind and welcoming. Another thing I really enjoyed was the location. It was very walkable and made it easy to explore many of Chicago’s top attractions, restaurants, and shops without needing to drive. As for the hotel itself, you can definitely tell it’s a bit outdated, but they’ve made an effort with some remodeling. My room still had popcorn ceilings, while the hallway and bathroom ceilings had been updated. The shower was great, but I didn’t like how the sink splashed water everywhere every time it was turned on. I saw other guests mention issues with the A/C, but thankfully that wasn’t our experience—ours blew ice-cold the entire stay. I was disappointed that several outlets in the room didn’t work. Another inconvenience was having to use two separate sets of elevators to get around the hotel. Overall, while the hotel has a few areas that could use some updating, Heidi’s exceptional customer service and the hotel’s excellent location made for a memorable stay.

LS

Lynn Smith

5/5Google· a month ago

This has been the most enjoyable and easy going trip for us. Voco has exceeded our expectations in every way! The room is very nicely decorated and the view of the river is outstanding. We arrived early (1:30) and since a room was available, we were able to pay an additional $25 to check-in early. After going to The Field Museum and walking for over 2.6 miles, it was such a relief to come back to an exceptional hotel. We had dinner at the hotel restaurant and the food was delicious! We started with the Spinach and Artichoke Dip. It was very creamy with a wonderful mixture of artichoke and spinach. The only complaint is that the chips were not a favorite of ours. Seasoned Pita Chips would have been much more enjoyable. I enjoyed the Porto Sandwich and a Caesar Salad. My husband had the Steakhouse Burger, which was a double smash burger with garlic aioli. He also had their garden salad with a Sherry Basalmic Dressing, which was a refreshing change from red wine vinegar and oil. Overall, the service was amazing, both with the hotel checking in and with the restaurant- Alex was very attentive and very polite! Highly recommend this hotel and the restaurant!

DL

Dave Lindenberg

5/5Google· 3 months ago

I Stayed at voco Chicago Downtown - Riverwalk for three nights and it was outstanding from start to finish. The location is perfect, right on the Riverwalk with stunning views. My room was spotless and beautifully appointed — everything felt premium. A huge shoutout to Joshua at the front desk. He was incredibly helpful with my bags, made check-in a breeze, and we instantly bonded over our shared love of F1. That personal touch really made the stay special. Everything about this hotel felt top-tier — clean, convenient, and perfectly located. Highly recommend! I will be back before July Thank you Voco