The Tremont Chicago

Keeping it Simple

Small vintage hotel with a doorman and valet service but without the glitzy lobby and amenities providing an oasis that is clean, comfortable and affordable in a big city full of national hotel chain offerings. Staff attitude makes up for any preceived shortcomings in the hotel’s appearance - its not modern and doesn’t pretend to be modern. You might find some areas that could use a coat of paint but nothing that effects the comfort of your stay. You don’t go to Chicago to stay in your room. Location is convenient to mass transist and a wide selection of restaurants in all price ranges. Visiting the city for a couple days, don’t dismiss this hotel if you want to keep it simple and avoid excessive lodging expenses.

Chicago has a great mass transit system. I did find the CTA a little confusing at first with their ticketing system. But following the route stucture is easy once you get your pass card. Take the time to get a day pass - which is not sold at the subway station or bus stop - because the vending machine pass cards expire in two hours, so you do not want to load them up for a round trip to the museum. Train and subway stops have Customer Assistant agents available, and I found the bus drivers also very helpful.

location compensates for moderate older condition

The Tremont is a block from the Ritz Carlton, Our room looked directly at the Hancock Tower, the bed was very comfortable, the price was terrific, the halls were quiet and Ditka’s restaurant was literally next door. We didn’t mind the slow elevator or bathroom needing paint soon because our location was perfect and the value was great.

Charming Hotel

While the Tremont is an older hotel, it s full of charm, and you can’t beat the loacation - right off of Michigan Avenue! The staff is very helpful, especially Zeke who helped me with directions on getting to O’Hare Airport via train. I arrived early and I had no problem checking into my room. I thought my room was very comfortable and had a great heater (the weather was rather cold when I was in Chicago so it was nice to go back to a warm room). There is also a Starbucks right across the street. I would definately stay again and again.

Chicago

Great location - Very freindly hotel staff - Clean hotel rooms I really can’t think of anything bad!

Awesome location!

Our recent stay at the Tremont was wonderful! When our flight was changed by the airline, causing our arrival to be much earlier than the normal check in time, the desk clerk cheerfully informed us that since our room was not ready, they were upgrading us to a room that was prepared. I had only expected that they would offer to store our luggage until check in was available! Our room was immaculate, and the "old hotel charm" was not wasted on us. Its awesome location, ( 1 block west of the Water Tower Plaza) made getting around a snap for us, as it is conveniently close to both bus and train stations. All staff were eager to help with any requests, and Ditka’s was a big draw in itself.

Where I will always stay in Chicago

Love this hotel and its quaintness. Awesome location, awesome value. Staff is extremely friendly and helpful. Only flaw is old, old elevator and and the fact that there is only one. But that comes with the territory when staying in cool old hotels :)

Front desk was extremely helpful. The location is great, just steps from N. Michigan Ave.

Slightly worn, but convenient and good for the price. I did not ask for a quite room, though street noise was not a major issue at night. Shopping and dining are all within walking distance.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

You can take the Chicago subway from O’Hare to the hotel with only one change of trains. $ 2.25 per person instead of $ 35 - 50, plus tip for a cab or car Call the hotel front desk for station information. You will have to carry your bags down one flight of stair and up another when using the trains.

Would not book again

Dated and $$

Needs a little help

The hotel clerk was really nice. When we checked in, she noticed that my husband is very tall and mentioned she could upgrade us to a king size bed. The room was nice, but the bathroom needed some help. The shower didn’t drain well so we were constantly standing in a couple inches of water and the shower head, no matter how we played with it, felt like we were using a power washer. They don’t have an airport shuttle which would have been nice. We spent $40 on a shuttle at the airport (O’Hare) to get to the hotel and $50 on a cab ride back.

Traveler's tip

It was right off Michigan so there were a lot of things within walking distance. We walked to dinner every night. Ed Debevic’s, Ruth’s Chris, Gino’s were all great places that we walked to, less than a mile away. There is also a Starbucks across the street.

great location

Absolutely loved the location, as it was central to everything! Staff was kind and helpful. The stay was nice and comfortable, particularly liked that it was not too expensive!

Loved this little hotel

The Tremont has been a great little boutque Hotel for years. Nice lobby, mostly ’refurbished’ rooms. do not et them put you in the "residences" rooms in the building next door! The evening/night manager was very helpful and accommodating.

Traveler's tip on shopping

This hotel is in a great location for shopping, dining, walking along the lake and sightseeing locations.

Very nice hotel, perfect location!

The hotel staff were friendly. The room was comfortable and quiet. A very nice down town hotel, just two blocks from the Hancock building and Water Tower Place. I will stay there again.

We’ll be back!

The Tremont has a great location just off Michigan Ave(1/2 block)and on the block north of Water Tower Place. Step around the corner from the noise and crowds on Michigan to a quiet tree lined street. Quite near to the bus routes up and down Michigan Ave- Easy access to museums. As other reviews have noted the elevator is S-L-O-W- but there is a service elevator nearby and we were allowed to use it. Missed coffeemaker it the room and no room service- Starbucks is across the street! Average continental breakfast in attached Ditka’s restaurant. Great for small,older hotel-(we’re not much for chain hotels)and we got a great deal!

Great hotel with lots of character

Older hotel with lots of character. Definately worth the price and the location was terrific. Staff was very helpful and friendly. Would stay there again.

Traveler's tip on dining

Mike Ditka’s restaurant, right next to hotel, was excellent.

Not impressed.

I suppose it was okay for the price, but the hotel offered no services. There wasn’t even a coffee pot in the lobby or in the rooms. The TV was ancient. The bed was comfortable. The hotel staff was very nice and tried to accommodate our needs, but the hotel is very old and needs to be updated.

Conveniently located downtown

I loved that fact that I could open the windows & feel the breeze off of the lake!

easy access to everything

very homey great eatery next door

Charming hotel, great value, excellent location

The Tremont Hotel is in an excellent location, just a block from the John Hancock Building and the Water Tower, and walking distance to all the shopping and dining your heart desires. It is an older hotel with charm and personality, and an excellent alternative to the pricier chains. Free wireless internet and a large desk made it easy to work in the room. Mike Ditka’s restaurant downstairs serves tasty and hearty midwestern fare. My only minor quibble was the slow elevator, but you could also use the service elevator just off the lobby. I would stay here again, for business or for leisure!

Traveler's tip for business travelers

If you have time after checking out before you have to go to the airport, you can still tap into the hotel’s wireless connection while sitting in Mike Ditka’s restaurant downstairs.

Fantastic retro hotel. Awesome location!

I can’t wait to return to this hotel. It’s located around everything you’d want to see and everywhere you’d want to go. I would highly suggest it to anyone looking for a Chicago visit. The adjoining Ditka’s restaurant has incredible food and a great atmosphere too.

Traveler's tip on nightlife

The famous Division Street and fantastic restaurants are a quick walk away.

Hotel was Okay

Lobby was really nice, but the room was just okay. Furniture was old, and there was mold growing in a corner in the bathroom. If you get a good room rate and don’t plan to spend a lot of time in the room, it’s okay, but otherwise I would find a different place to stay. The location is great though.

Cozy and Cheap

Not a 5 star hotel, but it’s in a GREAT Location at an affordable price!

Traveler's tip on shopping

Michigan Ave.

Very close to Michigan Avenue

The hotel is located extremely close to Michigan Ave and is connected to Mike Ditka Restaurant. There is also a Starbucks right across the street. Rooms are small and the hotel elevator is extremely old. The free breakfast wasn’t very good. No eggs, nothing really healthy except for apples when I ate there. However, this hotel is relatively inexpensive compared to others. I probably would stay there again.

Traveler's tip on local attractions

Great location, 1 elevator, rooms are small, good price.

Perfect Location

Both of my stays at the Tremont have been satisfactory. The things that made my visit enjoyable were the great menu and service at Ditka’s Restaurant; free wi-fi; great view of the diverse Chicago architecture and skyline; friendly staff; and LOCATION! It’s so convenient to walk out the front door and you’re a block away from Michigan Ave in the North End. The only slight inconveniences were that the hotel charges more for 24 hour parking in their lot than the local parking ramps; there wasn’t a hair drier in my room; the decor is outdated (some might think it’s charming and fit for the 1920’s building); there is no pool.

Centrally Located to attractions.

Good location. Convenient to many local places to visit.

Best value for business trips

Nothing fancy, it all just works. Location is just right for what I need and the price is very right.

Traveler's tip

If I am spending my own money on downtown Chicago lodging, this is where I stay.