BookIt.com Verified Traveler Caira from Cape Girardeau, Missouri

"So, this hotel was not as bad as I was expecting after reading the reviews, but it is in no means a luxury hotel. The rooms were clean enough and I didn't really have a problem with them, but the outside could definitely use some TLC. Also, because it is located right on Lake Michigan (and who builds a hotel there and doesn't have any rooms with lake views?) the outside is covered in spiders at night. Icky.

The room keys were probably the trickiest experience. We had to change keys around 4 or 5 times because they either wouldn't work on the outside door, the inside door, or both. So that was rather inconvenient. The ice machine was out of ice once (but I had seen someone with a cooler up there) and there really isn't something they can do about that. Oh, and the last night our tv was incredibly fuzzy and no one ever came to check it even after 3 calls about it.

I found it a little strange that the shuttle wouldn't take you to union station, but I did read later that it was an area shuttle. I'm not sure where anyone would want to go in the area. The bus stop was located close enough so it wasn't too difficult to make it downtown. I would definitely recommend finding a cta machine and getting a pass though instead of paying every time."

Report as Inappropriate

BookIt.com Verified Traveler Alexandra Burris from Detroit, MI

"Me and my fiance stayed in the hotel on our wedding weekend. I agree with other guests that the outside appearance isn't 100% but I say you get what you pay for. It was the best deal in the area. The restaurant was great, good food, great help. The only thing I was unhappy about was the condition of the mattress in our room. The metal coil springs were just dying to burst through. It was a bit uncomfortable and hard to sleep on. My husband says that the springs hurt his knees (if you know what I mean) other than that the WiFi was hard to connect to and not that many channels on TV but we weren't there for any of that. Overall we had a very nice time."

Report as Inappropriate

BookIt.com Verified Traveler Lisa Anthony from Cuba City, Wi

"Was very disappointed tub drained slow, cramped rooms wallpaper peeling soaking wet hall carpets big spiders every where. parking area was very small we had difficulty parking without hitting another car. elevator extremely slow cramped staff was very helpful"

Report as Inappropriate

BookIt.com Verified Traveler Michael D May from Bloomington, IN

"This is a great location and one of the only hotels on Chicago's southside. It is a busy facility for these reasons. Ramada should invest a few million, raise prices, and clean the place up; it is a dump."

Report as Inappropriate

BookIt.com Verified Traveler Greg Aponte from Tampa, Fl

"decent value my only concern is its proximity to public transportation"

Report as Inappropriate

BookIt.com Verified Traveler Brian from Michigan

"I have stayed at this Ramada Inn on several occasions over the past few years. I continue to come back because it is within a decent proximity of downtown Chicago and is relatively inexpensive. But this particular hotel is nothing special. It's run down and generally unclean. The hallways smell like sewage. On my recent visit, our particular hallway was littered with garbage and pizza crusts. The elevator doesn't appear to have been inspected since 2002 based on the certificate posted on the elevator wall. Upon attempted check-in, the staff had no record of my reservation booked through 'BookIt.com' and I did not have a printed copy of the receipt received via email. Fortunately, I still had a copy of the receipt in my email inbox which is the only reason I was able to get the room I had already paid for online. We seem to have been 'upgraded' to a suite as the hotel was sold out, but found the bathroom sink in our 'suite' was marked with several cigarette burns. In addition, the AC unit was like an old dinosaur that clanked and sputtered with knobs that would barely turn (although it did keep the room cool). The WiFi in the room was useless. The staff was friendly and the hotel restaurant/bar is actually pretty decent with an impressive breakfast buffet and quite strong drinks if you happen into the bar in the evening. For nearly half the price as other area hotels with only a few hours spent in the room during our 2 day stay, I will return to this Ramada Inn in the future with the understanding I will be underwhelmed, but heavier in the wallet. "

Report as Inappropriate

BookIt.com Verified Traveler Mrs. DeBerry from TAYLORVILLE, IL

"Don't judge from the exterior, it's older but the interior is updated and very clean. Our King room was very roomy and very clean. The staff is super friendly. We appreciated the free parking and free Wifi. The only problem was it was a bit pricey, but all Chicago hotels are that way. We are in Chicago frequently and will definitely stay here again."

Report as Inappropriate

BookIt.com Verified Traveler Jon from Evansville, In

"The elevator has not been inspected since 2001 and it is very slow. The hotel itself is so ran down as to be an embarrassment to this chain of hotels. This I would say is the hotels fault. Come on CEOs spend some money!!! The staff was very helpful and friendly though. No vents in the bathroom. The ice machines rarely had ice. One good thing about it all was the cafe next door. Good food!!!"

Report as Inappropriate

BookIt.com Verified Traveler A Recent Traveler

"was a ok hotel for the price.Well return again"

Report as Inappropriate

BookIt.com Verified Traveler Tracy Davis from Silvis, IL

"Don't be fooled by the name. This was BY FAR, the WORST hotel I've been in my life. Prepaid for a king room, was told there weren't any upon check-in, stuck in a double full bed room...so long romantic getaway. Our view was and abandoned rooftop courtyard. Bathroom light fixture was broken and being secured with ALUMINUM FOIL, water damage to the ceiling and wallpaper, wallpaper patched with non-matching wallpaper. Mold growing along the baseboards. Room service stacked plates of food UPSIDE DOWN, wrapped in plastic wrap. I couldn't make up the horrors in this hotel. Non-working elevators, two inch gaps under the doors, just AWFUL!! Stay in the 'burbs. Only resolution from the hotel after days of no response to my phone calls and having to call the corporation was a discount on a future stay at the same hotel....NO THANKS!!! I'll NEVER go back and advice you to look elsewhere for lodging!"

Report as Inappropriate

BookIt.com Verified Traveler R from New York

"We were visiting U Chicago, the hotel location was suitable for us. I would not stay here during vacation. The toilet was leaking a bit and we found a mouse trap under our bed, which was a bit disturbing. But we did not see any mice. Over all our room was updated, clean and simple. Do not expect any luxury. It is fairly old hotel, that was updated some what. Wi-Fi worked fine in the room - it is complimentary as well as parking. The neighborhood is safe. The hotel is near the lake, which was a plus - you can go for a walk along the shore. Downtown Chicago is minutes away by car. Very convenient access to the highway. The stuff of the hotel was very friendly and polite. We found people in Chicago are friendly in general. Over all this hotel served the purpose for our trip. I found it being a bit over priced for the value and location you get. But I would stay again if need to be in the area. This is a quiet residential area and we did not see any other hotels near by."

Report as Inappropriate

"This was our 2nd stay at the Ramada Inn Lake Shore. Our room was clean and comfortable. The staff was very friendly. I agree with other guests the WIFI was weak and the exterior of the building needs some TLC. But what is more important to me is the friendly staff and a nice clean roomy room, which we had. We will be staying here again in November."

Report as Inappropriate

"Older hotel, outside kind of shows it. The interior of the rooms and lobby are quite nice and well kept. This hotel is ideal for its proximity to the museums , the sicence and industry is within walking difference. They are very clean and the staff was very nice and helpful. The price of the hotel was somewhat high as are all hotels in chicago. Over the years Chicago has become cost prohibitive to visit and this was probably my last trip to there. I would recommend this hotel to others if you are insistant about visiting Chicago"

Report as Inappropriate