Name: The Chicago Hotel Collection Ambassador Gold Coast
Address: 1301 N State Pkwy, Gold Coast, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America, Chicago, Illinois, US
Price range: US$99–US$1,243 per night
Rating: 7.85

What guests think

At The Chicago Hotel Collection Ambassador Gold Coast, travelers love the safe, walkable Gold Coast setting and stylish common areas, but many also flag mandatory amenity fees at check-in that increase the overall cost.

Guests often compliment friendly staff, a hearty breakfast, and a lively bar, with some noting quiet, comfortable rooms. Rooms can feel dated, with small bathrooms, low platform beds, and maintenance issues like noisy AC, limited hot water, or temperamental TVs. Service may feel stretched at busy times, with long check-in lines and slow responses, and valet parking is pricey though nearby garages can be cheaper. Expect a standout location and historic charm, with trade-offs in consistency.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Elegant lobby and lively bar are highlights. Valet parking is expensive, and some guests note small or dated elevators.

Related guest reviews

8

Sheri

26 Aug 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Property is a little older. Elevator wasn't working. We were on the 14th floor and directed to use the service elevator. All of the staff was very nice and helpful. Easy walk to beach and nearby restaurants.

8

Ellen

25 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

A stunning hotel lobby, inviting hotel bar, and excellent hotel breakfast buffet made for a great spot for us to land on our two night Chicago trip. We took the bus everywhere from nearby the hotel, so being a little farther north was not a bother to us on our sight seeing. It was nice to be couched in an area of local apartments and shops for locals (not necessarily tourists). It was a beautiful, leafy neighborhood to be in during late summer. Our room had cool design, a little wear on the carpet, and a comfortable, clean bed and bathroom. We'd stay here again.

10

Alan

11 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The elevators just werent big enough or plentiful enough for the number of guests. Multiple times we had to wait on 1 oe 2 passes of the elevator due to it being too full. Otherwise everything was pretty good.

6

Breanna

3 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Beautiful lobby and restaurant. Rooms are fairly spacious. The check in/check out process was long and needs work. The line was out of the door for check in with only one person working the majority of the time. Breakfast included was a nice perk and parking wasn’t too high.

8

Janice

7 May 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The employees were all great. Helpful and friendly. My only issue is with the accessibility. The handicap elevator that goes to street level, lobby level and dining room was constantly breaking down The door wouldn't open, but there was usually someone with me to get help. Today, however, I got stuck on the lift and no one answered the emergency phone or responded to the alarm. There's also an issue with accessing the complimentary breakfast. There are stairs leading down from the bar area, which makes having breakfast difficult. Luckily the hotel staff were willing to help carry my dishes.

8

Kelli

21 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Overall a nice, convenient place to stay. The neighborhood is lovely and it’s easy to get to the hotel and park the car with the valet. Rooms are spacious but could use a little updating. Front desk staff could be more helpful. I waited for at least 2-3 minutes while they were on the phone with someone. Convenient, tasteful bar area with friendly bartenders. Though that area of the lobby and bar always smell of cigarette smoke.

6

Edward

9 May 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The valet staff were very helpful and courteous. The bathroom was small but clean. The ac unit in the room was broken and no one was available to fix it, causing extreme frustration and dissatisfaction. Comfy beds. The tv was aggravating and annoying to use. The service phone didn’t work. Walls were thin and we had loud neighbors that were very disruptive. Too expensive for the room we got. Awful experience. No pool, was advertised as having a pool.

10

Mikel

11 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great location. Incredible ground floor meeting/ work space.

10

John

8 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel appears to be pretty new. The room was clean, well-appointed, spacious, and had all the amenities I needed. The bathroom was equally well done with a modern feel (although the sink was level rather than sloped toward the drain!). Check-in was smooth, although there was only one person at the desk, so the process took longer perhaps than if there had been two people. The lobby is a bit of a scene with the bar/dining area open to the lobby. We arrived at night, and there was a lot going on and with loud music, although none of the loudness flowed upstairs. The welcome basket was great, the morning buffet was v good, and the exercise facility had everything I needed. The neighborhood is beautiful, and the walk to the red line for the L was quick and scenic. The hotel wasn't a "cheap" solution, but it was worth the price for sure.

8

Jaimal

17 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Hotel is in a good safe location north of the loop close to the lake shore. A CTA station is 5 minutes away and serves many key locations like wrigley field and the river. We used it more than any other line during our 3 day stay. Parking is limited and the hotel charges $75 a night for valet parking We booked other parking nearby at a much cheaper rate. We were upgraded to a deluxe king and the additonal space was welcome. Shower was excellent though there was no plug in the sink making shaving difficult. Bed was comfortable and there was a wireless and usb charging point as part of the clock. An additonal socket was on the otherside of the bed. Breakfast was very good with an excellent selection of baked, hot and cold options. The only item that we were not happy about was the additional mandatory $89 charge per night that we had to pay on top of the room only charge. This charge included breakfast for 2, 2 drinks in the bar and 6 bottles of water per night. When considering the basic cost of these items we may have just broken even. Overall we liked the hotel and its location but felt a slightly sour taste due the additional charges.

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Cleanliness

Cleanliness is inconsistent, with many clean rooms but recurring reports of stained carpets, dirty bathrooms or odors, and lapses in housekeeping.

Related guest reviews

4

Philip

4 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Had a massive cockroach in my room. Have stayed here a few times and am finally done staying here. This property needs an update and a good cleaning.

4

Mike

19 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Room was old, carpet stained, little hot water for shower…worst was Mariachi band practicing for a wedding reception down the hall.

4

Timothy

13 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Housekeeping short sheeted the bed. After a long exhausting trip, I wanted to slip into clean comfortable sheets, only to find my feet on a mattress pad. The bottom sheet was short from the edge of the bed causing my feet to get tangled in a cluster. It was late. The lounge lobby had empty bar glasses/napkins scattered everywhere. If they aren't concerned about the after rave party....looking like a hung over new years eve day after disaster... What makes you think a short sheet on a bed is going to be corrected??

8

Michael

6 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The stay was good. The carpet in the room was stained and looked disgusting.

2

Nicole

31 May 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Dirty rooms-stained floors

4

linda

30 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The carpet had multiple large stains it was very gross to look at. The shower was a handheld shower head. The sink was a flat top and anything you washed off just sat at the surface. It was really not what I expected for what I paid

4

Valerie

10 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The state of this hotel is shocking. There were maybe 40 spiders living in my window with no screen. Walls cracking, mold on shower curtain, water all over the bathroom floor from a leak, no hot water for a shower, cobwebs in the light fixtures. The property has not been taken care of and the good reviews on here simply cannot be real. Staff was nice and the hotel had live music at night.

8

Debbie

10 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Shame. Was the most beautiful hotel in the day. $ was a steal. but sad it’s so neglected. Hallways needed a vacuum. Rooms are decent but carpet is old. First room smelled of mold/musty. Front desk changed immediately. Breakfast staff was very nice. For the price- a deal to accept the neglect of such an iconic hotel. Great location.

2

Darius

13 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The bed had bedbugs….

4

Maryangelic

29 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Staff is friendly, lobby is well kept and the surrounding area is quiet and safe. However, the rooms are not clean. The bathtub and towels had black marks and one of my colleagues saw blood stains in her sheets. Would not stay here again.

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Rooms

Rooms vary: some are spacious, quiet, and comfortable; others feel dated with small bathrooms, low beds, thin walls, and issues like noisy AC or TV/streaming troubles.

Related guest reviews

10

Ana

18 Feb 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Beautiful older hotel in a quiet residential area near Michigan Ave. Room was clean, beds were comfortable and the bathroom, though small, had been nicely renovated. Only complaint is that room had no chair to sit and relax, only a small desk chair.

8

Becky

21 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The location was perfect for us as we were visiting our daughter who lives on the same street as the hotel. The main/common areas of the hotel are very nice, but the rooms are just ok, and the bathroom was every small. I will stay here again based on location.

6

Angelica

2 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Sink clogged, switch for light was broken, gross stain on carpet, walls are way too THIN. I could listen in on a conversation from room next door and arguing from a couple across the hall, not infront but at end of hall. Arguments from the street can be heard twice during my stay at the early hours of 4 AM even though window was closed.

10

Lex

6 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Room’s not spacious but still okay but can be better on vaccumm

6

sp

28 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

In general the visit was good. It was only let down by the air conditioning, which was very noisy all night. No matter what we tried we couldn’t get it to stop. Which after a long day and flight to the states. Was the last thing we needed, something that hindered rest.

8

Joelle

5 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The rooms of the hotel are a bit older but you can tell they do their best to keep them clean. Our tv didn’t work so that was a negative even though maintenance tried to fix it. I appreciated the breakfast coupons for morning buffet and complimentary water bottles too. The best part was the short walk to the lakefront. The worst part was the horrible parking situation.

6

Karina

16 May 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

This is an average hotel with old small rooms. There’s not a designated space to work in the room, so if you need a desk and a place to do online meetings, this isn’t what you need. It’s very hard to accommodate a computer camera without showing the bed. The other option is to orientate the camera against a plain white wall, which isn’t very appealing or the best professional background. The location is convenient.

8

Persephone

21 May 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We reserved a double room for one night to go to a concert at Soldier Field. We booked a month out but most options (aside from this) were taken. Room was very clean, comfortable and quiet. The view from our windows were also nice, but private. Only caveat to staying here is the required resort fee for $89.95, which I felt was not worth the extra money. You get two drinks (under a $16 value) at the bar and a pretty mediocre breakfast the next morning. Not bad but not worth the price tag. They also require a $125.00 security deposit for the room, which is fine, but just a heads up for anyone booking. Good for convenience, but wouldn’t book again if I didn’t have to.

4

Brandon

18 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

It was okay but it definitely wasn’t worth the money we spent. The ENTIRE TIME we couldn’t even go on the tv because the only way to go on YouTube or any other apps is if you connect to google chromecast and it literally wouldn’t even let us. We called the front desk and they sent up maintenance but he also couldn’t help us out, we even called the number it gave us for troubleshooting and they couldn’t help us out either.

8

Peter

3 Nov 2024

·

Stayed 4 nights

This historic hotel is in the perfect location to visit the city and discover the many bars and restaurants on Chicago’s near north side. It has a nice mix of old and new features, paying homage to the famous Pump Room. Stunning reception. Our room had not really been upgraded to modern standard but the bed was super comfortable. Unfortunately the air conditioning was noisy as was the toilet which was continually running. But it was reasonably priced which made up for it’s shortcomings.

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Service

Service is inconsistent: many guests praise warm, helpful staff, but others report long or disorganized check-in lines, difficulty reaching the desk, slow responses, and occasional reservation or billing problems.

Related guest reviews

6

Hannah

26 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Update: they did eventually refund me Booked two rooms through two separate reservations. They had only one reservation. They were full and I could not re-book the original room. They promised me they’d refund me for the second room since they’d lost the first one and I didn’t want our family split between two hotels. Hotels.com must speak with their manager to confirm the refund. However no on answers the phone here. Both the representative from Hotels.com and I have called multiple times seeking the resolution that I was promised at the desk.

4

Sergio

18 May 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Staff overwhelmed check in line was unbelievably long took over an hour

2

David

21 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Do not even consider booking here. I prepaid for two rooms, upon checking in only one as available. I was told that I would receive a call when the second one was available. We went out and explored the city. I never received a call, when we went to the front desk to check in later I was told there were no rooms available. There were several people in the lobby also with paid reservations and no rooms. I was told that they would bring up a cot, it never happened. Followed up, never promised again, and showed. With no follow-up or explanation. We asked for additional towels (only two in the room) never got them, housekeeping was no where to be found. Unfortunately so in out party had to sleep on the floor for two nights. I was promised a refund and as of this point it has not been received.

6

Breanna

3 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Beautiful lobby and restaurant. Rooms are fairly spacious. The check in/check out process was long and needs work. The line was out of the door for check in with only one person working the majority of the time. Breakfast included was a nice perk and parking wasn’t too high.

4

Jilayne

24 Jul 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Comfortable beds and clean. Some organization issues and our room wasn't ready until 4:30pm and housekeeping was still in the room when we entered it. Our other room had another couple walk in the room on my daughter and her husband as it was double assigned. Luckily my daughter was in the bathroom when it occurred. But it could have been very embarrassing.

10

Angela

2 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Staff was great and loved the breakfast and location!

2

Katie

20 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

When we checked in - the hotel gave our room away saying they were overbooked and we had no room. I had even done the early check in to the room. My family of 5 after traveling 14 hours was now stranded in Chicago with no hotel room. No rooms available in the area of town we wanted to stay in. So our only opinion was to stay 30 miles away at a much less attractive hotel. I was furious and the hotel staff basically said “sorry not sorry” we weren’t the only ones they did this too. It was awful experience and I will NEVER book with them or one of there affiliates again. There excuse was since we booked through a third party (Expedia) they didn’t have to honor the reservation which was already paid for!

6

Stu

26 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Enjoyed my stay. Staff were excellent. However, the pull out bed was hard, flat and not comfortable.

10

Daniel

6 Sept 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

My wife and I are in our late 60's and have traveled frequently. Beginning with the valet and extending thru your entire staff it was the "BEST" personal service my wife and I have experienced.The congeniality.and professionalism.of your staff was above and beyond.We will definately make it a point to stay at Ambassador Chicago on our next visit to see our daughter. Thank you.

6

Sharon

6 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Staff was incompetent and lacked customer service skills. Either could not answer questions about the “resort” package or gave incorrect information. The “resort” package was not optional yet front desk could not explain what the package included.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Location

Safe, walkable Gold Coast setting near the lake, dining, shopping, and transit.

Related guest reviews

10

Marcus

30 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Clean great location

10

Robert

30 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Location was great! Walking distance to the Red line CTA station, which we took all over town. The free breakfast was restaurant quality, well beyond a typical hotel breakfast. The bar was lively and fun, so the 2 free drinks were a nice plus.

10

Noreen

16 May 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Gorgeous neighborhood and close walk to lake and Michigan Avenue

10

Suna

7 May 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Hotel is in a safe, walkable area with many dining options. Our room was clean and quiet with all the amenities we needed. Staff are kind and helpful. We felt that the on-site valet parking is quite pricy (and later we realized it is for street parking right in front of the hotel.) Recommend using public parking that is nearby.

10

Yuna

14 May 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Everyone was super friendly and welcoming! Check in and check out was easy! The mattress was very comfy. Location is very convenient near CTA and bus stops!

10

Cedric

28 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

The Ambassador is a classic old Chicago hotel! The location is fantastic… walking distance from the Lincoln Park Zoo and Magnificent Mile!

10

Christy

28 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The best hotel stay! Perfect location

10

Michaela

16 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

Beautiful hotel, we were able to walk everywhere we needed to get to! tons of shopping and food close by.

10

MOTOICHIRO

12 Nov 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Located in a beautiful neighborhood.

8

Shawn

6 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Nice little hotel in the heart of the Gold Coast neighborhood. Room was nice and quiet with lots to do close by. Would definitely stay here the next visit to Chicago.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

Breakfast draws frequent praise and the bar feels lively, but food quality and service can be uneven, hours are limited, and there may be little or no food beyond breakfast.

Related guest reviews

6

Christine

29 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

My husband and I had a dinner event to attend at Lincoln Park Zoo so this hotel was a convenient place in distance to stay overnight. When we arrived the staff greeted us very politely and were very welcoming which was nice. The hotel has an interesting history but the rooms are very outdated, bland and minimalistic. There is so much that could be done with the hotel in an effort to mirror its history. Famous people stayed and frequented this place so you would think they would use that to draw more attention to the hotel. The rooms and general areas are clean and the rooms are supplied well with towels, soap and tissues but no frills….management needs to remember, people staying in a hotel with character and near the Magnificent Mile should have some frills. Our room had a refrigerator but there was no coffee maker which would have been nice. Also you’ll need to leave the hotel to get something to eat or drink because there isn’t a shop to just grab a snack, they say there’s a snack room but there was only coffee available. I’m sure management thinks people are in Chicago to see the city and not the place they stay but having attractive rooms does add to the stay and wanting to return. All in all it wasn’t a memorable stay but okay.

8

Ellen

25 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

A stunning hotel lobby, inviting hotel bar, and excellent hotel breakfast buffet made for a great spot for us to land on our two night Chicago trip. We took the bus everywhere from nearby the hotel, so being a little farther north was not a bother to us on our sight seeing. It was nice to be couched in an area of local apartments and shops for locals (not necessarily tourists). It was a beautiful, leafy neighborhood to be in during late summer. Our room had cool design, a little wear on the carpet, and a comfortable, clean bed and bathroom. We'd stay here again.

10

Robert

30 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Location was great! Walking distance to the Red line CTA station, which we took all over town. The free breakfast was restaurant quality, well beyond a typical hotel breakfast. The bar was lively and fun, so the 2 free drinks were a nice plus.

8

Debbie

19 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Hotel needs to vacuum and update hallways. Food and wine options at bar are lacking. Solid breakfast. Overall, a great deal for what you get. Great location.

8

Lisa

14 Oct 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Lovely hotel but furniture and areas definitely need some TLC. Staff seemed to lack excitement in restaurant...almost felt like a bother to be waited on. Great location with plenty of lovely restaurants and beautiful neighborhoods.

10

Claudette

25 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 4 nights

This was an amazing hotel. The staff and facilities were impeccable and so well maintained. Our only issue was the breakfast. The food was not well prepared and the wait staff weren’t very pleasant. However, this would still be an option for us to stay again. Great location, within walking distance to the beach, the Magnificent Mile for shopping, and Navy Pier. Other than the only breakfast we had at the hotel, the stay was perfect!

10

Suzanne

26 May 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Def check out the rooftop view on the 17th floor. Byron was excellent for guest services on 2 occasions. Was able to check in early and walk 2 blocks to the lake. Breakfast was free but meh. Go 2 blocks West to the 3rd Coast Cafe,was reasonably priced and the food was very good.

10

Jessica

6 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great breakfast!

8

Larry

31 Oct 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel restaurant breakfast was subpar and not worth the price I paid.

10

Sharon

20 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The extra charge for breakfast seemed a bit excessive. However, they give you drink tickets to use at the bar which makes it totally worth it. The bartenders are excellent and make "real" drinks.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	US$71
February	US$87
March	US$103
April	US$112
May	US$173
June	US$185
July	US$206
August	US$94
September	US$163
October	US$182
November	US$112
December	US$87

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9 $111	10 $111	11 $246	12 $295
13 $180	14 $329	15 $358	16 $481	17 $316	18 $438	19 $477
20 $140	21 $111	22 $226	23 $207	24 $244	25 $288	26 $288
27 $129	28 $123	29 $117	30 $117

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $123	2 $246	3 $477
4 $135	5 $129	6 $129	7 $147	8 $177	9 $357	10 $1,243
11 $357	12 $111	13 $111	14 $111	15 $129	16 $232	17 $342
18 $239	19 $292	20 $267	21 $176	22 $141	23 $211	24 $211
25 $99	26 $99	27 $99	28 $99	29 $99	30 $176	31 $176

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Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Guest reviews

Good

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property policies

Check-in instructions

Security deposit

Good to know

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FAQs about The Chicago Hotel Collection Ambassador Gold Coast

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