I'd recommend The James to anyone (we ourselves were directed by a locals recommendation). The design, comfort, service etc were all exemplary.
Likes: All the basics were covered very well, from check-in to check-out. A. Location was great (although there are many options in the area). Design was excellent. Lots of nice details and not too quirky like some other boutique hotels. This place was PRO. Great relaxed bar. Although the design is high-end, it was very welcoming and comfy. Amazing bed+linens.
Dislikes: There was some wedding party there that clearly liked to smoke WEED. I was getting a contact high in the elevators! That said, once in our room we never heard or smelled anything. Bar closed too early - before midnight on a thursday! JBar club next door, which they said was good was HORRIBLE.
That said, the overall experience was stellar. A great value too!
Was this review helpful to you?
Thanks for the valuable feedback you provided to other Skoosh visitors and reviewers. Your vote will be counted and will appear on the hotel page within 24 hours
Review by:
Cathryn W. Dixson,
St Louis, United States
Stayed:Jan 2010
The James is possibly the coolest hotel ever. As a young couple, we travel frequently and found this to be one of our favorite places. From interesting original art to fabulous Kiel's bath products, every detail was well thought out.
The staff met my expectations with restaurant and front desk staff who more than exceeded them.
While this hotel may seem pricey some weeks, keep checking. I got a GREAT deal on Skoosh and it will be completely worth the wait.
Was this review helpful to you?
Thanks for the valuable feedback you provided to other Skoosh visitors and reviewers. Your vote will be counted and will appear on the hotel page within 24 hours
Review by:
World Traveler,
GAITHERSBURG, United States
Stayed:Nov 2009
The James is a great boutique hotel with a modern setting. The entrance bears resemblance to the Mayfair in London. The room is also very comfortable with its down comforters. The only reason I do not rate it "Excellent" is because the elevators are few and small, but that is maybe what should be expected from a small boutique hotel.
Was this review helpful to you?
Thanks for the valuable feedback you provided to other Skoosh visitors and reviewers. Your vote will be counted and will appear on the hotel page within 24 hours
Review by:
Christine,
Naperville, United States
Stayed:Nov 2009
Definitely recommend. Fabulous location right off the Magnificent Mile.
Was this review helpful to you?
Thanks for the valuable feedback you provided to other Skoosh visitors and reviewers. Your vote will be counted and will appear on the hotel page within 24 hours
Review by:
DZ,
Goshen, United States
Stayed:Oct 2009
Simply, The James surpassed my expectations. Granted, when you stay in the heart of downtown Chicago (especially River North/Michigan Ave. areas) you pay a premium for location and the value then comes from what the facility offers and its service. The facility, staff, and service exceeded my fair but higher-than-normal expectations. I have absolutely no complaints regarding our stay on a very busy autumn college football weekend. Facility was very contemporary (for an older building), the staff always helpful and polite, and the service was everything one could reasonably expect. Due to our schedule, we did not sample the street-level restaurant (Primehouse), but appeared busy both evenings of our stay. We did have a drink in the street-level lounge located just off the lobby, and the staff there was also very congenial and accommodating . It will be very hard to consider any other hotel when looking in downtown Chicago.
Was this review helpful to you?
Thanks for the valuable feedback you provided to other Skoosh visitors and reviewers. Your vote will be counted and will appear on the hotel page within 24 hours
Review by:
Leigh Vander Molen,
grand rapids, United States
Stayed:Oct 2009
The James is a very chic, very European hotel. I loved hearing languages from around the world, enjoyed seeing lap dogs trotting through the lobby and the room was a welcome sight from the run-of-the-mill hotel! Great place for a romantic get away.
Was this review helpful to you?
Thanks for the valuable feedback you provided to other Skoosh visitors and reviewers. Your vote will be counted and will appear on the hotel page within 24 hours
Review by:
johnny b.,
commerce, United States
Stayed:Sep 2009
great hotel but i found their over night parking much too expensive...
Was this review helpful to you?
Thanks for the valuable feedback you provided to other Skoosh visitors and reviewers. Your vote will be counted and will appear on the hotel page within 24 hours
Review by:
Disappointed,
Indianapolis, United States
Stayed:Aug 2009
The hotel staff, with a few exceptions, was young, disinterested and rude. We had a problem with the room reservation. We were offered no apologies, instead we were told that it was our fault for not reading the fine print when booking with Skoosh online. Upon returning home, I called the hotel reservations manager to discuss the misunderstanding. She laughed at several points and it was clear that the lack of customer service starts at the top.
The hotel location is excellent. The decor was cool. The lack of customer service was enough for us to make sure we don't come back. There are too many great hotels in Chicago to waste time with this one.
Was this review helpful to you?
Thanks for the valuable feedback you provided to other Skoosh visitors and reviewers. Your vote will be counted and will appear on the hotel page within 24 hours
Review by:
MiamiMorgs,
Miami Beach, United States
Stayed:Jun 2009
I usually try to stay at a Starwood hotel when traveling but the W hotels were just too expensive this time so I decided to check out the James. I was very pleased with the experience overall. I arrived late due to flight delays and got to the room and had a very good meal from room service. The gym is one of the best I have found in a hotel anywhere. The room was large, bed comfortable, bathroom large and supplied with high quality soaps, shampoos etc.
Only criticism is that the bar isn't very inviting if you just want to go and have a quiet drink, it is a bit of a scene with people meeting there before heading to the restaurant.
Was this review helpful to you?
Thanks for the valuable feedback you provided to other Skoosh visitors and reviewers. Your vote will be counted and will appear on the hotel page within 24 hours
Review by:
Brienne,
Lawrence, United States
Stayed:Dec 2008
We were extremely pleased with our decision to stay at The James Hotel in Chicago, IL. We stayed a total of 5 nights. The hotel decor was very modern and tasteful. Not over the top, just right! The hotel staff was helpful and courteous. Our room was very clean and had all the amenities we needed. The room was cleaned thoroughly each day and the beds turned down each evening. The hotel bar and restaurant were great! We had drinks each night at the bar, dinner one night and breakfast twice at the restaurant. We were truly impressed when we came to have dinner just before the kitchen closed. We were seated and treated wonderfully even though we were "the only" people in the restaurant. BRAVO!
Was this review helpful to you?
Thanks for the valuable feedback you provided to other Skoosh visitors and reviewers. Your vote will be counted and will appear on the hotel page within 24 hours
