Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

I recently traveled with my wife and two of my kids on a “fake” whirlwind trip to Chicago to see the play Potted Potter.  We were originally scheduled to get in to Chicago at about 4pm, see the show and fly out early the next morning.  Due to Southwest canceling our original flights due to non-existent snow, we ended up getting into Chicago by about 7am which was good (more time in Chicago) and bad (4 a.m. wakeup call).  After looking through various options and figuring out that IHG points were essentially worthless, we booked the Holiday Inn Express Chicago Magnificent MileInvalid request error occurred. for $63 plus taxes.

a man sitting at a reception desk in a hotel

Holiday Inn Express Chicago Magnificent Mile location, cost and history

The Holiday Inn Express Chicago Magnificent Mile was originally the Hotel Cass and built in 1927.  Its location is 640 N. Wabash Avenue in Chicago.

a black and white photo of a building

The Holiday Inn Express Chicago Magnificent Mile is conveniently located to the Red Line subway – only 2 blocks from the Grand station just north of the Loop.  We took the Orange Line from Midway airport and transferred at Roosevelt to the Red Line.  If you’re coming from O’Hare to the Holiday Inn Express Chicago Magnificent Mile, you can take the Blue Line to Washington and transfer to the Red Line at Lake.

a low angle view of a building

We arrived on a frigid December morning and of course somehow got turned around coming out of the Grand Subway station so ended up walking 2 blocks in the wrong direction before turning around and finally spotting the logo of the Holiday Inn Express Chicago Magnificent Mile:-)

a street with a sign on it

You can read other reviews of the Holiday Inn Express Chicago Magnificent Mile at TripAdvisor hereInvalid request error occurred., and check prices for your dates hereInvalid request error occurred..  It is 40,000 IHG points which I would NOT recommend in most cases

(SEE ALSO: Man, IHG points really ARE worthless?)

Hotel Cass Chicago Magnificent Mile breakfast

The Holiday Inn Express Chicago Magnificent Mile has a standard Holiday Inn Express which is free for all guests.  Most importantly of course are the Holiday Inn Express cinnamon rolls, which are by far my favorite breakfast item at any chain

a trays of pastries in a glass case

Standard hot breakfast items were also included, which was bacon, sausage, cheese and veggie omelets as well as a pancake maker.  Due to our early flight, originally there was not a room available for us when we arrived, so the staff at the Holiday Inn Express Chicago Magnificent Mile / Hotel Cass said we could just come have breakfast and relax while we waited for a room but shortly afterwards a room opened up.

a group of people standing in a cafeteria

The breakfast area is right off of the lobby and we never had a problem finding a seat.

a room with couches and tables and chairs

There is a 2nd room available as well for overflow seating at breakfast.

a room with tables and chairs

Amenities at the Holiday Inn Express Chicago Magnificent Mile

The Hotel Cass / Holiday Inn Express Chicago Magnificent Mile has standard amenities.  There is a business center which I used to print our boarding passes.

a desk with a computer and a printer

There is also a small but well-equipped fitness center at the Holiday Inn Express Chicago Magnificent Mile

a room with treadmills and exercise machines

The Holiday Inn Express Chicago Magnificent Mile does not have a swimming pool but does also offer Valet Parking for $54 with unlimited in & out privileges (yikes!).  They also offer “complimentary hi-speed Internet” but the Internet was pretty slow / laggy while I was there, to the point that to get things done I had to connect my laptop to my hotspot.

Holiday Inn Express Chicago Magnificent Mile rooms

I assume due to its historic nature, the rooms at the Holiday Inn Express Chicago Magnificent Mile are… TINY

two beds in a room

That is the entire room – I’m literally standing in the room entranceway taking that pic, and the right wall is JUST off-camera.  The bathroom is also small

a bathroom with a toilet and bathtub

But it was fine for what we needed – we were there mostly to just sleep and eat.  I will mention that there was also a pretty good draft coming in from the windows.  Even so, it seemed that the heating compensated pretty well as it was not particularly cold in the room unless you were near the windows

If you can find it on a cheap rate, I definitely recommend the Holiday Inn Express Chicago as a great Magnificent Mile hotel


This site is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as thepointsguy.com. This may impact how and where links appear on this site. Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers and that compensation may impact on how and where card products appear on the site. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by my advertising partners and I do not include all card companies, or all available card offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers and other offers and benefits listed on this page. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Other links on this page may also pay me a commission - as always, thanks for your support if you use them

User Generated Content Disclosure: Points With a Crew encourages constructive discussions, comments, and questions. Responses are not provided by or commissioned by any bank advertisers. These responses have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the responsibility of the bank advertiser to respond to comments.

BoardingArea