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 Mile for $63 plus taxes.
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.
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.
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:-)
You can read other reviews of the Holiday Inn Express Chicago Magnificent Mile at TripAdvisor here, and check prices for your dates here
. 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
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.
The breakfast area is right off of the lobby and we never had a problem finding a seat.
There is a 2nd room available as well for overflow seating at breakfast.
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.
There is also a small but well-equipped fitness center at the Holiday Inn Express Chicago Magnificent Mile
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
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
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
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
Congratulations. You’re the first person I’ve met who consumed a Holiday Inn Express breakfast and actually enjoyed it. I consider it to be the worst free-breakfast of any “free breakfast” chain.
LOL – worse than like Econo Lodge where they bring out week-old processed donuts and grits?