where service is an inconvenience
For the prices this hotel charges they should be going above and beyond on service...NOT! I just recently stayed at this property for 12 days on a business trip and was constantly disappointed. 
1. My room was the first disappointment...tip to all who stay here...GO CHECK THE ROOM THEY RESERVE FOR YOU BEFORE YOU GET THE KEYS! Some are much better than others...DO NOT stay in 2014. My room was so small and SO DARK...one tiny window that looked out to a brick wall...no natural light at all. To change rooms was such an inconvenience that I just stayed and made sure to stay out of the room most of the time. The rooms are older and plumbing was an issue the whole time.
2. Room service will break you! $40 for breakfast which consist of egg white omlette toast and coffee??? Really??? Not kidding! Another instance I needed a fork so I called room service and they told me it would cost $5 for a fork! Really??? So I went downstairs in my pjs to the restaurant and got a roll up silverware myself...nice service Intercontinental...NOT! ALso another note on room service...whenever I did call them, they never once addressed me by my name or repeat my room number. Now when I am paying to stay at a place that wants to charge me $5 for a piece of silverware, I do have certain expectations and the Intercontinental never came close to meeting them.
3. Upon checking in a collegue of mine was sharing a room with another coworker...keep in mind that we are here 12 days. She was told they had a king bed. When kindly reminding the receptionist that there were 2 of them, the response was "we will get you a roll away bed"...really??? Yes that was their answer. Finding a room with 2 beds was an inconvenience to them. 
4. I had flowers delivered to me during my stay and my friend wanted to make sure the flowers were delivered properly. He informed me that he had the hardest time just getting someone to answer the phone and when they did, the conceirge told him that I was not staying in the hotel! Once that mix up was solved, my friend told the hotel to deliver the flowers to my room and have them in the vase waiting for me...they were not. Note:I had not communicated with my friend of all the bad service I was experiencing. So his experience with the front desk was just ANOTHER situation.
5. They will charge you to use the business center and charge you for each copy you make! When I went in to use the center there was a homeless person sleeping under the desk! The center is on a higher floor not ground level! How can this get by hotel security??? 
I travel ALOT for pleasure and business. I stay in family b&bs to hotels to vacation rental properties and this was by far one of the worst experiences I have had in a long time.
The Intercontinental is expensive and their lack of concern for the guest is apparent. 
Now a few good notes. 
1. Great location to downtown CHicago.
2. Front door men are AWESOME...they know how to orchestrate taxis!
3. There is a Starbucks connected to the lobby and it is friendly and you can get coffee and a quick breakfast or snack for 1/4 of what the hotel charges.
4. Michael Jordan's restaurant is in the lobby and it is good although pricey BUT the bartenders make really good cocktails and are very knowledgeable on their craft as well.
My advice, Chicago is pricey anyways...there are SO many places to stay in the downtown area that are newer and less expensive. Save your money for shopping, sight seeing, restaurants and night life and stay elsewhere!