Updated Review
I wrote a previous review on Trip Advisor about an item of mine that went missing at my stay at Public Hotel. Since then, the hotel has followed up and I thought it was only fair to update my review as well. Mary Beth was kind enough to call me the following day to apologize and make sure that my item was promptly replaced. It was a hugely generous offer and even though it was an unfortunate incident, I'm happy to say that the customer service at least, gets my vote of confidence.
** Previous Review **
If you're looking for a boutique feel at a fair price point, Public is a decent option, with a couple of caveats. In terms of hotel quality, I would compare it to The Standard hotels, stylish but sparse - and not one for light sleepers. The elevators, which are located near the Pump Room, are small and slow, so if you're looking for a quick retreat to your room on a busy Friday or weekend night, you'll be pressed for luck. The check-in process was pleasant, and the breakfast-to-go delivery, while expensive, was a nice way to start the day. Room service and housekeeping were just ok. I received the wrong order on one occasion and my tray wasn't cleared out the next morning - definitely not a deal-breaker, but it underlines the fact that this is not a luxury hotel.
My biggest criticism with the hotel is that, on my last night there, an electronic item from my room went "missing". After thoroughly checking my room and testing the door to see if it closed and locked properly, my boyfriend and I finally had to go downstairs and report the incident. The front desk lobby was initially attentive, taking a key scan of who had entered into the room and calling hotel security the next day to question the two staff members who had been in our room. The staff seemed genuinely understanding, however, next steps were vague and, as we both had to leave that day, the only thing I could do was file a police report and kiss my electronic item good-bye. Incidentally, the hotel did email after we wrote them a couple of times to say they would replace my item, which seemed like a fair and generous offer, but not surprisingly, there was no follow-up to that either.
While this may have just been a fluke incident, my personal experience with Public Chicago guarantees that I will never be staying there again. But then again, maybe I just encountered the one bad apple either staying or working at the hotel that particular day. Either way, if you do decide to book your stay there, be sure to lock your valuables in the safe. It's a good rule of thumb to follow anywhere you travel, really. Unfortunately, I just had to learn it the hard way.
Room Tip: If you prefer a quiet night of rest, ask for a corner room on a higher floor.