Average big city hotel, with an aggravation
You can do much better than this hotel for a stay in downtown Chicago. 
Location: Only for conventions. The only reason to stay here is its proximity to McCormick Place convention center. It would not be suitable for anyone staying in Chicago for tourist reasons, as there are far more nicely situated hotels in "The Loop" for the same price or less.
Value: My room was $189, AAA rate. Interestingly, I was told that $220 was the cheapest rate at the hotel by two different staff, yet when I requested AAA rate, both people dropped the rate by $30. They did not ask for my AAA card at check in. 
Room: Average. Standard chain hotel, with the awkward surprise of the "closet" being built out into the room and closed off by shower curtains. Bathroom small, with below-average amenities. Room size adequate. Long distance view from 29th floor but it was a south side room, facing away from the Loop, so the view was not very interesting. Noisy room: distinct noises from hall and adjoining rooms - slamming doors, running water, flushing toilets, ice dispenser. The room was very clean.
Restaurants: Unacceptably poor. This is not in a part of town surrounded by nightlife and restaurants. I would not walk outside alone after dark. You are pretty much stuck here unless you want to drive. At 6:45 tonight when I went down for dinner, the restaurant was closed for a private function. The pizza restaurant was also closed - 1 1/2 hours early. The guest guide said it would close at 8pm, but it had closed at 6:30. Therefore, at 6:45PM there was no open restaurant - just room service or a crowded and boisterous bar (not an appealing choice for a tired, hungry, older female). The hotel should not have closed the pizza restaurant early when the only other restaurant was privately booked. 
Service: I agree with the earlier reviewer juju030 who said the service is terrible. Exception: Erik at the front desk was terrific at check in. No other staff approached his level of service. The staff in the halls avoided my smile. The concierge desk seemed to think I was out of line for complaining about the lack of any restaurant at suppertime. I was on hold 5+ minutes when I finally called room service, and was told it would take 35 minutes to bring up my salad. The room service staff were unresponsive to my complaint about the lack of a restaurant.
Overall: This reviewer travels a great deal, and know that any hotel can deliver uneven results. However the uniformly lackluster aspects of this hotel, its poor location, noisy and odd rooms, and abysmal customer service would all keep me from recommending it to anyone unless they MUST stay at the convention center.