As an inter-racial couple I read some other reviews and was blown away at their negative experiences. We just stayed July 2nd 2026 and it was an awesome visit. This was our first time here and plan to revisit in August. I booked reasonably a week in advance. We had the studio queen apartment and it was amazing. Just like the photos! Amazing views! We were lucky enough to catch a lighting/thunderstorm over the city and lake that night which was fun to watch from the room. The room was huge! It was super clean. The bathroom was way bigger than mine at home, I was blown away by the amenities. I don't even own a dishwasher in my own home so this really did feel like a nice escape. The staff was so gracious and always welcoming. Even when we were worried about having to get a later check out and possibly having to pay, so we didn't have to carry our luggage around the remainder of our last afternoon in town they told us not to pay for the later check out, instead they will check your bags in for free downstairs for as long as you need for the day. We were able to go get breakfast, shopping, lunch more shopping and come back a few hours later and pick up our bags. All in all this hotel met our needs and exceeded them in every way. Thank You for a great trip. :) read more

Sentral Michigan Avenue - Apartments Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have never been racially profiled as badly in my life as I was during my stay at this hotel. As a Black woman, this experience was deeply upsetting and unacceptable. My group of seven stayed at Sentral this past weekend to celebrate a friend's 30th birthday. We also had two additional friends staying at a different hotel who visited briefly. We also listed the appropriate number of occupants on each room when each room was reserved. Night 1 (4/23/2026): Around 9 PM on Thursday, we entered the building with one member of our group who had just arrived and still had his luggage. Security immediately questioned him about whether he had checked in and if he had a room. We confirmed that he did. Later that evening, while waiting for an Uber, we politely asked the same security guard for recommendations in the city, and he completely ignored us. Night 2 (4/24/2026): After dinner, we returned to the hotel with our two visiting friends, making our group nine people. As soon as we walked in, the same security guard loudly demanded that we step aside and began aggressively enforcing a "3 people per room, 2 guests at a time" policy. He questioned us about how many rooms we had, demanded room numbers and names, and even asked people to raise their hands according to which room they were staying in. We were confused but complied. This interrogation happened publicly as other guests walked in and out, which was humiliating. Once it became clear that we were not violating any policy, we proceeded to the elevator--only for the guard to follow us and claim there had been a complaint about us "sneaking people in," followed by a quiet apology. If the disrespect was loud and public, the apology should have been as well. Minutes later, while waiting for an Uber, we observed the same guard allowing other groups to enter freely without asking for keys or questioning them at all. Throughout the stay: The treatment did not improve. Front desk staff repeatedly failed to greet us or respond when we spoke, while engaging normally with other guests. At one point, while simply waiting in the lobby, we were again questioned as if we did not belong there. As a group of young Black professionals who were respectful, well-behaved, and not causing any disturbance, this experience was not only embarrassing--it was deeply unsettling. I love Chicago, but I will never stay at this property again, and I will not recommend it to others. read more

Love the apartment feel. Right across the street from Grant Park. Very relaxing. Ambiance was average but I had no complaints other than that there was no pot to cook in. Will definitely be using the service again. read more

Great Professional Experience within Sentral...I was having my condo renovated so stayed here for a few months. The staff is caring and always greeted me each morning on my way to work and when returning late at night assisted several times opening the door on the side when I was carrying packages. When I was having trouble with the internet connection, one of the staff came into my unit and fixed the problem right away. In the morning when I had to get up early the beautiful sunlight with that amazing view of the city brought a smile to my face each time. So many conveniences and attention to details even with their amenities. I'm truly going to miss it. read more

Matt was wonderful! He helped us with our luggage, answered all our questions and recommended great restaurants and transportation options for us. He clearly loves this city and created a better experience for our first time here. read more

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I don't know where to start...let's try from the beginning. My friend booked this hotel through Expedia for her 40th birthday. From the photos and overall reviews, it seemed like a nice place to stay. Checking in: couldn't understand the front desk staff well due to the language barrier. Also, they told us it was a $500 security deposit. What on Earth?! This was not advertised anywhere. I've stay in a lot of places, but I've never heard of a $500 security deposit for a hotel. As soon as we went into room 1008, it smelled like garbage, there were stains on the carpet and there were scratches and dents on the wall. I asked for a room change due to the smell. The manager informed us that only one other room was available to rent so we prayed that there weren't any other issues. Welp, room 2008 was smaller, it smelled like a man who didn't shower for a week, and there were stains on the carpet. Only thing I could do at this point was ask them to bring candles and deodorizer spray. They weren't able to bring candles, but after the maintenance guy finished deodorizing the place, it smelled so much better. Why didn't they do that beforehand? I can't answer that. So the next issue was the sheets in one of the rooms. I went to take a nap, and saw stains when I pulled the covers back. I'm no expert, but it looked like make-up. I asked them to change the sheets, but they said there isn't housekeeping service around the clock so the best they could do was give me sheets to put on the bed myself. Yikes! I almost threw up changing those sheets. The mattress cover had all kinds of stains on it. I can't even begin to describe what those stains looked like. The next issue was with one of the showers. It wasn't draining properly so the water accumulating at the bottom. At this point, I was tired of calling downstairs so we simply used one shower...it was 4 of us. I would NOT recommend this place. Not even as a last resort. read more

Sentral was our little secret last year, but now it's more popular. Hopefully will be able to reserve next year. Last year we were here two weeks, and very much enjoyed the room, the lake view, the location (fantastic) and the people. This year we stayed a whole year. Good value and morning coffee completes the fifth star! read more

Last minute booking in Chicago and had no regrets! Wonderful and very helpful staff that went up and beyond for my entire party. The lobby is welcoming and modern. Refreshments are wonderful. Our 2 bed 2 bath room was amazing! So relaxing and the view was great! But I must say the best part was the pool that overlooked the park! Will certainly come again, I also loved the interactions with the full time residents of the building, they don't seem to mind the new faces at all ! read more

Sentral Michigan Avenue - Apartments Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Not kid friendly. I called ahead to make sure they had a pack-n-play/crib available for my baby, and was told they are on a first come first serve basis. Totally fine. We book the room. We go to check in, but before we do, we inquired about the pack-n-play and were told, we don't have those. Then, to check in and he would text another worker (female I spoke to) to see if she knows something he doesn't. We check in and I came back down to the front desk and he then said, "she's not answering me, probably because she's off work. ARE THEY ON THEY (the playpens) ON THE 7th FLOOR?) I'm like how would I know? The front desk gentleman seemed completely confused and not considerate in the slightest. He then told me there was a store up the street. I wouldn't have booked this place if there wasn't a spot for my baby to sleep! Like come on... I literally had to go BUY a playpen for our 12 hour stay. I was and still am so frustrated with the whole ordeal. I will say, the view was amazing and the place was very clean. But dang, the customer service was no bueno. read more

I've lived in a lot of places, and Essex on the Park is by far the best living experience I've ever had. I lived here from 2019-2020 when it first opened, and only left to live in a new city. The building is extremely clean, the winter garden is one of the best pool rooms I've seen in any apartment building, and the views are amazing. For studio apartments, Essex has potentially the best view out of any I've seen in Chicago. The gym is adequate, and they frequently listened to tenant feedback for equipment in the building's first year, although this may not be the case now that it's more mature. The only downside was it doesn't have as many amenities as some other buildings, but I felt the trade off was worth it for the quality of what they do have. read more

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in order to finish brushing your teeth. There were several stains in the rug that was in the living room area. I contacted the people thru the text number that was provided and inquired about getting a different room with a better view and higher location and I'm told that the rooms are full. I checked in two hours early (which I was charged extra for) so I don't understand that at the point I asked for a different room I am told that none are available even though it was just prior to 4pm (check-in time). So people are just now checking in and being assigned rooms. I was also told that I would have had to "request" higher floors or "better" views when I made the reservation. How would I know this when reserving my room? This is not noted anywhere. After multiple attempts trying to get answers I just gave up. The location is great but other than that the customer service is not good at all and the rooms do not appear to be taken care of. For the price, I would not recommend this business. The parking is outrageous and the rooms are not taken care of and the customer service is non existent. read more

One of the worst places I ever stayed at. l've never been racially profiled until I decided to stay here. In my city for my birthday to get views of Downtown Chicago. Grace the front desk associate is one of the worst people ever. She literally had the security follow me til I left. I broke no rules, no music playing. So I was unclear why she would file a complaint. She couldn't & wouldn't explain. She never spoke to me about anything. She was very rude & confrontational. I asked to get a managers number & was denied. Security was very apologetic & said this is what she does to the blacks. All people are not bad, we pay our hard earned money for vibes and a good time. Not everyone is about drama. I didn't even feel safe to stay there. All it takes is one bad apple & she's definitely that. This is not going to end well. read more

The units are modern and spacious, with great views and amenities like a fitness center and rooftop pool. It's perfect for those seeking short-term stays or a more flexible living arrangement in the heart of Chicago. Would stay again read more

We enjoyed our 3 night stay at Sentral Michigan Ave very much. The size of the apartment was perfect......very clean and spacious...comfortable bed...and very quiet. Had everything we needed to have a wonderful time downtown Chicago. The employees were helpful and friendly and we definitely plan to stay here when we return to Chicago for more fun and adventures. Having the Bistro next door was priceless for an early breakfast. I would make two suggestions.....1. mount a clock in the kitchen (the one on the microwave is too hard to see from the couch) and 2. A dresser in the bedroom would have been nice for storing clothes, even tho the closet space was ample. read more

Love this place wish I could live here.Beautiful place downtown.I thought it was a hotel but it is more than that. It is apartel and apartment. A hotel with amenities and apartment with a kitchenette. Love this place almost dont want to leave. There are few things that they are slacking. Great hotel/ apartment. Building. My bae is a carpenter he noticed a few things. Such as the towel racks in the bathroom, cabinet in the kitchen, door knob to the bathroom loose. They don't have shelves in the shower to hang your shampoo etc.you have to put it on the floor. The game room and pool waa on point. Bbq patio was closed. The garden room was nice and clean. Everything only the read more

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Loving life is easy from the views of Lake Michigan and Grant Park. We have a super spacious 2 bed 2 bath with everything we need when we are in town. We are spoiled from the personal attention my wife and I and fur babies recieve from our amazing resident staff. Shout out to George for 2 yrs making us at home.. We have always had immediate and professional handling of maintenance throughout the building thanks to Gary and Matt heading up such a great team. Amenities- are you kidding you won't need to go anywhere- WFH space, Fitness, killer winter garden that rivals any luxury resort but we call it home. Thanks to our DAYDREAM managment lead by Jeff and Volkan we feel like we are in one of the best communities in the city. M&J read more

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Since the change from Essex on the Park to Sentral, the front desk staff are useless. You get a blank stare when you ask about anything. Maybe they'll go get the package you asked for, but they won't verbally acknowledge you at all. Mute. It's as if management made a point to take reluctant, unsuspecting, unprepared volunteers who have never worked a front desk to do the job. Often, no one is sitting at the front desk for long stretches of time. Concerning packages, since management change, many hours go by between packages being delivered and getting notification of delivery. More concerningly, management has become really irresponsible concerning Covid procedures. I cannot count how many times I've complained about residents (and probably a lot of short-term randos too) not wearing masks in the gym. Of course there will always be an inconsiderate portion of the population, but that's why it's up to the management of this private building to enforce mask mandates in its public spaces. It took months of complaining for a small and wordy sign to be placed next to the gym door. It took more months of complaining to have an email sent out to the residents. I've gotten the excuse, "We can't enforce anything." Yes, management LITERALLY can. At this point, it's a CHOICE not to do anything about it. I don't know what the problem is. The pandemic isn't over but it seems as if Sentral's management wants to pretend it is. People pay a LOT of money to live here. Management has no problem sending out tons of emails about keeping windows closed on windy days to keep the building safe, maybe do everything to can to keep residents safe? Get creative! Put large signs up! Send out regular reminder emails! Go upstairs and enforce the rules!! read more

The location is amazing - right across from the museum campus. The communal area has excellent amenities. The pool and hot tub has the lake view. To top it off, some of the serve staff are top notch. Particularly worth calling out is Joy at front desk. She is truly a joy - has a big smile, she is super friendly and is attentive when there are problems to solve. She has made our one month stay very special. Very grateful. read more

Was an easy to find,parking garage next door,great reception, clean,stylish,roomy comfortable, will stay again. Perfect home away from home walking distance to everything,safe... read more

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Stayed here for a few days for vacation and LOVED it! The building is beautiful! The amenities which I wish I could have taken advantage of but it was a jam packed trip are amazing. The pool area...breathtaking even with a view of the lake! The gym is complete; no need for a membership. Even spotted Peletons, bikes outside as well to exercise with a view. Activity room also looked like a fun space. I did use the shared workspace. They even have pods where basically it's a little box you can do work in; probably soundproof. No one complained when I listened in on a meeting. We had a studio. It was great to have a washer/dryer and kitchen. It was small, but expected for a studio. The bed wasn't so comfy, but didn't mind. Our studio didn't have a nice view, just faced a building with windows. Anyways, I'd definitely stay here again when in Chicago. It is an awesome location. Can walk to so many things like the museums, Giordiano's, Buckingham Fountain, Millenium Park, etc. read more

Honestly the best place I have EVER stayed. Super nice amenities. Like an infinity pool/hot tub with a view & a gym with peletons! Staff is super nice, the whole building & the rooms are modern decorated and super pretty. Our bedroom had an awesome view and was pretty spacious for a studio with a full kitchen, in unit washer/dryer, walk in closets & a huge glass walk in shower. Safe, super clean, & central location at a decent price. I would 12/10 stay here again!!! read more

Sentral Michigan Avenue - View from one of our 3 panel windows on the back wall - Apartments Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My girlfriend and I had a three night stay which we were initially impressed mainly with the layout and size of the rental, some design aspects as well. That was all great, however the accommodations were not. There were no coffee filters for the coffee maker which I had gone down to the desk to ask for some. They said someone would be up to bring us some taking down our room number. No one ever up or left anything. There was no salt and pepper, if you end up in room 807 you're welcome we left you salt and pepper. The towel bar in the bathroom was broken already before we got here with clean towels carefully balanced on it. So we were left to be the ones feeling like we broke it. Needs a simple tightening but shouldn't be our problem. Room service also entered the apartment to deliver us toilet paper without consent. Simple things to avoid seems poorly managed. read more

We stayed at Sentral for my sister's graduation. Joshua and the entire Sentral team provided my family with stellar service. I would stay here again. I am also curious about the other locations. When I come back to the Chicago area I would definitely stay at Sentral. Also the panoramic view of the city in our room was amazing. I loved seeing the Christmas train at night. read more

I have lived in Chicago for several years. I had two appointments in the city and decided to treat myself to a hotel on Michigan Avenue. I made a huge mistake. I booked a room at Sentral Michigan. I thought this was a hotel but is really a residential building with "hotel rooms". I had already paid for the room but was told there was a $150 deposit for incidentals. Was told this would be reimbursed in 7-10 days. Not a good sign. Realized when I got to the room I had to take pictures. There were scratches/gouges in the table and marks on the floor. Took photos of anything they could charge me for. There was no phone in the "hotel". When I opened the heater there were disconnected wires. The television was a joke. It did not work. I don't know what this company is doing except scamming people. Do not stay here. It is awful and they just want to scam you. I'd rather stay at a Super 8. I'd at least get a phone and a TV that works. read more

I stayed in one of the Sonder (hotel) units in this building. The views from my room were divine. And the interiors of the unit for a "hotel" were nice. Fun to have a full kitchen and a separate bedroom. I'd say the one thing about the interior of the unit that I'd suggest is that the living room either needs to have another lamp or dimmable pendants in the kitchen. In the evening, it gets dark. Oh, and the TV is old school--almost no decent channels. I was perplexed and thought I must have missed something because I couldn't find the streaming services and the regular TV was showing things like Monk and McGuyver. Very strange. That said: Below in the reviews a few residents complain about weed smell in the building. Indeed, my nightmare began with being unable to check in at 4pm and having to wait to get into the unit and ended with me calling and texting (multiple times) customer service to no avail in the afternoon and evening. The people across from me were smoking the most pungent weed I've ever smelled. I ended up opening my windows (in March--IN CHICAGO) and stuffing towels beneath the door to try to block the smell. But I still got a headache in both the afternoon and evenings and my throat didn't handle their smoke well. There seemed to be common airways between units as well as about .5 inch gap beneath the front door, which allows in, at least in this case, far too much air from the hallway. Would I stay here again?: no. Not even a little bit, even though I covet this view. And that because, through this process I learned a couple of things: 1) there was no on-site security and the soonest someone could get to the building was 1.5 hours later, which ultimately feels unsafe to e. 2) The customer service reps have no power to address issues (I presumed that this was especially the case on weekends when no supervisor seemed to be available). 3) of the 4 people I spoke to, not one of them initiated a solution to the problem. 4) sending up a young man to spray air freshener isn't a solution to the fundamental problem. And 5) They wouldn't even knock on doors to pinpoint which unit it was (even after I continually told them which unit it was). read more

Maybe this is a decent place to stay as a visitor needing a hotel, but DO NOT LIVE HERE. Do not sign a lease. As you can see, the building is part hotel with guests coming and going at all times. Management prioritizes the guests over residents. The guests can use all the amenities, but are not respectful. There have been many safety concerns: for Lollapalooza as an example, they rented out all these vacant rooms and didn't hire any extra security for the people living here until they received a ton of complaints. Then, they hired a single person to "watch the door" that really didn't do anything. Amenities are overcrowded. The dog run is absolutely disgusting with pee indoors and out that isn't cleaned up for hours. On multiple occasions I have walked into elevators with dog piss, spilled drinks, and trash. Management is extremely rude to residents. Completely unreasonable and inconsiderate. Sentral is a joke of a company and has ruined what Essex on the Park once was. Lastly, with COVID regulations in place, management doesn't care to follow the rules and wear masks. Edit - additional considerations: the trash chute is always jammed (I'm talking every weekend) and some residents will then leave their trash in the halls so it smells awful The package hub is occasionally full or out of service so you can't get your packages Windows always seem to break / need maintenance on the amenity floors Lots of complaints of dogs barking throughout the building Oh and good luck getting an elevator in less than a minute on a weekend... especially in the summer when they close half of them for people moving in and out. I'm talking, I've had to wait TEN MINUTES FOR AN ELEVATOR in the summer with movers and hotel guests. There have been lines out the door... read more

I moved into SENTRAL in August of 2020 so am a long term resident. I can't speak highly enough of the location but more importantly, the people. I recently had COVID and everyone from our general manager to our wonderful front desk team went above and beyond to help me. Whether it was a text to see how I was doing, bringing my groceries to me during quarantine or an offer to pick something up for me at a store, it has been so incredibly helpful. Thank you Sentral team - I appreciate you all. read more

Our stay at Sentral was nothing short of spectacular!! We got a room with amazing views of the city and lake. At night it was simply magical with the city all lit up! The pool and hot tub are spectacular as well! Gym facilities are the best I've experienced in any hotel! Will absolutely be staying here anytime I'm in Chicago! read more

I wrote a review earlier, it was harsh, and completely unwarranted. I love this place, great views and the staff(more like a family) go out of their way to make sure you're happy. I'll keep this short, it's the best place I've ever stayed and highly recommend it. read more

Visited the Sentral apartments through the partnership Sonder at Grant Park. Location offered helpful receptionists and security checkpoints (including electronic temperature tests). Apartment was very spacious and offered and amazing view! Facility was very clean, I would definitely recommend this location! read more

Sentral Michigan Avenue - Pool and lounge area - Apartments Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place is amazing!!! I became a triple amputee five years ago, so travel to new places is a lot more complicated (and scary) for me now. I arrived here the end of November to visit family. The apartments and overall facility are beautiful. I happen to ride down in the elevator with some people who were looking at apartments and they asked me what I liked most about living here. After a brief pause, I answered by saying that the people at Sentral are truly wonderful. At first I thought it was because I was in a wheelchair, but after being here for three months I realized everyone is treated with the upmost respect, responsiveness and friendliness. I won't be staying anywhere else ever! read more

Amazing stay at Sentral Michigan Ave! The amenities are modern and beautiful. We loved using the fitness center, pool and game room during our stay. Our unit was modern with some of the best views of Lake Michigan and the city skyline. read more

This property is amazing! I have never been so welcomed and comfortable during a stay. I only stayed a few nights and but felt so at home, the staff and amenities are more like a spa than anything. Also the views are amazing! Please don't pass over the property to stay for one night or or for a month. You for sure will not be disappointed! These Apartment style rooms allow you to live like a local in a highly sought after area. read more

My wife and I celebrated our sixth year anniversary here. It was amazing !!! The customer service is stellar, the amenities are immaculate and location you can't find a better location near everything. Can't wait to come back for another stay. read more

The building itself is gorgeous, views are the absolute best in Chicago. Staff members are friendly, greet the residents, and are always available to fix any issues. Only consistent problem has been the garabage shoot that randomly stops working. I've heard from several other residents this is also an issue for them. This is obviously a small detail, and overall it's the best place to live in the city! read more

We booked our month long stay online via a third party company which promised a booking under a King bed. When we arrived, we were in an XL Full. We called customer service to get an upgraded room 5 times over the course of 24 hours. We were promised the check in details for our upgraded room would be sent via email at the end of each phone call. All of our items are packed to move to our upgraded room, including our work from home equipment, while we remain on hold the following morning waiting for the check in combo for our new room. I have never had to follow up with customer service so frequently, with not a single person resolving the issue they state they do. read more

I've been reading up on Essex on the park and was immediately stunned by it's beauty and luxury! So I booked for a week via Sonder. But the sad news - Sonder guests aren't allowed to use the pool and gym, which is about half of the reason why I wanted to stay here (the other half is the location and views!) I really hope this changes soon as I'm dying to use the gorgeous pool! read more

Luxury is an understatement! Essex on the Park is by far one of the most stunning apartment buildings I've ever seen. The amenity that stood out to me most is the winter garden. The serene environment makes for a great place to relax and unwind. read more

We stayed here for just over two months. We had an extremely pleasant stay, even though we had to leave, we liked it so much that we booked accommodation at one of their other Sentral locations for the next two months. The building looks brand new on the inside, it smells nice, the location is awesome and the amenities were the best we've had in any building we've stayed at. Hot tub, pool, large relaxing area with awesome views of Grant Park and Lake Michigan. Massive gym, pool table, ping pong, entertainment area, outside bicycles and overall just nice and modern. Our unit was on one of the corners in the back, much larger than we thought, lots of natural light with floor to ceiling windows and we could still see Lake Michigan. You are close to everything here and the staff were super nice. On top of this, I forgot my wedding ring there when we left. We called one of the managers and he very quickly helped me get it back. So grateful. It was a great stay and we miss it already! We can highly recommend staying at Sentral. read more