Staying near Millennium Park puts you in the center of Chicago’s cultural heartbeat, where world-class art, architecture, and lakefront energy converge. The area surrounding the park is one of the most walkable and desirable districts in the entire city, making it a prime base for both leisure and business travelers. Choosing the right hotel here means you can step out of the lobby and immediately access “The Bean,” the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, and the Art Institute of Chicago without ever hailing a cab.
The hotels in this corridor range from historic architectural landmarks to sleek, modern boutiques that cater to a variety of budgets and styles. Because this is a premium location, many properties emphasize elevated amenities, rooftop dining, and impeccable service to match the prestigious address. However, the true value lies in the convenience; staying within a short stroll of the park saves you significant time and transportation costs during your visit.
When evaluating the best options, we considered not just proximity, but the overall guest experience. Factors such as room comfort, noise insulation, dining quality, and historical significance play a crucial role in defining a memorable stay. A hotel might be located directly across the street, but if it lacks the service or ambiance to make your trip relaxing, it fails to meet the standard of a top recommendation.
Whether you are in town for a summer music festival, the winter ice skating ribbon, or simply to explore the Loop, your accommodation sets the tone for the trip. The surrounding streets feature a mix of corporate headquarters and high-end retail, creating a safe and vibrant atmosphere that remains active from early morning commuters to late-night theater crowds.
Selecting a hotel here also grants you easy access to the Chicago Riverwalk and the Magnificent Mile, extending your pedestrian-friendly radius. You can easily return to your room for a midday rest before heading back out for an evening concert or dinner. This flexibility is the primary reason travelers prioritize lodging within walking distance of the park.
Below is a curated list of the best hotels that offer exceptional quality and unbeatable proximity to Millennium Park, ensuring your stay in Chicago is as seamless as it is luxurious.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago - Magnificent Mile
| Address | 300 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (312) 787-6100 |
I stayed here during an extended Chicago trip with friends and had a great time. Due to us switching hotels mid-way through the trip, about an hour before arrival, I had asked through text if an earlier check in may be available, fully knowing it was not guaranteed or likely. Brittney, the front office manager, had replied and informed me that the rooms were vacant and one was being cleaned, which was fine as we could all use one room until the other was ready. Upon arrival Brittney checked us in and the good news was that both rooms were ready. She was super friendly through the check in process, and also provided some nut-free cookies which was nice. The hotel also has self-park which is a nice step up, and we were on the 16th floor with a nice view. Both rooms were clean and although some of the furniture was older, it was all in good shape and functional, all the rooms are large in terms of square footage too. The plumbing worked well, as did the AC when we needed it, the added benches in the back were a plus too. The elevators were overall pretty quick and also needed a key which was nice, the wait was a little longer during peak times however. The food at dinner was great, the French fries were addictive, and I found the burger and chicken tenders to be great too. Gustavo and Jose G were great at the bar too. The breakfast buffet was good and had lots of selections as well, and the onsite cafe with starbucks was a huge plus. This hotel is also a Hilton Grand vacations hotspot, so they did have a lot of signup staff, they did not interfere with us however so it was all good. Location wise, this hotel puts you central to all Chicago has to offer, at the furthest, you will only be walking about 20 minutes to see Chicago's many attractions, and the CTA will take you to all the major stops as well. The area surrounding the hotel felt pretty safe as well, but like any city you should keep an eye out. Overall, I had a wonderful time here, the price was right, and would come back here next time I went to Chicago.
Enjoyable Family Vacation Stay
We had a wonderful 6-night stay here for our family vacation. The location is absolutely unbeatable—it's just a 15-minute walk to Navy Pier, with plenty of great restaurants and attractions less than 10 minutes away.
While the rooms are slightly dated, they were exceptionally clean, and the beds were very comfortable. The staff and reception were fantastic, offering excellent service and even greeting us with delicious chocolate chip cookies upon arrival. The hotel amenities are also a major plus; the swimming pool is clean and incredibly well-maintained, and the onsite restaurant is great.
Our only minor complaints were a slight delay in getting fresh towels and the price of the onsite self-parking ($65/night). While the onsite parking is convenient, I noticed that nearby garages cost less than half that amount, so it might be worth looking into.
Overall, this is a great, kid-friendly luxury hotel. I would happily stay here again and highly recommend it!
The DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Chicago was the second hotel in my cross-Midwest vacation tour. This hotel was a great location downtown. Close to Navy Pier, not far from Lake Michigan. Next door to the hotel is a pretty good size grocery market where you could get just about anything you needed. That way, you could snack in your room or get soda's, sandwiches, etc. In the lobby of the hotel was a very nice restaurant, not too expensive where you could get a beer, cocktail or light fare for a meal. The front desk staff is super friendly and helpful. The rooms were quite nice. Typical for Hilton standards, which are quite nice. High quality linens on the beds, nice furniture, quality baths and every amenity that you could ask for, including the obligatory coffee machine and supplies! Yes! Not to mention that the coffee is actually pretty good, and none of that powdered creamer. Yuck. Real non dairy creamer, the kind you pour! Thank goodness. The hotel was very busy, pretty much full when I was there. They have a nice rooftop pool/spa area on I believe it was the second or third floor. A lot of people were taking advantage of the sunny days and the pool. Unfortunately, these guests for some reason were clogging up all six elevators going up to their rooms and back down to the pool. It was making it very difficult for regular guests to get an elevator car just to navigate the building. Aside from the elevator issue there were virtually no problems with the stay. Parking is located in the building in a multi level garage. Not cheap mind you, at around $50/day or so. But I think the garage is owned by a different company. Not all that unusual in Chicago.
Thank goodness my rental car was small, as navigating the garage was challenging. I would hate to have had a big SUV or pickup truck. Not a fun time trying to park one of those. If you are seeking a nice hotel downtown, this one is a convenient, comfortable option with very nice rooms.
We had a great experience at this hotel! Huge, beautiful lobby with different food and beverage options and plenty of places to sit. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The Bellman was very friendly and helpful with storing our luggage. We stayed on the 26th floor and the room was very spacious and clean. One issue we had was requesting a room refresh on our second day, including some fresh towels,. We requested it in the morning and it never happened. There are several elevators, so you are never waiting too long for one. The location is very convenient and walking distance to many touristy hotspots. The hotel seemed to be in a cleaner, quieter area, just outside downtown, near a lot of hospitals and medical buildings. We were there as part of an HGV promotion. We attended the presentation and, although we did not purchase an ownership package, Zack was our rep and he was incredible. Not pushy, very knowledgable and respectful. He drove a hard bargain and made it seem very tempting for us to purchase. However, it’s just not in our budget at this time in life. Overall, we would definitely stay at this hotel again. We did not get a chance to use the pool, Would love to use it if we came back again.
We had a great experience at this hotel. It's is within walking distance from lots of attractions and restaurants. The outdoor pool was perfect for our kids since we were there during a heat wave. The pool was very clean as well. The rooms are a bit dated but clean and the beds were comfortable. The only issue we had was getting fresh towels for the room, otherwise our stay was great.
Arlo Chicago
| Address | 168 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (312) 346-1200 |
First time in Chicago and I couldn't have selected a better hotel. The location is fantastic! The L and bus are right out the door...we didn't uber once during our 4 nights here. Many attractions are within walking distance also.
The restaurant has a delicious menu and make fantastic lattes.
Also, the bed and pillows are INCREDIBLE! One of the most comfortable hotel beds I've experienced.
I would not hesitate to stay here again...excellent hospitality & service!
This place has a great location right on Michigan Ave. There is no first floor bathroom that any random person can use which is good for security purposes. You have to use your room key to get to the second floor for a bathroom or you would just go to your room. The elevators require a room key to take you up. It is a little finicky but I think most people could get the hang of it after a couple times. The way to get it to work is to hold your room card to the sensor then press your floor nearly immediately afterwards.
Antoine and Bryce were very helpful, and Antoine’s smile brightened my day and made holding my luggage a joy. They provided an option to text instead of calling the front desk or stopping by the front desk. The response isn’t always speedy but it’s a nice option for people that would rather text for communication.
The Arlo Chicago worked well for my needs and was available for a great price using booking.com, and I didn’t have any issues paying through a third party. There a restaurant onsite that I didn’t try but that could be convenient if you didn’t want to leave the property.
I was pleased with my stay and although the room cleanliness was not 100% pristine, it was good enough. I highly recommend this place if you are visiting Chicago and are interested in the Millennium Park, Grant Park, and Buckingham Fountain area. Public transit is also handy to get anywhere else as well.
Stayed here for a work trip. Beautiful, modern boutique feel. Very friendly and helpful staff. They were great in booking me a cab for a very early ride to the airport. It’s in a great location - walkable to many restaurants and the park. The rooms are a nice size, well appointed bathrooms and lots of nice lighting - under the bed lights are motion activated which is great if you get up in the middle of the night. Overall a nice experience. I’d definitely stay here again.
We had a very nice stay at the Arlo Chicago. The hotel was very clean, modern, and comfortable. The staff was very friendly and helpful from the first moment. We felt very welcome when we arrived. A special thank you to Ali and Antoine from the front office team for their kindness and support during our visit. We are very happy with our experience and would definitely come back again. We highly recommend this hotel and really enjoyed our time here.
It was a mixed bag. The rooms are very nice but quite small. The shower was very nice. For the price of the room, I was a bit disappointed. The room was also clean. The Mini fridge was filled with overpriced items to the point you can’t really use it. The hotel gives you two free cans of water but you cannot buy water in the hotel. I felt like there was a lot of nickel and dime charges too. $50 fee for early check in, ok fine, but to charge another $25 in tip of an early check in fee for “urban charge” is crazy. Additionally, maybe this is not an issue on higher floors, but the noise from the road was really bad. You can hear cars or motorcycles drag racing down the street at night. So much so that I barely got any sleep the one night so stayed here. Service was excellent and the restaurant downstairs was also really good. The location is fantastic though and there is a lot around the area to see and do. At the price point, and given the noise issues, I’d probably opt for a different property next time.
Freehand Chicago
| Address | 19 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (312) 940-3699 |
This place was hard to find for us as it is one set of doors with the name (Freehand) in red kind of smeared font. The rooms were smaller than I expected but beds were perfect size for 1 person to sleep very comfortable and for 2 to sleep good if you dont toss and turn much. Great location and clean rooms. Comfortable but small. Definitely good room if you just need a bed to sleep. There were hangouts down on the lobby level that looked fun. Not a bad experience, but if you dont need a spacious room. This could be for you.
This hotel is so cool and swanky! Absolutely love the ambience. The lounge is super lush and beautiful. The rooms (at least our private quad) was cool but doesn’t have amenities like coffee maker, fridge, microwave. For the price and location definitely worth it! Beds were comfy!
I loved the location of this place, it’s right next to the train station which can take you all over town quickly! The front desk staff service was nice as well as the bar staff, Stacy was amazing! I would definitely come back to see her, she was a great help in local recommendations. The room was just okay tbh. Nothing crazy, didn’t smell the cleanest , the bathroom was really small but could just be the room I picked. Overall 8/10 stay
I had a wonderful stay at the Freehand. As a solo femme presenting person traveling, I felt very safe and had fun. The staff made my stay all the more enjoyable. Gia at the bar was amazing! She is so personable and knows how to make a great espresso martini. It was so fun getting to talk to her and other travelers at the bar each morning. The customer service skills of all the staff are 1000/10 as the front desk ladies also made me feel very well taken care of. I had a great birthday trip at the freehand. It’s a block away from the redline so it is very convenient for traversing the rest of Chicago. Would recommend for solo femme travelers.
The hotel staff is very kind, especially Dana! She was super helpful and kind! I think the pictures of the quadruple private room are kind of deceiving in the sense that the room is really tiny. Despite this, the experience has been great so far and the location is basically walkable distance from everything! Thanks Dana for your kindness!
Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park
| Address | 200 N Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60601 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (312) 565-8000 |
I stayed here for a business trip in April, and the experience was fantastic. The location was excellent—close to millennium park and the river. The hotel was clean, well maintained, and the service was outstanding throughout my stay. One of the highlights was the view from my room. I had a fantastic view overlooking Millennium Park, and I could even catch a glimpse of Lake Michigan in the distance. It was especially beautiful in the morning and at sunset. Another highlight was that I love their lounge couch. I wonder if they can tell me where I can get one for my own house. 😂 Overall, I had a very pleasant stay and would happily return in the future. If I find myself back in Chicago for work or leisure, I would definitely consider staying here again.
My daughter and I stayed at the Fairmont for a mother-daughter trip to Chicago. The hotel is very nice, we stayed in a suite with a view of the park and it is a really beautiful view- we could even see some of the Navy Pier fireworks from our bed. The staff at the hotel truly makes the experience though. All of the staff were wonderful and helpful. Mya at the front desk was outstandingly wonderful. She went above and beyond for us. We had the most magical trip and we cannot thank the Fairmont staff enough.
The entry to Fairmont is lovely and smells divine.
The room we stayed in was pretty basic, but had a great view of a park (not Millennium), and a sliver of lake view. Bonus: view of the fireworks during the summer on Wednesday and Saturday nights. The beds were comfortable. There were electrical plugs and an outdated USB plug at the desk. The side table had two regular plugs in the lamp base for an adapter to charge our phones.
The room felt a little dated, but of good size. Under the cabinets, behind beds and in corners there was heavy dust.
The rest of the space was cleaned well. I appreciated that the walk-in-ish closet/coffee bar is situated in an alcove off of the bathroom, in a separate space from the beds/common area. I had expected a couch under the window, as seen in the advertised pictures, but instead it was an wide armless chair. The bathroom is spacious and has a bathtub separate from the shower. There is a pocket door to separate the toilet from the rest of the restroom
I liked that I could control the AC fan to auto, low, medium, or high.
The wi-fi went out intermittently, but the length of time it was out was brief.
My son enjoyed the gym and described it as very nice.
The remote for the TV was difficult to operate. Buttons require a very heavy thumb press and direct angle at a specific point on the TV - this was the most frustrating aspect of our stay.
Hotel staff was wonderful: kind, attentive, and helpful.
It is across from a CVS which was convenient for last-minute needs. The sidewalks along the Fairmont have heavy damage - not the hotel's fault but something to be aware of. We enjoyed being close to Millennium Park.
The air filtering is great - we arrived on a day with 500+ AQI and could only smell the smoke faintly in the hallways. Our room air remained clean.
The walls are not well-insulated for sound blocking. During our last night, the guests next to us started having loud, prolonged intercourse at 4am. I was grateful for my headphones and music app so I could block out the sounds of overcompensation.
I had an absolutely wonderful stay at the Fairmont Hotel as I was attending a wedding event. From the moment I arrived, the staff made me feel genuinely welcome and went above and beyond to ensure my stay was comfortable and enjoyable. The hotel was beautifully maintained, the rooms were spacious, clean, and well-appointed, and every detail reflected a commitment to excellence.
The service throughout my stay was exceptional. Everyone I encountered was professional, friendly, and attentive. The amenities were outstanding, and the overall atmosphere combined luxury with warmth and comfort.
Thank you to the entire Fairmont team for creating such a memorable experience. I highly recommend this hotel and look forward to staying here again in the future.
This doesn't feel like a 4-star hotel to me. The room was nice enough, and the view (32nd floor) was nice. However, when paying $500 per night for a hotel that is billed as a 4-star hotel, I expect more. We found a piece of chewed up gum with hair all over it stuck to our bedsheet. My husband had to ask for espresso for the room four times in one day. When they finally brought it, it was after we left the room for the day (at around 3pm) and obviously too late to be useful. He also requested decaf, and they didn't provide any decaf. We also requested a couple of extra towels and were only brought one. I was disappointed to see some grime in the tub too, which makes me uncomfortable using the tub. When we approached the front desk with questions and requests we also got a general sense of annoyance from them (with that said, most of the staff we interacted with were great and super friendly, especially those working the valet desk). The location is nice - pretty close to The Bean and Millenium park, but it feels corporate and doesn't have the character that some other neighborhoods have (Fulton Market or River North). The restaurant Toro was pretty good for dinner, but breakfast buffet was a little disappointing. We had a fantastic trip to Chicago but I would never book this hotel again.
Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile
| Address | 165 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (312) 573-0800 |
Not good. They do not tell guests when they check in that there is construction on all sides of the building. The hammering started in the morning like tap dancing on all sides of the room. They tell you where the pool is, etc. but leave out this information so they are not acting in good faith. They even told us they upgraded us to a deluxe room. Once you check in, there are signs on the elevator doors but it minimizes the noise level. They are counting on the fact that most people will not leave and they are being purposefully dishonest. We left after 2 days and only received $100 discount. Overpriced room, tv guide didn't work and faucet soaked my toiletry and makeup bag. We checked into another hotel.
Unfortunately, my first night at this Courtyard Marriott was very disappointing. I understand the hotel was fully booked, but the room I was given was simply not up to the standard I expected. The locker was not working, there was a broken mirror, and the bed was extremely uncomfortable. I could feel the springs against my back, and it squeaked whenever I moved.
I asked either to change rooms or to be allowed to check out and stay somewhere else. Since no other rooms were available, the solutions offered were to note the broken mirror on my account, send maintenance for the locker, and provide a memory foam topper. Unfortunately, they did not have the topper and offered blankets instead.
The only downside was that the room faced the hospital area, so emergency sirens could be heard throughout the night.
What frustrated me most was being told that I would still be charged for the full stay if I checked out early, despite the condition of the room.
The main reason I am still giving four stars is the customer service representative who helped me the next day. She was kind, understanding, and genuinely service-oriented. She listened to my concerns and moved me to a much better room.
The second room was comfortable, and the hotel itself is in a great, central location within walking distance of many places.
Overall, the stay was okay after the room change, but the first-night experience and the way the situation was initially handled were very disappointing.
The staff at the reception was very friendly, polite, and quick to check me in and out. My room was good: everything was in order, clean and as expected. Definitely noisy though, even if I was at the 21st floor.
The internal restaurant doesn't deliver to rooms (pickup only), and also opened late for breakfast (supposed to be open at 7, it hadn't opened yet at 7.15).
Great location, right next to Magnificent mile so you can shop until you drop. Quick walk along the river to the rest of downtown as well. The service was always kind and quick, and was able to anticipate all of my needs before I even asked. The elevator went down one day (2/3 were out) and the staff came and quickly offered water for those waiting, which made things so much better. I appreciate how conscientious the service was!
Had a fantastic 5-night stay here! The room was spotless and very well-maintained. The HVAC system was spot on—quiet and kept the temperature perfectly comfortable throughout my stay. Both the bathroom and sink area were in great condition.
One of the highlights was the stunning city view; looking out at the skyscrapers was a treat. The bed was very comfortable, making it a perfect place to get a good night's sleep. Highly recommended for anyone visiting the area!"
Cambria Hotel Chicago Loop - Theatre District
| Address | 32 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (872) 710-9539 |
Cassandra at the restaurant was fantastic! She made breakfast a great experience. The food was delicious. The restaurant atmosphere is calm and relaxing for breakfast. The night before, there was happy hour from 4-6pm. Our waiter made sure we were well taken care of. The rooms were nice and clean. Location is perfect for anything you want to do in the Loop.
Had a great experience at this Cambria. I had stayed at one other previously in Austin and was quite pleased. Decided to stay here on my business trip to Chicago.
It wasn't as easy to find/see walking up, but once in the lobby, you go to the 9th floor for check in. That was a little different but not a problem.
The rooms were a touch smaller but still plenty spacious enough. Good shower pressure and hot water, good towels, coffee in room, etc.
There restaurant / bar area looked good from what I saw, but I didn't go as it was a quick trip with a business dinner. There was a game room I wanted to visit but didn't get a chance. The fitness room had a few cardio machines, dumbells, kettle bells, and a tower, enough for an effective workout.
All in all, great price for the room and would recommend.
Fantastic stay. Super clean rooms extremely helpful staff thank you guys so much for letting me run around and look for my stuff when it was missing. Hugest hugest shout out to Brett and Maria at the front desk. You made my stay a thousand times better thank you so much for everything that you did. Rooms were huge and very clean as well. What should have been a stressful business day was 10 times more relaxing thanks to staying here. Fantastic location awesome doormen. Highly highly recommend you stay here.
Latrice at the front desk was very friendly and made my stay feel welcoming and fun! James at the front door was always very friendly and professional and always accommodating. Dave in the restaurant bar was very friendly and gave great advice for local restaurants and entertainment. I would highly recommend this hotel. Thank you for the very positive experience.
James, the doorman was such a sweetheart! Very friendly and knowledgeable about the area. The bartender, Dave was also very sweet and friendly. The room was quiet and comfortable. We would definitely stay there again on our next trip to Chicago!
Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/N Loop/Michigan Ave
| Address | 68 E Wacker Pl, Chicago, IL 60601 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (312) 419-9014 |
I will not be returning to this hotel. The rooms are quite small, and there is room for improvement regarding cleanliness. External noise from the street is significant and consistently disrupted my sleep. The air conditioning is not centralized and was ineffective; my room had a ductless mini AC that did not adequately cool the space.
It's nice to see that the hotel still has a section dedicated to the motor club. It's truly a historic place. However, the hotel could definitely benefit from some renovations.
I had an excellent stay here for Lollapalooza! It is so close to the venue and the service was phenomenal. The young lady and young gentleman who helped us were very accommodating. We tried to check in early when we arrived Friday morning and they did everything they could to help us, even though they didn’t have too.
The free breakfast was decent and the room was very clean. The room was a bit smaller than I expected, but still good for what you are paying. I loved the digital key offered. This hotel is not to be confused with the Hilton hotel next door! DoorDash would not deliver here for some reason, but Uber Eats did. I highly recommend and would stay here again.
Pros: A more affordable option in a perfect downtown location. Clean rooms. Most staff are Hampton-friendly & very helpful. Really interesting building (the old Chicago Motor Club, with original signage on the wall). Usual free breakfast, although there are other options in the area worth trying.
Cons: Couldn't select a room in advance on the Hilton app. Tried calling the front desk, but person who answered was unwilling to try helping. Our assigned room (310, away from the elevators & facing the street) was very small, although to be fair that's to be expected in a big city. (It looked as though the 2 queen bed rooms across from the elevators had more space.) No plug or charging stations anywhere near the beds, not even at the bedside lamps.
Terrible experience with this hotel. I didn’t even get the opportunity to stay here - I booked a non refundable stay for a work trip. I had paid over $900 for 3 nights. I was already charged, money taken out of my account, and then when I went to check in as a female traveling alone for work, they told me they overbooked and I couldn’t stay there. Their solution was to put me 3 miles outside the city (so then I have to uber in for work). There was nothing offered for my inconvenience, actually if I wanted to stay at the hotel they were moving me to for all 3 nights, I would be charged the overages. Dionte was working the check-in and was not helpful. It doesn’t make sense to me why I would be moved from a hotel room I already paid for. Absolutely horrible experience and extremely disappointed in the service provided
The hotel exterior and lobby area are gorgeous to look at. It’s such a perfect, walkable location to many spots in the city or to train and bus lines for exploration.
The staff were all super friendly and helpful when we had an issue with our room’s AC not working. They got us moved to a new one pretty quickly and without any fuss.
They continental breakfast was not very good. Fine if you need to grab something quick on the go, but we elected to find other places to eat the other days we were visiting.
Sentral Michigan Avenue Chicago Hotel
| Address | 808 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (888) 687-9089 |
Lout A. & Lavi A. were very professional and attentive reps. They welcomed us and made sure we were good to go. The hotel was fantastic, the bed was really comfortable, the bathroom was clean and there weren’t any unpleasant smells. Thank-you for the 5-star treatment.
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.
I've been going back and forth on a one or two star review but I think I have to go with one star for numerous reasons.
To start with, we walk in from our flights and the front desk person looks at us, then points over to the terminals in the room to check in with, instead of with them, which is whatever, but weird. It made it feel much more impersonal. During the check in, you have to have pictures taken of the front and back of your license, with no information about if those pictures are stored in their systems, deleted after your stay, etc (super sketchy honestly) and then they hit you with a 500 dollar security deposit that they dont mention, which is crazy, but it's not like I was going to find another hotel at that moment instead.
We get up to the room and almost immediately notice issues. Somehow BOTH rugs in the separate rooms have big wine stains on them (and one even had other stains on it), and the laminate on the kitchen cabinets are either broken/peeling off, or bubbled up on at least 3/6 cabinets. So I text the front desk because they say to and wanted to make sure that this stuff was known and that we wouldn't be charged (you know, since they made us give them a security deposit). All I get back is "Thanks for letting us know, sorry for the inconvenience".
Other weird things that made our stay not great
-The TV was not properly logged out of peoples accounts. I saw 2 other peoples google emails.
-The dishes in the cabinet were not clean and had stuff on them.
-The lamp in the living room was both not plugged in and had a kitchen towel wrapped around the bulb. It didn't look like one of the rooms towels either, so I just kind of wonder where it came from?
-The shower, while nicely sized, does not have *any* storage or shelves in it, so I just had to put all my shower stuff on the ground.
-The AC in each room is controlled by things called "ecobee" that were not registered. It asked me to register it on my phone. Additionally, it was set to schedules that I tried to edit but couldnt, so our temps were all over the place.
There was another small thing or two, but I think you get the idea at this point. It really felt like the rooms were not properly cleaned and felt more like looking at a "landlord special" rental.
Definitely not a place I'll ever return to, especially for the price. The one good bit was the location.
Edit: I reached out to the company since Matt asked me to in the response but didn't provide an email to reach out to. Ill update here if/when they respond (or if they don't).
We had an amazing experience. The location and rooms were super nice! We were a walk away from soldier field! Solid spot. I will look for this place again when visiting Chicago (or if Kanye performs again). Lout was a great help!
This was the best experience for myself and my family. The staff was amazing and the location across the from the park was chef’s kiss as I was able to take my dog to get his daily exercise. Lout at the front desk really help make my experience wonderful.
Hi Chicago
| Address | 24 E Congress Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60605 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | — |
What a wonderful place, right in downtown Chicago! I'm a gimpy senior, loved that another guest, an 81 year old dude, opened the front door for me! Friendly staff, enjoyed the trivia night in the lounge with snacks and a wine/beer bar. I'm in a 7th floor corner room with a lovely view of Lake Michigan 😍
We stayed at HI Chicago Hostel for two weeks, and overall it was a positive experience with some important points to be aware of.
The location is excellent—very central and convenient, close to public transport, gyms, shops, and key attractions. Prices are also very reasonable, and by booking early we were able to get a private room, which made a big difference.
One thing to note for international travellers: we had some issues at check-in with non-US cards. Payments didn’t always go through smoothly, and refunds can take time. It’s not the hostel’s fault, but we strongly recommend having cash or a US-compatible payment method to avoid inconvenience.
The main downside was the kitchen area. While it’s large and well-equipped, cleanliness was a recurring issue. Sinks were often left full of dirty dishes throughout the day, and there were times when dish soap was missing, making it difficult even for guests who wanted to clean up after themselves. We reported this multiple times, and although staff said they would address it, it took several days to improve. At one point, dishes were only quickly rinsed rather than properly washed, which raised some hygiene concerns.
We also had an issue with our first room: the fan and temperature couldn’t be controlled, as it was apparently linked to another room. The fan was extremely loud and cold, which made it uncomfortable to sleep. After requesting a change, we were moved to another room where everything was fine, so it seemed to be an isolated issue.
Another small surprise was a $4 fee for receiving packages/mail, which wasn’t clearly explained when we asked about it.
That said, staff were generally helpful, and once issues were raised, they did try to assist.
Overall, this is a great option for location and value, especially if you plan ahead—but there’s definitely room for improvement in kitchen management, communication, and consistency of service.
Great hostel and location. There are two things that did bother me a little: since you dont have where to put your bath towel to dry, you have to ask for a new one every single day at the front desk. The other thing is that the music in the lounge on the 2nd floor can be annoying both because of the volume and also repetitive. Other than that its a great place with kitchen, vending machines, pool tables and games, good shower and confortable bed.
Great location, a block away from Millennium Park and the art museum. Friendly staff who are very helpful with finding local attractions. Daily activities which provide a good opportunity to meet other travelers and make connection. Free to use kitchen. Comfortable beds and private enough for a night or two. Hot water showers and fresh clean towels.
If it would be possible you would owe me five stars. Worst place in the universe for people who are traveling with their four legged family members. They don’t accept dogs. I promise you there is a spot saved for you in hell!
Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile
| Address | 10 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (312) 595-0000 |
Hilton Gardens is officially my 'go to' hotel when coming to Chicago. My 2nd stay here. The location is perfect for me. The rooms are clean and well appointed
The staff is friendly and strive to make their guests comfortable. The views are great and having Webber grill restaurant on site makes this a very convenient place to relax and enjoy this beautiful city.
I did not use the pool as it's not an amenity I care about.
The ac worked flawlessly and my room was very comfortable. Fluffy pillows, crispy cool sheets, clean bathroom, microwave and a normal k-cup coffee brewer.
Thank you Hilton Gardens.
We chose the hotel for its proximity to the red line which made it super easy to get around the city. The front desk staff were helpful and accommodating. No issues leaving our bags before check-in.
No safety concerns walking around the area other than a normal need to be mindful of your surroundings.
My only complaint was the bathroom in the lobby was not clean.
Booked this hotel for my birthday weekend and it was not what I expected at all. I mainly booked this hotel for the indoor pool and as you can see in the pictures it looks like a very nice indoor pool, that is not true. Its less than 4ft deep and it is super small. I also called housekeeping for more towels to my room no one ever brought towels. The lady at the front desk was very rude. They charge an overpriced deposit of $100 per night that they dont mention at all before being charged. And on top of all of that they took 45 minutes to check me in, terrible service. The only good thing is the location other than that this place is falsely advertised online and highly unprofessional. Dont waste your money here
Great stay overall — this Hilton Garden Inn is in a super convenient spot right on Grand Ave, and for the price it’s hard to beat. I was able to get a room with two queen beds for around $110/night, which felt like a really good deal for downtown Chicago.
Location is the main win here. It’s very walkable to shops, restaurants, and plenty to do around downtown. Staff was friendly and helpful, and service was consistently good.
The rooms are decent — nothing fancy or “wow,” but they’re clean, nicely kept, and comfortable.
Amenities were a nice bonus:
• Indoor pool is small (only about 4 ft deep), so don’t expect to swim laps, but it’s a chill spot to relax. Being indoors with nice city views makes it feel better than your typical hotel pool. It was open 6 AM–10 PM.
• Fitness center has a decent mix of equipment for beginner to intermediate workouts (I attached pics), and it’s open 24 hours.
• Also good to know: the pool, gym, conference rooms, and restrooms are all on the 12th floor. I wouldn’t have guessed that (I assumed lower floor or top floor), so it’s helpful to know going in — staff is who pointed it out to me.
One small downside: the shower is pretty tight. I’m an average-sized person and still felt a bit cramped — the horizontal space is narrow enough that I kept bumping into the wall and the shower door.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend this place if you want a clean, affordable downtown stay with a great location and solid basics.
Where do I start? First, let’s start at the parking. It’s mandatory valet parking that is $200 outside of the expensive hotel. Pretty much every hotel has a $70 valet parking fee in that area (per night). It wouldn’t be a problem at all if it was WORTH IT. Not to mention, you have to wait an extra 10-15 min to either get your car or drop your car off. Though, they do a pretty decent job at trying to get the cars in and out, it’s still not a good enough system because then people dropping their car off end up blocking the street. Next, the hotel room…… yeah, so they have a really BAD roach infestation. How roaches get up 40 floors? Idk but clearly the building isn’t being taken care of. This has made my Chicago experience a really bad experience. If you do go and visit, avoid this hotel (Magnificent Mile Hotel/Hilton garden Inn)!
SN: the pool is empty and dirty
Warwick Allerton - Chicago
| Address | 701 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (312) 440-1500 |
Worst experience of 3 days stay
I was very disappointed with my stay because of the following issues:
1. No proper housekeeping: The room was not cleaned during our stay. We had NO DND sign on, but even after that, we called multiple times for room service never happened, they should have simply contacted us once rather than repeatedly we calling for service
2. Very loud hotel employees: The hotel employees were talking extremely loudly in the hallways, and we could clearly hear their conversations from inside our room. I was woken up on two different mornings because of their loud discussions. Guests come to a hotel to rest, so the staff should be more considerate about the noise level.
3. Charges for storing luggage after checkout: We needed to leave our bags at the hotel after checkout for a short period. I was shocked that we were charged for each individual bag. We had no real choice because we needed to leave our luggage somewhere, so it felt like we were being forced to pay. Charging guests separately for every bag is unreasonable and left a very bad impression.
Overall, this was a disappointing experience. I expected much better service and consideration from the hotel, especially when paying for a stay.
Horrible hotel experience.
If someone flushes a toilet in another room, be prepared to be woken up. The plumbing is unbelievably loud. If you’re assigned one of the rooms with an adjoining door, be prepared to hear every conversation from the room next door. Soundproofing is practically nonexistent, making it nearly impossible to get a good night’s sleep.
To make matters worse, my room is right by the elevators, which run constantly. It’s currently 1:00 a.m., and the noise hasn’t stopped. I have to be up at 6:00 a.m. for work, which is the entire reason I’m staying at a hotel in the first place.
When I brought these issues to the front desk, I was told there was nothing they could do because the hotel was fully booked. However, when I checked online afterward, rooms were still showing as available.
Between the constant noise, the lack of sleep, and the poor customer service, I would not stay here again
The hotel was okay overall, but unfortunately, I don’t feel it was worth the price. The rooms are outdated and could definitely use some renovations. The bed was uncomfortable and athetics need an upgrade. The carpet/rug was filthy, which made the room feel uncomfortable and not as clean as it should have been.
The air conditioning was also difficult to manage. It was extremely cold, and we couldn’t seem to adjust it to a comfortable temperature.
On the positive side, the hotel staff provided good service and were helpful during our stay.
One thing that really surprised me was that after checkout, the hotel charges $2 per bag just to hold your luggage. I’ve stayed at many hotels and have never been charged simply to store bags for a short time after checkout.
Overall, the stay was okay, but considering the outdated rooms, cleanliness issues, uncomfortable AC, and extra luggage storage fee, I don’t think it was worth the price.
The hotel is highly recommended. The location is excellent, as it is very well situated and makes it easy to get around to the main points of interest. The rooms are spacious, clean, and comfortable, perfect for spending a few days. The staff were friendly and the atmosphere of the hotel was very pleasant. Without a doubt, I would stay here again on a future visit. ❤️
was genuinely excited for my mini trip to Chicago, and this hotel looked promising based on the reviews. The location is excellent, and I’ll give credit where it’s due the staff was friendly and welcoming.
Unfortunately, everything changed once I walked into the room. I honestly couldn’t believe it. The room was extremely small, and my “view” consisted of nothing but exposed pipes. The bathroom was even more disappointing. It had prison-style shower heads, public restroom-style toilets, and a shower curtain. While everything appeared clean, it felt incredibly outdated and far from what I’d expect from a 4-star hotel.
Based on my experience, I don’t understand how this property has such high ratings. It honestly makes me question the authenticity of some of the reviews. If this is considered a 4-star hotel, then expectations have really fallen.
The location and staff deserve praise, but the room itself was a huge letdown, and I would not stay here again.
Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown Riverwalk
| Address | 66 E Wacker Pl, Chicago, IL 60601 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (312) 920-6666 |
I have high standards & although this place is a smaller hotel with smaller rooms, I would definitely recommend staying here! Not for luxury, but for practicality.
• Excellent customer service, friendly, and helpful staff!
• Great location for walking the Magnificent Mile and tourist hotspots
• Valet service onsite & parking garage directly across the street that’s super easy and very helpful garage staff.
• Clean rooms & great water pressure for sinks & shower use
• Updated Showers
• Daily late checkout time so you can enjoy your stay for a while longer
It made our experience in Chicago extra enjoyable!
Thank you Hilton Garden Inn!
I’m having a wonderful experience here. Very clean room. Clean hotel. Great customer service. I bought the snack package and love it! Every night you stay a tray of drinks and snacks are delivered to your room. I would definitely stay here again.
Had a wonderful stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown Riverwalk. The location is unbeatable- just steps away from the Riverwalk, great restaurants, cafés, shopping, and many of Chicago’s top attractions. The rooms were little compact but clean, comfortable, and well-maintained, with views of the adjacent skyscrapers.
The staff was friendly, and happy to help with handling our bags as we arrived early. Check-in and check-out were smooth, and it’s a cute downtown hotel with a compact lobby.
Hotel lacks a swimming pool, but has a well equipped fitness centre in the basement. The restaurant is only open in the mornings.
I would definitely stay here again and highly recommend it to anyone visiting Chicago for business or leisure. Do ask for River view rooms, they get sold out soon!
- newly renovated rooms
- comfortable bed
- diamond meal credit works for dinner; food was above average
- no noise issues. Can’t hear the trains from the rooms.
- in my 3 times staying at this property, the meal credit never gets applied correctly when checking out. Make sure you double check your folio.
- peloton has been broken for 6 months now.
In summary, good rooms and good diamond meal credit. I will be returning.
We stayed at this hotel for two nights this week. While the location is great, the cleanliness and customer service were extremely disappointing.
We discovered what appeared to be blood stains on the linens and bedding in our room. We also found crumbs and debris on the floor, which suggested the room had not been properly cleaned before our arrival. We only noticed the stains the following morning because they were at the foot of the bed and in the area where pillows are normally placed, making them difficult to see when we first entered the room.
When we reported the issue, it took two requests before the stained bedding was actually changed. The first time, the stains were left on the bed despite our concern.
What was most disappointing was the lack of accountability afterward. Instead of receiving an apology or any effort to address the sanitation concern, we were met with accusations that we caused the stains. Laura at the front desk was unprofessional and raised her voice at me, and Richard, the manager who said he would call back, never followed up.
A possible blood stain on hotel bedding is a serious cleanliness issue. Unfortunately, the poor response and lack of customer care made this experience even worse.
Upon complaint, I was targeted with a bogus charge a week after I checked out. No explanation. No details upon minus the parking charge invoice. Only explanation was a pantry use that I never signed for or used.
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Hotel Near Millennium Park
Selecting the right property involves more than just looking at a map and calculating the shortest route to Cloud Gate. The specific nature of your trip, your travel companions, and your expectations for amenities will dictate which hotel is the perfect fit for your itinerary.
- Verify the Walking Route and Entrance. Millennium Park is large, and some hotels may be closer to the northern edge while others sit nearer to the Art Institute. Check if the walking path is flat, well-lit, and safe, especially if you plan to return late at night after an event.
- Consider the Season and Weather. Chicago winters can be harsh, and even a five-minute walk can feel long in freezing wind. If traveling between November and March, prioritize hotels that are within a two-to-three block radius or offer direct indoor pedway access to nearby attractions.
- Look for "Park View" versus "City View" Rooms. If you want to wake up to the skyline or the greenery of the park, you must specifically book a "park view" room. Standard rates usually default to city views, which may face an alley or adjacent building.
- Factor in Resort Fees and Parking. Many downtown Chicago hotels charge daily "destination" or "amenity" fees on top of the nightly rate. Additionally, parking in the Loop is notoriously expensive. Calculate the all-in nightly cost before comparing properties.
- Assess the On-Site Dining Reputation. While the area has incredible restaurants, having a highly-rated bar or restaurant inside your hotel is a major plus. After a long day of walking through the park and museums, the convenience of a quality in-house meal cannot be overstated.
- Check for Accessibility Needs. If you have mobility concerns or are traveling with a stroller, confirm that the hotel has ramps and elevators that make the short journey to the park seamless. Curb cuts and crossing distances can vary significantly from block to block.
The density of luxury and boutique accommodations in this part of Chicago means you do not have to sacrifice quality for location. By focusing on the specific details that matter most to your travel style, you can secure a room that enhances your experience of the city. Staying near Millennium Park places you at the center of the action, allowing you to experience the energy of Chicago from the moment you step outside your door.
