Finding the right place to stay can make or break a trip to Chicago. If you are planning to visit the Windy City, staying near Grant Park places you at the epicenter of culture, nature, and urban energy. Often referred to as "Chicago’s Front Yard," this sprawling green space connects the bustling Loop to the shores of Lake Michigan.
Grant Park is more than just grass and trees; it is home to iconic landmarks like Millennium Park, the Art Institute of Chicago, and Buckingham Fountain. Staying nearby means you can walk to world-class museums, enjoy morning jogs along the lakefront, and easily access the vibrant theater district. It eliminates the need for stressful commutes or expensive rideshares.
However, the area surrounding the park is large, encompassing several distinct neighborhoods, each with a different vibe. From the architectural canyons of the Loop to the sophisticated residential feel of the South Loop, your choice of location will dictate your experience. You must decide if you prefer a view of the lake, proximity to Michigan Avenue shopping, or a quiet retreat just steps from the action.
We have analyzed the local hospitality landscape to bring you a curated list of the best accommodations in the vicinity. Our selections focus on properties that offer exceptional service, comfortable amenities, and prime walkability to the park’s main attractions. Whether you are in town for a major festival like Lollapalooza or a quiet cultural weekend, these hotels put you right where you need to be.
This guide covers a range of budgets and styles, from opulent historic landmarks to sleek, modern boutiques. We have considered factors such as guest reviews, room quality, and proximity to public transit. You won’t have to waste time scrolling through endless booking sites; we have done the heavy lifting for you.
Below, you will find our top picks for the best hotels near Grant Park. We have categorized them based on their location relative to the park’s northern, eastern, and southern borders to help you choose the perfect base for your Chicago adventure.
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.
The Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center
| Address | 520 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (312) 427-3800 |
Our room was great! You can tell it's very old. The lobby is absolutely stunning. All the staff I encountered were friendly. There are lots of bars, restaurants, museums, and attractions within walking distance. It was a decent value compared to the other hotels in the area.
A few bad things were:
Anyone can walk into the hotel and get on the elevator. At most hotels, you have to use your key card to use the elevator.
The layout was confusing. Odd number rooms were in one tower and even were in the other tower. I found a guy wandering the halls who barely spoke English and did my best to explain this to him.
We stayed on the 13th floor of the South tower. It was beautiful. We walked around the hotel looking for the famous ghosts like the "12th floor lady" and the missing 666 room. The other floors and halls were pretty ugly. I saw this in both towers. I would confirm this when you book. I would not pay $300 per night to stay on one of those ugly floors. Also, no, we didn't have any supernatural encounters.
Also, I found underwear from a previous guest on the closet shelf when I checked in. That's just gross. I did the next guest a favor and put them in the trash.
The photos are our room, the hall, and stairs from the 13th floor. The others are the halls and stairs from another part of the hotel, and the "surprise" left by a previous guest.
Stayed for one night as my family was in town for the Morgan Wallen concert at Soldier Field. The location is great! Quick walk to the museum campus and stadium, and close proximity to Grant Park and Millennium Park too. The customer service was excellent. Check-in was quick and easy, the doorman was super friendly, and the bellman was very helpful with storing our luggage before and after our stay and with getting us transportation to O’Hare because Uber was not picking up at the hotel. It’s an old hotel so yes, the hallways and stairwells are a little run down and it doesn’t have all the amenities of a 5-star hotel,, but our room itself was perfectly fine, especially for just a one-night stay. Good size, comfortable bed, and comfortable temperature. The people trashing this hotel in reviews have to just be chronic complainers as I’d recommend this hotel and would stay here again.
Hotel charged me twice even though we only stayed one night. The room needs updated. Bathroom was not great. Can’t hardly stick your head over the sink to wash your face without hitting the glass shelf. Shower was pretty crusty and you don’t get any hot water until it’s ran for at least 20 minutes. They put a tablet that lights up the whole room at night that’s literally have the size of the TV. Room was also pretty warm and no good way of cooling it down. Mini fridge in the room wouldn’t get cold either. Only plus was there were outlets literally everywhere. Would not choose to stay here again.
Great location. Had a good time staying here. It was an old building, so, the rooms, washrooms and the hallways were fashionably outdated. The hallways smelt musty but the rooms were cozy and big. You can find old appliances but they worked well. The restrooms were old, the bathtub drained a bit slow and the toilet sometimes struggled to flush properly. Overall a decent stay. Do not let the weird rumors get to you.
Stayed here a while again for Lollapalooza; it was amazing. I choose a double bed room with my sister and had the park view on a top floor and it was incredible ; not only was the room very clean and spacious but the view at night of the festival was great as well only went for a select artists as the festival gets really packed. Other customers at the hotel were so friendly. A stay at a top floor here during the summer or fall is a must do as the park views are so great
Hi Chicago
| Address | 24 E Congress Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60605 |
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| 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!
Travelodge by Wyndham Downtown Chicago
| Address | 65 E Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60605 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours |
| Phone | (312) 574-3335 |
First timer review
The room is very outdated. Window is sealed and completely shut by paint. The room smells like paint and stale cigarettes. The room I thought I was getting that was pictured had a microwave and a fridge…. Neither one of these amenities are in here, which makes it inconvenient if I wanted to purchase cold breakfast items from a regular store.
There’s a large gap underneath the door… which is a little sketchy.
There are places to eat that are attached to the hotel, and around the hotel. Not sure how good they are.
Parking across the street for overnight is $62 and up. Which isn’t a big deal if you need to be parked closer.
The good part is that the hotel is within walking distance of the bean and some more fun sightings.
The staff was courteous and allowed me to check in early for a $25 fee and held the door open for those coming in or out.
I view hotels as a place to stay while enjoying a location. This fit my criteria perfectly. It was right off Millennium/Grant Park, halfway between the River and the Field and other museums. This is a perfect place if you like to walk. My room was quite large and comfortable.
The only issue was lack of parking. I found inexpensive parking at Millennium Park. I left the car there and walked to everything. I would stay here again
I chose this hotel again after a trouble-free stay last summer, but this visit was highly disappointing. We arrived to a broken TV and had to call the front desk five times just to get them to answer the phone to request maintenance. Despite leaving for the evening and returning seven hours later, the TV was never fixed. The biggest issue, however, was finding a beetle crawling on my pillow at midnight. Checking the rest of the bed for bugs completely ruined any chance of a relaxing night. Next year, we will definitely be staying elsewhere a little more modern and clean.
Me and my partner had a very good stay at this hotel, it was clean and cozy. The staff was very nice and the hotel is in walking distance of all the places we visited while in Chicago. When we return we will definitely be staying here again. Housekeeping did a very good job as well.
(I take back my 5 stars as I’ve learned that housekeeping stole my Apple iPods)
The hotel was nice for the price. Front desk staff 5 star. Beds are older and not that comfortable. Suggest adding rubber bath mat in tub and a handle . Can be quite slippery getting in and out and moving around in tub. Small footprint of tub makes it difficult to maneuver safely.
Best Western Grant Park Hotel
| Address | 1100 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (312) 922-2900 |
Unfortunately, my stay at the Best Western Chicago Grant Park Hotel was very disappointing. The cleanliness of the hotel and room was far below what I expected.
The staff was also not welcoming. They were rude and did not greet us or make us feel like valued guests. Good customer service should start with a simple hello and a friendly attitude, but that was missing during our stay.
The room was not cleaned properly. In particular, the bathroom sink still had hair and toothpaste residue left behind, which was very unpleasant and made me question the overall cleanliness of the room.
There is also an intense, unpleasant odor in the room that you simply cannot get rid of, no matter how much you try. The overall cleanliness was very disappointing, and the condition of the room made it difficult to feel comfortable during the stay.
What I find particularly frustrating is reading the hotel’s responses to previous reviews, where they repeatedly describe the complaints as an “opportunity to grow” and assure guests that they take the feedback seriously. Unfortunately, based on my experience, it does not appear that much has actually changed. The rooms seem to be just as dirty and poorly maintained as they were when those reviews were written. At some point, acknowledging the problem in a response is not enough—the hotel needs to actually address it and make meaningful improvements.
For the reputation of the Best Western brand, I expected much better service, cleanliness, and hospitality. Unfortunately, based on my experience, I would not recommend this hotel and would not stay here again.
Holy hell, what a terrible place. This might be the worst hotel experience I have ever had.
First, they messed up our booking so we didn't get the rooms we were guaranteed by staff. The excuse was "day shift didn't pay attention", but what does that have to do with anything? Do you know how reservations work? They should've never been able to give them away!
Second, half of the elevators didn't work at all for most of our stay. It got so bad that we felt lucky when an elevator stopped on our floor, even if it was going up and we needed to go down.
Third, everything in our room was broke. The phone, the TV, the AC, the Shower, etc. Some of it worked part of the time, like when we got the TV on finally, it had dead pixels on it. Some stuff never worked despite repeated requests to hotel staff, like our room phone and lack of linens.
Fourth, the one shower that worked in our other room, drained so terribly that it flooded the bathroom after a 10 minute shower. It soaked clothing, towels, and even escaped into the carpeted room. We had to call staff to being a bunch of towels, and then air dry any clothing we laying near the shower.
Fifth, the location is not as near hotspots as they say, and their lies cost us valuable time.
Sixth, vending machines were nearly entirely out of stock the entire duration of our stay. Not a single drink in the machine. The snack machine only had the most unattractive, gross snacks imaginable.
Seventh, we had electrical sockets bulging out of the wall in one of our rooms.
Eighth and final, the staff were never sincere and often ridiculously robotic to the point that we swore never to return to this location again.
Room 326 on the 4th floor, they mistakenly gave another group of people keys to our room before we got there so we had to sort that out.
Toilet wouldn't flush at random times. Shower was very hard to turn on and off (we believe the handle was loose).
Ceiling had several chips in paint and discoloration, one of the walls had a weird dirty spot. One of the curtains had a strange stain on it.
Window curtains were practically sheer which let in so much light.
Bed was extremely hard and uncomfortable. Pillows were so flat even using 2 at a time didn't help.
We slept very poorly at this hotel.
Very loud with outside noise but we expected that because it was Chicago.
All I'm saying is for the insane price of this hotel (and no free breakfast), we expected more.
+ Overall fine room, comfy bed, and quiet.
- a few small roaches in the bathroom at night.
- Displayed price is very misleading. $110 weekday room rate ended up at $270 after fees, tax, and parking. Valet parking is actually the best option. Self park nearby is $35/nightly with NO in-out privilege.
Let’s talk about this Best Western… or should I say Worst Western? Yikes.
1. Only one working elevator. It can barely fit six adults, and if you have a stroller, good luck. The hallways and doorways are also just narrow enough to make navigating with kids frustrating. I would not recommend this hotel for families.
2. It took three separate requests to get a bathtub stopper. We finally received one only after I spoke with a supervisor and explained that I would keep calling until someone brought one to our room.
3. Customer service at the front desk was unacceptable. I called the front desk five times—using both my cell phone and the room phone—and each call rang endlessly without an answer. When I finally went downstairs, the employee responded with, “Yes, and?” without any apology, despite standing at the desk wearing AirPods.
4. Parking information was not communicated clearly. While it may have been listed somewhere during booking, there was no clear notice or reminder about the parking situation before arrival.
5. Our bathroom had a leak. I called the front desk and asked them to send someone up in about five minutes so I could get dressed first. Thirty minutes later, no one had arrived. We ended up fixing the issue ourselves. When I called back to let them know, I was simply told, “I think the engineers are on lunch,” as though that explained the lack of response. No one ever called to update us or check in.
6. The room did not match the photos. It was noticeably smaller than expected, and the furniture showed significant wear and tear.
7. If you book a double room, be prepared for the AC or heat to blow directly into your face every 15 minutes. The bed is placed so close to the unit that we didn’t sleep at all.
Overall, this was the worst hotel experience I’ve ever had. Between the lack of customer service, poor maintenance, and misleading expectations, I cannot believe I paid to stay here. I will be contacting management to request appropriate compensation.
The only positive is the walking distance to the Field Museum, but many other hotels can offer that too. Save yourself the frustration and spend a little more somewhere else—especially if that hotel includes parking and values its guests.
Freehand Chicago
| Address | 19 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611 |
|---|---|
| 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!
HI Chicago, The J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Hostel
| Address | 24 East Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago, IL 60605 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours |
| Phone | (312) 360-0300 |
This is honestly one of the best value options I found for staying right in central Chicago. Accommodation in the city can get very expensive, so for the location and what you get, I think this hostel is a very good choice.
I stayed in an 8 bed female dorm, and the room was actually much better than I expected. It was quiet, comfortable, and felt well organized. I also liked that the toilet and shower are separated, which makes a big difference when several people are sharing the same room because one person can shower while someone else uses the bathroom.
The only thing I found inconvenient in the room was the size of the lockers. They are quite small, especially if you are traveling with a large backpack. In my case, getting my backpack in and out was awkward enough that I ended up hurting my hands a little while pulling it out. Bigger lockers would definitely improve the experience for travelers carrying more luggage.
The kitchen area is very well equipped. The hostel provides plenty of cookware, utensils, plates, cups, and basically everything you need if you want to prepare your own meals, which is a huge advantage when traveling on a budget. However, the sinks were often full of food remains, which was honestly pretty unpleasant and made the kitchen feel less clean than it otherwise was. The hostel itself provides everything necessary, but I think the shared kitchen area needs more frequent checking and cleaning.
The dining area is really nice and comfortable, with places to charge your phone or laptop, and one of my favorite details is that you can actually see the Chicago trains passing by from inside. It gives the place a very urban Chicago feeling.
Reception was friendly, although check in felt a little slow because there was quite a lot of conversation with each guest. Everyone was very nice, though, so it wasn’t a major problem. Another big plus for me is that they allow you to pay in cash, which is becoming surprisingly uncommon in some places.
There are also lots of activities organized by the hostel, including free walking tours, which is perfect if you’re traveling alone and want to meet people or discover the city without planning everything yourself. The common areas are very good too, especially the pool table area, which creates a relaxed and social atmosphere.
Overall, for the price, location, facilities, and atmosphere, I think this is an excellent hostel in downtown Chicago. There are a few things that could be improved, especially the kitchen cleanliness and the size of the lockers, but I would still happily stay here again.
My stay ended up being split into two separate bookings, and interestingly, the two experiences felt completely different.
Part 1: I spent my first two nights in a women's 4-bed dorm, and honestly, I was pleasantly surprised. The room was spotless, spacious, and much nicer than I had expected. While the bedroom was shared with three other people, the living room was shared with the neighboring dorm, so there were about eight people in total using the common space. Even so, it never felt crowded. The living room was huge, the couches were incredibly comfortable, and I actually found myself hanging out there quite a bit. The beds had privacy curtains, which I really appreciated, and since our room was on the corner, we had amazing views of Chicago from both the bedroom and the living area. If my entire stay had been like this, it would have easily been a 5/5.
Part 2: I was originally supposed to move to another accommodation for the next two nights, but something went wrong with that booking. Thankfully, the hostel was able to accommodate me again, this time in a women's 8-bed dorm. What surprised me was how different this room was. It wasn't just because there were more people, it was a completely different setup. The room felt much more cramped, there were no privacy curtains, and the beds were noticeably less comfortable. My mattress was so dented that it made sleeping difficult. The biggest issue, though, was that I noticed a man sleeping in the bed next to mine, even though I had specifically booked and confirmed that it was a women's-only dorm. I went downstairs to ask the front desk what was going on, and they immediately realized it had been a mistake. They even laughed about how someone had accidentally checked a male guest into the women's dorm and said they would fix it right away. I completely understand that mistakes happen, and I appreciated that they acted quickly. What didn't sit well with me was how they handled the situation with the guest. Instead of apologizing for their mistake and politely asking him to move, they simply told him, "You need to leave right now." He looked shocked and embarrassed, and honestly, everyone in the room felt bad for him because it clearly wasn't his fault. That moment definitely put a damper on an otherwise enjoyable stay.
Overall, I still really liked this hostel. The second-floor common area was fantastic—it was huge and had everything from book exchanges and board games to ping pong, a pool table, comfortable couches, and a giant TV where people were watching the FIFA matches. The shared kitchen was also one of the best I've seen in a hostel: spacious, well-equipped, and with beautiful views of the city.
Despite the issues with my second room, I'd still stay here again and give this a 3.7/5 rating. I'd just try to book the 4-bed dorm if possible, because the experience between the two rooms was honestly night and day.
The most budget friendly place to stay in downtown Chicago. I was in a 10 bed dorm for 3 nights. Not all the dorms have curtains, but I chose a 10 bed because it did. Each bed had a light and outlet too, and the room itself was spacious. Everyone in my room was respectful about sharing a sleeping space. There's a train nearby that runs all night, but I don't expect great sleep in a room with 9 others anyways.
I wish they had a few more bathrooms, but even on a busy weekend I always found one. They could use more hooks though!! Can't comment on the kitchen cleanliness since I didn't use it.
Highly recommend going to any social events the hostel has. I think this hostel is so big that it leads to less of a social traveler experience. They regularly do a friendly socializing event on Friday night that encourages you to talk to other guests.
There is also a Cuban cafe (with several vegan options for me!) right next to the hostel that shares an entrance.
This facility is far less clean and comfortable than any hostel I have stayed in previously. In particular, I would HIGHLY discourage other disabled people from staying at this hostel due to the numerous accessibility violations that I experienced while staying at this hostel as a wheelchair user. In order:
1) They assigned me to a top bunk (lol) and I had to spend some time and stress sorting it out with staff so I could be housed elsewhere. They should be affirmatively asking about access needs ahead of time via email to avoid these sorts of problems.
2) I spent most of my stay in a room that was branded as an "ADA-accessible" quad. The push button to the room did not work at any point during my stay, and I could barely back my chair into the room because the king-size bed took up almost all the space in the room. It is a basic expectation that a room branded as disability-accessible should be able to fit a wheelchair.... Hello?!?! If my chair didn't fold, this would have been a major problem.
3) They have a janky and unequal entry system for wheelchair users/anyone who needs ramp access. You have to enter through a side door to utilize the ramp, and they lock it after 8 PM. Then you have to ring the intercom to contact staff to have them unlock it. The obvious issue with this is that you could be stuck waiting around if the staff members are distracted, in the bathroom, awol, etc. I once got LOCKED between the two sets of doors because of a screwup with this arrangement, which was stressful and humiliating. When I called the staff out on this, their response was, "you're staying through Saturday, right?"-- as if they are only responsible for equal access when someone with an obvious disability is staying at the facility. I proceeded to point out the various problems with this system. When they justified this arrangement the name of "safety," I suggested a few feasible alternatives for ensuring oversight of this entrance: installing a security camera or tapcard system, or stationing a receptionist near this entrance. The lousy response I got was "those things cost money." This is so disrespectful of wheelchair users and other disabled people, who deserve the same convenience of entry as everyone else and should not have to hope for the good graces of the staff on duty. This response is also pretty rich considering they charge about $180 per night for a minimally adequate room in a facility that is much worse than any of the hostels I have stayed in in cities including Madrid, Barcelona, and Portland.
Do better, folks! Disabled people deserve better than these indignities.
I had a fantastic experience for my first time staying at a hostel. It made a potentially lonely-feeling solo vacation feel full and exciting. I did not realize how many people I was going to meet, especially internationals! I would definitely stay here again. The shared room was actually great and clean, I lucked out with polite roommates. They hold plenty of events for you to meet others and explore the city or just hang out — it’s like forced socializing with strangers, but you’re choosing to be there with people who actually want to talk.
Hilton Chicago
| Address | 720 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (312) 922-4400 |
We stayed here for one night during a trip to Chicago, and overall, the hotel served its purpose, but I don't think we'd book here again.
The room itself was clean, and the staff members we interacted with were friendly. The pool and gym area was actually pretty nice, and I liked that they had two hot tubs. Unfortunately, the hot tubs were extremely crowded during our stay, and there was only one bathroom in the entire pool/gym area, which wasn't very convenient.
The biggest issue for us was the noise. You could hear pretty much everything happening outside of the room, and it was extremely loud at times, making it really difficult to sleep. The beds were also surprisingly small and not particularly comfortable.
We also had an uncomfortable experience with some of the reward-membership representatives near the elevators. They were very persistent with their sales pitch, and it felt more aggressive than helpful. I understand they're doing their job, but it made coming and going through the elevators a little uncomfortable.
Parking was easy to access and convenient to get in and out of, but I was disappointed by what they called “validating parking.” Essentially, the parking charge was simply added to our room at the end of the stay. On top of the cost of the room, we ended up paying **over $80 just to park overnight**. We were also told we could only leave the parking lot once, which definitely wasn't what I expected from “validated parking.”
For a one-night stay, it served its purpose, but between the noise, small beds, aggressive membership sales pitches, and especially the additional parking cost, I don't think we'll be booking this hotel again.
Pretty positive that the king bed was a queen, and the queen size beds were full size. 100% positive now that I am back at my house laying in a real king size bed. They give you really tiny pillows too. Also we had to re-put our sheets and comforter on 2 of our beds every day because housekeeping made the bed with the tag sticking out right by your face. That was slightly disappointing because it ruins the ambiance of your stay. The view was great but hard to actually sleep because the metro station is right there and it is very loud. I feel like the hotel should provide a sound machine to block out the noise. Also I have a problem with there not being a clock in the room. Not everyone has a cellphone. My children struggled with the lack of a clock in our room. The game area is nice. Great location
My family of 4 stayed here for 4 days. We have a wonderful experience. The room was clean and overlooked Lake Michigan. We could see the Navy Pier to the far north and the Field Museum to our south. We found it to be near most of the attractions we were looking to visit. We didn’t try the restaurants but we took advantage of the Herb N Kitchen for slices of pizza (very good), bottled water, chips, cookies and gelato (salted caramel was sooo good). Every time we visited Herbs n Kitchen, we were met with a warm smile and phenomenal customer service by Mohammed. We chose to not have housekeeping come into our rooms daily but whenever we needed anything such as clean towels, they were quick to bring them to us. My only advice is to improve the pillows and add locks to the bathroom doors. The pillows were on the thinner side and collapsed as soon as our heads hit them. Also, with children in the room with us, adding locks to the bathroom doors will add that extra privacy that one needs. I was impressed with the interior of the lobby area and the staff was great.One more thing…Best restaurant experience was Wildberry Pancakes (always a line but you can reserve table before you head that way) and worst restaurant was Yolk. Hope to visit again soon! 😊
I had a great stay at the Hilton. The rooms, location and amenities were excellent and convenient. However, the staff was what really elevated my stay. Shaq at the bell desk was an delight to greet us, provide us with quick service and get our luggage situated right away. Hayden at the front desk was incredibly helpful in providing local recommendations and getting ours rooms next to each other. Will stay again!
I’ve had a great experience which began as soon as I walked into the stunning lobby. Then when I registered, Carsawa H was absolutely amazing. I value positive interactions with people and she went above and beyond to make me feel welcome.
My room is clean, spacious, I have a great view. I had to take away a star and the only reason is the lighting in the bathroom. It’s not good. Other than that, my stay has been perfect!
Cambria Hotel Chicago Loop - Theatre District
| Address | 32 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 |
|---|---|
| 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!
Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown South Loop
| Address | 55 E 11th St, Chicago, IL 60605 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (312) 753-5100 |
The Hilton Garden Inn South Loop was an excellent place to stay during my trip to Chicago.
The location is hard to beat. You’re just a short walk from Grant Park and Millennium Park, with easy access to the Red Line and several bus routes, making it simple to get almost anywhere in the city.
The room was quiet, comfortable, and exactly what I needed after spending all day exploring on foot. The staff were friendly and incredibly helpful throughout my stay.
One of the nicest surprises happened before I even unpacked. I had already checked in through the Hilton app, but when I arrived, the front desk upgraded me to a room with a much better view. It was a small gesture that made me feel genuinely welcomed and set the tone for the rest of my trip.
When I come back to Chicago, this will be one of the first places I look to stay again.
The location was great for this hotel…about 2 blocks from the rough area but still walkable. Plenty of late night food delivery available. Lobby was busy and front desk was helpful. Shop with drinks and snacks was virtually empty, so not many options for munchies. No free breakfast, but enough cafes nearby to choose from that it didn’t matter. The room was clean, bed was comfortable, shower was clean and refreshing. My only complaint was the tv. There were only maybe 30-40 channels available and 80% of them had horrible reception. After several long days of walking around Chicago, we were ready at night to relax and pick out a show or movie. However, whether live tv or a show, reception would cut out and lose connection for 20-30 seconds every couple minutes. This was really frustrating for such an upscale/ritzier hotel but we didn’t feel like going down 23 floors to complain. What could they even do about something like that anyway ya know? Overall though, pretty satisfied and especially happy about the clean bed and bathroom.
Location is the best part of this hotel. The rooms are average but the view is amazing. The hotel staff is underwhelming with the exception of Edgar. He was VERY helpful. We came during a festival so of course the rates were skyrocketed to price gouge as much as possible. $500-600 or more per night for a basic room. With those prices in mind I would expect more from the hotel staff. Waited 3 hours for 2 laundry bags, gave up and went to the front desk and got them myself. The guys were literally just chatting it up with an empty lobby...but couldn't respond to the hotel chat for hours and hours. The little "shop" has so much potential that it's sad to look at. I arrived almost a week before the festival and at NO point were they stocking the pantry. Knowing theres a major festival like Lolla, you would think a few frozen meals or quick bites wouldnt be too crazy. They DO have the cheapest Styrofoam plates out for guest use...couldn't even manage paper plates to not melt in the microwave. Dont even think about condiments...even tho there is a restaurant attached to the hotel. Front Desk staff just flatly says no. Not a chance they would go look for a single packet of ketchup. Again, $600+ a night! As a long standing diamond member and almost diamond reserve, what a total let down this hotel is. I wont stay here again. Cherry on top is having "spicy" icons on the restaurant menu but not a single gluten free option. Cool cool. Thanks for nothing.
Stayed here during Memorial Day weekend and the housekeeping service was a total let down. After being reminded they don’t clean your room if you’re a stay over for one night I asked for some towels- never received them. I got them myself after returning from a late night out at 2am. After the 2nd night still no service and I ASKED for it because we need trash out and for towels. I have to say- Eli was extremely nice. We just needed trash out and the bathroom cleaned a little because we had friends coming to visit for an hour or so and who wants to invite friends over to a dirty room? Like at least take the trash. When I spoke with Eli (this is the second time I asked for towels) they for sure were delivered, we stayed three nights and never saw a housekeeper come. Called Guest Assistance and they made it clear the GM denied my request for nights refund- never reached out not even an apology which cost nothing. They didn’t even run the locks on the door to see i’m telling the truth, no one came to that room to do anything. It’s so sad when you spend your hard earned money and can’t get decent service. You can’t even get an apology from this hotel’s GM. They don’t care and people need to know because it’s not right.
We picked this hotel for the location and easy access to museums. The location is great for that. We also were able to walk to millennium park. The CTA station is one block away giving us access to locations further away. The room was clean, modern, and cozy. The bed was comfy. The location also has a pool and hot tub. The pool was very cold not making it a place I wanted to swim in. The hot tub the night we were there was crowded past recommended capacity. The staff was friendly.
My only complaint is we stopped and asked about Valet which is offered but were told that they were full. We were told to go to a parking garage a block away and it also was full. We ended up parking a couple blocks away in an open lot that offered parking. We ended up walking the couple of blocks with our luggage in the rain to get back to the hotel. Granted, this option was much cheaper.
Overall, it was a great place once we got the parking situation figured out.
Arlo Chicago
| Address | 168 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601 |
|---|---|
| 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.
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
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Hotel Near Grant Park
Before you finalize your reservation, it is wise to understand the nuances of the area to ensure you get the best value and experience for your specific travel style. The geography of downtown Chicago is compact, but the atmosphere can change drastically from block to block. Here are a few strategic considerations to keep in mind when booking your stay near this iconic park.
Consider the Event Calendar
Grant Park hosts some of the largest music festivals and events in the country, including Lollapalooza, the Taste of Chicago, and the Chicago Jazz Festival. If your trip coincides with one of these events, expect higher rates and limited availability. Conversely, if you are attending the event, staying on the correct side of the park—usually the South Loop for the main festival entrance—can save you a significant amount of walking.
Look for "Loop" vs. "South Loop" Distinctions
Hotels listed as being in the "Loop" are usually located north of Congress Parkway, placing you closer to the Theater District and the Chicago Riverwalk. "South Loop" hotels are closer to the Museum Campus and Soldier Field. Both are near Grant Park, but the South Loop tends to be slightly quieter in the evenings and often offers better value for larger rooms, while the Loop is closer to the financial district and the "L" train lines.
Check for Lake and Park Views
Not all rooms are created equal. While a hotel might be located "near" Grant Park, your specific room could face a brick wall or an alley. If a view of Lake Michigan or Buckingham Fountain is important to you, you must book a specific "view" category room. It is usually worth the premium to wake up to the sight of the lake rather than the building next door.
Assess the Noise Levels
This area is bustling with activity, including fire stations, late-night revelers, and early morning garbage collection. If you are a light sleeper, request a room on a higher floor. Additionally, if you are staying during a festival weekend, be aware that the bass from the stages can travel quite far. Packing a pair of earplugs is a smart safety net regardless of the star rating of your hotel.
Evaluate Transit Access
While walking is the primary mode of transport here, you will likely want to explore neighborhoods further afield, such as Wicker Park or Lincoln Park. Ensure your hotel is within a short walking distance of a CTA "L" station. The Red, Blue, Brown, Green, and Orange lines all have stops on the periphery of Grant Park, making it easy to navigate the city without a car.
Choosing a hotel in this prime location ensures that the best of Chicago is literally at your doorstep. By aligning your hotel choice with your itinerary, you can maximize your time enjoying the sights rather than sitting in traffic.
Whether you are visiting for the art, the architecture, or simply the incredible food, having a comfortable sanctuary to return to is essential. The properties listed above represent the best in hospitality, offering a seamless blend of comfort and convenience for your stay in the heart of Chicago.
