Love this place! Management and room keepers do a great job maintaining this place. Anytime I stay…read morein Chicago this is where I'll be. We had a hot dog party along with an open bar on Friday which was amazing. Management did a great job setting that up. The activity floor and kitchen are my favorite things about this place. I love how majority of people that stay here are my age and also students. Super easy to meet others and have a good time. I went to bed at like 4am and woke up super late on Saturday. Management was able to extend my stay which was much needed. Missed my departure and everything but was out on time the next morning! I love this place so much. See ya soon.

My stay ended up being split into two separate bookings, and interestingly, the two experiences…read morefelt 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.

As a former hostel skeptic (didn't think US hostels would be any good), I've been converted. Front…read moredesk staff is always friendly and has great recommendations. Love that there's communal space to work, hang out, watch TV. They also militantly keep the place clean, the kitchen is always spotless.

Awesome spot! Was in town for a quick trip to see a show at Lincoln Hall and this was a fantastic…read moreoption. We stayed in a private room with our own bathroom which was nice. The mattress was sooo comfy (firm... but that's what I like). The front desk associates were very helpful and breakfast was a nice perk. Loved the vibe and I felt safe walking in the area even at night. Definitely worth it!

The Freehand is a pretty nice hotel and hostel in downtown Chicago! I was attending a conference on…read morea budget so I picked this place (found it originally on airbnb), and it cost about $670 for 5 nights (including the nightly "resort fee" that Chicago charges to anyone staying in a hotel -- $15/night for me but depends how long you stay what you pay). I booked an individual room rather than a hostel/shared bed (which of course does cost less). The room I stayed in was pretty clean -- you can tell it's dated, but they have done a good job with upkeep. The air conditioner wasn't particularly strong but was strong enough that despite warm days it was comfortable in the room at night. The shower pressure was GREAT, no complaints there but there was no working fan in the bathroom so you have to remember to open the window after/during your shower to help with fogging! The rooms are easy to get in/out of (key card) and have manual locks on the inside. There is a small gym (very small -- a peloton that you need your own subscription for, a treadmill, and some weights). Inside the gym there is also a water fill station which is great! It's just down the stairs from the lobby/bar (called "Broken Shaker") area, and there is also a laundry room just adjacent to the gym where you can do a load (I think it costs $2.50 per load if memory serves). Of note, the staff was a little spicy (in a bad way) the day I arrived, but they weren't particularly rude, just short with guests. My guess is they were tired because it was SUPER busy and the line was long the night I arrived which isn't an excuse, but may be part of an explanation. The next day when I came in the late morning the guy working there was perfectly nice. They do bag storage on the day you check out for free as well, which is also nice. Overall, for what I paid compared to other hotels in the area I think this place is a really good option if you're on a budget and will otherwise be busy/not spending a lot of time in the hotel. It's right around the corner from a couple CTA (public transport) stations and several bus stations, and of course there are lots of bars, coffee shops, and a mall very close by as well so it's a prime location if you want to check out downtown/the riverwalk area. I'm glad it's available since most other places in the area cost a lot more per night/are pretty unaffordable for students/trainees.

Still tired…read more Absolutely avoid this hotel at all costs! It's nothing but a secret money pit. Booked on super.com and it says it completely paid for, only owe $11.74 for the stay at check in. When you get to check in they charge you $46.97 for a "resort fee" for being downtown Chicago.. um what? And don't bother asking why because the girls at the front desk couldn't care less to help you. The hotel also doesn't mention you don't have parking with your stay so you get there to check in and have no where to park while your checking in, the only thing they offer is a garage across the street for a "discounted price" of $64 for 24 hours.. which isn't a bad price for a parking garage in Chicago until you do some research and find out that's the highest price around.. not so much of a discount. Then we get to our room and it's not even the room we booked, we booked a queen bed and somehow ended up with 4 bunk beds.. you try to ask another girl at the front desk about it and once again she couldn't care less to help you. So whatever we deal with it. Then you get to the room and it just gets worse and worse, no tv.. yes you read that correctly NO TV.. who doesn't have a tv???? But in the description every room says there's a tv. No fridge, no ac it doesn't work, we don't even have a main room light because it's burnt out. So my husband goes to the front desk to ask about getting a light bulb so we can actually see and she just says "we don't have an engineer here" so my husband said just give me the bulb I'll do it myself, and she says again "oh I can't even give you one without an engineer" ummm ok so we got to sit in the dark with no tv and a burning hot room. Worst sleep of our life!! We tried to sleep with the window open but couldn't do that because all you hear is sirens and screaming from outside all night long. I also brought my iPad just incase the tv sucked. Well thank god I did because the tv didn't exist so they tell you the WiFi is free and I try to connect to it with my iPad so we have something to watch all night and the WiFi doesn't work at all nothing loads, no internet, ask the front girl about it.. once again no help. So we got stuck watching tv on our iPhone all night to have a little background noise from the screaming and sirens. The room is also COVERED in dust and garbage from the previous people, they don't clean well at all here it's so disgusting!! The shower doesn't close so the water spills all over the floor, you don't get shampoo or body wash, literally NOTHING! Barely even have a garbage can in your room. We stayed downtown for our 20th anniversary and the room ruined everything. The only only benefit is where it's located your at a wonderful place downtown but other then that you're better off sleeping in your car lol. Worst hotel we've ever been to by far!!!!! I'm not one to write reviews unless the business absolutely deserves it and my god I've never seen one who deserves it more than this! Absolutely no frills and no fucks given by any employees here. Note to business fire every girl at the front desk they are absolutely no help at all by phone or in person they don't even want to hear your mouth. Probably would help to get rid of your "cleaning ladies" they don't clean at all I've never seen so much dust in my life in one small room and what's the point of having an "engineer" if they can't even make sure you have a working light!! Do they not inspect the room before the next person checks in?? I couldn't be more disappointed in this hotel. Can you not afford shampoo and conditioner for the people staying?? Clearly can't afford a tv.. wasn't a cheap hotel either so not sure what they're charging you for to stay in a dark dusty hot room all night? I'm honestly surprised the key card worked because the place is an absolute shit hole, and I hope to god this review costs them more than we paid them because they ruined our whole anniversary. Doesn't even deserve one star it deserves to be shut down! Don't believe my review go read the rest, this place is wildly deceiving!!!

Took our annual pilgrimage to Chicago this spring. The hostel we used before had closed sadly, so…read morewe booked this place. We very narrowly made it to destination before check-in at the front desk closed at 8pm-- whew! Unfortunately they didn't have any parking left, but they gave us a helpful tip to use some sorta "parking hero" app or whatever and that worked out fine for us for the three days we were staying there. The staff we encountered during our stay were all pleasant (though they were also scarce... the place seemed pretty quiet and almost ghostly while we were there!). Exploring the inside of this place was fun and exciting. From the computer room to the community space to the kitchen to the outdoor deck, this felt like a place where you could settle in and relax awhile, moreso than a regular hotel accommodation. I do like the communal nature of hostels. I loved the bright colors inside this hostel, from upbeat lime greens to exciting oranges and pleasant blues. I like something that isn't afraid to have a little spark and style. Unfortunately I can't give five stars though because they discontinued serving continental breakfast (which we didn't know when we booked), so we had to walk to the 7-11 a block away to get a quick crappy morning meal each day (cuz we didn't have the $ to blow on fancier breakfast fare... thus why we were staying in a hostel to begin with, pfft). We did appreciate the food storage situation however; we were able to keep a gallon jug of milk in the fridge to enjoy throughout our stay, and if we'd been there longer, I'm certain we would've also used the kitchen to prep meals. Go ahead and check the cabinets and such for communal leftovers-- another nice thing about this set up is less food waste! My husband enjoyed some peanut butter on toast just using what was left by other folks who'd already checked out. The other issue I'll mention was the wild temperature fluctuations in our room. We were situated in one of the singles in the basement and half the time it was really cold (like you wanted to keep your jacket on) and the other half the time it was hella warm (and you needed ALL of your clothes off, no covers on the bed). I have no idea what was going on with that. Also there was some sound outdoors that sounded like someone far away just holding their car horn all night long (not the hostel's fault, but annoying for a light sleeper like me), and the streetlight coming in from the inadequate blinds at night made it rough to get a solid night's sleep as well. Overall though, the quality we got for the price we paid was A-OK! Bonus points for being a proudly safe space for LGBTQ+ community! There were little pride flags scattered everywhere.

I booked a room, I had the wrong dates. 1 day later tried to cancel and refused to refund. I can't…read moreafford to do something for my husbands birthday due to a mistake on my part. READ ALL THE FINE PRINT. Very sad places won't work with you,

This was a great hostel until the manager overstepped. When someone runs a hotel or hostel, it is…read moretheir job to take the customers' money and move on. The reason I am not leaving such a stellar review is that the "manager" of the establishment overstepped their job title. I have stayed at this hostel for a few weeks now and I was attempting to book another night when i was told that was not a possibility because I am too "aggressive." For context, I am Black American and the manager is White American. If by aggressive they mean I'm a Black American Woman with a set of issues that most people couldn't even fathom, then suuuuuuure. I myself have managed multi-million, and a couple of times, multi-billion dollar, grossing companies. If I were so aggressive, I don't think I would have gotten 100+ employees to follow my lead. I had no problem with the manager up until this point, but it is not fair to a paying customer that spends most of their day outside of the hostel to be labeled as aggressive and then be told they cannot pay to have a roof over their head because people simply can't be adults. Grow up! The world is full of people you don't get along with. I'd also like to mention that I seriously injured myself in the bathroom because no matter what you do, the shower floor(s) always get wet and do not properly drain. I did in fact slip and fall while heading to the shower and seriously injured my back in the process . I brought this incident up to the manager, along with another guest that states the same thing; that the bathroom is dangerous. However, there has been no follow through to ensure this does not happen to guest in the future as the manager PROMISED. I'm young and can recuperate, but there are older guests at this hostel that might end up in the hospital if they took such a tumble. I only stayed at this location so long because of the convenience and what I thought was the reasonableness of the manager, but I have noticed that said manager gets a little bit too personal with guests which is a business red flag.

A good place for a cheap trip in Chicago that has a lot to offer for a hostel. It also seems pretty…read moresafe. Parthenon is a hostel so it's not a fancy place but it's also not a dump like others that have bad horror stories and things. Cheap rates and plenty of entertainment and transportation is close. The staff is very friendly and helpful. It has a very good location in Greektown. Lots to do and see around here. The CTA has a station a few blocks away on Halsted at UIC. A lot of places to drink and eat. This is a pretty busy area so there's bad and good things about that. It can get noisy. There's music and traffic. Maybe you'll have trouble sleeping. Take preventive measures if you have to. Bring earplugs. The good thing about this busy location is that it's safe. Cheap rates. It's about $30 a night or so. The rooms have a few bunk beds and you can get lockers as well. Bathrooms are shared but these seem clean. They also have a common area you can use to put food in. Bring soap or things like that because they don't have these for free. It does have things including towels you can purchase. The good thing is the price of the rooms is a very big money saver.

Halfway through the stay - things may change but, given many negative reviews, I thought I'd offer…read moremy initial take. It's in a cool neighborhood with great food and right next to the blue line. The price is great. Place is older but they are trying and there aren't any real problems. Walls are thin, heat doesn't always make it to the end of the line but it's very safe, very comfortable, clean. It's nicer than, say, most Airbnb's I've stayed at. Not as nice as a hotel but I'm happy with it and don't see the problems some people posted about. It's a specific place for a specific purpose and I'd recommend it for that. I wouldn't recommend it as a cheap hotel alternative. I would recommend it as a solid Airbnb option or upper-end hostile. Staff is fine, they aren't trained four seasons customer service staff so they aren't going to do well with conflict you throw at them but if you're polite and respectful they are right back at you. I am happy to be here.

I'm always surprised whenever my friends are surprised by the fact that I choose to stay at hostels…read morewhen I travel, whether it's within the states or around the world. All the hostels I've ever stayed at have been clean, friendly, accommodating, and very affordable--Urban Holiday Lofts is no exception. My friend booked this place on hostelworld, which contains all the information you need to get to the hostel. For the phone addicts, it's also searchable on Google maps. This place awesomely reimburses you for the cost of your CTA ticket to the hostel (a heads up: it's $5 from the O'Hare International Airport). Also, true to the description, they charge an additional 16.4% tax when you arrive to pay for your stay. Jason, who is very sociable and has a good sense of humor, was at the front desk when I checked in. Whoever checks you in gives you a great list of eateries and bars in the area (along with a list of rules) and a short tour of the hostel. My bed was in the standard 6-room female dorm, which had 3 bunk beds and no A/C (they had a ceiling fan and a heating system). My floor had 4 bathrooms, which can be congested during the evenings when everyone wants to shower. There's washers and dryers on-site that will cost you $1.50 each, and you can purchase detergent from the front desk. Complimentary breakfast is from 8 - 10 AM, and it consists of bagels, cereal (Aldi's version of Frosted Flakes and Raisin Bran), bread, milk, coffee, and tea. Breakfast is hosted in the upstairs common space, which also has two computers for general use. Towels are provided, and lockers are available in the shared dorm rooms ($1 lock rental for your entire stay). And I should mention that the location of this hostel is bombdotcom. Though not in the heart of downtown, Wicker Park has great nightlife, and the CRT Blue Line, from which this hostel is 5 minutes away, runs 24/7. 24 frickin' 7. Oh, before you leave, drop by the nearby Aldi grocery store to pick up some awesomely named German chocolate at awesomely affordable prices. Just beware of the weight of all that chocolate in your bag and how that could detrimentally affect your back. Don't say I didn't warn you.

If you are looking for a unique hotel experience this is the place for you…read more Tucked away just west of the heart of the city, it is easily located for the tourist experience. A bit away from the hustle and bustle, you'll get a true neighborhood experience. The rates are lower but the amenities are simple. There is however a super cool lower level area for a bit of fun. A nod to an old school vibe, it appears you go down into a swimming pool and play area. While there is no pool, it looks like you are in it. I know you have to see it to get it. There are also vintage games galore to kills some time. And...there is also a hidden tiny bar unlike anything you've seen before... The lobby area hosts a super cafe. The food is delicious and the coffees are tasty. Service was pleasant and helpful as I wasn't sure what I wanted. No rush, the young barista allowed me to take my time. The front desk guys was just as kind spirited. The rooms are so unique. Spacious and industrial, there are a ton of styles to choose from.This is the kind of hotel families or groups would enjoy. One thing I noted was the super job housekeeping does. I felt so comfortable because of how clean and tidy everything is.

Ah, the FieldHouse Jones. The perfect place for a taste of comfy city living and sporty fun while…read morevisiting Chi Town. For starters, this was my first time visiting Chicago so it was very important for me to find a place in a safe area that was close to nearby landmarks, food and fun. Being that I was traveling alone and also during my birthday, I was looking for someplace affordable while still having character. Not a super swanky hotel in a touristy area. FieldHouse Jones was a great fit. For starters, this is a small hotel. If an AirBnB and hotel could have a lovechild, Fieldhouse Jones would be that. There are two floors of rooms; the first and second floor consists of the actual rooms and the basement has the kitchen, game room and secret speakeasy, the Janitor's Closet. Sports decor is everywhere! On the walls of the hallways, inside your room and even in the lobby. It adds a certain quirkiness you can't really get at other hotels, which makes this place such a gem. I went with "The Trailblazer" room, which consists of one full bed, flat screen TV, desk with chair and a little nightstand. This is the perfect room for the lone traveler but a little tight for two, in my opinion. I enjoyed that the room wasn't huge and being able to see the train pass by was pretty cool. Not sure which rooms other reviewers stayed in who said they could not hear the train, but I most definitely could. It wasn't really annoying, but something you should keep in mind. The bathroom was my favorite part of the room, super cute and I loved the walk-in shower. The large rectangle mirror has great selfie lighting. (There is also a full-body mirror in the actual room) They provide you with a few little bath products daily and also fresh towels. Despite what the reviews said on Yelp, they in fact do make up your bed everyday. (unless you place the card on your doorknob opting out) There is no closet, but there are a few hooks made on the wall which are convenient for holding coats, scarves, etc. Also, there is a huge block near the window for placing shoes or other stuff on top of it. I found it convenient because it keeps your junk out of the area near the bedroom. As for munchies and sips, Fieldhouse Jones has a coffee shop on the first floor with a few bites on the menu. There is a cool seating/work area, which seems to tickle the fancy of many a freelancer and work-from-home employee as it was a busy space for nearly 4 out of 5 of the days I stayed here. Televisions are also in this area and draw in many people as well; a Super Bowl watch party of sorts was going on during my stay. One thing I will say, this area brings in many people who aren't necessarily checked into the hotel. No biggie to me, but you can tell it poses an issue with folks roaming around as signs in the kitchen had to be put up saying "this area is for guests only" by the second day I was there. Oh yeah, the kitchen! Since my room, for example, had no kitchen area or microwave, there is a community kitchen inside the basement with fridges, microwaves, stoves, an ice/water machine and cabinets full of plates, cups and utensils for community usage. Super convenient! One night I bought a bottle of wine and having wine glasses handy inside my hotel felt much better than drinking wine out of a plastic cup at 11PM like a hoodrat inside my bed. Wouldn't you agree? Unless you 'like' to do hoodrat things, this is a no judgement zone... Next to the kitchen are cool games you can play to pass the time, but my favorite part of Fieldhouse Jones is the Janitor's Closet. Yes, the one with mops. But also boozy drinks. The Janitor's Closet is one of the most creative concepts for a bar I have ever seen and the fact that it is a speakeasy is even better! Beware, this spot only has 15 seats, so reserve your spot on Resy before popping on in. Aside from the themed space, the drink menu has sips that are inspired by janitorial work and the city itself. So much thought has been put into this place and I love the vintage feel of it. Lights are dim, drinks are strong and the decor is so chic you'll want to snap a photo of every Pine-Sol box and broom you see. The cocktails are crafted perfectly with quality spirits. I just loved this place all around! I give the Fieldhouse Jones five stars for safety, creativity and a nice and clean stay. If you're looking for a spot to lay your head while visiting Chicago for work or play, you may have just found it here.

Old dirty rooms, no running water in the morning. If I could give zero stars o would.read more

It's a room with a bed and that's all we needed so I guess it lived up to that. But the bathroom…read morehad hair all over the floor and was a little sketchy. And the room was definitely haunted. Very flat pillows and very thin blanket.

Ray's Bucktown B&B is an absolute gem. The neighborhood, the staff, the breakfast, the whole damn…read morepackage. It has character. It makes you feel like you're on an adventure. There's a warmth here. And that's something even the snazziest of hotels can't promise. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy bougie hotels too, but this place has a story. The dry sauna and steam room were more than enough comfort, and while we couldn't enjoy the roof deck due to storms, it looked like the perfect place to chill. Our room was spotless, we had plenty of space, and the jacuzzi tub was the cherry on top. Breakfast is included, and the food from that kitchen was stellar. They had an entire separate vegan menu. I was super into the local kombucha and fermented hot sauce options, and the vegan French toast and tofu scramble were spot on. There are always snacks and beverages available around the clock, too. So fear not, my fellow snackers. As far as the vibe, let's just say the founder must have made randomness their full-time job. There is art all over the place, plus collections of all shapes and sizes. Two dozen antique cameras? Got it. 15 or so vintage thermoses on a shelf? Yep. Rock collections, statues, maps, and more? There is just stuff to look at EVERYWHERE. And I mean that in the best way possible. My wife booked us a little one-night getaway, and Ashley and the team made the whole thing a treat. Smooth sailing from start to finish, friendly, accommodating, and the room was our cozy little home away from home, even if only for a night. Completely walkable to all kinds of fun and shopping. Zero complaints. I can't say I've been to a place like Ray's before. It's a community. Just check the common rooms where you'll find board games, books about art and the neighborhood, and people just chilling out. It's unique, and we need more uniqueness these days. Ray's is the kind of place I love to recommend. Anyone can grab a hotel, but this type of visit is something much more memorable.

A solid place to stay when in Chicago! We were fortunate to have a garage spot, but there's lots of…read morefree parking surrounding the place. Very friendly staff and a quirky vibe - perfect for people who want something more relaxed. Breakfast is included and you order off a menu they give you. Very good! They also have free snacks! We were in the Skylight Room which I liked - access to the roof deck, felt pretty private. You do hear the kitchen though I. The morning, but there is an additional door to close if needed. It's sort of like staying at a friend's house great for those who want to be in a classic Chicago neighborhood instead of downtown. Would recommend!

Owner is extremely rude and will attack you if you say anything bad about his business and or if…read moreyou need help with your booking wouldn't recommend this place to anyone Update: actually I was replying with Todd idk about this situation with those other people but you have a good one sir

We experienced a series of miscommunications with this hotel. They claimed that they tried to…read morecontact us, they did not. I booked the hotel through hotels.com but did not receive warning that the person who booked the hotel has to come to the property with the credit card. I did not know this, was not told it and would not have booked with them if I had -- my child was traveling to Chicago unaccompanied. I tried to contact them by phone, the phone rang once than would cut off. This happened to me, it happened to my spouse than we then had TWO friends call and it happened to them as well. I was frustrated while calling and expressed this to my spouse. Apparently what I said to my husband recorded on their machine. Someone called me back and immediately started screaming at me (while denying that they were screaming but my spouse could hear them through the phone across the room). I apologized and apologized for the mix up and told them that I would do whatever I needed to do to solve the problem. I had received NO information from the hotel except a threatening email my son received while they were in the air flying to Chicago. This was the one and only communication that we received, hours before he was slated to arrive. I wanted to pay them, I wanted to solve the problem but the person on the phone just screamed irrationally at me and insisted that they had tried to contact me. Whoever was talking to me just berated me, condescended to me and kept screaming at me even though I was doing everything I could do to solve the problem. I asked them not to yell at me and told them that I just wanted to solve the problem. Then they simply hung up on me. It was so horrible that I was shaking uncontrollably. I don't care how nice their place is, no one should ever treat anyone this way much less a client who was clearly doing absolutely everything to solve the problem. I will be reporting them to the BBB. Do NOT under any circumstances patronize this business.