If you’re searching for lodging in Chicago, the duty may appear intimidating. After all, it’s an enormous metropolis with seemingly limitless choices. So how are you going to select? Finding the proper lodging for you comes all the way down to what you hope to do in Chicago. For instance, if museums are your principal precedence, staying within the South Loop is good, as a result of it’s near the museum campus (dwelling to the Adler Planetarium, The Field Museum, and the Shedd Aquarium). If you desire a extra laid-back journey, go for a quieter neighborhood, like Gold Coast or West Town.
From the brownstone-lined streets of Lincoln Park to the skyscrapers of the Loop, there’s one thing for each form of traveler in Chicago. This metropolis is certain to enthrall you, leaving you wishing to return again for months thereafter, whether or not it’s to get your arms on one other slice of Pequod’s deep-dish pizza or to spend extra time on the Art Institute.
Where to Stay in Chicago, by Neighborhood
Lincoln Park: for old-school allure
Lincoln Park was the primary neighborhood I lived in Chicago. It’s one of the vital charming locations on the town, with tons of inexperienced house and quaint streets lined with brownstones. It stretches from the Armitage Brown Line cease to the Diversey Brown Line cease. (In Chicago, the practice system is named the L and makes use of totally different coloured strains. We typically check with a neighborhood’s parameters by utilizing the L stops as a information.) This neighborhood additionally goes all the best way to the lakeshore, with the Lincoln Park Zoo, North Avenue Beach, and Lincoln Park itself proper on the lake.
Lincoln Park could be very walkable, making it a stellar place to remain. Exploring on foot is an journey in itself, as this charming neighborhood is certain to captivate you at each flip. From the Shakespeare statue on the entrance of Lincoln Park to the bustling DePaul University campus, there are neat landmarks and factors of curiosity all through.
Here’s the place I like to recommend staying in Lincoln Park:
- ($) Did you recognize that there are hostels in Chicago? Chicago Getaway Hostel has dorm beds for as little as $27/evening and personal rooms beginning round $75/evening, all with breakfast included.
- ($$) I used to move Hotel Lincoln each time I went to the seashore. It’s a 10-minute stroll from Lincoln Park and general a unbelievable location for the value. Rooms begin round $143/evening.
- ($$$) The Lincoln Park Gem residence is ideal for small teams, and its decor completely captures Chicago’s model and allure. It appears to be like like a web page out of my temper board from after I moved into my first Chicago residence, with a cool Americana really feel. This place goes for round $200/evening, which is definitely fairly the steal, contemplating it has three bedrooms.
Gold Coast: for excellent eating places and procuring
The Gold Coast will get its title as a result of it’s one of many ritziest components of town. While the Loop will get all its glitz and glamour from the glowing high-rises and immaculate streets, the Gold Coast has extra of an “old money” really feel, with hundred-year-old buildings, ivy-covered brick partitions, and streets lined with previous oak bushes.
This neighborhood is dwelling to a few of the greatest eating places in Chicago, just like the well-known Nico Osteria and Mario’s Table. There can also be a fantastic number of boutiques and brand-name shops alongside Rush Street, in case you’re down to buy ’til you drop.
The Gold Coast is simply south of Lincoln Park and north of River North, most simply accessible through the Clark & Division Red Line cease. It’s a smaller neighborhood and nice for exploring on foot. Accommodations listed below are extra expensive than Lincoln Park, however barely extra inexpensive than the Loop, with many luxurious choices.
- ($) Cheap stays are laborious to return by within the Gold Coast, so Airbnb is your greatest wager right here. These leases begin at about $100/evening, with choices like this complete apartment or this studio.
- ($$) If you wish to actually immerse your self in the entire Gold Coast’s glamour, keep at Claridge House. This charming lodge has rooms for as little as $121/evening (costs differ relying on the season), which could be very inexpensive for the realm.
- ($$$) If you wish to go all-out to your Chicago keep, select Ambassador Chicago. This iconic lodge appears to be like like some other historic brick constructing from the surface, however the inside is stylish, trendy, and minimalist. Guests love staying right here as a result of it appears like a boutique lodge although it has all of the facilities of a giant one. Rooms begin round $400/evening in the course of the summer time months, however you may snag a fantastic deal within the wintertime with charges about half the value.
Lakeview: LGBTQ+ pleasant
After Lincoln Park, Lakeview is my second favourite district. Though a bit grittier than the luxurious Gold Coast and quaint Lincoln Park, Lakeview is a hub for nightlife, procuring, and occasions. The neighborhood begins on the Wellington Brown Line cease and stretches as far north because the Addison Red Line cease (the place Wrigley Field is). There are a pair distinct components of Lakeview: Wrigleyville, which is usually bars and eating places surrounding Wrigley Field, the place the Cubs play; and East Lakeview, which is the whole part of the neighborhood alongside the lake; and Boystown, town’s most distinguished LGBTQ+ haven.
Boystown is a blast. I like spending time there, as a result of there’s at all times one thing taking place, from impromptu drag exhibits on the street to concert events and festivals within the summertime. Here you’ll see rainbow flags proudly waving within the wind, and a fabulously eclectic demographic that calls this neighborhood dwelling.
Lakeview is good not just for LBGTQ+ vacationers however anybody who needs to remain someplace vigorous and thrilling with out being too touristy. It’s additionally a less expensive neighborhood to remain in, so it’s a fantastic decide for funds vacationers.
- ($) Your greatest wager for funds stays in Lakeview is to take a look at Airbnb. There are nice flats for as little as $90/evening, like this one within the coronary heart of Boystown.
- ($$) Housed in a Twenties constructing that appears very similar to the residence buildings within the space, the Majestic Hotel holds on to its vintage allure with timeless decor and excellent hospitality. Rates right here can climb in the summertime months, however when you go to within the fall or winter, you may snag a room for as little as $120/evening.
- ($$$) Even when you’re not a Cubs fan or in Chicago throughout baseball season, Hotel Zachary is the last word luxurious keep in Lakeview. With stylish masculine decor and a shade scheme of blues, yellows, and grays, the entire place has a calming really feel. The greatest a part of it’s the location, as you’ll be steps away from the Addison Red Line cease, with easy accessibility to the entire metropolis, in addition to a brief stroll away from the guts of Boystown.
The Loop: greatest central location
The Loop is the place to remain for movers and shakers, or vacationers who can’t get sufficient of the city surroundings of Chicago. From iconic Millennium Park and the Bean to large museums just like the Art Institute of Chicago, the Loop is dwelling to a few of the metropolis’s most well-known landmarks. (We use “the Loop” and “downtown” interchangeably, because the neighborhood will get its title from the loop that the aboveground practice makes.)
Staying within the Loop isn’t for everyone, as it may be overwhelming to step exterior and immediately be bombarded with all of the sights, sounds, and smells of a bustling metropolis. Staying within the Loop means staying within the beating coronary heart of Chicago.
These are my high picks for lodging right here:
- ($) There aren’t many hostels in Chicago, however the Loop has among the best on the town. HI Chicago Hostel is true within the coronary heart of town and has dorm beds obtainable beginning at $33/evening and personal rooms for round $100/evening.
- ($$) If you’ve got been dreaming of staying throughout the road from Millennium Park, I’ve nice information for you. The Congress Plaza Hotel, which is definitely one of the vital recognizable resorts within the Loop, is definitely fairly inexpensive. Rooms begin at $134/evening, and also you’ll get to remain in a historic constructing in among the best areas you’ll find.
- ($$$) For the proper combine of recent eclecticism and midcentury model, Sonder the Plymouth gives friends the chance to remain in a good looking house with an ideal location. At this luxurious lodge with a surprising rooftop, rooms begin round $305/evening.
Magnificent Mile: for luxe stays and procuring
The Magnificent Mile is Chicago’s most noteworthy procuring district and residential to the well-known Watertower Place, a multilevel procuring middle housed in an previous water facility. This neighborhood is the epitome of Chicago tourism, as you actually can’t miss out on a stroll down the Mag Mile once you go to.
In phrases of the place to remain, this space is good for vacationers who desire a central location near the perfect procuring on the town and the Chicago Red Line cease.
Another cause to remain right here is the realm’s unbelievable luxurious resorts and fine-dining choices. Similar to the Gold Coast, this is likely one of the most glamorous components of town.
These are my picks for the place to remain in Chicago’s Magnificent Mile space:
- ($) I couldn’t consider that Freehand Chicago had such low charges for dorm beds. They begin round $28/evening, which is a few of the most cost-effective lodging in the entire metropolis. Freehand is tremendous fashionable, with an elevated backpacker-hostel vibe.
- ($$) The Drake Hotel is likely one of the most well-known historic resorts in Chicago, and the foyer by itself is price checking, out even when you don’t keep there. Surprisingly, rooms at The Drake are fairly inexpensive, with rooms beginning round $134/evening. Make positive to e book prematurely, as this lodge tends to replenish.
- ($$$) If you may splurge on a luxurious lodge, there’s no different place fairly like The Gwen. With two unbelievable eating places, a world-class health club, and a rooftop terrace all on-site, the facilities listed below are unmatched. This place is the last word “treat yo’self” lodging. With an evening right here beginning round $334, this one is price it.
West Town: for numerous tradition and a neighborhood really feel
As considered one of Chicago’s most underrated neighborhoods, that is the place to remain if you wish to expertise town from the lens of a neighborhood. West Town a multicultural haven, with influences from Ukraine, Poland, and Mexico. In reality, many companies have English, Spanish, and Ukrainian signage.
One disadvantage of staying in West Town as a vacationer is the shortage of entry to the L practice. To get round right here, you must take the CTA bus or depend on taxis or Ubers. It’s price it, although, if that is the form of expertise you’re hoping for once you go to Chicago.
Besides having cultural richness, which is obvious within the neighborhood’s eating places, West Town has a cool classic really feel that many lodging seize completely. Plus, the 606 elevated bike path runs proper by means of the district, which supplies you the chance to hire a motorcycle and discover town.
These are my high locations to remain in West Town:
- ($) Budget lodging are powerful to return by in West Town, as there are fewer resorts. Airbnb is a good place to seek out low-cost stays right here, like this straightforward residence unit for $90/evening that may sleep as much as 4 individuals.
- ($$) Also on Airbnb you’ll find candy gems like this eclectic residence for $121/evening. The decor is lovable, with private touches all through.
- ($$$) As far as cute bed-and-breakfasts go, there’s no match for The Publishing House Bed & Breakfast (sure, they serve complimentary breakfast). The decor all through is a nod to the neighborhood’s multicultural identification. Guests love how pleasant the workers are right here, in addition to the laid-back ambiance.
Wicker Park: for the perfect meals scene
Wicker Park is considered one of my favourite areas in Chicago. It’s on the West Side, north of West Town, with easy accessibility to the Damen and Division Blue Line stops. This eclectic and kooky neighborhood is dwelling to numerous classic clothes shops, cute cafés, and mom-and-pop shops.
All of these issues are nice, however the actual cause why Wicker Park is considered one of my favourite locations in Chicago needs to be the abundance of unbelievable eating places. From Ina Mae’s Southern-style consolation meals to Big Star’s mouthwatering tacos, selecting the place to eat here’s a troublesome determination for a hungry traveler. If this paradox of selection is not any biggie for you and also you’re excited to attempt as a lot as you may, keep in Wicker Park once you come to Chicago.
As for the place to remain:
- ($) Like many different neighborhoods, funds stays in Wicker Park are simple to seek out on Airbnb. For simply $88/evening, this cozy studio is filled with homey touches and even has a patio you may take pleasure in.
- ($$) One factor I like about Wicker Park is that there are extra small inns versus the mega-hotels that you just’ll discover within the Loop. Ruby Room is a superb selection, as a result of it has a good looking backyard and even serves breakfast. Rooms at Ruby Room begin round $179/evening.
- ($$$) The Robey has immaculate model, that includes the proper mixture of classic and trendy. It’s no marvel why this is likely one of the most beloved resorts in Chicago. The lodge first opened in 1929, so it’s an almost century-old historic relic in itself. Rooms at The Robey begin at round $200/evening.
South Loop: for simple entry to museums
If you’re all about Chicago’s skyscrapers and floor-to-ceiling home windows that sparkle within the solar, contemplate staying within the swanky South Loop neighborhood. Though not as bustling because the Loop, there’s lots to do right here, with Chicago’s museum campus only a quick stroll away, the place you’ll discover the Adler Planetarium, The Field Museum, and the Shedd Aquarium all inside a couple of minutes’ stroll from each other.
The South Loop is simply south of downtown and simply accessible through the Roosevelt or Harrison Red Line stops. Besides being a stone’s throw from a few of Chicago’s greatest museums, you’ll even be near Soldier Field, McCormick Center, Grant Park, and Northerly Island Park. South Loop is the place to be for an action-packed go to to Chicago.
Here’s the place to remain within the South Loop:
- ($) With rooms which have wonderful views of downtown, Sonder South Wabash is likely one of the greatest funds stays you’ll find within the space. Rooms begin round $93/evening; you’ll positively wish to e book far prematurely as this place fills up in a short time.
- ($$) Le Meridien Essex has an aesthetic, contemporary really feel. With its minimal-meets-cozy furnishings and decor, staying right here feels each luxurious and homey. Plus, it’s lower than a block from Grant Park and couldn’t be in a extra very best location. Rooms right here begin at $152/evening, which is a steal contemplating the situation and wonderful high quality.
- ($$$) Oozing luxurious and boasting ornate particulars all through is The Blackstone, a luxurious lodge in a French Beaux Arts–model constructing that dates again to 1910. Don’t let the constructing’s age idiot you although: this place has all the fashionable facilities you may dream of. An evening at The Blackstone begins at $250.
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Whether you’re on a good funds or eager to ball out on a pleasant lodge, I hope this checklist provides you a greater concept of the wonderful lodging which are obtainable in Chicago.
(I hope funds doesn’t preserve anybody from visiting the Windy City, so I additionally put collectively an inventory of free issues to do in Chicago in addition to a information on when to go to, which might additionally allow you to lower your expenses.)
One of the perfect issues about Chicago is the excellent range of its neighborhoods, which make it such an attention-grabbing place to go to. Which neighborhood will you select?