Hi Chicago

Probably the best place to stay in the cithy for you.

- Spacious hostels w/ cool people - Great services - Open kitchen w/ silverware, plates, cups - Library / study lounge - Ping pong tables/pool - BYOB lounge - Cafe - Cool art on walls - Right next to station - Planet fitness across the street

Never in a million years did I think I'd stay in a hostel, but Chicago hotel prices were absolutely unhinged for my trip -- like $500 a night unhinged. So here we are. The hostel itself wasn't nearly as bad as I imagined. I stayed in a 4-bed female room, and honestly barely saw the other girls, though I knew they were there. The beds have privacy covers, no one snored, no weird smells -- so points for that. We shared a bathroom with another 4-bed suite, which meant one toilet and one shower total. Not ideal, but it wasn't disastrous either. But dorm life ain't for me at this big age. Coming back late at night was a little annoying because you have to be quiet, and the location is slightly off the beaten path. Walking down Ida B. Wells late made me a bit nervous, but you do need to scan your card to get in after certain hours, which helped me feel safer once I made it inside. Breakfast was...there. Nothing to write home about, but at least it's offered. The general common areas are decent -- TVs, couches, game tables -- but they can get noisy. There were also a lot of kids staying while I was there, which made it hard to take work calls during the first couple of days. Overall, it wasn't as terrible as I expected... but the more I write this, the more I'm like: girl, just pay the $500/night next time for peace and sanity. Would I stay again? Only if hotel prices are once again trying to rob me blind.

As of today, HI Chicago is 4.3/5 stars on Yelp and I think that is pretty spot on. Since I can't give 4.5 stars, I'm rounding up to 5 because it is an incredible value for what it is. This was my first hostel experience and after doing it, I would have no problem doing it again. Just make sure your expectations are realistic. Location: 5/5 You can't beat being this close to everything in downtown Chicago. It's walkable (~10-15min) to the Amtrak Union Station and also walkable to lots of tourist attractions. I would much rather stay here than in the suburbs and have to commute in each day. Breakfast: 3/5 It's very minimal but it can get the job done for a few days before you get tired of it. Plain white bagels, cream cheese, Raisin Brain Cereal, Oatmeal, Orange Juice, Milk, Coffee, croissants, and muffins. They had bananas one of the days I was here and that was much appreciated. They also had red delicious apples (I would prefer almost any apple over red delicious, but that's just me). Common areas: 5/5 Very modern and well designed common areas that photograph well and encourage community. Safety: 5/5 I felt safe during my entire stay. There is electronic key code access. I should mention that there were homeless people sleeping outside under the overhangs, but they never said anything to me or even asked for money. So sad to see but not surprising in an urban area. Sleeping area: 5/5 The rooms look like dorm rooms at university. Everyone in my room (8 beds) kept to themselves/very little conversation between anyone, which was fine. I didn't know what to do expect, but everyone was respectful and tried to be quiet and keep the lights off when others were sleeping. The bed was comfortable, the towels were thin but sufficient, and the lockers allowed me to secure my things. (Bring your own lock) There was some noise from the light rail but it didn't bother me. Is it weird to sleep in a room with strangers? Kinda. But that's what I expected and I honestly didn't care. I just wanted a safe, clean place to sleep downtown. Bathrooms: 5/5 My unit had 1 shower for all 8 beds to share and a lockable door. There was 1 toilet and double sinks. There was a shower room down the hall but I don't think many people used those. Soap and shampoo was provided in the shower. Value: 5/5 The common areas photograph well, but HI Chicago did look a little more heavily used than I was expecting in some ways. The elevators were slow and the elevator button lights didn't function when pressed. There was also some evident wear and tear of drywall in the halls. Not a big deal but I'm just painting the picture of what I saw. However, I think the value of what you get for the money, including a simple breakfast, is amazing. Overall: 5/5 If you are expecting a hotel with hotel amenities, this place is not for you. But if you are willing to share sleeping spaces and are balling on a budget or traveling alone, this is the perfect option. Lots of college aged kids but also adults, and many languages/cultures. If you are debating which size room, I think the private rooms are a little over priced. I went with an 8 person room because it was cheaper than 6 person without the risk of noise that comes with the larger rooms. After having done it, I could probably have been fine in the cheapest larger room option, but it wasn't a huge difference in cost.

Get some friendlier staff. Im honestly avoiding the front area because the people in the front are so rude and unhelpful. Greedy fingers too. Just went down to the front to get my doordash and the guy at the front said nothing was delivered . Regardless of the photo showing the food in the desk, it was still "never delivered" I am out in Chicago by myself. Your staff, have almost singlehanded wreck the trip with how rude and dishonest they are. Which is a total bummer because i was so excited to come stay specially at this hostel and have some sense of community. Crazy behavior here.

The sleep was very comfortable, but I didn't realize what a hostel was all about. So they only made up the bed the first night out of my two nights, there was no paper towels in the common room, the base of my lamp was loose, chair was broken and ripped. And there was no breakfast service. Not what I was expecting really. Other than that, I had a very nice bed, made new friends, and staff were very respectful and helpful.

I stayed here for a weekend in one of the dorms on the fourth floor. Our room had a separate shower and toilet rooms. There were also lockers in the room. There were communal bathroom with showers in the hallway. It's not the best hostel I've stayed at in the United States. It was right by the train tracks so you're going to hear all that noise. It's a little old and needs renovation. Elevators were slow. There was a kitchen with stove and refrigerator on our floor, but no utensils or cookware. The second floor had a bigger communal kitchen where they serve free breakfast, which was mainly cereal, yogurt, cream cheese, bagel, etc. The location was pretty convenient to the tourist attractions. It was a block and a half away from Millennium Park and subway. The museums and aquariums were within walkable distance. There were some homeless folks sleeping outside, but the hostel has secured doors with key-card access and has a 24-hour front desk.

When booking stays in Chicago we wanted to be in downtown in close proximity to everything. Between the expensive hotels and Airbnbs we weren't able to find something within our price range so we ended up staying at this hostel. It's located right in the middle of downtown Chicago close to many train stations which made transportation very convenient. We stayed for four nights in a private room with a shared bathroom that totaled to about $500 for two people. Within our private room they had two twin sized bunk beds so you could share with someone or also sleep separately. They have 24/7 at the front desk which makes things convenient if you need anything at all hours. They have a lounge area with a pool table, coworking spaces, a kitchen, and even someone at the information desk to help plan your day in Chicago. They also have laundry machines, storage lockers in the lobby (bring your own lock!), and free wifi throughout the hostel. Now for some of our complaints: during our stay the bathroom stopped working so we had to use the bathroom in the lobby near the elevator. However most of the time that was occupied so for most of our showering and restroom needs we had to take the elevator to the fourth floor which was inconvenient. Also, one of the elevators didn't work most of the time and when we used it it would get stuck and not work. It gave the impression that you were stuck until you pressed the open door button to let you out (even that sometimes didn't help). The buttons on the elevators also didn't light up when you pressed on them. The price and the location of the hostel can't be beat. It's not a perfect place and some things stopped working during our stay but we were able to get around them mostly with no problems. If you're staying in Chicago on a budget, this is your best bet.

Quick 2023 UPDATE - Upgraded sleeping bunks w/ *curtains *newer bed lights *newer mattresses *newer outlets Unfortunately, there are NO HOOKS for wet towels to hang dry, nor to hang coats They are adding new furniture on each floor !!!!Drawbacks!!!! Untidy/uncaring individuals leave behind all sorts of things and dirty dishes as-well-as hair in sinks, food in sinks, dirty counter tops. Unclean flooring If someone is NOT domesticated then Hostelling is NOT the right place for them and they need to be in a hotel room (honest opinion). The kids leave food out and unmarked! This leads to a big/rodent issue (which thank his I haven't seen) and leads to higher rates because they'd have pay for more staff! Hostelling should be clean and nice as well as quiet. Clean up after yourself signs should be placed all around and signs which state... do NOT place liquid containers on the pool tables (billiard tables) and seating. Throw away your trash and wipe down the tables and seat after you use it! Oh well.....

My first time staying in a hostel and I'm not sure if it is for me. We stayed in a private bunked bedroom with a shared communal bathroom for $200 a night. Granted it was the weekend, but I felt that the quality of the experience was not justified for the price we paid for. I didn't expect much from a hostel, but the mismatch was huge. Some observations: - The place felt very used. The bed frame was not strong enough to support our weight so we were sinking into the springs, the towels were very thin and very old, and the blankets seemed very musty. - The communal bathroom was okay but I didn't really like the showers. The lighting was very dingy so there was the illusion that the place wasn't very clean. - The microwave did not work in the shared kitchen space with 4 other rooms. Overall, probably would not come back to stay again if its $200/night for two people. But if it was $30/person a night, I would really consider it again. I will say that the front desk people were incredibly nice and kind and we got to check in early to our room so didn't have to pay for the $3 luggage storage cost. By the way, if you do come, bring a lock because they do have free lockers to store your stuff.

Actually I'd rate it 3.5 stars. This is the cheapest place to stay that you'll find in downtown Chicago that is also fairly clean, free of drug addicts, prostitutes, and other scary people while also being pretty safe. It is centrally located and you can easily use Chicago Transit to get anywhere. You will have to share a room to get those cheap rates though and some roomies are a lot more polite than others. Our toilet backed up which meant we had to use the john down the hall. I don't know when they fixed it b/c it clogged on the last night I stayed there. Some staff was friendly, other staff was just obtuse. So, it's a mixed bag but when you're on a budget it's a good deal.

Perfectly fine large urban hostel.

I don't have a bad word to say! This was my first hostel experience, and it went above my expectations. We got a room that had two rooms, which each had two bunk beds in it (4 girls per room total) and a shared bathroom/common area. Everyone gets a locker (bring your own lock!) and there's desk areas if you need to work. The bed is clean and made with blankets ready for you to use. Each bunk had a reading light and a socket/charging station which was much appreciated. I had one bottom bunk, my fiance had the top bunk, and the other bunk was shared by a very nice pair of girls from Japan. Everyone was pleasant and safe and polite. Our room was really close to an L track which other people might not like, but I found it soothing. There's a cafe area and a lounge that has pool tables, a big TV, plenty of seating, and a ping pong table. It's open 24/7 and it was a nice place to hang out when we weren't QUITE ready for bed yet. The staff was friendly and helpful, and made sure everything was clear and offered us any information we needed about the local area (I didn't need it since I'm from here, but I appreciated their desire to help). I'd definitely stay here again. It's super reasonably priced (we paid something like 40$ each for a night) and safe in a good location. If you need to crash for a concert/event or even want to vacation on a budget, this is a great place to keep in mind.

This is probably one of the best hostels I've stayed at in the U.S. I've stayed at this hostel twice now. The first time was in 2015 and the second time this past month for Market Days. Location: The hostel is centrally located in Downtown Chicago/the Loop. It's easily accessible to get to and from O'Hare Airport via the Blue Line which runs 24 hours. The closest CTA station is Jackson Station which also has connections to many other CTA lines. The hostel is also located within walking distance to many other tourist hotspots like Millennium Park, Broadway shows, Lou Malnati's Pizza (10 minutes), etc. There's also a CVS Pharmacy at the corner of the street that sells liquor and other essentials. On the weekday, the area is bustling with downtown workers, but on the weekends, it's like a ghost town. Most restaurants and stores close by 8/9pm. The only place to eat at if you have a late night is Taco Bell which closes at 2am. Another downside is that there are a lot of homeless people that have set up camp in front and around the hostel, so some people may feel unsafe walking around. Security: The property is very secure. There are multiple entry points to get into the hostel with a key card. There's another entry point to get access to the elevator banks that lead to the rooms as well as required card access to go upstairs and into the rooms. There's also a 24-hour front desk. This was a saving grace for me because my flight from New York was delayed that I ended up arriving at 3:30am. Keep in mind, if you plan to arrive after 3am, you should notify/call the front desk and let them know otherwise they'll mark you as a no-show and cancel your reservation. They also have storage lockers/a luggage room for a fee. Facilities/Amenities: My original reservation was for a 4-bed male dormitory, but there was someone sleeping in my assigned bunk. When you arrive, there is a fitted sheet, pillow sheets, a bath towel, and a face towel (no comforter). You are expected to make your bed. Since I arrived so late and my roommates were already asleep, the overnight staff (DJ) was nice enough to put me in an 8-bed dormitory that was unoccupied, so that I didn't wake up anyone. Both rooms were very spacious/high ceilings/massive windows with a lot of space to store luggage and walk around. All the rooms have lockers (bring your own lock or buy one at the front desk). In the 4-bed dorm, there is a common area with a kitchen/bathroom that connects with 2 suites. The 8-bed room is setup where the toilet, shower, and sink are all in separate areas instead of all in one room. The shower area has dispensers for body wash, shampoo, and conditioner. There are also common showers and toilets on every floor. The downside of the dormitory is that you can't control the temperature of the room. Summers in Chicago are hot and humid and the room was kept in the 60s, which I loved. But, my roommates thought it was too cold for them. The WiFi access is very stable and fast. The second floor has vending machines, pool table, and a lounge area conducive to meeting other guests. The 2nd floor is also where they offer complimentary breakfast daily from 7am-9am. The simple breakfast includes bagels, bread, muffins, oatmeal, fruits, orange juice, coffee, cream cheese, and jam. The dining area starts to get crowded towards the end of breakfast service, but there's plenty of seating both in the dining area and the lounge space. The common areas have posters of daily activities around the city, tips on getting around, as well as donation-based walking tours that you can sign up for. Staff/Management: I had two major incidents that happened during my stay, which the staff/on-duty manager were responsive to. When I arrived, there was a guest sleeping in my assigned bunk bed, and the overnight front desk (DJ) was very accommodating and moved me to another room that was unoccupied for the night. Because of this, my new bed assignment wasn't noted in the system, so housekeeping actually stripped my bed the next day with my room charger was on the bed. It went missing when I returned from my day out. I explained the situation and the on-duty Manager Paul went above and beyond to find the missing phone charger. Unfortunately, not all the front desk staff were pleasant. There were two women who worked the afternoon weekend shift that were really rude and condescending to me when I brought up the missing phone charger. They essentially placed blame on me for leaving my phone charger on the bed. I understand it's a hostel and there is the potential risk of things going missing. But, there was a high likelihood that housekeeping made a mistake, thought I had checked-out, and took the charger. Other than that, I thought the rest of my stay was pleasant. Hi-Hostel requires a membership to stay at their properties. They offer annual and daily memberships ($4/day). I would highly recommend this hostel and would stay here again.

This was actually my very first time staying in a hostel. Me and my friend were in town for Lollapalooza and we booked a private room. Since we were planning on staying 5 days, it was the best option. Me and my friend were arriving at separate times so I had to check in first. The process was smooth and the girl at the desk was so wonderful. Forgot her name but she was from California. Check-in was at 4 but I arrived at 10 AM and I knew they had luggage storage so I planned on doing that. However, I was informed that our room was already ready and everything was good to go. The room itself was decent. I expected something different but I was impressed. The natural lighting everyday was very nice. The AC was super cold at night which is perfect for those who are from warmer parts of the US. The whole time, I maybe only saw 2 other people in our private suite. There was no loud noises or anything shady going on. It was really nice meeting other people in town for lolla. The hostel hosted an event for us to mingle a day before and that was executed well. I was a bit sad that I had to leave but I definitely would return and stay again next year for lolla. The convenience and location are not to be passed up. We were only a block away from the festival. who can beat that?! I would say the only sketchy part was late at night when coming back from the bars or out. I had heard horror stories of people getting pepper sprayed and mugged right outside so we were very careful. The key cards were a bit groggy at times but that wasn't an issue since there was a thousand other people willing to open the doors to the elevators. I really enjoyed my stay and overall, would return.

Me and my friends visited your establishment this past weekend ( 9/16 through 9/18) . I booked rooms in March and were given said rooms on Friday. After a long day of concert going -when we came back our room was filled by another group and our personal items were moved to another room ( NO call , No notice) My drinks and my extra pair of shoes went missing. I went to see the manager ("Paul")the next morning 7:30 am( he was gone for the day). He was too busy to talk with me and told me (through a receptionist) to fill out a complaint form(which I did). I am extremely disappointed with His lack of interest of my lost items and the complete callus attitude to my issues. Will my shoes be returned ? My Drinks ?..... I stayed here last year and didn't have any issues. I will be re-thinking doing so in the future and be sure to tell everyone I know about my experience here .

There were pros and cons. I'm going to settle on 3.5 rounded up, with the extra going to the awesome attached Cuban cafe. I would stay here again, particularly since it seems to be the best way to do a Chicago on a shoestring budget trip. I also just like the idea behind Hostelling International as a way to bring people together and get them to travel. Before this weekend my last youth hostel experience was over 15 years ago and I would probably enjoy my next stay more since I know the ropes a little bit. The main con was that the key cards didn't work very well. Mine was fine for the main entrance and the elevator but hit-and-miss for my room door. When I arrived I was struggling with it and someone who was already there let me in (I did the 10-bed economy room and I was lucky to get it this busy weekend.) I felt bad for bothering her and I knew this wouldn't do when I came back late after going out exploring. The front desk said they demagnetize really easily. My experience was that you kind of have to get the wrist-action right when sliding the card in the door. There's a finesse required, it's weird. Also when I showed up my bed looked already slept-in and I couldn't find a towel. I was badly in need of a shower so I took one anyway. The shower facilities themselves seem to have been the main complaint in other reviews but I didn't think they were that bad. They reminded me of the communal showers in college but at least with locking doors instead of just curtains. There was soap/shampoo available (as in one substance--when in Rome) and since it was evening there wasn't a line. I did find a towel later. Hindsight 20/20. QED. The front desk people were nice but I could tell they were really busy. When I arrived two clerks were fielding phone calls while also trying to check in a line of guests. Despite the beds being a little creaky the mattress wasn't hard to sleep on. Maybe my body-tiredness helped. I would say invest in a lock. I'm sorry for making so much noise scrambling up to my bunk with my bags. I don't think anyone is really going to steal a tote bag full of dirty clothes and toiletries, but traveling tends to bring on that paranoia that you're going to lose something, so it's hard to get past it. I would recommend stopping by the little cafe for a cafe con leche or a bite to eat. This weekend's trip has been the weirder and more interesting of my two Chicago trips so far, and considering I did it to celebrate a multiple-of-5 birthday that seems appropriate. If you're making a decision about whether to stay here I would say do it, mind the key cards, be considerate, buy a lock.

I've been staying at HI hostels all over the world since the 20th century. Who knew one of the best was so close to home? HI Chicago is centrally located, nestled among several universities right by Grant Park, so student-aged travelers will fit right in. A CTA train stop (on the Blue line) is just across the street, but the walk to Union Station is perfectly manageable, if not in typical Chicago weather. The spaces are airy and, yes, spacious, as well as stylishly furnished. I especially appreciate the high ceilings and the walls of window with not-altogether-breathtaking views of the CTA. In the common spaces and the dorms, attention to detail is apparent everywhere. Housekeeping keeps the place tolerably spotless. The staff are chill, as are the volunteers. Besides being helpful and professional, everyone appears to be hard working. Breakfast runs 7-10 AM. Choose from breads, bagels, muffins, and croissants with butter, jam, cream cheese, peanut butter, or surprisingly decent cheddar and Swiss cheeses. There's also yogurt, oatmeal porridge, and cold cereals, as well as whole apples, oranges, bananas, and hard-boiled eggs. Wash that down with coffee, milk, and/or orange juice while contemplating the rail, auto, and foot traffic below, because the dining hall is wall-to-wall window. In the evening, guests are welcome to use the main kitchen, but there's a smaller one on the fourth floor, adjacent to a more intimate but windowless dining area. Then again, the hostel is surrounded by eateries at all price points, mostly affordable, given the proximity of DePaul, Columbia, Roosevelt, etc. But you're here to sleep. You are in the heart of one of America's largest cities, and sirens and trains will make themselves heard. It seems much has been done to noise proof the dorms, though. Bunks are sturdy, though the mattresses are a tad too bouncy for my preference. Each bunk has a mighty little reading lamp, and two USB and A/C ports apiece. Even in the large dorms, the shower and toilet are en suite, kept impeccably immaculate in separate little rooms. In sum, HI Chicago is a stellar hostel that will make you want to say "Hi, Chicago" as often as you can.

Hi Chicago Hostel is amazing, they have an amazing crew with really nice people. It's very simple and fun to stay here... with people visiting from all around the world it's easy to open a conversation and meet a really nice person. I would also like to note Jeannette and her amazing service. She is one of the best hospitality persons I have met at any hotel or hostel. I will be back again!

Passed by this building quite a lot of times but never checked it out.This time was here for a Meal sharing event and glad was here.I would definitely check their hostels next time when I travel. Pros: Right in Downtown Easy Access to CTA Spacious 550 Beds Free Food sometimes Lots of Fun activities Great customer Service Vending Machines Huge Kitchen Meet International/Local Travelers Less Expensive Cons: None I would recommend people to stay here when they visit chicago.I look forward to stay in their hostels when i travel .

I will start this review by saying I'm not one who would typically stay in a hostel. I very much like privacy and admittedly can think that sharing a room with 4-10 strangers is not my cup of tea. My friend recommended we stay here to save money, and because she stayed at one in Boston and loved it. After the experience, I'm so glad we chose this place. We had actually gotten a free upgrade when we checked in so we only shared a room with three other people, who weren't there most of the time so I still felt like we had our own room! The location is the BEST part, especially for tourist. The hostel is located right by the Loop, where many of the best attractions are within walking distance - we only took a couple ubers since everything was so close. There's also a cute little Cuban cafe next door if you need some fuel. The way the hostel is designed is so cute and modern! Our room reminded me of a college dorm, and there was also a nice free breakfast. I would HIGHLY recommend this place if you're traveling on a budget.

Because I was on a shoestring budget, and based on what I paid for, this place is a gem. What I liked about it were the following: 1. Location- walking distance to tourist spots, a bus ride to other touristy areas. 2. Near restaurants and very accessible to subways/train stations/bus stations 3. Clean rooms 4. Good breakfast choices (diff. kinds of bread, croissant, bagels, juice, coffee, porridge, cheese) 5. Great hall (dining, activity) 6. Good lockers (Bring your own lock/key) 7. Secured access to the area. 8. Some staff is very helpful. 9. Bunk bed clean. (you will have your own towel, reading light, chair, comforter) Things, that might be challenging for some would be: 1. Tissue might run out in the toilet. 2. First staff I talked to was not able to process my request of a lower bunk 9due to my condition). On my third try, I was able to convince her that one customer already left occupying the lower bank, so she allowed me. 3. No answer from an email requesting a lower bunk. 4. Food might run out. So, wake up early. 5. There may be people (a lot of them) that will be using the shared bathrooms. So, wake up early too. 6. The place might be disorienting (the inside of the building)

This is my second time staying here. I have some disabilities, but the staff was always available, patient and willing to help. I would definitely recommend this hostel to anyone traveling. The front desk has someone 24/7 and you can access at any time. It is very secure and safe. They have all COVID recommendations in service. Everyone was so helpful, I wish I could remember all of their names.

"Nobody else will be there then "Nobody else will be there" ------------------------------------------ In A Sentence™ It's a place to sleep. (There isn't much more to it.) Quick Review™ + Location, location, location! + Nobody else will be here*. (*Mid-December.) - Key problems. Employee of Excellence™ The nice, matter-of-fact Asian lady at the front desk that allowed me to check-in in the morning (I was just intending on checking my bag). ------------------------------------------ Check-in: 4:00 P.M. Central Check-out: 11:00 A.M. Central Parking: None ------------------------------------------ HI Chicago is merely a couple of blocks from the Art Institute of Chicago and Grant Park (Perry Farrell's Lollapalooza!) and elevated train stations. It's relatively clean, quiet*, and cold as fuck*! Fortunately, one can take President Jimmy Carter's sound advice and put on a sweater. Seemingly, there are liberal arts colleges everywhere. There is an entire dedicated floor (second) of common space -- kitchen, lounging areas, billiards/ping pong -- in addition to the lobby/cafe on the first floor, where there are also lockers for travel bags for before check-in and after you check-out. (Bring your own lock.) I stayed in the four bed. (Ballin'!) It's a split suite, similar to military barracks, with shared common areas -- bath, kitchen, lounge space -- and I only saw two other guys there the whole time (two night stay; eight beds overall). Both guys were Brasilian, oddly enough, although not holidaying together. The complimentary breakfast was better than most. There are plenty of cold, hard-boiled eggs for the inner-inmate in us all. Speaking of which: there is a city jail a block away. (Breakfast is complimentary there as well.) Lastly, HI members don't have to pay 3$ extra dollars a day on the rate. That's a smidgen different than the norm of receiving a HI discount on the advertised daily rate, but hey ... they've got all these eggs to pay for ... relax. Final Thought™ I would say that this is the spot to stay for a festival with no camping -- such as Lolla -- if you know no one in the city and can manage to book it before it sells out. Bring earplugs. ----------------------------------------- Good for tourists. Not good for kids. Not good for dogs. Rating: Four-stars, "Yay! I'm a fan."

Since I visited Chicago on one of its most freezing-est time of year, this hostel was pretty quiet. Front desk is awesome and super friendly. I had made a reservation super last minute and didn't realize that the app I was using had changed the date automatically and so my room was booked for the next day but my flight was going to be on that very night and I would need shelter that day. So I called and they immediately changed it for me with no extra fees. To get in and out from anywhere in this hostel you would need a key card that is given to you when you check in. Even in the elevator it would require you to swipe. There is a large common area on the 2nd floor with some frozen food vending machines and other junk food. There is also a pool table and an 85" screen TV. The room was clean and their mattresses and pillows were pretty comfortable. They provide towels and extra blankets. The bathroom is shared amongst other travelers and if needed there is a family bathroom available. They provide a liquid that can double up as soap and shampoo but no conditioner. This hostel was definitely worth the money.

Hostel first-timer: The staff was really nice and kept the social areas and community bathrooms clean! Anytime I had a question or needed help with something they were willing to commit the time to do so. I fortunately stayed on a weekend when it wasn't busy (late January) because at first when I went into my room for the first time the room was humid and smelled bad since the room was full of 5 other guys [this was at 9am]. So when I came back to the room around 6pm I only had an average of 2-3 roommates for the remaining 2 nights I stayed, which really freshened up the room! The subway train can disturb some sleep outside your window if you're not used to that sort of noise. To me I didn't mind it since I am a heavy sleeper when i'm super tired. I did bring a lock and it was very convenient how we could store our luggage/belongings in the Hostel's locker room if you already checked out and need to visit a few more venues before your flight; there are also lockers available in your room during your stay. The only way to gain entry anywhere other than the Hostel's main lobby, is through the usage of a personal key-card after you check-in. This made me feel really safe especially in the stairwells and elevators. The location... AMAZING LOCATION! The Willis Tower, the Art Institute of Chicago (best art museum in America!), numerous restaurants, the main subway lines, Shedd Aquarium, and the Alder Planetarium are all a handful of blocks away from this Hostel!!! Chicago's majestic park, Millennium Park, is just a few walking steps away; if you're a big sports fan, one of the oldest bars in Chicago (1890's), 'Chicago Athletic Association', is a few walking steps away as well. There, you'll find the original logo of the Chicago Cubs and a stunning rooftop bar :-O This was my first time being in Chicago and even though I won't do a hostel by MYSELF again, I will definitely try it again with friends/family! Particularly at this Hostel!

We stayed for a few nights last year. My husband, my son and I shared a private room. The room was a double / twin bunk bed. The room was a great set up for a small family - we shared a common seating area and two bathrooms with four other rooms. It was perfect for us as we could put our son to bed then hang out in the seating area for a bit. Staff was super friendly and professional. The large common space was comfortable with lots of seating, a big screen TV space, ping pong, and pool tables. Kitchen and the dining space were large with lots of space to cook and seating as well. Location is right in the heart of Chicago and a very short walk to an L train stop. Breakfast was pretty standard fare- cold cereals, oatmeal, bagels, toast, fruit. Plenty of it. This was a great place to stay for our family - all the common areas made it possible for us to spread out and relax and play between adventures rather than be piled on top of one another in a tiny hotel room. I wish every hostel stay we've had was like this!

On a whim a few years back i decided to take a trip to Chicago just for the hell of it. I searched and searched for a hotel / motel / hostel that wasn't too pricey right in the middle of DTC. Ding! I found the HIC and made my reservation on line. This hostel is right in the middle of everything you wanna check out in a new city. The hostel is within a few blocks of the CTA which includes the L (loop), and other bus stops. I was assigned to a nice spacious room with 3 sets of bunk beds and a private bathroom. This hostel is more spacious compared to other ones ive stayed at. You are given a key card to enter at night when the doors are locked plus its cool that they don't have a curfew. From the hostel you can walk down to navy pier, millennium park, soldier field (da bears), field museum, shedd aquarium, and the sears tower. By far this is one of my fav hostels to stay at. I never got any flack when i would come in late from partying at smart bar and the guy behind the front desk was always cool and funny with everyone.

Great experience! This is my first hostel ever and I made a great choice. Free breakfast of bagels and cereal and yummy pastries. Clean beds and secure doors. I did have to but my own look so bring your own from.home to save money. Very friendly and helpful staff. They told me about many fun things all in walking or a train ride away. I will always stay at this chain of hostels.

I have volunteered at HI Chicago for a few years, taking travelers on different outings around Chicago, so I am writing this review from that perspective. HI Chicago is the top option for those are looking to stay in the heart of Chicago without shelling out the hundred dollar bills (more like a few $10 per night instead). It has a great loop location that is walking distance to all the top tourist sites (Sear Tower, museums, parks, Magnificent Mile, Lake Michigan) and a block from the L. Each evening, local Chicagoans (like myself), take travelers to great places around the city. If you are staying at HI Chicago, make sure not to miss this perfect opportunity to get to know the real Chicago (where the natives hang) and meet other travelers from around the work. If you live in Chicago, I highly recommend volunteering at HI Chicago. There is something for all personalities and schedules (ie - you can volunteer as often as you like for whatever options you like).

I didn't stay at this Hostel so I think this review won't be helpful for you. I did Couchsurfing while staying in Chicago and the day of my departure I had to carry my luggage all day with me until I get to the airport. So I asked the staff if I could store my backpack maybe just for a 5-6 hours. And yes they let me store my belongings here for free. I saw a lot of international people here. I loved the lively vibe, the people and the fact they have their own cafe/restaurant with a big menu. Besides this hostel is very up to date and modern not to mention it's located in the heart of Chicago. Next time when I visit Chicago I'll definitely stay here.

45$ per night in chicago, only downside is that some of your neighbors might seem a little crazy, other than that, its a great place for cheap!

I've been staying here for years. It's low costing if you are traveling alone. You do share a room/bathroom with others but if you want to save money, its the best thing. If you wish to buy food from the store, they do have kitchens on every floor with stove, fridge, sink; stocked with dishware. Breakfast is served from 7 am-9 am! If you are looking to explore Chicago; they also have activities in the evening to get many people out. Not a bad place to stay, and not to mention there is a huge room with television, pool tables, phones, and a lounge area. This place sits in the heart of Chicago, with Buckingham fountain, and Lakefront path very close. Many great restaurants near as well. Staying here you will eventually have to purchase a lock, so I recommend buying one prior to check in. Enjoy!

Such an incredible place in the heart of downtown Chicago!! I am very grateful to have found this place and to have the opportunity to stay here! It was clean, affordable, and the staff is amazing! So kind and helpful! The location is EVERYTHING you want--it was so easy getting around town for sightseeing or attending plays (Hamilton/The Color Purple), restaurants and shopping was close by as well! I think one of my favorite parts of my stay was the comfortable bed! I've stayed in a hostel in Ireland before and it felt like I was sleeping on a slab of plywood this bed, was like a DREAM! You definitely meet a lot of new people from all over the world which was also great. Helpful Tips: *Bring a lock for the locker--I only used the locker on my first night but it was really helpful being able to store my items while I was out of the room. *BRING FLIP FLOPS for the shower. You are sharing that shower with multiple people! *Keep your bathroom items with you and not on the sink. Multiple people = no space for items! *Enjoy the breakfast in the morning starting at 7:00-10:00 (Yes, until 10! Woohoo!) *Don't be afraid to ask questions! The staff and manager are great and very friendly! Looking forward to my next stay in December!!

This hostel was very close to everything that I was in Chicago for. Big Bonus! But the check in process and employee left a lot to be desired. I arrived early and asked if there was a place I could store luggage. She pointed me to a small alcove that was lined with lockers. Pretty standard. However, when I got there, there was another person looking to check in that was also in the alcove. Turns out, there were no open lockers to use. Fine. The other guest headed back to the front desk. I followed moments later. When we got there, there was another guest who had arrived early and had been directed to the same alcove before we had gotten there. Listening to their conversation, they explained there was no room in the locker area. The front desk person tagged the luggage and placed it in a locked closet with many more suitcases and bags. When she returned, we advised her of the same thing. Our luggage was then placed in the closet as well. As I was walking away, but still in the lobby, another guest asked if there was a place she could store their luggage. Again, the front desk person directed them to the alcove. Knowing that three people use came from there seconds earlier, I can't understand why she would continue to send people there. It was very frustrating and only extended everyone's interaction with the front desk agent and took her away from any other work that might have needed to be completed. It didn't make any sense. The room and checkout were just fine. There may have been 8 or more bunks in my room. Lockers for everyone. Outlets. Lamps. It was well taken care of. And there were many bathrooms to use. The check in process was bizarre and didn't seem like she was paying any attention to what she was saying or doing. I'd stay here again, but I would do everything to make sure I didn't arrive until check in.

If you're looking for a cheap, convenient, and unique place to stay, this is the place for you. I stayed in a 10-men room. Make sure you bring a lock with you, or you can buy one but the shops might not be open. Pros: Super close to the transit system and many attractions like Millennium Park The front desk is very courteous and helpful There is a laundry room (standard $1.50 for a wash, quarters only) with an iron (but it's not always available) Hair dryers, shampoo, and body wash are all included There are often events to help you experience Chicago and meet people The rooms are surprisingly soundproof considering there is a train track right next to the hostel (you can definitely still hear it, so light sleepers beware) Cons: (mostly from the bathroom) Bathrooms were dirty at times Ran out of paper towels The shower head in one of the stalls wouldn't stay in one reasonable place The bedroom was hot and stuffy at times but the AC was no adjustable (one side of the room definitely got more AC than the other) The beds creak which can get annoying Overall, I would definitely stay here again. For around $50 a night, it's worth it. Just hope your roommates aren't bad because that could complicate things.

I booked the 10-female dorm, and I was surprised by how spacious, clean, and nice the room/hostel was! This place did not feel cramped at all. Each bed had its own personal night light, a shelf/table that extended from top of bed for putting stuff on, and comes with towel, blankets, 2 pillows, etc. The mattress is a little soft. The room has extremely high ceilings, so top bunk doesn't feel claustrophobic. My room had one or two windows, but my hostelmates did not want to open them for fear of cold... It was pretty hot and stuffy, and I don't think you can change the thermostat. The lockers are in the room. I did not use it because I saw others in my room just leave their stuff out, so I assumed honor system still works in some places. Glad it did, I didn't want to buy a lock lol. The bathrooms were very, very clean. I love that it's separated from the rooms and toilets/showers are too. Very clean, and spacious! Room to hang clothes, change, etc. You need your room key to open most doors in the hostel, but I was surprised to find you don't need to for the bathroom. I feel like this could be a potential safety issue, but maybe I'm just being paranoid. There are vending machines available throughout, kitchens/lounges, a big dining room, ping pong table, other gaming, computers, etc. Free breakfast at certain time! Walking tours! They let me print stuff for free! And there is a deliciousss restaurant right next door called Cafecito. Seriously, it's really good. The hostel is located in an convenient area, took me about 7 min walk to the Blue Line (O'Hare), and like 15 to Chicago Theater. So, for a tourist, this hostel is perfect imo! Not a party hostel by any means, I was pretty bored after 10 pm, but went out on my own. I would stay here again. Wonderful hostel and location!

Excellent facilities - what you'd expect from an HI location. Location, bathrooms, beds, lockers, breakfast, and service are all above par. A few blocks from metro and 1.25 miles from the museum district (scenic and nice walk in the summer).

I'll start on the positive note and say this is a pretty sweet hostel! Overall we enjoyed our stay, great central location, close to public transportation, walking distance to plenty of attractions (the bean, museums, etc.). We had a private room, that's pretty much a shoe box but the majority of the time we spent here we were sleeping so that wasn't an issue for us. The room had a bunk bed, with the bottom being a double size bed with wimpy blankets, a small desk, closet and that's it!..with a view of the building across the street, nothing much to see. Side note, the room wasn't all that clean, yeah...looked like some splashed soda on wall, window sill was left a mess from a drink, too. And we weren't able to control temperature in room, so if that's an issue, might be better off at hotel. The shared bathroom was a short walk away, which I was surprised to discover it only had one shower, one toilet and double sink...but during our stay here I maybe only saw two other people using the bathroom and never had to wait to use shower or bathroom. There was a communal kitchen area right outside our room, the stove was missing burners (not sure if this was intentional, for whatever reason) but we really only used fridge here. Which brings me to a negative experience we had here. We had left over (pricey, deep dish pizza) that we labeled and was gone the next day, SOMEONE STOLE OUR FOOD! The whole second floor is a huge common / hang out spot, with large TV, sitting areas, pool tables and vending machines, water bottle full station, kitchen, dining area. They do offer breakfast here in the morning. For the most part it seemed pretty quite around but I did wake up at one point to someone slamming doors around 3 AM, meh. Side note, be prepared to pay all extra taxes they bill. I was also surprised the staff wasn't all that friendly, yeah. Didn't really have a negative experience but the multiple employees I interacted with at the front desk just weren't welcoming. All in all, we had a good stay, I'd recommend this hostel.

My wife and I stayed here for the first time recently. We came into town on a particularly busy weekend, so all the places I usually prefer to stay at were booked up already. Even though the cost for an equivalent room was much higher here than I generally pay elsewhere, the weekend was important to us so I decided to take chance and try it out. I am really glad we stayed here. First off, I don't generally stay in this part of town, rather in some of the neighborhoods to the west or the north. But being right in the Loop made transit throughout the city extremely easy and convenient. All the CTA lines were there to take us directly to and from anywhere we wanted to be. We drove into town and had to pay for parking, unfortunately, but on the plus side there are parking garages in every direction within reasonable walking distance. AND, the highway is just up the road to the west, so leaving Chicago proved to be really easy when it came time to go. Points for that! This facility itself is great. I love the layout, very modern and welcoming feel to it. The front desk is friendly and helpful, the rooms are nice, and the security is top notch. Badge swipes left and right! I felt like I had been inducted into Men In Black (not a criticism but a compliment, in my opinion). The common area is spacious and inviting, with plenty to do and lots of great views out the windows. There are rooms all the way up to the 7th floor, which is really neat, making the place feel more like an upscale downtown hotel than a hostel. Plenty of restrooms, surprisingly decent beds, and even an option for private rooms in shared suites, complete with little kitchenettes and bathrooms. Cozy and functional common eating area designed to accommodate a lot of people at once. Plus, there was a fantastic continental breakfast - bagels and pastries, oatmeal, fruit, coffee and tea, etc. Yum! We really enjoyed our stay and are definitely open to visit again in the future.

Location, location, location! This was a great spot to stay for the marathon. I only wish I was able to book a bed in one of the smaller rooms, as I ended up in the 10-person economy. Pros: -Security is definitely present. You need to use your key card to go almost everywhere - complimentary breakfast. it was okay - washer/dryer - rates start at $30/night - right next to rail station - never waited for a shower. yes, there are only two per floor, but many rooms have their own private bathrooms - always somewhere to lock your stuff up at all times Cons: - beware of the top bunks. They are not easy to climb! The ladder almost feels past vertical. Plus you have to hike your leg over the side rail too. - as someone else mentioned, the rooms are a little on the warm side. - my fellow roommates were from all over the globe. As such, they slept in the afternoon, up in the middle of the night, making noise and turning on lights.

Stayed here for Lallapolussa this year. Only actuallty stayed in the room to sleep. Wi-Fi was free everywhere. Free breakfast was good. This place is in the center of everything! 3min walk to grant park, and catch the bus to anywhere in about 10min. Will be using airbrb when I go back. But I recommend this for the price and location. Plus a great cafe in the same building.

We have been to a lot Hosteling International hostels. The Chicago one is definitely one of our favorites. The rooms are very very clean, the service is very welcoming and helpful, and it has a lot of added amenities. For example, a full, healthy continental breakfast, ping-pong and pool in their large common room, and they give free tours around the city. The one we attended was called 'Stroll Chicago'. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. That, and we even got hot chocolate and cookies for free after the tour! We really love the fact that the hostiles through hosteling international are very community oriented. They have helpful volunteers ready and willing to give me hopeful information on the local area, and you get to meet people from all around the world. And our tour today we were the only American. We got to meet people from Germany, France, Austria, China and the Philippines. Everyone in our group was great!

The J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Hostel has one of the better reputations in this category in the States. It's a relatively new place in the "old" Sears building, and mostly backpacking out-of-towners stay at this budget property.

Found toenail clippers in our semi-private room. We weren't expecting much from a hostel but this is just unacceptable, especially at a rate from almost 175 for a room. Sheets were covered in somebody else's hair and had stains. Complimentary breakfast was fine, they had eggs on Friday but not on any other days we were staying there. Staff was friendly but we won't be coming back.

The weekend I stayed here was a huge conference in Chicago and every hotel was booked. So I booked my first stay at a hostel and wasn't sure what to expect. I booked the Private Room With Shared Bath for 2 nights and my bill came out to $320, a little higher than I wanted to pay. The room was larger than I was expecting however the a/c didn't work. I complained many times over my stay and nothing changed. The window didn't open. The a/c is controlled by one unit on the floor so they would have to enter that person's room to adjust it. The hostel was full booked when I stayed. It was like staying in a college dorm with multiple rooms sharing one bathroom. Except none of the people were friendly enough to say hi in the bathroom. The suite area was always empty so it kind of had a rapey vibe to it. I liked that the toilet was a separate room, not a stall. There were always towels on the floor in the shower, pee on the toilet seat and the sinks always clogged. The paper towel container remained empty. The suite also had a kitchen so I could keep my drinks cold in the fridge. All the doors and elevators had key pads for security. Free breakfast was included which consisted of bagels, croissants, cream cheese, peanut butter, oatmeal, brown bananas, red apples, orange juice and coffee. At breakfast, I saw that people of all ages stayed here. My room faced the back of the hostel so I heard the train all night long. Also the white blinds did not block out the bright street lights that illuminated my high room at night so it never got dark. The walls are thin so I could hear my neighbor talking in his room. When I checked in, my bed was not made. The top sheet and duvet were folded on top of the bed. If they can take the time to fold it, they could have spent the same minute making my bed. I did not receive a towel the 2nd day so I had to ask for one and overheard someone else doing the same. The mattress was pretty hard to sleep on. The room had a closet with a luggage rack and ironing board. The hostel offers activities like a Saturday night rooftop bar hopping which I did and it was nice to meet other travelers. The hostel is located right downtown so its 2 blocks from millennium park and the L line. They have lockers on the ground floor but my suitcase was too big to fit in it so I stored it in their luggage closet until I was able to check in at 3pm. The elevator is slow as molasses. The wifi was strong.

This was my first time staying in a hostel, but seeing the prices of surrounding hotels, it made sense to book a bed here. The weekend was busy with so many events in town, so I'm glad I booked my spot early. I booked the 8 bed female room and requested a bottom bunk which they were able to accommodate. The beds were basic bunk, but were not terribly uncomfortable, which surprised me. They offer 2 pillows, a sheet and a blanket. If you need more warmth, I'd suggest bringing another throw blanket. The common areas were great and always fairly lively, unless you go very early in the morning. As for the shower situation, if a combined shampoo/bodywash isn't your thing, bring your own. I did and was glad for that. Showers had no one in the early hours of the morning but picked up between 8a-10a... I assume due to checkout being at a strict 11a. All in all, it was a great experience. I traveled alone and met some interesting people visiting from other states and countries. When visiting Chicago again, I'll definitely be staying here. The location, staff and price are all great!

Pretty clean, had a good experience as a first time hostel stay. -1 Star for slow elevators (there's only two and one was broken) and key cards that don't work well (had to slide it numerous times).

Great place to stay in Chicago! Very safe, clean and centrally located. They provided wifi, pillows, a towel and bedding which was nice. Also, their complimentary breakfast isn't too bad--just make sure to get there early or you'll be left with limited options. Highly recommend this place! Would definitely return :)

Let me start off by saying, I am an honest germ-a-phobe and this place earns high marks for cleanliness. Very easy to enter place direct via subway or city bus. I love the location as it is in walking distance of Nando's (check out my review, I dare ya) and several restaurants. Front desk service was awesome and very helpful. They have a non denominational church service on the 2nd floor on Sundays. Pretty cool to me. The common area is nice with places to lounge, watch t.v., use the internet or play pool (I think it was pool or foosball). Breakfast is included but you better rise before the vultures seize all the vittles. I loved the café just outside of the lobby. They make one of the best processed chai tea latté with soy inside the U.S. Don't judge me, I told you I was an aristocratic international food critic. The downside was the cost of sharing a double private room was almost $100 a night but I think the inflated prices were Beyoncé's fault, as she was in the town the weekend a friend and I stayed in Chicago. They do not offer locks for the main lobby lockers, you must bring your own.