Parthenon Guest House (Hostel)

Run down, broken facilities, tons of hidden fees, bad internet, awful smells, crowded and narrow. A rip-off despite the relatively low price.

||I DO NOT RECOMMEND TO STAY HERE |Worst hostel experience in more than 20 years from start to finish||Zero customer service skills wall facing reception they are the first people to think you serve them and not they serve customer. They proudly display best staff award from 2009 but I suspect those staff are long gone. They don’t even explain where common showers are or anything about Chicago. I asked for wifi the guy told me code I asked to write it down and he was like you can take a foto of that tiny printed rules sign and expand it so you can read it so in summary he couldn’t even write a password down and a network as was to busy. ||Never a single smile hello entering they wouldn’t even look at you and anything you ask them would be putting them out of their way. Their job is to do as little as possible and get paid for it. I thought third world service was low this goes to another level.||No cleaning in 4 days not even rubbish taken out of room. $140 a night and can’t clean and if you want a new towel bring one to reception and get a new one walk down 6 floors for a towel - would be to much for them to give two towels for a 4 day stay.||They added a 16$ charge to my card as a Manual transaction as they couldn’t charge it online like all other places. ||Place is a dump mattresses with plastic on as trying to make them last longer at expense of gusta comfort , windows sealed with plastic for insulation great in heat 🤷‍♀️ no mirrors in rooms sockets falling off walls. Once in 4 days they cleaned their common area and creaky old stairway with signs up saying excuse the dust whilst we improve- signs are probably there years as no improvements done and wouldn’t pass any safety inspection.||Arrived 11-12pm was promptly told 3pm check in came back 3.30pm-4.00pm sent to a room 5-6 flights up that was dirty had to walk back down with bags and the guy just threw his eyes up to heaven like your actually going to get me out of this seat. Left me sitting there couldn’t even say wait in common area no apologies - no offer of checking out late nothing zero customer service skill. On check out I asked to leave a bag for 2-3 hours was promptly told $30. ||Worst place in 6 visits to Chicago - DO NOT STAY HERE YOU DESERVE BETTER

I tried to go and book a room here, only to be told it was "private". I wasn't even allowed to enter the premises. Not sure why it's still listed as a hotel/hostel if guests are not allowed

Just finished my one and only stay at this dump. Awful experience. From the rudeness of the staff from start to finish to the entirely run-down broken building. Awful. Broken sink handles, broken urinal handle, bedroom door didn’t close all the way, lock was about to fall off, outlet falling out of the wall, no air circulation (no fan or ac) and rooms looked NOTHING like the pics. Terrible terrible terrible. Chicago deserves way better than what this place offers. I wonder if this building would even last one inspection. Truly one of the worst options in Chicago. I have stayed at cheaper hostels that were far better than this within Chicago.

We have stayed here five times now over the years. This is best value for the area. When we come to Chicago for vacation we do not spend much time in the room, so this is a great place to sleep and shower before heading out for the day. There are some quirky things here I would associate with an old building: creaky floors, strange room designs, no elevator, but you can tell they have recently made updates to the community bathrooms and painted the hallways. ||If you stay here don’t forget to bring a tote to carry items to the restroom/shower, shower sandals, shampoo and conditioner, face towel, and we like to have our own pillows.

Very functional for a hostel. Some remodel/upgrades in process during my stay but not an issue. THERE ARE STAIRS so be prepared if you have large luggage. Shared showers and restrooms [by gender]. Very clean. I use this hostel for layover in Chicago since is only a few blocks from Union Station. Also easy access from airport via Blue Line. Common room is functional. Close to market for re-supply on food and dining/pubs in the immediate area. It is part of Greektown. Comfortable beds. Only reason for a 4, room can get stuffy so you need to open a window. Price is excellent for private room. | If in a group, book the bunk rooms. Yes, would recommend to a friend and plan to use this hostel in future trips thru Chicago. |NOTE: This is a hostel. Not your typical hotel/motel.

Poor ventilation, they provided a box fan but no air conditioning so the room was stuffy and hot. The showers have very little privacy, so you have to get out fast or stand there naked getting dressed with the possibility of someone walking in on you. No problem with the staff. If it had been a few degrees cooler it would've been 4 stars.

I enjoyed my stay here. I felt very safe as a solo female traveler. The bed was comfortable, the staff was friendly and the amenities were nice (kitchen, coffee maker, etc.). Great location, close to CTA stops and small stores. It was exactly what I needed for my 4-day stay to explore the city.

A good place for a cheap trip in Chicago that has a lot to offer for a hostel. It also seems pretty safe. 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.

Clean building, bathrooms and dorms, safe for travel during covid, minimal accommodations, good value if just looking for a place to sleep. I had a comfortable nights sleep; I was the only one in a 6-person dorm. Joel in the office is an easy-going guy.

Stayed over a Christmas holiday. Very accommodating place. Shared room. Shared bathroom. Met interesting friendly travelers. Clean rooms. Carried luggage stairs third floor Walking distance to union station. Laundry mat across street in basement. Great breakfast at time I was there. I will return. Met the owner and his son. Very good people.

I stayed here with a buddy for Lollapalooza last July & the customer service that Katrina provided for us to get our room set up was phenomenal!! Thanks a million again for everything Katrina!!! Pluses: + 24-hour Walgreens within a 5 minute walk + The common room was nice & spacious + You felt safe staying here because of the front card key entry door + 5-8 minute walk from the nearest L-Train station + The rooms & the community bathrooms were clean! Negatives - The two male receptionists I encountered there felt annoyed & impatient when I asked them questions - Each floor shared a community bathroom that featured only 2 showers & a toilet

My friend was charged for two rooms for a day, when actually she only purchased 1 room for two days. It was very frustrating that the customer service was not great, and said that there was no refunds. WHEN SHE DIDNT EVEN BOOK IT FOR TWO ROOMS. The website must have made an error and charged her double. She also had ticket confirmation to prove she only purchased the two night in one room. What's bad was that he guy didn't even care to help with the situation, his attitude was like that's too bad, theres no refunds, and there's nothing you can do about it. So I had to ask whether it would work to stay at another time, for the charged amount. Since it just seemed unfair. And reluctantly said they would let her stay at another date but she'd lose $60 anyway since they had raised the price for an event weekend. The stay was fine, just disappointed in the customer service.

These are tough times for a lot of people. We recently came across a random stranger who had fallen on hard times and was sleeping in his car on our block. We were fortunate to have the means to help so decided to find the stranger a warm bed for a few days in the hopes that it gave him some respite and a break that might help him get his life in order. I called some area hotels but none of them offered to help - I basically would have to pay rack rates. In some cases priceline etc. had better prices than the hotels themselves offered. I called the YMCA and some local hostels. The Y was full and several hostels would be shutting down for the holidays. I finally called Parthenon and left a message. Matthew called me back promptly and was eager to help. He offered to upgrade the stranger to a private room for the price of a shared room and offered me a generous discount on top of it. He shared his personal cell phone number with me so I could coordinate the check-in later in the evening and even arranged to have someone stay past their normal closing time to accommodate us. I didn't see the space beyond the check-in counter. But it's a hostel and if you're looking at one, you likely know what to expect. There are plenty of other reviews that show and describe the accommodations. The location is in the middle of Greektown, on a well traveled street, perfectly safe and with parking easily available. The prices are more than fair and that was before the extra bit of kindness they showed me and the stranger we were trying to help. Looks like the place is family owned and operated and the people have a heart. I appreciated their kindness very much. If you're in need of a place to rest your head, please consider Parthenon Guest House.

Stayed here for a few nights on a solo trip to Chicago and had a truly terrible time. Homeless people regularly snuck in, even getting into my room a couple of times. The staff did nothing to prevent this and I even overheard that one homeless person had put food fished from the TRASH into the communal fridge, contaminating the rest of our food. WE WERE NOT INFORMED ABOUT THIS AT ALL. the only reason I knew is because I overheard this conversation so could dispose of my food before I ate it. Even in the age of covid, the staff didn't tell us that our food had been contaminated. Truly terrible service and very unsafe hostel. I've contacted them about a partial refund for my terrible stay and they haven't even bothered to reply. Totally awful experience.

Had my first hostel experience staying here! Have to say I was a little nervous going in but I was impressed by the experience! We stayed in a private room on Memorial Day weekend. This hostel was simple but clean and in a great neighborhood with easy walking access and nearby parking. The bathrooms were very clean and conveniently located on each floor. They give you free breakfast which is very basic- just cereal and toast provided. Overall for the price point this was a great place to stay over a holiday weekend. The cost is cheap and the establishment is simple but very clean.

Parthenon runs a 'nightclub' under the rooms. Loud music to late hours makes it impossible to sleep. No locks to bathrooms and showers. Hostel is on the street of an entertainment district. Once door is open, anyone could gain access to rooms and showers. Blankets dirty. Place is a dump. No star rating.

Cute place, clean, quiet. All of the basic supplies were available. Complimentary breakfast, which was delicious. I would definitely return if I visit Chicago again.

I have stayed here three times over the past two years, usually just for one night as I am moving through Chicago on my way to or from the airport. I have always stayed in a private double so I don't have knowledge of dorm room situation. Pros: Very convenient location just three blocks from the UIC-Halsted stop on the blue line. Extremely clean with a twenty four hour reception and an electronically locked front entrance. Good breakfast featuring toast, cereal, yoghurt, milk, coffee, tea, and fruit. Extremely comfortable beds! A great place to meet other travelers. Cons : Breakfast doesn't start until 7am so if you have an early start you need to go elsewhere. Not a huge issue. No elevator and three flights of rooms so make sure you can haul your luggage up stairs. Private doubles do not have attached bathrooms.

Great place to stay while in Chicago. Convenient to everything. Good clean rooms. Great people. Highly recommended!

Simple, budget hostel not far from city central. The metro is a short walk away and takes you into the city within a few minutes. There's no elevator, so taking the suitcase up and down the stairs was a little bit of a struggle. The rooms can definitely use some updates, it's very basic, similar to a dorm room (I had a private single bed), but for the cost and proximity to the city and metro it was a good deal. The bathrooms were shared (2 showers, 2 sinks, 2 stalls) but I never had an issue waiting to use them.

5 stars for hospitality and cleanliness. No frills, easy check-in and check out. The policies are clearly marked but I noticed most guest weren't masked up, and it seems like people were unwilling to clean up their meal and beverage dunnange. It's not staffed round the clock due to covid but easy to get ahold of the staff. I can't expect them to clean up others messes either. Most hostels that I have stayed at, the guest are very conscientious but here was an exception. I would and will stay again. Next door is a bar with awesome food and there is plenty of Greek fare within a 3 minute walk. Highly recommend a stay here.

I've stayed here at least 7 times so let me fill you in... PROS: Legit travelers to meet. Very quiet houseguests and environment. Free breakfast. Plenty of room. Nice staff. Forgot my expensive water bottle one day and no one stole it. No alcohol allowed on premises. CONS: Stinky bathrooms. Weak water pressure in showers with fluctuating hot and luke warm water. If you're in the bathroom or shower more than 5 minutes, the lights turn off on you. No soap in showers all the time. Stained sheets one night. A lot of stairs. Very, very weak Wifi.

First time staying at a hostel and I gotta say, it was great! I was worried about how I was ever going to stay on Chicago in summer without breaking the bank, so based on reviews I opted to try this place out. I'll take $40/night instead of $220 anytime. Located in Greektown, it was very easy to walk downtown and to various other neighborhoods for a bite to eat. I even walked to Soldiers Field to see the JT/Jay Z show! Very easy check in and a super cute, clean room. I ended up getting a private room with 2 beds, which had plenty of space for snoozing as well as storage for clothes and personal items. The beds had sheets and comforter and were extremely comfortable (could be due to being up late each night!) The best part about a private room is that the door locks. The dorm styles suggest that you bring a lock. They also let you come and go as you please 24 hours a day. They have a nice little breakfast, with cereal, bread/toast, fruit and hard boiled eggs with coffee and orange juice. Enough to get by especially when I'm not a huge weekday breakfast eater. Overall, I'd stay at this place again and am now ready to try out other hostels!

For a first-time hostel experience, this place wasn't bad. I was in Chicago for a weekend getaway, so I only needed a place to crash for the night. There's no curfew, so I was able to check in rather late (also, being only a block or so from the Blue Line helps). The lockers in the room are of decent size, so you can fit in your backpack and shoes. There aren't any frills in the room, but if you are just there to sleep, that's no big deal. The continental breakfast is also pretty good and comparable to what you would get at a Super 8 or Days Inn. There were a few problems that were beyond the hostel's control. First, it is located across the street from a nightclub, so if you are staying on a weekend night, expect pumping bass until at least 2am. Also, the room I was in was stiflingly hot at first even with the windows open (70's during the day). The room did cool down as it cooled outside, but it did take a while to fall asleep. If you are looking for a place to sleep and don't have a friend's couch available, the Parthenon is the next best alternative.

This was my first time staying in a hostel in the US, and it was a good experience. Remember that this is a hostel and not a posh hotel, so don't expect fancy sheets or facilities. It's a place where a bunch of people can crash for cheap with the basics. The hostel is in a great location (downtown!). You are within walking distance of public transportation, including Union Station. Greektown is a nice neighborhood with, of course Greek institutions (restaurants, stores, a museum, etc)., Walgreens, restaurants, etc. Willis Tower is also really close by. I stayed in a private room with a friend, and we each ended up paying a little less $40 a night. Breakfast is included in the price as well as towels (towels aren't included for dorm style rooms). Breakfast is pretty good: juices, coffee, tea, bread, hard boiled eggs, jam, butter, cereal, milk, and fruit. Somethings to expect/tips: -bring flip flops for the shower (bathrooms are shared but segregated by gender) -common room(s) consist of a kitchen, TV, and computer -bathroom stalls don't lock and space is kind of cramped (that was a negative) -other negative experience: we were put in the wrong room when we checked in and had to change rooms the next day, which was a big hassle -no elevator (if you're out of shape like me, just be prepared lol) -staff is really friendly and nice If I ever come back to Chicago, I'd probably come back here. I had a good experience, especially when I accidentally left my laptop in a drawer, and the cleaning staff brought it down and saved it for me! I am forever thankful :) I'd give the place 5 stars, but a few minor setbacks led me to giving it a 4 :) In short, I recommend this place and will be coming back if I ever visit Chicago again.

I will readily admit that this is my first time staying in a US hostel, so keep in mind that I'm not used to hostels and I'm writing this review as a relative "hostel newbie" (maybe my perspective will be helpful to others like me?). Pros: - Very clean, and the staff is very friendly and helpful (with the exception of the cranky older guy who rudely peers over your shoulder to [I guess?] make sure you're not "acting up" in the breakfast room in the morning [and who also stole my toast right after I finished toasting it, haha]). - Good price for what you're getting. - Location that is very close to the Blue Line CTA, and cool local spots are springing up nearby (good restaurants and such). - Clean bathrooms. Cons: - There is a bar across the street, so if you're unlucky like us, you'll be hearing the music blasting from the club until the wee hours of the morning, but if you're in an interior room, you should be fine. - Breakfast options are a bit limited, but hey, it's included, so can I really complain? - Small bedrooms (we got a private room with a queen-sized bed) with no closet, safety box, or individual A/C, but again--it's a hostel, not a full-service hotel! Overall, if you're looking for a cheap, convenient place to stay (and you don't intend to use your room for anything except a clean place to sleep and store your things), this is a good hostel. And really, what else could you ask for in a good hostel, right?

A nice hostel. Clean, and has a nice helpful staff. Convenient to 'blue line' subway, and several buses. Neighborhood felt safe, even at night. Bathrooms on the second floor are down the hall: separate men's & women's. The toilet stalls in women's are too small for the toilets. So, you literally have your knees against the door while sitting- and you catch the lip of the seat when you pull your pants up! (I heard two other guests do it, then I didn't feel so bad!) Otherwise, the bathrooms were clean and perfectly okay. We stayed in room 203, which is equipped for four guests. It had two sturdy bunk beds, and bedding and towels were provided. The closet had no rod, but had some hooks and hangers to use. There was one dresser with three drawers, a fan, hooks on one wall, and a very small table with two chairs. And, a window with no view. There is no elevator, so stairs are involved. The continental breakfast is lighter than most American hotels- just: coffee, tea, toast, two cereals, juice & hard boiled eggs. You clear your own plates, which helps to keep their costs down. There was no air conditioning, just fans in the rooms. The community TV room is a medium size w/ two vending machines, computer and a small couch. Their description talks of a kitchen, but there really isn't a kitchen- that I saw. There is only a small room off the TV room with a fridge and a microwave. There was no sink for doing dishes, which surprised me. You could easily rinse water bottles out in a bathroom sink, though. There was a sign on the fridge to "put your name & room number on all food"- but there was no marker to be found in that room! (Why they didn't tie one to the the handle of fridge, I don't know.) I would stay there again, for sure! Especially in the cooler months.

Tried the private room. Bed sheets were covered with hair and it was not mine. Air conditioning is inexistent. Room was extremely hot in the summer. Also, the restaurant below turns into a club and you cannot sleep on week end nights. Shared bathroom is clean though.

Highly recommended hostel! Last night was the 4th time I've stayed there, and as usual, had a great experience! I stayed both in the dorms (girls only dorm) and in the private room, and both were really good - in the dorm there are lockers to store your things in, the beds are comfortable (with sheets & blankets), there is a table to set stuff and on a mirror. In the private room there is a whole-body mirror, super comfy bed (sheets and blankets are really nice!), closet for cloths. The hostel in general have really good vibes - there's a gathering area on the first floor with TV, kitchen, couches and a dining table to eat and hang out, some books too. It really is a hostel experience! I've visited A LOT of hostels before (I've backpacked central america for 7 months) and I can tell you this is a really nice one with all the necessary amenities. The location is also great - there are many restaurants (try the Greek gyros, one minute walk, it's soo good!), 24/7 Walgreen's pharmacy just 2 mins walking, the train is literally 30 seconds walk from the hostel and it's the blue line (straight to the airport!) so absolutely perfect!

I have stayed in hostels worldwide and Parthenon was above average in my mind. I spent three nights (Saturday - Monday) at the hostel while attending a conference held a few miles away. The location is great for anyone wanting to experience downtown Chicago on foot/public transportation or meeting up with UIC students, and with breakfast included, the price is right. Parthenon itself is clean, quiet, and secure. My friend and I were given the wrong room type (one king bed instead of two twin beds) upon arrival despite online reservations, so I complained and we were given a large room meant for four people for our first night for no extra charge. We then had to switch rooms to the correct room type the next day which was annoying. However, staff was very friendly and efficient.

Great location for the price. Got a private room. Sparse and clean 2 twin beds. No frills but seriously you are here to see Chicago. Just what we needed. Staff (two shifts that I saw) were very friendly and professional and seemed to be hustling when need arose.

Stayed here a while back coming into Chi for a show, and was pleasantly surprised! In my experience, you just don't know what you're getting into when you stay at a hostel oftentimes! My friend and I shared a private room with two other girls, it had two well-kept bunkbeds and minimal no BS decor. I liked that a lot, trust me. It wasn't like a frumpy, mildew smelling place with cigarette hole burns into the comforters like your roadside hotels. Anyway, the breakfast at The Parthenon was amazing too, definitely give that a try if you room here. I love Greektown in Chicago, so this was an optimal location pour moi and in general a good spot to be in relation to downtown activities. Don't be shy about shared showers too! Very old school, reminded me of Europe... or high school. :P 9/10 would stay again.

I had never stayed in a hostel before, and this was a great experience. My husband and I got a private room (so I guess it wasn't the full hostel experience). There is a shared bathroom on each floor with pretty small bathroom stalls. My knees touched the door while sitting and I'm only 5'4". The room and the bathroom were both very clean. Breakfast is included and consists of hardboiled eggs, toasts, cereal, hot oatmeal, and bananas/apples. There is a common room with a fridge. I was worried out leftovers would be stolen by other guests, but it was not. Free (slow/ spotty) wifi in the rooms and a computer in the common room. Ps you get 10% off food at the Parthenon restaurant next door. Same owners.

Great service, very friendly staff, clean rooms, and decent free breakfast. They gave us free towels and a parking pass for the street. They have a communal fridge and lounge area. Good location and all around positive experience

The Parthenon is a poorly run establishment. The location is ideal and the price is good, but the staff is ill equipped. The first time we stayed we called and made sure everything was in order and they said we could make reservations. The staff wasn't very helpful and didn't act very polite. The next time we booked again because of the location they denied our reservation because we live in the chicagoland area. They told us we could book the first time and then they changed it. There was nothing on their site and their employee gave us the wrong info. So if you want a barely decent room in a good location with horrible staff...stay here.

Hey, hostelers When I touched down in Chicago for the trade show, there were no reasonably priced rooms available in the downtown area and I was damned if I was going to spend lengthy parts of my day in a cab or on transit to get to a room in the outlying areas. The Chicago Parthenon was minutes away from the center so I rented a whole room and showed up- I've never stayed in a hostel so I have to admit to a level of trepidation. The experience was terrific, from the exterior which is old Chicago if my eyes don't deceive to the front desk staff to the architecture of the interior. The room was perfect, neat and clean and well lit. A table and chair to sit my computer and notebook at, a mirror to admire the encroaching wrinkles and receding hairline and a choice of pretty comfy beds for my two night stay. The common area was well attended and with the big windows blessed with good light. Plenty of interaction with the other guests that wasn't the least bit intrusive, even with the shared bathroom and shower. Pleasant and endlessly helpful are apt descriptions of the front desk staff. Katrina, my first contact, and apparently boundlessly energetic, absolutely made the stay as fine as it could be. I haven't the vocabulary to provide you with a decent description, but she was magnificent. Next was Cookie, she was a brilliant smile walking and a pleasure to spend time with, again, you need to meet this team, I haven't the words to do justice to either of them. Clean. That's the next impression I left with. We aren't talking the Ritz so don't be expecting people to faun over you, but they take great pains to attend to the basic things. The bathrooms and the showers were well looked after and my room was neat and clean. I can't comment on other people's experiences but mine was terrific and I'm going to go back. You see, Soldier Field is a short cab or bus ride away. The Chicago Bears play there and I think a Bears home game in chilly November might be an item to check off the bucket list. I can see Katrina and Cookie and have another superb meal in the Irish pub next door, not to mention the free breakfast they also provide. In summation, check into a five star if you expect to be mothered. Check in here if you want more immediate experience, if you want some local flavour and if you want to meet fellow travelers like yourself. I enjoyed my experience immensely, if you pay attention to what they do and don't offer you might decide this is a place you'd like to try.

I stayed overnight at the hostel for one night. The location was wonderful, right in the heart of Greektown and very near the UIC Pavilion. It was not as nice as I thought it would be, but not horrible either. The room itself was pretty sad, with a couple twin beds and not much else. I feel like they could make more of an effort to spruce the rooms up. A little paint goes a long way. The bathrooms were not great. Toilet seats broken, where you had to have great balance to not fall off. Not the cleanest, but not the dirtiest. Showers were good, but you had to wait a bit for the hot water to kick in. I was appreciative of the hot water, so that's a minor detail. The free breakfast was good, and I'll never complain about free food. If you do stay here, I would recommend getting a room on an upper floor. It's worth it to walk a bit to get away from the noise of the common room if you are sensitive to noise. There is no curfew, but it was nice and quiet by about 1 a.m. on the weekend. It would be more fun with a big group of people who don't care about frills. If you're prissy, you'll never make it here.

This was my first time staying at a hostel and I was very pleased with the experience. I got a six person private room with my friends and it worked out great and was so cheap compared to a hotel. The amenities are very simple yet adequate. The room and bathroom were clean, staff was friendly, and the free breakfast was nice to have. The common areas are a nice addition too. The location makes it easy to commute to downtown by public transportation or even walking. It is a very nice place to stay and a great way to save money while on vacation.

The location for this place was good and I was able to get a cheap, clean bed to sleep in for the night. But that's about where all the good things stopped. My roommates in the dorm were awake so they kept the light on past 2 a.m., I was so tired I eventually didn't care and fell asleep. Then at 3:30 a.m. I was abruptly woken up when the hostel manager was in the room yelling at the fourth roommate for being too loud and that he would kick him out if he didn't quiet down. From 3:30-4:30, nearly 5 a.m. that fourth roommate kept making weird/odd noises that kept me awake. I didn't know what the hell he was doing, and I honestly didn't want to look and see. Eventually he left the room for good and I got another 2+ hours of sleep and then left to get some breakfast. After getting some of the free breakfast (which they have everyday 7:30-9:30), and talking to some of the other guests staying in the hostel, I learned that my experience was uniquely bad. I would say check it out yourself if you are looking for a relatively cheap place to stay when you are visiting Chicago. And maybe bring 3 other friends so you can get a room for yourselves.

Clean, reasonably priced, and a fun well-located neighborhood. I stayed in a dorm room this time around and will consider this or a private room for future trips. I never did find breakfast, but I didn't try too hard. The staff was a little brusque, but they get the job done and if you're friendly they will be friendly back. A restaurant downstairs/nearby plays really loud music on Friday nights (I stayed Thursday-Saturday) and my room was at the front of the building. This made it a little hard to sleep and I had to be up early, but was able to sleep with ear plugs and would recommend packing them anyway as part of your standard "hostel kit" along with shower flip flops, etc.

Having stayed at hostels in Europe but never in the States, I wasn't sure what to expect. My SO and I stayed here three nights for Lollapalooza last weekend. Our whole trip to Chicago was amazing and it started with the Guest House. Staff was attentive and helpful, rooms were clean, showers were hot! Bonus they had a very nice bar w/ great happy hour deals. Plenty of travelers and guests, everyone was super friendly! The location was prime to most everything in Chicago. Maybe it was being with thousands of sweaty concert goers, but coming back each night to A/C and a hot shower was amazing. If you've stayed in hostels before, I highly recommend the Guest House. PS. BRING SHOWER SANDALS!

Great hostel helpful staff and nice rooms!there is a shared computer tough but that's preety much the only problem.

The place is clean, pest free, and totally adequate. The women's dorm was roomy enough for 4 sets of bunk beds and everyone's gear. The bathrooms were sufficiently functional and well maintained. The common area was clean and the furniture was comfortable. WiFi was accessible throughout, and there were electrical outlets everywhere I needed one. I got a good night's sleep on clean sheets and a comfortable mattress that didn't feel like it was a hundred years old. The staff was welcoming and not pushy. The Parthenon Guest House is exactly as it seems, and is a nice hostel. I am often in Chicago on business, and I expect that I will be staying here again.

Hi All, This is the best Hostel I've ever stayed. I first traveled to Chicago with friends in 2011 spring break. We enjoyed our first stay. So every time i visit Chicago I lodge in Parthenon hostel. I receive same treatment every time, some times a lot more better than previous treatment. I suggest this hostel for all you guys.

Total pig pen in a very bad neighborhood. Yes, you will be awoken to be awoken by gun shots. Hopefully, however, you will not be attacked by one of your roommates as I was! Not only was I assaulted by the person in the same bunk bed as me, but the hostel has no security and when the assailant fled the scene minutes after the police were called, the front desk would not provide his name or information to the police! In addition, the third floor ceiling collapsed, the second floor bathroom ceiling was saturated with and leaking water, there were two bathrooms without lights, trash everywhere, bedbugs, other bugs in the kitchen, mold in the bathrooms and cruddy dirty refrigerators and kitchens. As if it could not get any worse, the place is frequented by homeless people and has its own resident drug dealer. And if you ask to switch rooms because loud snoring is keeping you awake, the response from the front desk will be "This is a hostel! Suck it up!". In other words, they could care less! STAY FAR, FAR AWAY FROM THIS DUMP!

We visited Chicago last week and were wary of the hostel idea, but traveling on a budget, so we went with Parthenon. Located above The Parthenon restaurant in Greektown, it's a great location and perfect for sampling delicious Greek foods for your whole trip! Very very affordable--it was about $30 a person per night and myself and one other person got a private room with a large bed (actually two beds put together but very comfortable). Adorable hostel, very bright and clean. My sheets smelled like laundry soap. The bathrooms are shared and were also very clean. There is $10 parking per night available from the valets at the restaurant, which we did use, but there is comparable parking in the direct vicinity so it's not really necessary. We felt safe the whole time and very much enjoyed our stay. This place is no frills--just a bed, a dresser, two lamps and two night tables. No phone, no television. They do provide linens and towels for free. The staff was extremely helpful, courteous, and friendly. They do have a continental breakfast, but we arrived at the tail end and all they had was toast, cereal, and boiled eggs. No fruit or anything, but we were late and I think we missed it. I recommend going across the street to Meli for breakfast, but again, it's great if you're on a budget to get breakfast provided. My companion is already planning on staying with them again next time she visits, and when I move to Chicago I will be recommending this place to visitors. A note: there is no elevator, but the stairs aren't too bad (granted we were on the second floor). One complaint, and the reason they don't get five stars: our room was directly next to the "common room" which featured a refrigerator, microwave, tables, a television, and a computer for common use. The common room was open very late and other guests in the room were very loud, making it hard for us to sleep. We had to go ask a couple of times for them to be quiet. That's more the guests' fault than the hostel's, but they should have been better at enforcing their own "quiet hours."

April 2014 - I had never stayed in a hostel before, and this was a good experience probably better than the average Hostel . I got a private room (so I guess it wasn't the full hostel experience). I'll take $68/night instead of $220 + anytime. There is a shared bathroom on each floor with a small bathroom stall. I was on the 2nd floor which is really the 3rd floor as the ground floor does not have rooms. Very easy check in and a nice basic , clean room, which had space for sleeeping and personal items. The beds had sheets and comforter and were comfortable (could be due to being tired from alll the walking around the city I did ) The best part about a private room is that the door locks and the staff do not enter your room during your stay - you put your trash outside the door. I think this adds security to your belongings They also let you come and go as you please 24 hours a day. I felt safe the whole time and enjoyed the stay. This place is no frills--just a bed, a dresser, lamp, desk and a night table. No phone, no television. They do provide linens and towels for free. Lamanite floors in the rooms - Get mopped out after every guest. Free (slow/ spotty) wifi in the rooms. No noise from other businesses. One night noise from a room filled with young girls. Reminded me of my sisters slumber parties where no one slept and they talked all night. Staff was attentive and helpful, , showers were hot, Did not drain well - not enough slant to the drain. Newly tiled shower stalls. Granite in the 2nd floor men's wash room. Plenty of travelers and guests, everyone was super friendly! The location was prime to most everything in Chicago. I was surprised that Breakfast is included and consists of hardboiled eggs, toasts, cereal, hot oatmeal, juce ( Orange and Cranberry) , and bananas/apples. More than I expected. Pros: - Very clean, and the staff is very friendly and helpful (with the exception of the cranky older guy in the breakfast room in the morning ) - Good price for what you're getting. - Location that is very close to the Blue Line CTA. 2 blocks away. A whole foods 4 blocks away and another High end Grocery with a gelato bar and a prepared food section with an eating area - Clean bathrooms. - Clean Shower -Free breakfast. -Good simple room. -Very Nice staff all the advice and sugestions givn were on target. Windows in room opened for fresh air. -No alcohol allowed on premises. -Daily swap out of towels for clean ones. Cons: - Small bedrooms (I got a private room with a twin-sized bed) with no closet, or individual A/C, but again--it's a hostel. No telephone in the private room. A lot of stairs. -no elevator (if you're out of shape like me, just be prepared). Narrow steep stairs. -Weak Wifi. One night it kept disconnecting every 15 minutes Will it be too warm in the summer - not sure. Overall, if you're looking for a cheap, convenient place to stay (and you don't intend to use your room for anything except a clean place to sleep and store your things), this is a good hostel. , Overall, I'd stay at this place again PS. BRING SHOWER SANDALS!

I would give this place a 5 star. . However my girlfriend and her friend complained that the ladies common bathroom was not as clean as they had expected. . The toilet bowls had (remains) on the seat (probably due to the dirty hostel occupants) and the shower floor full of hair. . There were 3 cleaners in the morning that day, but I assume they only clean once the morning bathroom rush was over. . The mens bathroom had 2 individual (curtained) showers and were perfectly fine for me. . We stayed in a 3-bed private room, which came with 2 bunk beds, and was simple enough just to sleep after a tiring day around Chicago. . No TV, just 1 desk and 1 closet. . There is a common room with TV and computer with internet services. . Beds were clean and perfect, smelt nice. . Host were friendly and inviting. . Breakfast was simple (cereal, toast bread, coffee, tea, orange, banana). . There is a bus stop just around the corner, plenty of dining shops around, very safe area. . Overall very satisfied for the 2 nights USD200 i paid. . Oh yeah, travel light as there are no elevators, only stairs. .

This was my first experience staying at a hostel, and as an older woman who was traveling on my own, I was a bit apprehensive. I arrived on Easter Sunday and the sidewalk was packed with diners arriving and leaving the restaurant associated with the hostel. It took some doing to find a staffer to check me in: I had to drag my luggage around and into the crowded restaurant. However, the check-in was quick and easy and my single room was very clean, if Spartan. (Note Greek reference!) The bathrooms were also super clean, but as noted somewhere else, the stalls are really, really short and it's impossible to sit with the door closed. I had a great dinner at the restaurant that evening. Breakfast was nice, and the staff was very helpful: they carried my luggage up and down the stairs for me. The older man even came out and helped me hail a cab! Great prices that can't be beat, so I will be back my next time through the Windy City.