The 10 Best Value Hotels in Chicago

The Windy City is right up there as one of the USA's best cities for a cultural break. From the wide choice of museums and galleries (many of which have free entry) to the thriving restaurant scene and, of course, the sports. While hotels in the USA's main cities are not generally known to be cheap, Chicago in fact has a good selection of excellent value stays. Our hotel experts have scoured the city to bring you a concise collection of the best value hotels in Chicago. Whether you are planning a break with the kids or as a group of friends to catch a game — there is plenty to choose from. So why not browse through our collection to start planning your next holiday?

For families

• Freehand is a great value hotel with a boutique feel in downtown Chicago. Rooms are boho chic and come in various sizes including quads and a penthouse, which sleeps up to six, meaning there are flexible options for families. For those of age, there is a popular cocktail bar. With doubles starting at $85 (quads are just $25 per bed) — this is an ideal choice for those travelling with kids.
• Expect cool, contemporary city-style near Chicago's river and lakefront at the Loews Chicago. Rooms are sleek and modern with floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the city views. The rooftop bar and steak house are a real lure, while kids are well taken care of with iPads loaded with age-appropriate games, consoles, toys and activity books. Seriously good value for what is a luxury stay.

For groups

• Found Hotel Chicago River North has a cool Wes Anderson-style exterior combined with funky interiors including mismatched colours, multi-layered textures and ethnic prints. Rooms are simple but comfortable and range from doubles to dorms. With a fun, relaxed party-like atmosphere, this is a great choice for groups of friends.

For a boutique

• Ivy Hotel is a chic modern boutique well located in central Chicago. Rooms and suites are a playful take on classic luxury, with distinct jewel-tone furniture, modern artwork and deep soaking tubs. Pick this property for the fabulous amenities including a gym, daily yoga classes, a restaurant, and a lively rooftop bar.
• The Robey is a stylish boutique set in a striking art-deco building, dating back to 1929, in Wicker Park. Pick this property for the chic whitewashed rooms (many of which have epic city views) and the French-American restaurant. However, the real pull is the rooftop pool and bar.
• Expect glossy modern minimalism meets historic glamour in the stylish Silversmith Hotel. The 19th-century building has benefited from a star-chitect redesign and reflects the area's heritage. Expect pearl and gemstone hues, high ceilings, marble floors and period-style pillars. Great value boutique chic.

For a historic stay

• Set in a grand building dating back to 1895, the Staypineapple Chicago offers a fun and youthful stay in a prime downtown location. Iron filigree staircases and exquisite tiled floors remain but the rooms are whitewashed and modern. Complete with a locally popular restaurant and with rooms starting at below $100 — this is a very appealing choice.

For foodies

• Longman & Eagle is a superb farm-to-table restaurant with rooms. The buzzing dining room channels a traditional Chicago inn with plenty of local charm while the menu is meat-heavy complemented by seasonal cocktails, biodynamic wines and craft beers. Will appeal to those keen to avoid cookie-cutter city hotels.

For a lively stay

• Moxy Chicago Downtown is a buzzing and fun boutique-style hotel. When the reception doubles as a bar you can be sure of a good time! Decor is contemporary industrial-cool, with splashes of hot pink. Rooms aren't huge but have everything you need. The 24-hour taco restaurant is useful after nightly DJ sets. Perfect for party animals.

For a downtown location

• Hotel Julian offers an affordable and stylish stay with a downtown postcode. Well-designed rooms have Art Deco and Mid-century touches and killer views. Buzzing public areas combine exposed brickwork, mismatched furniture and playful lighting. A convenient and chic city crashpad.

Still not sure where to book?

• Browse our list of the best places to stay in Chicago.
• Refine your search and look at the best hotels in West Loop, Chicago or the best hotels with rooftop pools in Chicago or the best Chicago hotels for families.
• Check out all our recommendations in Illinois.
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

  • Freehand, Chicago Chicago (Near North Side) 217 rooms from $85

    
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    Value chic  -  With doubles from as little as $85 per night (or only $25 per person if you're prepared to share a dorm) it's unbeatable value

    Restaurant  -  Cafe Integral offers up Nicaraguan coffee to complement its selection of light breakfast- and cafe-style fare.

    Great walks  -  Every Saturday morning, the hotel arranges for pay-what-you-like walking tours.

    Kayaking  -  Explore Chicago from an unusual angle on a kayaking water tour.

    

    Recommended by  -  Tablet

    Trendy hostel and hotel offering chic but affordable accommodations in exciting downtown Chicago. Popular and busy bar serves craft cocktails and light meals. Rooms are hip with a boutique appeal, high-quality furniture in dark woods, walls decorated with crafts and an effortlessly cool vibe. See More

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  • Found Hotel Chicago River North Chicago (Near North Side) 98 rooms from $88

    
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    Groups  -  The property has a fun, relaxed party-like atmosphere. Shared dorms encourage sociable guests and new friends made overnight

    Value chic  -  The shared dormitories offer incredible value for money in prime downtown Chicago

    Sights nearby  -  Some of the city's most famous buildings are walking distance. Look out for Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower and Water Tower

    Great walks  -  Take in fantastic views and the city's history on the nearby River Walk

    

    Wes Anderson-style exterior combines with funky interiors; all mismatched colours, multi-layered textures & ethnic prints. Well-designed rooms are basic but very comfortable and either private or shared; the latter dorm-style with cosy multi-level bunk-beds. Idulge in late-night revelry at the bar. See More

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  • Ivy Hotel Chicago (Near North Side) 63 rooms from $199

    
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    Value chic  -  This is a great part of town; a stay in the property's sexy rooms with top-knotch facilites are great value

    Sights nearby  -  Admire some of the city's best architecture nearby: Chicago Tribune Tower, Time Life Building and Water Tower Chicago

    Great walks  -  It's a short walk to Lake Michigan or Grant Park, to stretch your legs with great views

    Restaurant  -  Recommended.

    

    Contemporary boutique in central Chicago. There's a gym, yoga classes, restaurant and great rooftop bar that's popular with locals in summer months. Rooms & suites are a playful take on classic luxury, with distinct jewel-tone furniture, modern artwork and deep soaking tubs. See More

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  • Staypineapple Chicago Chicago (The Loop) 122 rooms from $110

    
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    Value chic  -  Entry-category rooms are incredible value; the great location, historic building, fun vibe & excellent dining come at a steal

    Local exploring  -  Everything you want from central Chicago is here; Lake Michigan, Millenium Park, designer shops, restaurants and sites

    Great walks  -  Stretch your legs; it's a very short walk to Millenium Park - home to famous Cloud Gate - and the shores of the lake

    Views  -  For views of Millenium Park and Michigan Lake you'll need to book the Millenium Park View Suite

    

    Fun and great-value luxury hotel for those who don't take themselves too seriously. Iron filigree staircases, endless ceilings and exquisite tiled floors combine with contemporary style in pineapple-themed rooms; expect pet-friendly touches & fluffy duvets. The superb restaurant is a city favourite. See More

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  • Longman & Eagle Chicago (Logan Square) 6 rooms from $120

    
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    Local exploring  -  Stay here to feel like a true Chicago resident. Meet the locals and explore nearby culinary haunts, bustling bars & trendy shops

    Close to nightlife  -  Locals come here for the cocktails. Expect a fun atmosphere; will suit those looking more for a party than a good night's sleep

    Foodies  -  Expect a meat-heavy menu complimented by seasonal cocktails, biodynamic wines craft beers at the rustic tavern restaurant

    Sights nearby  -  It's 25 minutes on the subway into central Chicago to visit the city's parks, designer shops and museums

    

    Recommended by  -  Fodors

    Excellent farm-to-table restaurant with rooms. The buzzing dining room channels a traditional Chicago inn with plenty of local charm. Each authentic room is different but features wooden floors, exposed brick walls and fun artwork. Will appeal to those keen to avoid cookie-cutter city hotels. See More

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  • Moxy Chicago Downtown Chicago (Near North Side) 156 rooms from $120

    
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    Local exploring  -  A great base from which to explore the city, with fun amenities and a cool vibe

    Sights nearby  -  Close to 'Magnificent Mile', many of the city's archictectural icons are nearby such as the Tribune Tower and Wrigley Building

    Views  -  Corner City View rooms offer great city skyline views from floor to ceiling windows

    Great walks  -  It's easy access to the city's River Walk

    

    Buzzing and fun boutique-style hotel. The reception doubles as a bar; expect cocktails on arrival. Decor is contemporary industrial-cool, with splashes of hot pink. Rooms aren't huge but have everything you need. The 24-hour taco restaurant is useful after nightly DJ sets. Perfect for party animals. See More

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  • Hotel Julian Chicago (The Loop) 218 rooms from $122

    
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    Value chic  -  Considering the incredible location, views, amenities and city views, this is a great value choice in Chicago

    Local exploring  -  Step out of your door and explore the city's cultural, historic, architectural and natural wonders

    Great walks  -  It's only just over 1km to the shores of Lake Michigan, as well as adjacent to Millenium Park

    Sights nearby  -  Chicago's famous Cloud Gate - also known as The Bean - is just 300m away

    

    Affordable romance in the heart of the city. Well-designed contemporary rooms have Art Deco and Mid-century touches and killer views. Buzzing public areas combine exposed brickwork, mismatched furniture and playful lighting to create fun and welcoming spaces. Stay here after a night on the town. See More

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  • Silversmith Hotel Chicago (The Loop) 144 rooms from $128

    
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    Local exploring  -  Walk to everything that matters in downtown Chicago; parks, shops, buzzy restaurants and bars, historic sites and museums

    City Style  -  Dripping in glamour, this is a wonderful vintage-feel oasis in Chicago's skyscraper laden Loop District

    Sights nearby  -  Spot the architectural gems of Magnificent Mile, visit the Chicago Public Library or walk to a concert at Chicago Symphony Hall

    Great walks  -  The city's famous Millenium Park is just around the corner. Go for strolls while admiring interesting sculpture

    

    Glossy modern minimalism meets historic glamour in this jewellery box of a hotel. The 19th-century building has benefited from a star-chitect redesign and reflects the area's heritage. Expect pearl and gemstone hues, high ceilings, marble floors and period-style pillars. Great value boutique chic. See More

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  • The Robey Chicago (Wicker Park) 89 rooms from $135

    
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    City Style  -  Chic accommodation in a historic building evoking memories of bygone years

    Local exploring  -  Make the most out of The Robey's location to truly get to know Chicago

    Sights nearby  -  Head over to Wrigley Field and enjoy a Cubs game or give the Lioncoln Park Zoo a visit

    Views  -  For great views book either a Corner Suite or Panorama Suite

    

    Recommended by  -  Tablet

    Situated in Chicago's Wicker Park, The Robey is set in the art-deco former Northwest Tower building and provides boutique, upmarket accommodation. Expect fresh and contemporary design. Café Robey serves up French-American fusion cuisine and cocktails are served on the rooftop lounge. Superb! See More

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  • Loews Chicago Chicago (Near North Side) 400 rooms from $151

    
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    Families  -  As well as helpful equipment, the hotel also provides iPads loaded with age-appropriate games, consoles, toys & activity books

    Value chic  -  Entry-level rates are incredibly reasonable given the central downtown location and five-star facilities

    Sights nearby  -  The city's Wrigley Building, Arts Club of Chicago, Chicago Tribune Tower and Time Life Building are within 500 metres

    Views  -  Floor to ceiling windows allow superb city skyline views; for something special book a lake view suite

    

    Cool, contemporary city style near Chicago's river and lake front. Spacious and grown-up rooms blend a luxury palette of charcoal and silver hues, with enormous windows. Take in lake views from the rooftop bar after a great steak at the restaurant. There's a large pool and welcoming lobby lounge. See More

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Written by Katie Harris

posted Tuesday, 21st June 2022