You’ve got a couple extra dollars in your pocket for your next stay in Chicago, but you’re not sure where you want to spend your nights. You value comfort and the little extras, but you still want to be able to afford to buy souvenirs on Navy Pier or a tour of the Shedd Aquarium. What you need is a middle ground- and that’s where you’ll do best by staying in a three-star hotel.
The hotel rating system shouldn’t be confused with star
ratings that are made popular on travel sites. A three-star hotel may have a
two-, four-, or even five-star rating if customers so choose to rate them on
sites. Rather, this system gives a comparison for expected standards and
amenities to be found. National chains that are typically considered three-star
include the Hilton and Holiday Inn. Examples of three-star hotels in Chicago
include the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Holiday Inn & Suites, the landmark
Inn of Chicago, and a vintage hostel, the Freehand Chicago.
When looking for a three-star hotel, remember that it should
be easily accessible from highways or located in a nice neighborhood. You
should expect a larger room than you’d receive in a two-star. The furnishings
may be a better standard, though you can anticipate the standard number of
features. The bed or beds will likely be more comfortable than lower star
ratings offer. A balcony may be available on higher floors. Three-star hotels
usually include an indoor or outdoor pool and a workout center. There may be a
business center, and they’ll usually have a restaurant serving food throughout
the day. Your breakfast may be included in the bill, and you should expect
WiFi. There won’t be a bell hop, but there will be a cart or two on hand for
you to use in moving your luggage.
There are three-star hotels scattered throughout
Chicagoland, and you can generally locate several downtown. The prices will be
a little higher downtown, as you might expect, and though they’ll be more
pricey than a two-star, they’ll try to make it up with the above stated
amenities.
Regardless of which three-star you choose, your room should be clean above all else. If you’re at all dissatisfied with your accommodations, promptly report them to the staff. If they can’t move you to a different room, they should make every effort to improve your stay. Above all, three-star doesn’t mean mediocre service. It simply means you’re paying a reasonable price for slightly more features, room, and opportunities to enjoy your stay.
Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown/River North is situated in the heart of the city’s happening neighborhood. You can walk to the Riverwalk, Navy Pier, and many more of Chicago’s best sites. Then, go home to a pillow top mattress and expansive indoor pool.
Aloft Chicago Downtown River North offers urban-contemporary style in the trendy River North neighborhood. Theater, dining and entertainment is all within reach, as is shopping on nearby Magnificent Mile. In your room, enjoy free WiFi, mini refrigerators and flat-screen TVs.
Home2 Suites by Hilton Chicago River North is an all-suite hotel perfect for your extended stay. Rooms boast living areas, full kitchens and spacious work accommodations. Enjoy a full hot breakfast every morning and the combined fitness and laundry Spin2 Cycle center.
Located in downtown Chicago in the River North district, AC Hotel offers access to all of Chicago entertainment—including nearby Magnificent Mile, Streeterville, and Navy Pier. Kids and kids at heart will enjoy the heated indoor pool and on-site spy-themed restaurant.
Holiday Inn Express Magnificent Mile offers clean and cozy accommodations in the heart of downtown’s River North neighborhood. You have easy access to all of the shopping on Michigan Avenue as well as major attractions Navy Pier and Millennium Park. Plus, there’s free breakfast.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown offers apartment-style living near Magnificent Mile. There’s a free made-to-order breakfast each morning and rooms boast microwaves and refrigerators. You can also enjoy the indoor pool, several hotel restaurants and an on-site fitness center.
ACME Hotel Company is an unconventional stay in Chicago’s River North District. It’s self-described as “painfully hip,” alluding to some unique extras like in-room Amazon Echos, a hot tub/bar, and a lobby bar where drinks are served out of Slushies or flasks. And it’s all served up with the best tech in town.
Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile offers access to Michigan Avenue and all of its shopping and entertainment. You can also do a lot from your spacious room, complete with a work desk and hospitality center with microwave, fridge and coffee maker. There’s also an indoor pool.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown (not to be confused with its sister location to the northeast, Magnificent Mile) offers all of the comforts of home for extended stays. The all-suite accommodations feature full kitchens, a complimentary hot breakfast, and an indoor pool.
Between Ohio Street Beach and Magnificent Mile, find the new trendy hotel in town: Aloft Chicago Mag Mile. Contemporary interiors are outfitted with oversized TVs and free high-speed wifi. At the end of the day, top of your visit with a nightcap at the popular W XYZ.
Tucked less than a block off of Magnificent Mile, Courtyard by Marriott offers a reasonable stay in the heart of the action. There are also lots of perks, like a trendy on-site restaurant, 24-hour fitness center, and a spacious pool. Plus rooms have microwaves and mini-fridges.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Downtown Magnificent Mile is an all-suite hotel boasting a rooftop pool and free weekday breakfast. Spacious accommodations are outfitted with full kitchens, cozy work stations, private living areas and comfortable bedrooms, so you can really move in.
The Residence Inn by Marriott Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile boasts an impressive location along the lake’s Gold Coast neighborhood. Great views are paired with all-suite accommodations. You can move in with a full kitchen, dining area, and on-site laundry facilities.
Hilton Chicago/Magnificent Mile Suites offers roomy condo-like suites along the Lakefront. Enjoy well-appointed rooms with microwaves and mini-fridges as well as on-site dining options and a top-floor indoor swimming pool. Special accommodations for families make this ideal for bigger groups or extended stays.
Situated between Magnificent Mile and Navy Pier in the heart of downtown, DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago is equally appealing for business travelers and pleasure seekers. It offers an affordable price, seasonal rooftop pool, and a trendy on-site restaurant and bar.
Situated on the Chicago River, Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown N Loop/Michigan Ave has premier real estate in downtown Chicago. Part of Hampton hotels, this location comes with all the standard perks: free WiFi, complimentary breakfast, 24-hour business and fitness centers and a satisfaction guarantee.
Tucked on the north side of Chicago’s business loop, the Hilton Garden Inn Chicago/North Loop is the perfect respite for business and pleasure travelers alike. Near many businesses and offering easy access to Chicago’s dual airports, accommodations are just a stone’s throw from Magnificent Mile shopping and all of the entertainment and art of Millennium Park. It’s also positioned next
Comfort Suites Michigan Avenue/Loop offers sleek extended-stay accommodations that feel more like luxury apartments than hotel rooms. Guests enjoy fully equipped washer dryers, kitchens and spacious bedrooms in the heart of downtown Chicago, with a location alongside the Chicago River.
River Hotel gets its name from its impressive location on the south bank of the Chicago River. Stocked with the basic amenities, the three-star accommodations offer one of the best bargains around while providing walkable access to many Chicago attractions and the adjacent Theatre District.
Club Quarters Hotel, Wacker at Michigan is situated in the former Mather Tower, Chicago’s most slender high rise. Tucked along the south bank of the Chicago River, high-tech accommodations offer access to lots of Windy City landmarks. You can check in and even open your door straight from your smartphone.
The Buckingham Hotel offers boutique accommodations in the Buckingham Building. Only 22 rooms are located on the 40th floor, offering guests pristine views and access to all of the building’s amenities, including conference and meeting space and the decked-out Athletic Club and lap pool.
Hotel Blake has it all: a historic 19th-century building and contemporary cachet. On historic printers row, enjoy a location within walking distance of Grant Park and The Art Institute. There are also free perks, like free WiFi, on-site dining and a 24-hour gym.
For thoroughly modern travelers, there is no better than the Central Loop Hotel. Its central location is a given, but the futuristic perks are unexpected: mobile check-in, in-room sleep systems and the “fastest WiFi in Chicago.” Plus, this is one of the area’s more affordable options.
The Hampton Inn Majestic Chicago Theater District boasts prime real estate next to Hamilton in the heart of downtown. Perks include a free hot breakfast, a 24-hour gym and complimentary WiFi. Additional amenities for families make this a great option for groups.
For those visiting the Windy City for an extended stay, the all-suite accommodations at the Residence Inn Chicago Downtown/Loop offer all of the amenities you’d find in a luxury apartment with room service to boot. Take advantage of grocery delivery and cook a meal in your fully equipped kitchen, or head downstairs to the on-site restaurant.
In the heart of downtown Chicago’s financial district, the La Quinta Inn & Suites offers newly renovated accommodations and modern styling. Just two blocks from the Willis Tower, the hotel has a lot of free perks, including complimentary breakfast, WiFi, and on-site fitness and business centers.
The Hyatt Place Chicago/Downtown never sleeps in the Windy City. It offers a 24-hour gym and around-the-clock dining to suit any schedule in a prime location blocks from the Willis Tower. There is also free WiFi, an indoor heated pool and spacious rooms with built-in work and media centers.
