Cheap hotels in Chicago are actually pretty easy to come by no matter which neighborhood you want to explore. If you know where to look, the best budget hotels in Chicago are comfortable, convenient, even stylish.
We’ve chosen properties that are special for one reason or another, whether that’s location, their history, or absurdly low prices in Chicago’s hottest areas. We compiled this list based on low-season prices, but even if you need to travel during the high season of summer, you should be able to score some great deals at these hotels.
Let’s get started!
Kinzie Hotel
20 W. Kinzie Street (River North)
Sleep in one of the most “Chicago” rooms on this list in this contemporary boutique hotel. Each room is decorated with murals of city maps above the comfortable beds. Amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, complimentary continental breakfast, and a nightly reception in the on-site Double Cross Lounge. Treat yourself to one complimentary drink each night of your stay if you choose to partake, or just enjoy their assortment of appetizers.
The hotel’s River North location means you have easy access to some of the city’s most talked-about dining. If you’re here on a budget, eat at Mr. Beef on Orleans, the home of perfectly seasoned roast beef sandwiches. (Fun fact: The no-frills eatery also served as a shooting location for the popular TV series The Bear.) Millennium Park and The Art Institute of Chicago are all within a mile of this hotel.
Hotel Chicago West Loop
1622 W. Jackson Boulveard (West Loop)
This popular hotel is big with couples traveling to Chicago for dining and nightlife. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the neon “Hotel Chicago” sign inviting you inside. Once you’re there, expect function over form. Rooms are basic but recently updated, and perfect for visitors here for shows at the United Center. If you’re visiting during a big concert, they’ve been known to play songs from touring artists in the lobby. That’s the kind of fun we’re looking for in an overnight stay.
The hotel is also perfect if you’re here for the city’s best eats. The West Loop is home to Restaurant Row, and it’s exactly as it sounds: A row of dining options led by celebrity chefs and rising stars that know people travel for a taste of their food. Start with SoJu BBQ, a Korean barbecue restaurant with stellar fried chicken and bulgogi and prices that won’t clean out your wallet.
The Talbott Hotel
20 E. Delaware Place (Gold Coast)
The Gold Coast sounds like it’s going to be fancy, but you don’t need to be one of the neighborhood's wealthy founders to book a great hotel room here. The Talbott Hotel is a historic property that held onto much of its understated elegance after a recent renovation but held onto historically low prices too. Rooms are modernized but the decor retains classic touches and lower than average prices.
Stay in the Gold Coast if you want easy access to the House of Blues, Navy Pier, and the waterfront. Oak Street Beach is less than half a mile away. Traveling in chilly weather? Take a trip down nearby Lake Shore Drive anyway, especially if you’ve never seen a body of water as big as Lake Michigan freeze over.
Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile
10 E. Grand Avenue (River North)
Sometimes you want a reliable hotel chain to take the unknown out of your hotel stay. We get it. Loyalty points matter. This River North hotel is about as affordable as it gets if you’re looking for the big hotel brands in Chicago. Visiting in the winter? You’ll be right across the street from a Red Line stop to take you all over downtown or into Wrigleyville.
Enjoy easy access to the city’s Magnificent Mile, home to some of Chicago’s best shopping and rooftop bars. If you get in late and don’t want to brave the city just yet for your first meal, pop into one of the on-site restaurants. We recommend the Weber Grill Restaurant. Yes, they cook all of their meats on Weber grills. No, it’s not the size grill you have at home.
Best Western Plus Hyde Park
4900 S. Lake Shore Drive (Hyde Park)
Stay steps away from the lakefront at this Hyde Park hotel. Rooms are basic but clean, and all bookings come with breakfast. Additional amenities include a fitness center, a generous pet policy, and a free shuttle to attractions nearby.
Enjoy everything Hyde Park has to offer at this hotel. The Smart Museum of Art (with free entry!) and Promontory Point are within walking distance. The University of Chicago and all of the amenities that come with that world-class institution are a short drive away. If you’re here for football, Soldier Field is just a 5-minute drive north.
Hotel Versay Days Inn
644 W. Diversey Parkway (Lincoln Park)
Join the likes of the Foo Fighters, Nirvana, and Alanis Morissette and stay at the “Rock & Roll Days Inn,” a property steeped in musical history. The rooms are as colorful as you’d expect with decor that plays to those musical roots and the hotel’s connection to the city. The property has been updated quite a bit since those days, so it’s best to keep the rollerblades out of the lobby no matter what you’ve heard about Sheryl Crow.
The hotel’s location in Lincoln Park is ideal for anyone who wants easy access to downtown but more of a neighborhood feel. Walk to the free Lincoln Park Zoo and Lincoln Park Conservatory from here or head just a bit north for nightlife in Lakeview and Wrigleyville.
Found Hotel Chicago River North
613 N. Wells Street (River North)
Travelers interested in making friends should check out the Found brand’s Chicago location in River North. Found is all about promoting socializing as a key element of their hotels. If you really want to save, book a shared dorm-style room with up to three beds and embrace temporary communal living. Enjoy all of the amenities you’d expect in an upgraded hostel: a communal kitchen, frequent events, bike rentals, and a 24-hour guest lounge. Private rooms are also an option and still budget-friendly.
If you arrive hungry and feeling indulgent, the hotel is surrounded by classic cheap eats like Al’s Beef and Lou Malnati’s for deep dish pizza. Otherwise, you’re within a mile of some of Chicago’s best cultural offerings like the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art.
Hotel Saint Clair
162 E. Ontario Street (Magnificent Mile)
Hotels on the Magnificent Mile can get very expensive, but it doesn't have to be that way. The Hotel Saint Clair proves that with its minimalist decor and comfortable rooms at budget-friendly prices. Enjoy amenities like a nightly happy hour, impressive skyline views, and access to bike or walking tours of the city.
The location is perfect for first-time visitors to the city. You’ll be a block away from Michigan Avenue during your stay here. That means easy access to some of the best shopping in the country. Not feeling spendy? You’re steps from the city’s most impressive downtown architecture, like the Tribune Tower and The Wrigley Building, and less than a mile from family-friendly Navy Pier.
Book Cheap Hotels in Chicago
These hotels are just a taste of all of the budget accommodations available in Chicago. Having a hard time finding the best rates? Our travel experts at SuperTravel can help you access insider hotel rates that you won’t see on other sites. Expect up to 50% off your stay no matter when you travel. That makes good travel sense if you ask us.
