Best Budget Chicago Hotels of 2022

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Chicago: it’s one of America’s best, most beloved cities—and it can get expensive. However, booking a budget hotel in this iconic town doesn't mean you have to give up anything to keep costs down. There are affordable accommodations right in the heart of the city, close to Lake Michigan, downtown museums and attractions, and all with easy access to the incredible food and culture that define the city. Here are seven wallet-friendly hotel options to book for an affordable trip to Chicago, Illinois.

Best Budget Chicago Hotels of 2022

Best Overall: The Ace Hotel
Best Budget: Hotel Chicago West Loop
Best for Families: Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown
Best Splurge: InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile
Best for Adults: The LondonHouse Chicago
Best Pet-Friendly: Hampton Inn Chicago Magnificent Mile
Best Luxury for Less: The St. Clair Hotel

The Rundown

Best Overall: The Ace Hotel
Best Budget: Hotel Chicago West Loop
Best for Families: Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown
Best Splurge: InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile
Best for Adults: The LondonHouse Chicago
Best Pet-Friendly: Hampton Inn Chicago Magnificent Mile
Best Luxury for Less: The St. Clair Hotel

Best Overall : The Ace Hotel

See Rates on Tripadvisor.com

Why We Chose It

This stylish hotel, in a historic building, has plenty of amenities for both families and adults traveling without kids.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Rooftop lounge
Restaurant on premises
Pet-friendly

Cons

Paid parking: $57 per night
Reviews mention limited clothing storage

Located in the West Loop and close to the heart of Chicago’s bustling downtown, the Ace Hotel somehow manages to do it all: It appeals to adult travelers and families at the same time, while also accommodating pet-lovers, too. The hotel’s minimalist aesthetic makes for a unique look, which some reviewers love and some don’t. You can choose between smaller, loft-style rooms where the bathroom sink is outside the bathroom and there’s no shower door for privacy, or larger rooms with more clothing storage and room to spread out. Some also feature kitchenettes and balconies. An upstairs rooftop lounge, full events calendar of concerts and movies, kids programming, and restaurant on-site offer a lot of amenities without having to leave the premises.

Notable Amenities

24 hour room service
Stumptown coffee
Photo booth
On-site parking

Best Budget : Hotel Chicago West Loop

See Rates on Tripadvisor.com

Why We Chose It

This no-frills hotel is highly rated as an excellent option when cost is the top priority.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Boutique hotel with art gallery
Affordable parking: $25/night
Pet-friendly

Cons

Pet fee: $50 per stay
No food options on-site
Reviews mention noise

In the West Loop and about 10 minutes away from public transportation, the Hotel Chicago manages to bridge the gap between high-quality accommodations and low-cost accommodations, all while still being convenient to the city’s biggest attractions. The trade-off is that there are fewer amenities on the property, like no-frills rooms without full-length mirrors and no food options in the hotel (though many places will deliver there). A rotating art gallery featuring over 100 works by local and national artists is worth a stop, even if you aren’t staying.

Notable Amenities

24-hour fitness center
Refrigerator and microwave in-room
Business center

Best for Families : Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown

See Rates on Tripadvisor.com

Why We Chose It

This highly walkable location has fun options for kids on the property.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Pool on site
Restaurant, coffee shop, and lounge
Bicycle rental at the hotel

Cons

Paid parking: $56/night
$20 early check-in fee
Reviews mention city noise

Just steps away from Chicago’s famed Magnificent Mile, the Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown is within easy walking distance (even for little legs) of the river, Navy Pier, museums, and countless restaurants and shops. Kids who love to ride bikes will delight to discover that bicycles are available to rent from the hotel if your family would rather explore the city on two wheels. The hotel’s pool is an amenity not many downtown hotels offer, and one that the kids will flock to. When it's time to eat, there are several options for food on the premises, and many others within just a block or two.

Notable Amenities

Fitness center on-site
Bottled water in rooms
Room service

Best Splurge : InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile

See Rates on Tripadvisor.com

Why We Chose It

The historic 1929 building once housed speakeasies and is one of the more architecturally interesting hotels in the city.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Pool and sauna
Restaurant and wine bar on-site
Pet-friendly, with welcome gifts

Cons

Resort fee: $15/night
Valet parking: $75/night
Pet deposit: $100 per stay

The InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile might be in the heart of Chicago’s walkable city center, but it’s the kind of place you won’t want to leave. There’s a junior Olympic pool, a three-story fitness center with saunas, and an in-house spa. After enjoying these amenities, have a bite or a sip at the steakhouse and the wine bar in the hotel. Pets are welcome—and are provided with pet beds, feed bowls, paw wipes, and treats—but there is a $100 pet deposit, half of which is refunded on checkout barring any cleaning issues.

Notable Amenities

Fitness center
Minibar in room
Business center

Best for Adults : The LondonHouse Chicago

See Rates on Tripadvisor.com

Why We Chose It

This chic hotel, in a 1923 building, overlooks the river and has one of the city’s best rooftop restaurants.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Rooftop restaurant and lounge
River views
Spa on-site

Cons

Valet parking: $72/night
Reviews mention issues with storing and retrieving cars
Reviews mention difficulties getting restaurant reservations

Romantic getaways in the city don’t get much better than LondonHouse Chicago, in a nearly 100-year-old building directly on the Chicago River. The hotel is home to one of the best rooftop restaurants in the city, which is three stories on its own—but beware, some reviews mention disappointed hotel guests who couldn’t get reservations when not booked far in advance. LondonHouse also has a full-service spa and offers massages in-room.

Notable Amenities

Room service
Business center
Taxi service
Wake-up calls

Best Pet-Friendly : Hampton Inn Chicago Magnificent Mile

See Rates on Tripadvisor.com

Why We Chose It

This hotel, with a rooftop pool and gorgeous views of the city, accommodates kids and four-legged friends.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Pet-friendly
Rooftop pool on site
Restaurant and lounge on site

Cons

Valet parking: $66/night
Pool only open seasonally
$50 pet fee

Not many hotels with the Hampton Inn’s excellent location on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile would throw in a perk like free breakfast, but this hotel does. It also accommodates pets for a $50 fee (but only for small/medium dogs up to 25 pounds). The Hampton Inn has a 40th floor rooftop pool that’s open seasonally, as well as a restaurant and mini-mart on the premises.

Notable Amenities

Fitness center
24-hour front desk
Business center
Guest laundry facilities

Best Luxury for Less : The St. Clair Hotel

See Rates on Tripadvisor.com

Why We Chose It

The St. Clair offers accommodations in one of Chicago’s most desirable locations at value pricing.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Excellent walkable location
Discounted weekly rates available
Pet-friendly

Cons

No on-site parking
Two-night booking minimum
Reviews mention small rooms

The St. Clair, located just between Magnificent Mile and Streeterville, might just be in the most walkable location in all of Chicago. While the property doesn’t have an on-site restaurant or coffee shop, there are so many of both within just a few blocks that it won’t be an issue. The St. Clair doesn’t have its own garage, but there are many nearby parking options that cost less than the parking rates at comparable hotel properties.

Notable Amenities

24-hour front desk
Refrigerator in-room
Laundry service

Final Verdict

Chicago is the kind of city you could visit dozens of times and still not see everything—so when you’re choosing accommodations, it’s important to consider your location when you’re planning your stay. Being close to more of what the city has to offer means you’ll be able to maximize your experience no matter how long you’ll be in town.

All of these hotels offer reasonable proximity to Lake Michigan, the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, and the Chicago River, but consider splurging a little bit and choose something with a view of Chicago’s spectacular architecture, like LondonHouse Chicago. For a more budget-friendly option, you can’t beat the Ace Hotel, with its prime location between Fulton Market and River West.

Compare The Best Budget Hotels in Chicago

Property	Rates	Resort Fee	Number of Rooms	Free WiFi
The Ace Hotel Best Overall	$$	No	159	Yes
Hotel Chicago West Loop Best Budget	$	No	116	Yes
Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown Best for Families	$$	No	306	Yes
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile Best Splurge	$$	$15 per room per night	872	Yes
The LondonHouse Chicago Best for Adults	$$$	No	452	Yes
Hampton Inn Chicago Magnificent Mile Best Pet-Friendly	$	No	225	Yes
The St. Clair Hotel Best Luxury for Less	$$	No	208	Yes

Methodology

We evaluated dozens of hotels in and around downtown Chicago before settling on the best for the chosen categories. We considered such things as walkability, ease of access to city attractions, and the status of current and planned renovations to the properties. We also assessed the property’s dining options, resort fees, and the types of experiences (on-site activities, amenities for children and pets, etc.) included. In determining this list, we also evaluated numerous customer reviews and considered whether the property has collected any accolades in recent years.