TripSavvy Inspiration The Best Budget Hotels in Chicago The Ace Hotel is our top choice for affordable accommodations in the Windy City By Julie Tremaine Julie Tremaine Writer Instagram Johns Hopkins University, Emerson College Julie Tremaine is a travel and food writer. She is the Disneyland editor for SFGate.com and the co-author of Life with the Afterlife with Amy Bruni. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 03/24/22 Share Pin Email Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. 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 The Best Budget Hotels in Chicago View All The Best Budget Hotels in Chicago The Ace Hotel Hotel Chicago West Loop Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile The LondonHouse Chicago Hampton Inn Chicago Magnificent Mile The St. Clair Hotel Final Verdict Compare The Best Budget Hotels in Chicago Methodology Best Overall : The Ace Hotel 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 serviceStumptown coffeePhoto boothOn-site parking Best Budget : Hotel Chicago West Loop 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 centerRefrigerator and microwave in-roomBusiness center Best for Families : Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown 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-siteBottled water in roomsRoom service Best Splurge : InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile 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 centerMinibar in roomBusiness center Best for Adults : The LondonHouse Chicago 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 serviceBusiness centerTaxi serviceWake-up calls Best Pet-Friendly : Hampton Inn Chicago Magnificent Mile 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 center24-hour front deskBusiness centerGuest laundry facilities Best Luxury for Less : The St. Clair Hotel 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 deskRefrigerator in-roomLaundry 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. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies