With its incredible museums, beautiful Riverwalk, exceptional shopping, and gorgeous views, it’s no surprise that Chicago is a popular destination for travelers, or that it’s constantly at the top of our Readers’ Choice Awards list for the best big city in the US. Directly on Lake Michigan, this city offers the best of both worlds: you can spend the morning at the lake shore, and the afternoon exploring the bustling city streets—shopping, taking pictures with The Bean, and hopping on the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier. There’s a little something for everyone, whether you’re a couple on a romantic trip, foodies in search of the best restaurant, kids who want to play in the Crown Fountain, or families interested in architecture.
Chicago has some pretty impressive hotels to boot. When it comes to picking a place to stay, there’s no shortage of amazing choices, from penthouses with incredible views of the water to chic Airbnbs that have you questioning whether you should really just move to the Windy City. But visiting Chicago can be tough on your budget, once you start balancing the costs of lodging, airfare, food and drink, and activities. Luckily, there are plenty of affordable hotels in the city that offer all the great design and amenities you’d hope for, but are relatively more wallet-friendly. At the 11 spectacular properties below, you can find rooms for $300 a night or less, so you can put any extra money to good use on souvenirs, riverboat tickets, and delicious restaurants. From the Loop to Hyde Park, these are the best, most affordable hotels in Chicago.
How we choose the best affordable hotels in Chicago
Every hotel review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider properties across price points that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination, keeping design, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.
