HI Chicago, The J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Hostel

“HI Chicago Hostel is an outstanding place to stay and easily one of the best hostels I’ve experienced.”

HI Chicago Hostel is an outstanding place to stay and easily one of the best hostels I’ve experienced. The location is perfect — right in downtown Chicago, close to Millennium Park, public transport, major attractions, and great food options. The hostel is very clean, well maintained, and well organized. Rooms are comfortable, beds are good, and common areas are spacious and welcoming. The bathrooms and showers are clean with hot water available anytime, which is a big plus after long days of exploring the city. The staff deserves special praise — extremely helpful, professional, and friendly. They are always ready to guide you, whether it’s about transportation, sightseeing, or general assistance. The overall environment feels safe, respectful, and traveler-friendly. Great facilities including a kitchen, lounges, and social spaces that make it easy to relax or meet people from around the world. The hostel offers excellent value for money considering the location and quality of service. Highly recommended for solo travelers, backpackers, and even short stays. I would definitely stay here again on my next visit to Chicago.

WAQAS AHMED KHAN

Jan 2026

“I stayed here recently for two nights in a private bed.”

I stayed here recently for two nights in a private bed. It was my first stay in a hostel and I was very impressed. The staff was very friendly and helpful throughout my stay. My room was cozy and clean, as were the common areas in the room. I was on the 7th floor and was aware of the train, but I didn't need to use the earplugs I brought. The common areas, the dining room and lounge, on the second floor are quite large and comfortable. The library, also on the second floor, is well stocked with books to look at in the hostel as well as books to exchange. The main stairwell has large, interesting murals painted on each floor. A good incentive to take the stairs if you are able. The hostel offers a variety of weekly activities for guests to participate in. I had already planned a full schedule so I didn't participate but there were two I would have liked to. I only have two complaints overall. On my first night my room was very warm, making it difficult to sleep. The second night wasn't an issue. My other complaint is that some of the guests can be rather messy, leaving dishes and things scattered around. However, the staff does an excellent job cleaning up, and I picked some things up here and there. Overall, based on the staff, the location, and the facilities themselves, I'd reccomend it. I've already made reservations for another stay next year.

Jason Reid

Oct 2025

“Hostels can be a mixed bag but the Chicago HI Hostel is an excellent base to explore this iconic city.”

Hostels can be a mixed bag but the Chicago HI Hostel is an excellent base to explore this iconic city. Walking distance to many of the great places of interest. Convenient to the mass transit system. Lots of accessible, affordable and cost saving facilities at the hostel: excellent kitchen, vending machines on each floor, ensuites in some dorms, tours of the city with hostel volunteers and discounts to tours and nearby attractions.

Joy St. Louis

Oct 2025

“I had a bed in a 4 bed-women only room.”

I had a bed in a 4 bed-women only room. The value and location were great! Super close to the public transportation. The lobby and common area were clean and welcoming. Highly recommend! The rooms were chilly, but with the blankets and my sweatpants I was perfectly comfortable all night. Earplugs are a must, even on the 5th floor you could near street noise. The rooms and bathrooms were cleaned every day but could get messy between cleanings. Baggage storage was easy after check out ($3 per bag). Over all, great experience.

Laura Johnston

Sep 2025

“Got to experience my first hostel.”

Got to experience my first hostel. I got a private room in a 4x1 and when I arrived I was the only one there. Shower was clean, a little wonky but it worked. Room was cleaner than expected. Didn’t interact too much with people but it was pretty relaxed. I liked that the doors, even the elevator required a key card and the front desk had people there. Some homeless in the area but nothing too crazy.

Hutch Kwatowski

Jul 2025

“I am happy to stay here.”

I am happy to stay here. This hostel is cozy and has all the essentials you need. The common areas are warm and inviting, and there are activities to make the guest know the Chicago better. I chose this place because it's close to the starting point of the Chicago Marathon. The hotel also provides fruit and electrolytes to runners. The weakness I found was cleanliness. The room I stayed in had a lot of dust under the bed but there were no problems in the using area. & Some staff may seem a little upset when I asked her repeatedly or may not understand what she is saying.

Jeab Jeab

Oct 2025

“An alternative to overpriced Chicago hotels.”

An alternative to overpriced Chicago hotels. Good for short stay. Secure, clean. Units of 4 rooms and shared wc/bath, kitchen. Only fridge is working in the kitchen. No electric kettle. Since June 2025 breakfast is no longer served. Good location in downtown Chicago, between State and Michigan streets.

Jiri Kulis

Sep 2025

“We stayed at their setup of 4 private rooms in the one space with shared kitchen and living room.”

We stayed at their setup of 4 private rooms in the one space with shared kitchen and living room. Microwave, fridge and stove available but stove is not usable. No utensils or dishware available. Bed was comfortable enough. We prefer softer beds but it was somewhere in the middle with firmness. Air conditioner worked really well but we were freezing, so had to take out their extra winter blanket. Iron and ironing board available in our private room, which was nice. Even expensive luxury hotels don't provide that anymore. You can hear the train, but it wasn't that noisy in the room we were in. The noise disturbance was actually from other guests in the room. The other guests slammed their door super loud 5 or 6 times between 9pm to midnight as we were trying to sleep. The doors are designed to close slowly so as to not slam, so it seems like the loud door slams were done on purpose. Weirdos... Anyway, there were no bed bugs, no rats, no cockroaches like at other hotels in Chicago. So overall I would say it's okay for 1 or 2 nights.

Noelia L

Sep 2025

“Not horrible but would not stay here again.”

Not horrible but would not stay here again. The tiles in the bathroom and shower area were lose and either sinking in or pushing up on the floor which is not safe. The shower head attachment was broken and it looked like black mold on the ceiling. The room also was ok. If you are a light sleeper then bring some ear plugs because the traffic from outside and the constant train and sirens keeps you awake all night. The check in staff were not very enthusiastic about their job seeing they were not engaging and didn't seem like they wanted to be there.

Zachary Bennett

Sep 2025

“Fantastic place to stay at.”

Fantastic place to stay at. Rooms are FAR cheaper than a hotel; great social atmosphere with roomates and other guests; the hostel itself looks nice too; there's daily events at the hostel ranging from music to tours, to food; the teabags they have are REALLY good; and the kitchen is clean for you to store your own food in, and cook your own food if you wish to save money doing that instead of going to resturants. Location is also in a very convenient place with easy access to public transit, both bus and train, and is a walkable distance to Grant Park/Field Meuseum/Shedd Aquarium/Adler Planetarium. Also walkable to numerous good places to eat, and a Trader Joe's to buy your own food if you wish. After having a side-by-side comparison of hostel vs hotel stay on my Chicago trip, I can conclude that hostels are superior to hotels. The environment of the hotel was lonely in comparison. I'd definitely recommend ANY Hi USA location to travelers, but the Chicago one is the best place to be in Chicago.

Kyle Burke

Feb 2026

“Wonderful stay! The first time I have stayed in a hostel and it didn't disappoint! Great central...”

Wonderful stay! The first time I have stayed in a hostel and it didn't disappoint! Great central location for walking or hoping a bus/train. The 2nd floor rec room and kitchen was the best. Lots of room, seating, plenty of space to cook and lots of games to play as well. I also want to mention that this place is great for families with older kids (12yr and up or maybe older depending on the kid). The private rooms with shared bathroom were perfect for my daughter and I. I felt like we still got a hostel experience but still had privacy.

Sarah Beth

Jan 2026

“Wow where do I even start? This hostel is so freaking nice from top to bottom.”

Wow where do I even start? This hostel is so freaking nice from top to bottom. I don’t think I’ll stay anywhere else when coming to Chicago. They have a whole floor just for activities, dining, kitchen, and even a library!!! The kitchen is so sweet. It’s got like 3-4 microwaves, 3 ovens, 2 fridges and a freezer. Everything is provided like dishes and sinks to cleanup. You can eat your food and observe the city. Most people seem to be students and were around the same age as me. It’s in a perfect spot downtown where everything is in walking distance. I stayed in a 10 bed dorm and everyone was super respectful and friendly. Make sure bring a lock and key if you want to lock your stuff up even though no one will steal from you. Check in and Check out was super easy. I got an early check in because my bed was ready. GREAT EXPERIENCE. GREAT STAFF. GREAT HOUSE KEEPERS. 10/10 WOW.

Branden Maniaci

Jan 2026