Pros

  • Central location near the Magnificent Mile
  • Excellent river views from many rooms
  • Some rooms come with microwaves and mini-fridges
  • Quality on-site Italian restaurant
  • Fitness center access is free; equipment can also be delivered to guests' room
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
  • Free business center
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Cons

  • Some rooms are small
  • Daily fee for valet parking
  • No safe in some rooms
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Bottom Line

The midrange, 243-room River Hotel shares a building (and small, stately lobby) with the members-only Club Quarters hotel. Rooms are on the small side, but they're clean and modern, and some come with kitchenettes. The hotel is, as you might have guessed, right on the Chicago River on the northern edge of the Loop; rates are among the most affordable you'll find in this tourist-centric location.

See More Bottom Line

Oyster Hotel Review

River Hotel

Location

In the northern part of the Loop, across the river from the Magnificent Mile

The River Hotel is set in the northern part of The Loop, with an unbeatable location close to numerous dining and shopping options, and blocks from the Theater District. Most of the tourist attractions, like the Millennium Park and the world-class Art Institute of Chicago, are within easy walking distance. For longer distances, five subway lines and the Metra run within five blocks of the hotel.

  • 2-minute walk to the Magnificent Mile
  • 4-minute walk to the Theater District
  • 10-minute walk to the Millennium Park
  • 12-minute walk to the City Hall
  • 12-minute walk to the Art Institute of Chicago
  • 15-minute walk to the Symphony Center
  • 17-minute walk to the John Hancock Observatory
  • 14-minute subway ride to the Old Town
  • 15-minute subway ride to the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower)
  • 25-minute subway ride or 14-minute drive to the Wrigley Field
  • 11-minute drive or 30-minute subway ride to the Museum of Science and Industry
  • 20-minute drive to Midway International Airport
  • 35-minute drive to O’Hare International Airport
See More Location

Rooms

Modern rooms are nothing special, but they're fine for the price.

Some rooms are on the small side, but they're perfectly comfortable, with attractive wood accents, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and cool see-through desks. Some come with kitchenettes. Rooms start at 210 square feet. Upgrading to the Superior Room gets you 300 square feet and a kitchenette (complete with microwave, mini-fridge, and wet bar)

  • Flat-screen TV with premium cable channels
  • iPod dock
  • Gray, slightly shiny bedspreads don't look particularly high-end
  • Fitness equipment can be delivered to rooms for free
See More Rooms

Features

An eco-friendly hotel with free Internet access and a small 24-hour fitness center

  • Energy-saving programs and electrical appliances
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
  • Free bottled water stations on every floor
  • Small, windowless 24-hour fitness center with cardio machines and free weights
  • Workout equipment can be delivered to rooms free of charge
  • Free use of the two-computer business center
  • Electronic check-in
  • 24-hour concierge
  • Three meeting rooms
  • View full list of amenities
See More Features

All-Inclusive / Food

A popular Italian restaurant

  • Bella Bacino’s is a popular Italian restaurant serving deep-dish pizzas, pastas, salads and wines.
  • 24-hour room service from local restaurants
See More All-Inclusive / Food

Oyster Hotel Review

River Hotel

Location

In the northern part of the Loop, across the river from the Magnificent Mile

The River Hotel is set in the northern part of The Loop, with an unbeatable location close to numerous dining and shopping options, and blocks from the Theater District. Most of the tourist attractions, like the Millennium Park and the world-class Art Institute of Chicago, are within easy walking distance. For longer distances, five subway lines and the Metra run within five blocks of the hotel.

  • 2-minute walk to the Magnificent Mile
  • 4-minute walk to the Theater District
  • 10-minute walk to the Millennium Park
  • 12-minute walk to the City Hall
  • 12-minute walk to the Art Institute of Chicago
  • 15-minute walk to the Symphony Center
  • 17-minute walk to the John Hancock Observatory
  • 14-minute subway ride to the Old Town
  • 15-minute subway ride to the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower)
  • 25-minute subway ride or 14-minute drive to the Wrigley Field
  • 11-minute drive or 30-minute subway ride to the Museum of Science and Industry
  • 20-minute drive to Midway International Airport
  • 35-minute drive to O’Hare International Airport
See More Location

Rooms

Modern rooms are nothing special, but they're fine for the price.

Some rooms are on the small side, but they're perfectly comfortable, with attractive wood accents, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and cool see-through desks. Some come with kitchenettes. Rooms start at 210 square feet. Upgrading to the Superior Room gets you 300 square feet and a kitchenette (complete with microwave, mini-fridge, and wet bar)

  • Flat-screen TV with premium cable channels
  • iPod dock
  • Gray, slightly shiny bedspreads don't look particularly high-end
  • Fitness equipment can be delivered to rooms for free
See More Rooms

Features

An eco-friendly hotel with free Internet access and a small 24-hour fitness center

  • Energy-saving programs and electrical appliances
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
  • Free bottled water stations on every floor
  • Small, windowless 24-hour fitness center with cardio machines and free weights
  • Workout equipment can be delivered to rooms free of charge
  • Free use of the two-computer business center
  • Electronic check-in
  • 24-hour concierge
  • Three meeting rooms
  • View full list of amenities
See More Features

All-Inclusive / Food

A popular Italian restaurant

  • Bella Bacino’s is a popular Italian restaurant serving deep-dish pizzas, pastas, salads and wines.
  • 24-hour room service from local restaurants
See More All-Inclusive / Food

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.