Pros

  • Central location in Chicago’s River North neighborhood
  • Rooms are spacious and some come with large stall showers
  • On-site market sells drinks and snacks
  • Free buffet breakfast and free Wi-Fi
  • Large fitness center with cardio equipment and weights
  • Coin-operated laundry room for guest use
  • Small business center with computer and printer
See More Pros

Cons

  • Noise complaints from bars and fire station
  • Interior rooms don’t have much of a view, and can be dark
  • Rooms lack safes
  • No full restaurant, bar, or pool
See More Cons

Bottom Line

This three-pearl chain hotel has a prime location in Chicago's bustling River North neighborhood, surrounded by restaurants and within walking distance of most downtown attractions, including the Magnificent Mile. The public decor is updated and mostly modern and a basic breakfast buffet is included in the room rate, as is speedy Wi-Fi. A pricey market in the lobby sells beverages and snacks, including wine and beer. The 180 rooms are spacious, particularly in the bathrooms, some of which are equipped with roomy stall showers, but the decor is generic. Light sleepers should request an interior-facing room, though they don’t get a lot of light. Overall, guests are paying high rates for a standard chain hotel with a superb location. The nearby Best Western Plus River North Hotel has a pool and more modern rooms. 

See More Bottom Line

Oyster Hotel Review

Fairfield Inn & Suites Chicago Downtown/River North

Scene

Chain hotel with a modern lobby

The hotel's lobby is a mix of silver and warm woods, giving it a slightly modern and also somewhat homey look. The large space is filled with teals and oranges, including a curved teal sofa next to a wall of windows overlooking the street. Another lounge area has artfully worn armless leather chairs clustered around a white table by a fireplace. A screen of purple-tinged glass and metal provides the backdrop to the reception area. The breakfast room has a similar look, with large windows offering views of the surrounding buildings. Guests are a mix of business travelers, couples, and families on vacation. 

See More Scene

Location

Surrounded by restaurants and close to downtown attractions in River North 

The Fairfield Inn & Suites is centrally located on a side street in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. Restaurants abound, including celebrity chef Rick Bayless’s first restaurant, Frontera Grill, which is around the corner. Shopping on the Magnificent Mile is a few blocks away and it’s roughly a mile to both the Navy Pier and Millennium Park, which features the iconic Cloud Gate (bean sculpture). A few L train stops are under a 10-minute walk away. The Shedd Aquarium and the Lincoln Park Zoo are both roughly 25 minutes by public transportation. Chicago O’Hare International Airport is about a 30-minute drive or an hour via train.

See More Location

Rooms

Spacious, with generic decor and large showers in some bathrooms

The hotel’s 180 rooms are large, with generic decor that includes teal-and-black patterned carpets, a wall papered with an aqua floral pattern, and warm wood furniture. Suites are set up with separate living areas featuring orange sofas and dark glass and metal coffee tables. All rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, large flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, irons, and ironing boards, but no in-room safes. Rooms facing the fire station come with earplugs, and while interior rooms are quieter, they face the adjoining buildings and can be dark.

Large bathrooms have long and sleek black vanities. Some have shower/tub combos, while King rooms come with large stall showers.

See More Rooms

Features

Free breakfast buffet, well-equipped gym, and on-site market

Features mostly cater to guests who want convenience as they come and go from the hotel. A free buffet breakfast is served in a spacious and bright second-floor room, and the food selection includes some hot dishes. The large gym has several pieces of Lifefitness cardio equipment, as well as weight machines and free weights, along with a supply of towels. While there's no bar, a corner of the lobby is set up as a market, with drinks and snacks, including alcoholic beverages. Another corner of the lobby provides two desktop computers and a printer for guest use, while Wi-Fi is free. Coin-operated laundry machines are available.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Fairfield Inn & Suites Chicago Downtown/River North

Scene

Chain hotel with a modern lobby

The hotel's lobby is a mix of silver and warm woods, giving it a slightly modern and also somewhat homey look. The large space is filled with teals and oranges, including a curved teal sofa next to a wall of windows overlooking the street. Another lounge area has artfully worn armless leather chairs clustered around a white table by a fireplace. A screen of purple-tinged glass and metal provides the backdrop to the reception area. The breakfast room has a similar look, with large windows offering views of the surrounding buildings. Guests are a mix of business travelers, couples, and families on vacation. 

See More Scene

Location

Surrounded by restaurants and close to downtown attractions in River North 

The Fairfield Inn & Suites is centrally located on a side street in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. Restaurants abound, including celebrity chef Rick Bayless’s first restaurant, Frontera Grill, which is around the corner. Shopping on the Magnificent Mile is a few blocks away and it’s roughly a mile to both the Navy Pier and Millennium Park, which features the iconic Cloud Gate (bean sculpture). A few L train stops are under a 10-minute walk away. The Shedd Aquarium and the Lincoln Park Zoo are both roughly 25 minutes by public transportation. Chicago O’Hare International Airport is about a 30-minute drive or an hour via train.

See More Location

Rooms

Spacious, with generic decor and large showers in some bathrooms

The hotel’s 180 rooms are large, with generic decor that includes teal-and-black patterned carpets, a wall papered with an aqua floral pattern, and warm wood furniture. Suites are set up with separate living areas featuring orange sofas and dark glass and metal coffee tables. All rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, large flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, irons, and ironing boards, but no in-room safes. Rooms facing the fire station come with earplugs, and while interior rooms are quieter, they face the adjoining buildings and can be dark.

Large bathrooms have long and sleek black vanities. Some have shower/tub combos, while King rooms come with large stall showers.

See More Rooms

Features

Free breakfast buffet, well-equipped gym, and on-site market

Features mostly cater to guests who want convenience as they come and go from the hotel. A free buffet breakfast is served in a spacious and bright second-floor room, and the food selection includes some hot dishes. The large gym has several pieces of Lifefitness cardio equipment, as well as weight machines and free weights, along with a supply of towels. While there's no bar, a corner of the lobby is set up as a market, with drinks and snacks, including alcoholic beverages. Another corner of the lobby provides two desktop computers and a printer for guest use, while Wi-Fi is free. Coin-operated laundry machines are available.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Swim-Up Bar

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.