River North, United States
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
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
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
