Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/N Loop/Michigan Ave

The two-story lobby of this stunning property features many of the building’s original Art Deco details, and modern furnishings blend in perfectly. Think: tall, tufted banquettes done in platinum lining one wall and medallion-backed stools pulled up to an attractive bar. Its central Chicago location draws a diverse mix of business and leisure travelers, who steadily stream through the ground floor, plopping down with laptops at a work table or grabbing seats during the breakfast rush. The mezzanine offers a quieter spot to relax and check out the scene below.

The Hampton is located inside the Loop in the heart of downtown, steps from bustling North Michigan Avenue near the river. It’s surrounded by other hotels, shops, and scores of restaurants, including the touristy Hard Rock and Morton’s steakhouse directly across the street. You can stroll over to The Chicago Riverwalk in six minutes, and to the heart of Magnificent Mile in about 15 minutes. Millennium Park is 12 minutes away on foot. Several CTA line stops are within a five-minute walk, making connections throughout the city easy. McCormick Place is a 15-minute trip, for example. Approximate travel times by public transit to the airports are 50 minutes to O’Hare and 35 minutes to Midway. Airport travel times by car are 25 minutes to Midway and 35 minutes to O’Hare, depending on traffic and time of day.

Unlike the grand lobby, nothing in rooms suggest they're housed in a 1920s building. Still, they're modern and tastefully decorated in muted earth tones, and jazzed up a little with textured carpet, damask drapes, and bright abstract art that adds a pop of color. Rooms remain fresh following their mid-2015 debut, but they’re on the small side. One of the beds in the Double Rooms, for example, abuts a wall. In spite of this, they're comfortably configured and contain desks, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, and have free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are average in size, with roomy, white acrylic vanities and either glass-walled showers or shower/tub combos. Queen and King Rooms are available, and some of the latter have sleeper sofas. A crop of units have Chicago River views, while others overlook busy city streets. The hotel provides earplugs, as guests report noticeable street noise, even on higher floors. 

This Hampton Inn has the features travelers expect from the chain-hotel brand. The highlight could be its bar located in the beautiful Art Deco lobby, which doubles as the breakfast dining area. The free buffet includes eggs and is served from a connecting pantry, so guests need to carry plates for a distance before tucking in. Those who don’t have time for a sit-down meal can have items packed to go. Free coffee and tea are on offer throughout the day, but there's no full-service restaurant. A 24-hour minimart sells sundries, snacks, frozen entrees, and drinks including beer and wine. The hotel's fitness center is small but serviceable with up-to-date cardio machines and weight-training equipment. For business travelers, the hotel offers two meeting rooms with the capacity of 24 people and a business center with two computers and a printer that's open 24 hours. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the property. Valet laundry and dry cleaning can also be arranged for extra fees. Parking is valet only and expensive, but there are in/out privileges.