Ohio House Motel

This retro two-story budget motel -- dotted with cherry red doors and a diamond roof motif against a brick and gray paneled facade -- has been a Chicago staple since it opened in 1960. It now feels like a step back into the past, a paragon of vintage Americana that charms with its details: there's the diamond-shaped, red font signage on the street corner, the marquee-style sign emblazoned across the stone wall facade of the reception area, and flower boxes on the balconies. Interiors, on the other hand, are more drab than they are retro and could use an update. There are no common spaces here beyond the small reception area, and no features or facilities besides a couple of freebies. Nevertheless, the Ohio House Motel is a solid option for budget travelers and offers a good value in a convenient location.

The hotel is situated in Chicago's River North neighborhood, an area chockfull of art galleries as well as being home to a rich dining and nightlife scene -- there are lots of restaurants, cafes, and bars on surrounding blocks. There are two train stations serving three different lines within a seven-minute walk of the motel, which give easy access across the city. Several notable points of interest can be reached on foot, such as the Magnificent Mile (12-minute walk), the Wrigley Building (13-minute walk), the Museum Of Contemporary Art (18-minute walk), Willis Tower (23-minute walk), and Cloud Gate (25-minute walk). Millennium Park can be reached in around 20 minutes via public transportation, while Wrigley Field is about a 25-minute metro ride. Union Station is 15 minutes away by public transit. O'Hare International Airport is a half-hour to 50 minutes away by car, depending on traffic, or 52 minutes by public transit. Midway International Airport is about a 30- to 60-minute drive, or 40-minute metro ride.

Room decor veers between dated and retro, though it's decidedly on the boring side of the spectrum: think drab earth tones (lots of brown, beige, and olive hues) paired with wooden furniture, patterned carpeting, and framed prints on the walls. Patterned curtains clash with patterned armchairs. Though decor is certainly not a highlight here, the spaces are clean and equipped with a solid set of mod cons, including 42-inch flat-screen TVs, telephones (with free local calls), safes, irons/ironing boards, and free Wi-Fi. Some rooms add extras like microwaves and mini-fridges. Suites also have pull-out sofas and kitchenettes with two-burner stoves and sinks. All rooms also have work desks with ergonomic chairs. Bathrooms are small and fairly simple, outfitted with shower/tub combos and wall-mounted hairdryers. A small set of toiletries is also supplied. Note that street and traffic noise can be an issue.

There's not much in terms of features at this simple budget motel, but a handful of freebies are offered, including Wi-Fi throughout the property as well as on-site parking -- but parking is limited and on a first-come-first-served basis. Booking directly through the motel's website gets you free breakfast at a neighboring restaurant, but past guests have complained about food quality. There's free tea/coffee in the lobby. The property also has its own loyalty program with the ability to earn free stays.