Best Value Hotels in River North, Chicago

Located in River North, the three-pearl Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago-Downtown is a solid choice for business travelers and families, offering a prime address less than two blocks from the Magnificent Mile. The hotel, renovated in mid-2016, has 233 spacious suites that feature full kitchens, sleeper sofas, and roomy bathrooms. Value-added amenities include free hot breakfast, a free grocery shopping service, and weekday evening receptions with free food and drinks. A rooftop indoor pool, a well-equipped fitness center, and a laundry room enhance its appeal. Those looking for a hotel with an on-site restaurant and bar may prefer the adjacent Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile. 

This 230-room mid-range hotel is a solid value near the Magnificent Mile. Highlights include the clean, comfortable rooms with flat-screen TVs, the beautiful indoor pool with a skylight, and quality freebies, including free hot breakfasts and free Wi-Fi. But there's a fire station across the street and you can hear the sirens day and night.

This Hilton Garden is a solid mid-range option just two blocks from the Magnificent Mile and a one-minute walk from the metro. While decor here is generic, convenience here is key and the property offers more than the expected amenities: a decent bar and grill, a 24-hour mini-mart, a mini Starbucks in the lobby, a small but attractive pool area, and a well-equipped fitness center. The hotel's 357 rooms are spacious with amenities like Keurig coffeemakers, mini-fridges, microwaves, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Downsides besides the generic decor include pricey parking and a breakfast that isn't included in the room rate. The boutiquey hotel right around the corner, ACME Hotel Company Chicago, offers more inspired digs, but has smaller rooms and fewer amenities. 

The Best Western River North is a mid-range hotel for the budget-conscious business traveler in the center of Chicago's trendy River North neighborhood. It's on a touristy block surrounded by high-rise loft condos and theme restaurants. The rooms are clean, but 2011 renovations are already wearing thin, and the hotel needs an overall update. The hotel provides amenities to business travelers, with ergonomic work chairs (and free Wi-Fi), but lacks the on-site breakfast comparable hotels offer. Low rates and free parking, a rarity in Chicago, make this a good choice for travelers who want to stay near the Magnificent Mile, but the worn carpets and overpowering scent of cleaning products in the hallways might turn away others. The nearby Hampton Inn & Suites trades free parking for a less appealing free breakfast but significantly more updated decor.

This no-frills motel in Chicago's restaurant-rich River North neighborhood attracts budget travelers who value the convenient location and thrifty rates. Its 48 guest rooms could use a style infusion, but they're clean and equipped with flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Some also have microwaves and mini-fridges, while suites add sleeper sofas and kitchenettes with two-burner stoves. There's not much in terms of features here, but the property does offer free parking, a rarity in the area, as well as free breakfast at a neighboring restaurant for bookings made directly through its website. For something a step up, the stylish Freehand Chicago has both hostel dorm rooms and private rooms, plus it offers free breakfast and has a bar, cafe, and a communal kitchen.

Location is the stand-out feature at the mid-range, 174-room Hotel Cass – A Holiday Inn Express at Magnificent Mile. Housed in a Beaux Arts building, the hotel is a three-minute walk to the Magnificent Mile and a subway station. While the location is great, rooms are small with little closet and storage space; bathrooms are also cramped. Still, they're chicly decorated. Another upside: Rates include a hot breakfast buffet, and the hotel has a small gym and business center. On-site parking includes self and valet options, but both are expensive. Rates are competitive, but like other hotels in River North, they can fluctuate wildly at times, so it's worth it to comparison shop. Travelers could also try the modern and buzzy Aloft Chicago City Center, which can have similar rates.