HI Chicago Hostel Reviews

I had an amazing experience staying at this hostel. All kinds of shared facilities are well-maintained and fully functional, the public areas are clean and cozy, and the overall environment is pleasant and relaxing. Safety is never a concern here—there is proper access control and secure lockers for personal belongings, so you can rest easy even when going out alone. The team members are consistently polite, helpful and warm-hearted, always ready to offer travel advice or help solve small problems. What I love most is the wide range of social activities they organize every week, which is perfect for meeting other travelers and making new friends. I totally love this place and strongly recommend it to all backpackers and travelers.

The facilities inside were quite good, but there were a lot of homeless people right outside the door. The shampoo provided didn't lather up well. The room was spacious and all beds had lockers; you need to bring your own padlock or go down to the front desk to buy one – it's a large locker, so a bigger padlock is needed. I stayed in a 10-person dorm. The shared bathrooms are outside the room; there are two toilets and two showers, one of which is quite spacious. They are separated by gender. It's quite close to the city center, so getting anywhere is easy, with subway or bus access readily available.

Amazing hostel. Literally the best hostel I’ve ever visited (I tried 5). The location is amazing. Theres no deposit. They provide 2 rltowels, 2 sheets, warm blanket. Im 162 tall and there was enough space for me. There’re shampoo and soap in the bathroom. Room for 10 girls was spacious! The kitchen has fridge and freezer. Also, there’s a water fountain for a clean water. They also have wending machines. They also can receive a package for you for an additional charge. Another cool thing is that they can keep docs and money safe in the lobby. No breakfasts. Hostel offers so many activities. I felt really comfy to travel as girl. There’re some homeless dudes sleeping not far from the hotel, but they don’t bother others. I walked once at 8 pm and I wouldn’t recommend to repeat such experience. District is good, like it’s literally the city center, but it comes dark, there’re very weird dudes on the street.

A classic Hi USA hostel. For 400 RMB, getting a bunk in the South Loop is something to be grateful for. The location is excellent: a bus stop is just across the street to the south, a metro station to the north, and Grant Park to the east. Most major attractions are even within a 20-minute walk. The water dispenser is only on the second floor, which is quite inconvenient. Having to go downstairs every time to get water is a bit of a hassle. The downsides are clear: the decor is a bit dated, and there are no bed curtains. Plus, it's right next to the elevated Loop 'L' train tracks, so the noise is noticeable. Those with poor sleep quality will have a tough time. Personally, I don't mind; it's part of Chicago's character. There are lockers in the room for your belongings, just remember to bring your own lock. Each room has a sink outside the door, with separate bathrooms and toilets. The bathrooms are equipped with shower gel and shampoo, and amenities are restocked promptly. However, the shower water pressure in the room is insufficient. I also tried the communal showers, and the water pressure there was much better than in the room, making for a much more comfortable wash. The cleaning staff are efficient, promptly removing dirty towels and emptying trash cans. The front desk staff are very friendly, and you can ask them for fresh towels even late at night. In summary: For 400 RMB, what more can you ask for from a bunk bed within the Loop?

Good location, friendly service and comfortable for travelers.

Great location, good atmosphere, and affordable. However, if you're sensitive to train noise, you might want to reconsider.

Great location in town with minutes walk to the subway station. Love the modern decor. Comfy bed and pillows and everything is very clean. Our room has a shared toilet/shower and a common area to chill with 3 other rooms, although it is stated as "private toilet" in the Trip website where we did the booking.

This is a reasonable hostel. The room and bathroom are clean. They provide towels. Location is nice. Staff are friendly.

An interesting experience. The kitchen hygiene wasn't up to par, but everything else was very good, excellent even.

I am happy to stay here. This hostel is cozy and has all the essentials you need. The common areas are warm and inviting, and there are activities to make the guest know the Chicago better. I chose this place because it's close to the starting point of the Chicago Marathon. The hotel also provides fruit and electrolytes to runners. The weakness I found was cleanliness. The room I stayed in had a lot of dust under the bed but there were no problems in the using area. & Some staff may seem a little upset when I asked her repeatedly or may not understand what she is saying.

There was a slight smell, but I felt it was good value for money. It's also in a great location, right across from Walmart.

The Location You really can’t beat this spot. Being steps away from Grant Park and so close to Chicago’s main attractions was a massive highlight. If you want to be in the heart of the city, this is the place to be. The Room & Bed I found the bunk beds to be quite a challenge. My bed was very high and difficult to climb, which made getting in and out feel like a bit of a workout. If you have any mobility issues or just don’t like heights, this might be a tough fit. The Vibe The social dynamic wasn’t quite what I expected for a hostel. Many of the people I stayed with seemed to have made the hostel their permanent home rather than a place to lodge and travel. Instead of a "traveler’s vibe," it felt a bit more like I was stepping into someone else’s private living room, which made it feel less like a traditional hostel experience. Bottom line: Stay here for the location, but be prepared for high bunks and a "long-term resident" atmosphere.

This was one of the best hostel experiences I've ever had. Even as a solo female traveler I felt quite safe in the hostel premises. They had plenty of events, I joined a couple of walking tours in which i learned a lot and made new friends. The shared areas are super big and very convenient. The location is excellent. If I ever need to go back to Chicago I'll stay here for sure.

One bad thing was blanket. I was cold.