I spent two months traveling the U.S.A., and without a doubt the highlight was Chicago. A big city with friendly people, a stunning waterfront, and real vibrancy. The inner northern suburbs like Lakeview and Lincoln Park are full of great bars and restaurants and awesome nightlife. Check it out.
HI - Chicago Hostel in Chicago … This hostel is a great place to stay! I stayed here during Labor Day weekend, and I had the best time! I am 20 years old and very open-minded about meeting other young people! Every day I met young people from all over the world! I never spent the time alone in Chicago, although I traveled alone to Chicago. The rooms are okay, and the staff are very nice and helpful. (Tom is a great tour guide and the tour was free!!) John is a good guy and always helpful if you have a question. I would recommend this place: It has young and friendly people from all over the world, friendly staff, clean rooms, the best location in the city and a fair price! That's really AWESOME.
Chicago Getaway Hostel in Chicago … By Early August all of their camera systems have been up and running, had a security system added, new doors added, and new night security guy.
HI - Chicago Hostel in Chicago … I recently stayed here at the HI-Chicago hostel for one night and had a great time! My girlfriend and I stayed in (when I believe to be) the only dorm room with four other guests. The rooms were in excellent condition WITH a locker for each bed, a shower in the room, and a bathroom. This is a much better situation than the 1-bathroom-per-floor conditions at Arlington House International Hostel. This is a very, very organized hostel and feels like much more than just a bed to sleep in. The breakfast was EXCELLENT which included a banana, cereal with milk, orange juice, toast, and a muffin. The staff seemed very friendly and very knowledgeable about the local area. Speaking of area--this hostel is located in the heart of Chicago with great access to everything via CTA (Chicago Transit Authority--the buses and trains/subway). The hostel is no more than a couple blocks from the water. This hostel is HIGHLY recommended for those traveling to Chicago. The only possible downside is the…
HI - Chicago Hostel in Chicago … I was very pleased. There was very good food in the connecting restaurant. The security was good and it was in an excellent location within walking distance of Amtrak. The beds were soft and comfortable and the linen clean. I roomed with 6 young ladies and one 60 year old from Canada. We had excellent conversations. I'm sorry that I didn't think about the library at the end of the block with free internet. I spent a lot of money using the internet machines at the hostel. There was no phone available to make local calls. That was as strange as it got. I also recommend getting earplugs if you are a light sleeper due to the trains. Maybe it is my misfortune that this was my first hostel stay. From the comments of others, this is the best stay they have had and I guess it goes downhill from here.
HI - Chicago Hostel in Chicago … Location is excellent although the bus depot is a bit far. Staff are efficient and they have many volunteers to help with information. People overall in Chicago I found to be helpful with tourists. Library is next door for free internet. There was no charge for storing baggage after checking out. Clean with a large dining room. I totally loved the city. But a warning -- there is an 11% sales tax even for hostelers.
HI - Chicago Hostel in Chicago … Great hostel, it's in a fantastic location! Easy to find and make your way around the city. it is great value for money that's for sure. Took a while to check in but once it everything you could possibly need was here. Great advice on things to do. The dorm room was spacious and clean. The bathroom was also clean and tidy. Anyone thinking of staying here should do it.
HI - Chicago Hostel in Chicago … Best urban hostel in the nation, a couple of blocks from the Art Institute and direct access by train to either airport. Right in the downtown, near some local universities, coffee shops, cheap food, nightlife. Rooms are small, high ceilings, with class A bathrooms, lockers, door locks, a spacious commons room filled with information and fun travelers from around the world. You could not do better even at a cheap hotel.
HI - Chicago Hostel in Chicago … World-class hostel. It's safe, and has a perfect location, within walking distance to attractions and a Greyhound station. I really liked the downtown view from the dining room. The rooms were clean, but what you'd expect at an HI hostel.
HI - Chicago Hostel in Chicago … This is by far the most impressive urban hostel I've experienced in the US. The location is perfect and convenient to self-guided walking tours in the downtown area. And the L [elevated train] runs just outside the second floor window. As an older traveler I felt very much at home with others of my age as well as students, families, and even young school groups. This place is close to blues and jazz clubs as well as famous Chicago-style pizza and world class shopping.
HI - Chicago Hostel in Chicago … I stayed at this hostel from july 13, 2009 until July 17. I then went to a hostel at Madison for six days. Since the HI Chicago was so nice i then went back to spend six more nights before i went home to Baltimore MD. Great location. Very friendly staff and very sociable. I am not an extrovert by nature. And at age forty i was much older than most guests. But i found myself being invited to go out for pizza by a bunch of very nice people and walking around north Chicago with two very nice others. Overall i would say it's an excellent hostel and very sociable. What was funny is that most of the Europeans were surprised about how great Chicago was. Most were led to believe the New York City was the only good place to visit in America. I actually like Chicago more than New York and so did many of the other guests. My advice -- get a CTA day pass or three-day pass (they sell them at the hostel) and ride the "L" train for a couple of hours. It's a great way to see the city. Also go on…
HI - Chicago Hostel in Chicago … I stayed two nights there this past week on a trip for a job interview, but the cool jazz at the Aquarium was really the highlight of this conveniently located hostel. Since I have worked for a railroad, the noise did not bother me. The hostel pretty much met my expectations. The room was fine, although there were no lockers in my room and a waste-basket was strangely lacking. The rates are high for a hostel, but overall the facility was just fine--if I stay there again I will use the beautiful kitchen.
HI - Chicago Hostel in Chicago … This is the model showroom hostel for all others to imitate. A huge 6-story structure-- it is bright, clean, modern, newly done, well equipped and efficient. Sort of an Ikea store with fewer color choices. Yes, it does look and feel institutional and, perhaps, lacks the warmth of a cottage by the sea. But Chicago is a big city, and the people passing through here are serious-minded international travelers. They supply the charm and intellectual interest. There are plenty of opportunity for conversation: from cozy lounges on each floor to small TV rooms, to the reading room, to the large dinner room. And, of course, the large stainless steel kitchen where cultural differences really shine.
So, is there anything you don't like? Well, you're too busy to notice: Walk out the front door in any direction, and you'll be taken over by sights and sounds in an instant. All descriptions of food and merchandise, the dance theatre, the gorgeous public library (free Internet), the Magnificent…
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