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 … An absolutely fabulous place to stay! Clean rooms, nice beds, great location, and an extremely helpful staff who plan lots of excursions to different places in Chicago, many of them free! I was there over St. Patrick's Day, and it was the perfect place to be. I'll take the so-called sterile personality of a clean, large, welcoming hostel over the friendly dirt of a place I stayed in earlier in my trip any day!
Chicago International Hostel in Chicago … I travel to Chicago a lot. The gentleman, Dave, who works here, is really an asset to this place. I stayed in room 101 and it was awesome. Another time I stayed in room 310. It was a super room and inexpensive. This is the best hostel in the world. You have got to stay here. I loved the kitchen and the lobby. Check this one out.
HI - Chicago Hostel in Chicago … I stayed here in August with my wife and twenty-year-old daughter. A geat place to stay and well located. We were only there for a couple days but we enjoyed it. The manager was extremely helpful on the first day and spent quite a bit of time with us giving great advice on where to go and what to see. All staff were great. We would be happy to go back again.
HI - Chicago Hostel in Chicago … This hostel is typical of most larger institutional hostels to be found across the world. It has all the facilities you'll need but without the friendliness or character that you might encounter at a smaller hostel. I arrived at 1:55 p.m. to check in and was told in a stern voice "we don't check in until 2 p.m. exactly." The person on the front desk than sat and did nothing till 2 p.m. and checked me (the only person) in. Than the next morning at 10:55 a.m. a woman came into my dorm room without knocking while I was getting dressed and said "you've got five minutes to leave. check out is at 11 a.m., get dressed." Obviously the rules are being followed but someone the personal touch or character gets lost. It feels like there's no one in the building, even though it's filled to the brim with lots of interesting people. I suggest the tours they run (especially the bar tour) and found the majority of the staff to be friendly. In short, don't expect any kind of atmosphere (disappointing…
HI - Chicago Hostel in Chicago … Nice, clean, friendly place in a perfect location in a city that has the same attributes. There is a great public transport system in Chicago...bus and train, which will take you anywhere you want or need to go.
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.
Arlington House International Hostel in Chicago … I stayed at the Arlington International House and all I can say is that it is one of the best places one can stay at while visiting Chicago. The people that I met at the Arlington were interesting and a joy to speak with. The staff are some of the most informative and inviting people, and well educated as well. I would recommend the Arlington International House to everyone!!
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 have stayed at this hostel six times and enjoyed it every time. Chicago is a wonderful, vibrant city with fantastic public transit. The hostel has wonderful volunteers and guided tours and great facilities. Due to the nature of the hostel (large) and the city, many people come as a group, or for specific purposes — a job interview, outings, conferences, etc. So these people tend to stick to their own groups. Hostelling is about exploration. You must have a sense of adventure to enjoy the discovery of new things. Stay home if you just want to be with your own friends. Just pull up a chair, put on a smile and you'll have all the socializing you want, anywhere. Travel with an open mind and an open heart. That's hostelling.
HI - Chicago Hostel in Chicago … I stayed over Thanksgiving this past year. this was my first experience staying at a hostel, so I was a bit nervous. However, it was easy to find, clean, comfortable, and the staff friendly. I was impressed with the facilities and the discounts on various attractions. I was able to walk all over the city and return back each night without getting lost. I plan to return very soon.
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 … 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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