We love this hostel! It gets our thumbs up for consistently high customer ratings and excellent quality scores.

2024 HOSCARS WINNER

1st - Hostel Chain

North America

Free WiFi
Free Breakfast

HI Chicago, The J.Ira & Nicki Harris Family Hostel

Free Cancellation Book more than 3 days in advance for Free Cancellation.

9.1
Superb
6352 Total Reviews
Perfect Location
Superb Staff
Fantastic Cleanliness

Property Description

HostelWorld users voted HI USA the best hostel network in North America in 2024!

Experience the excitement of Chicago at this beautiful historic hostel, offering comfortable and contemporary accommodations in the heart of downtown’s thriving university district. A place where you can learn and play, meeting other travelers from all over the world while breaking down the walls of international communication while playing the universal equalizer: ping pong. When you're done you can share your experience with your friends and family back home on Skype with our free Wi-Fi. Share a meal, share a day, share an adventure, share a smile at the greatest Chicago hostel!

Hostelling International (HI) Chicago is one of America's best hostels offering safe, clean, quality accommodations. Spacious gender-separated dorm rooms with either 4, 8 or 10 beds, many with ensuite bathrooms. All dormitory rooms have individual lockers for personal belongings. The hostel also offers private rooms with shared ensuite bathrooms that also share a lounge/seating area.

The hostel is located within walking distance of the Willis (Sears) Tower, Michigan Avenue/Magnificent Mile shopping, Lake Michigan, Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, Art Institute, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium. All other attractions are just a short bus or train ride away. HI Chicago is within 2 blocks of all the major train and bus lines to help get you anywhere easily within the city and to/from the airports.

We also welcome you to our 2nd floor lounge, where you can find a full list of our FREE activities and events for hostel guests, including neighborhood walking tours, bar tours, outings to see live blues and jazz, trivia/game nights, welcome parties and more!
What you can expect at HI Chicago:
-FREE WiFi throughout the building
-Bed linens, towels and pillows are provided
-FREE maps of Chicago
-Body wash and shampoo provided in the showers
-Self-service laundry
-Lockers for each guest in dorm rooms (must provide your own lock)
-24-hour access, 365 days a year, NO CURFEW
-24 hour front desk and security
-Knowledgeable staff to answer all your questions and give you local insiders tips
-International standards for comfort, cleanliness and security
-Fully wheelchair accessible
-NO age restriction - all ages welcome; under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
-Groups welcome (groups of 10 or more should contact our group sales department)

Our 2nd floor lounge space is open 24/7 for guests to meet and mingle with other hostel guests! We offer pool tables, ping pong, and weekly social events like craft nights, game nights, trivia, and hot dog parties!

HI Chicago is committed to being as environmentally-friendly as possible. Our goals to conserve energy and protect the environment include:
-Using a linen re-use program to conserve water (during a hosteller's stay, linens are washed only by request)
-Using paper that is from at least 30% recycled materials
-Recycling aluminum, glass, paper, plastic and cardboard
-Using LED light bulbs throughout the hostel
-Using environmentally-friendly cleaning products

In 2021, Hostelling International became a signatory of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative (GTPI), led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Tourism Organization (WTO), in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Read about our commitments here https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/organisations/hostelling-international

Hostelling International is a non-profit membership based organization whose mission is to help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people through hostelling. We have been promoting peace through hostelling since 1909. City and state taxes of 17.4% are not included in the rates.

Reviews & Ratings

9.1
Superb
6352 Total Reviews
  • Security
    9.5
  • Location
    9.6
  • Staff
    9.3
  • Atmosphere
    8.9
  • Cleanliness
    8.9
  • Value for Money
    8.9
  • Facilities
    8.9

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Guests

Location

Latest Reviews

8.9
Fabulous
Oct 30, 2024
Nicely welcomed. The bed was not good for my back, it was too soft. An additional blanket would have been welcome. Nice hot shower. Felt very safe. Breakfast was not very good. But you can’t have everything, can’t you. Loved the activities they organised. Staff is super friendly.
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Female, 41+
10
Superb
Oct 24, 2024
This is a great hostel! People on the staff and the visitors from around the globe are super friendly! Chicago is a great city! Really enjoyed my visit! Bed was super comfy as well! Thanks!
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Male, 41+
10
Superb
Oct 22, 2024
Outstanding. The best Hostel I have ever stayed in.
show more
Male, 41+

Facilities

  • Free

    • Free Breakfast
    • Free City Maps
    • Free WiFi
    • Free Internet Access
    • Free City Tour
    • Free Security Lockers
  • General

    • Bicycle Parking
    • Meeting Rooms
    • Coworking Space
  • Services

    • Luggage Storage
    • Fax Service
    • 24 Hour Reception
    • Tours/Travel Desk
    • ATM
    • Housekeeping
  • Entertainment

    • Internet access
    • Book Exchange
    • Board Games
    • Cable TV
    • Pool Table
    • Wi-Fi
    • Table Tennis
  • Food & Drinks

    • Restaurant
    • Vending Machines
    • Cafe
    • Tea & Coffee Making Facilities
    • Filtered Water Dispenser
  • Kitchen

    • Self-Catering Facilities
    • Dishwasher
    • Cooker
    • Fridge/Freezer
    • Utensils
    • Microwave
    • Pots and Pans
    • Sink
    • Stove
    • Toaster
  • Accessibility

    • Wheelchair Friendly
    • Elevator
    • Ramps
    • Shower chairs
    • Wheelchair-Accessible Bathrooms
    • Wider Doorways
  • Laundry

    • Laundry Facilities
    • Dryer
    • Iron / Ironing Board
    • Washing Machine
    • Free Iron / Ironing Board
    • Recycling Bins
  • Wellness

    • Hot Showers
  • Safety & Security

    • Security Lockers
    • Key Card Access
    • 24 Hour Security
    • Carbon Monoxide Detector
    • CCTV in Common Areas
    • Fire Extinguishers
    • First Aid Kits
    • Smoke Alarms
    • Smoke Detector
  • Social Areas

    • Common Room
    • Games Room
    • Lounge Room
  • Bedroom

    • Linen Included
    • Air Conditioning
    • Towels Included
    • Reading Light
    • Hair Dryers
    • Charging Plugs
  • Available for a Fee

    • Express check-in / out
    • Paid Luggage Storage

Awards

2024

1st, Hostel Chain North America

2019

4th, Worldwide Extra Large Hostel

2019

3rd, Best Large Hostel Chain

2019

2nd, Hostel Chain

2018

5th, Worldwide Extra Large Hostel

2016

3rd, Best Large Hostel Chain

2015

3rd, Worldwide Extra Large Hostel

2015

3rd, Best Large Hostel Chain

2014

10th, Worldwide Extra Large Hostel

2014

3rd, Best Large Hostel Chain

2013

9th, Worldwide Extra Large Hostel

2010

1st, Best Large Hostels

2010

2nd, Hostel Chain

2008

1st, Best Large Hostels

2007

1st, Best Large Hostels

Nominations

2012

Worldwide Extra Large Hostel

View all Award Winners

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