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3.5 Stars - 5 Reviews and 619 Opinions
I chose this hotel for a multitude of reasons: value, location, amenities and, best of all, free parking. We were driving from Minneapolis and with hotel parking rates often running $50+ a night (for a car we were't going to need again for 6 days) this added a chunk to the nightly rate. This is the ONLY hotel downtown with free parking and it saved us a bundle.
It's not ritzy or glitzy but the room was very comfortable and clean with nice linens, coffeemaker, hairdryer, iron and free wifi. There is large, outdoor rooftop deck adjacent to an indoor pool and fitness center with great views of the city: we used it a lot for make-our-own cocktail hours. Staff - from parking attendants to front desk - were friendly and helpful. No breakfast but coffee, tea, hot chocolate and basket of granola bars are available in the reception area, and there's an upscale McDonald's across the street. A casual Italian restaurant (open breakfast-dinner, 7 days a week) is just next door with an entrance off the lobby.
Reasonable rates, very good central location with easy access from the freeway, and short walking distance to subway and bus stops as well as downtown shopping and attractions. They offer a shuttle service (fee) to O'Hare, and we were able to purchase daily transport passes from the reception desk. Discount tickets to certain attractions are available at the desk as well.
The hall/elevator arrangement to the roof deck was a little confusing, and one of our members staying the same weekend said she was bothered by some street noise but it wasn't a problem for us. Highly rated by Trip Advisor and Booking.com, suites and packages available. Good for families or couples looking for mid-range accommodations. Rate noted is per room and not per person.
Unique Quality: FREE PARKING! Good location, clean, easy to access, and we loved the rooftop deck.
After staying at the Affinia and the Westin, moving to the Best Western River North was, well, quite a step down! As we walked down the smelly hallway I did my very best to forget how much they were charging for such a small and stuffy room. The beds were clearly new and quite comfortable, but the hotel itself seemed very old. The bathroom was clean but it was incredibly small and we couldn't even get the shower to work until the staff told us we had to "pull at it until you think it's going to break", and seemed rather unapologetic for it.
The location can either be good or bad, depending on what you're looking for. It's not too far from Michigan Avenue, but it's definitely further away than most hotels. It is located very close to many good nightclubs and bars, which is a nice bonus if you're looking for some good nightlife - otherwise, you probably won't appreciate the noise coming from the street down below.
Unique Quality: There's a pool and a restaurant (Pizzeria Ora). Free parking is available, and there's a computer with free Internet access in the lobby.
Directions: River North
Parking fees can add quite a bit to your hotel stay in Chicago, usually in excess of $30 per day.
The two hotels that offer free parking that are most convenient to the sights are the Best Western River North (Ohio and LaSalle) and the Howard Johnson at 720 N. LaSalle. Both are located in the River North area, convenient to public transportation, many restaurants and shopping on Michigan Avenue.
The hotel is located in the middle of Chicago's dining and entertainment district. It is also within walking distance to most of the transportation (train, subway, bus...) around city and only a few blocks from a number of popular attractions & shopping district.
Free parking to all our guests (but 1 car per room).
Price was per room, so if you're not travelling alone, you could split the cost. There is an option of 2 double bed or a king bed in the room.
p/s: for a quick & cheap food option, McDonald is just right infront of the hotel... :>
Unique Quality: On-site restaurant with bar.
Indoor pool that opens daily (6am - 10pm). The pool depth ranges from 3 -8 feet deep.
Fitness room where you can do cardio and weight training.
Directions: Take the I-90 or I-94 W, exit EXIT 50B Ohio Street, Best Western River North Hotel is 4 blocks on the right.
"I adore Chicago. It is the pulse of America." Sarah Bernhardt, nineteenth-century French actress
One of the most annoying expenses when staying in a Chicago city hotel is paying the daily fee for parking. The price ranges from a low of $25.00 and a high of $40.00 (most charge $35.00.) One way to remedy that annoyance is to stay at the well locatedRiver North Best Western.
It is close to Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier, and the Sears Tower. None of the major attractions is over two miles except the Museum of Science and Industry. In addition it is about 50 feet from CTA Public Bus Transportation and four blocks from the subway.On the corner of LaSalle and Ohio, the hotel has150 guest rooms and suites. A standard room is priced at $109.00 Sunday through Thursday and $119 for Friday and Saturday. Those are very reasonable rates for its quality and location.
Check In is three in the afternoon.
Check out is at noon.
I remember that it is located near many interesting choices for eating. We ate at The Cheesecake Factory, but Maggianois is only a block away (delicious Italian.)
Indeed, if you want a nice place for a small amount (for in-city convenience), select Best Western's River North Hotel in Chicago.
Unique Quality: he River North also has an indoor pool, Sundeck (with fabulous views of Chicago's skyline), and fitness center as well as a full-service restaurant.
You receive complimentary coffee and seasonal fruit in the lobby along with a newspaper. For those interested, there is cable television with HBO, dataports, and you can have movies (for a fee) or Nintendo games.
There is in-room coffee. If I recall, there is an in-room safe as well.
Oh, yes, and children seventeen and under are free with a paying adult, which bodes well for families.
An added bonus is the restaurant called Pizzeria Ora. Its speciality is Chicago style deep dish pizza; however, it offers pastas, sandwiches, salads, and other entrees.
I would try to stay with friends that live in the inner city. Chicago's downtown hotels seemed to be pretty astronomically priced. Quirky and unique neighbourhoods await you in Chicago. Last time I stayed in Rosco Village, this time in Andersonville (Swedish territory).
I liked the decor in the rooms - an attempt to look hip and modern, but it's simple. Room size okay, bathrooms fine, good desk area. Bed was comfortable. Location is great - within walking distance of the Magnificent Mile and close to some nice night spots. But there were some funny characteristics: You have to drag your luggage up some steps to get it in the reception area. The key didn't work well for the building entry or room, I had to slide it in ten times before the green light went on. The big screen TV is right next to the side of the bed, the picture was dark on most channels, the remote didn't work to turn on and off, but worked for channel and volume. And every night, someone was yelling outside the hotel at 3 a.m. It didn't bother me that much, but it bothered the co-worker whose room was above the street. The front desk people didn't seem to know things I thought they should know about. I used the concierge down the street at the Embassy Suites. But I thought it was fine if you get a good rate and don't plan to stay in your room much.
I agree with most of the reviews. Very simple accommodations, you get what you pay for. My room was plain, relatively clean, however the carpets are obviously old with stains, etc. The TVs are also old and the image is not good. The breakfast in the restaurant is very simple, service is bad but there was only one waitress working each day I was there. The location is good.
The location of the hotel was very central, within 10 min. walking of the Magnificent Mile. The rooms were very large and very clean. The staff were very friendly and helpful. All in all a very nice hotel that I would definatly recommend anyone to stay in.
I agree with most of the other reviews, but one big caveat, the elevator to the wing we were assigned was not working. We had to take the other elevator to the 4th floor and then hoof it over and up to the 5th. Not a problem, except when you are loaded up with luggage on your way in or out. One of the desk clerks was very surly, she wore a button that said, "Too blessed to be stressed." She gave her stress to others! We were offered a room on another floor, but it was a smoking room (no way!). I expected a discount, but I guess here in Chicago that's not an option.
One other item, the carpet in the hallways looks like it was once a part of the stockyards Upton Sinclair made famous - don't go barefoot!
This is the first review we have ever written, but we felt motivated since the friendly service, great location, cleanliness and price at the BW River North are worth a mention. Where can you get a good-sized room with double beds, a few blocks from the Miracle Mile for $107!
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Address: 125 West Ohio Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60610, United States
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