The staff were so incredibly helpful and nice. The rooms are lovely and very clean. You get an actual duvet which was a huge plus! Laundry machines (cost money) on site were very handy. Good location.

Stayed in September 2025

A bit noisy to sleep at night from the street, only one elevator was working out of two, but apart from that all good!

Very well located, kind staff, nice to visit the city during the whole day and then sleep there

Stayed in September 2025

The rooms were wayyy smaller than I was expecting but overall good.

I liked the old vintage feel of the place and the music and bar they had going on while I was there.

Stayed in July 2025

A/C was super loud. Shower was underwhelming and there was no bodywash left.

Spacious and comfortable room, good price, TV had streaming.

Stayed in August 2025

There are no typical "hostel-style" facilities, i.e. kitchen to cook own food, or common areas. There is a cafe that serves breakfast, but it is pricey. The lights and plugs at my bed was not functioning, asked the staff twice but they did not fix it. Long wait at the elevator.

Located near major Chicago attractions and beaches, very short walk to L-train station. Individual bathroom in each room. Bed was alright.

Stayed in August 2025

Our room was in the back next to a parking garage so it was extremely noisy all night. I heard trucks backing up and tires squeeling constantly. The air conditioner was not cold at all. We stayed in room 311

Location was great

Stayed in August 2025

Old. Small room.No fan in the bathroom Definitely not a 4 star hotel as I saw on Booking. Other sites had it listed as a 3 star.

Location is excellent. Two blocks from Michigan Ave.

Stayed in August 2025

The parking situation was a bit confusing, we encountered an issue when trying to leave but now we know how it works and won’t have that issue again. I just wish it was better explained by the staff upon check in.

I loved the vibes of the hotel, it’s super cool and dark. I loved the energy of the place and the older design. The room was the perfect size for two people, the bed was so comfortable as well. I also appreciated the fitness room, it was nice to get a little work out in. I plan to stay here whenever we come back to the city!

Stayed in August 2025

The room was dusty. The AC was too old. I slept well but woke up sneezing nonstop.

Very nice staff. Room is quiet.

Stayed in August 2025

The A/C in the room was not great at all given how hot the weather was.

The location was good (plenty of food options, close to riverwalk, and other tourist attractions), common areas were comfortable and very aesthetic, breakfast food options were great (taste was delicious), staff were friendly.

Stayed in August 2025

My 4 bunk dormy room was a bit small, but it goes.

Location is super. Comfy and long enough bunk beds even for a 1m 93cm guy like me.

Stayed in August 2025

The elevator is heavily used so it takes a rather long time. They had someone open the door and turn on the lights at 9am shouting "housekeeping" and left, checkout wasn't until 11am.

Great common space and bar.

Stayed in May 2025

No one came to clean up! Couches where dirty with dog hairs , shower drain would clog up fast, no extra toilet paper or extra clean towels

Everything

Stayed in August 2025

I knew my room didn't have a meal plan when i was booking but i still expected a mini fridge but it just meant I had to get creative with food and i couldn't store anything that needed to be kept under room temp or long term.

the hotel room itself was different then i expected with it being set up like a loft. it was a bit of a shock to be sharing the room with people I wasn't expecting to but it wasn't a problem for any of us. But offering combo locks to secure the lockers would be a nice piece of mind comfort that was offered. I knew my room didn't have a meal plan but i still expected a mini fridge but it just meant I had to get creative with food and i couldn't store anything that needed to be kept under room temp or long term.

Stayed in August 2025

rooms are really small

comfortable beds and quiet rooms if you request one. I also liked that each room had its own bathroom vs a communal bathroom

Stayed in August 2025

Bathroom is tiny, not well maintained, and flooded. Couch in the room is filthy. Incredibly expensive for a shared room.

Great location. Beds are clean and comfortable. Nice common space downstairs.

Stayed in August 2025

good value for money, close to sight seeing

Stayed in July 2025

The property was nice, very relaxed electric atmosphere with bar and restaurant down stairs but we did not avail of them. The room was a private quad, it suited our needs for our short trip to Chicago. Room was a small space but I’m sure that’s normal for a hostel, just not a lot of room to put suitcases away. Bathroom and beds were clean, although I did find socks at the end of my bed that were not mine… it was a bit concerning. We asked for towels to our room a reception one morning, and when the staff member arrived with our towels they walked straight into our room using the key card. They did not knock. We were in our pyjamas getting prepared for the day. The hostel staff member briefly apologised and handed us our towels. But who doesn’t knock on door? As three girls travelling this made us feel a bit uncomfortable. Besides that, felt like a safe hostel with security during night hours.

Stayed in July 2025

Only two lifts me at waiting but nothing other than that.

Good value for money

Stayed in May 2025

Dust on the bed and the air conditioner.

The style of the bunk bed

Stayed in July 2025

It felt a bit impersonal because of the size of the place.

Freehand is a good looking place with great character. My room was high up on the 9th floor so I barely heard anything from the streets below. The hallways were quiet during the night and the room was spacey enough for two nights.

Stayed in July 2025

They had one elevator broken and the remaining was very too slow, always crowded, almost 10 minutes waiting to go down. They have lockers in the room but they extra charge you for the padlock 🤦🏼‍♂️ The electric sockets in my bed didn't work.

It's located very close to the Magnificent Mile.

Stayed in July 2025

Room was super dusty and a little dirty. The lights in the bathroom were so dim, could not apply my makeup well the whole time. Dj on Saturday night was so loud, the 13th floor still could hear the bass until 1:30 am. Some of the staff acted annoyed if you needed a coffee in the morning, or to wait on you for a quick appetizer order.

The vibe, cool music playing, location

Stayed in July 2025

No TV channels worked despite paying for that level of room.

Location and bunk rooms are awesome!

Stayed in June 2025