River Hotel in Chicago
✅ Staff frequently described as very kind, professional, and accommodating, with specific praise for front desk employees like Meoisha, Pedro, and Jaques. ✅ Rooms consistently noted as clean, comfortable, and quiet, with some guests enjoying rooms with river views and upgrades including microwaves and mini fridges. ✅ Excellent location near the Chicago River, close to landmarks, boat docks, and shopping areas, facilitating easy sightseeing on foot. ✅ Good value for the price, especially for downtown Chicago, with positive remarks on the snack bar, bottled water dispensers, and customer service. ❌ Some rooms are small and basic, which can feel cramped for two people, and the hotel building is regarded as somewhat old and in need of renovation. ❌ Parking under the 'Park and Stay' package is off-site with no in-and-out privileges and has been associated with security issues including vehicle vandalism. ❌ The elevator system is old, causing delays, and the lack of 'do not disturb' signs leads to interruptions by staff knocking on doors. ❌ One guest reported a serious negative experience with front desk staff waking them in the middle of the night to force check-in, indicating inconsistent service.
Rooms and prices
Description
River Hotel is a four-star property located in downtown Chicago with a rating of 8.7/10. It offers a variety of room types, including suites with river views and executive options, suitable for solo travelers, couples, and families. The hotel features essential amenities such as air conditioning, free parking, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a business center. Guests appreciate the clean and comfortable rooms, friendly and helpful staff, and convenient services like express check-in and luggage storage. While some rooms are noted to be small and the building somewhat dated, the hotel compensates with attentive customer service and a strong location near the Chicago River. Pets are allowed, and children of all ages are welcome, although cribs and extra beds cannot be added to rooms. The hotel requires a $100 deposit and accepts major credit cards. Overall, it offers good value for travelers seeking a central Chicago stay with access to riverwalk attractions.
Location
River Hotel is situated at 75 East Upper Wacker Drive, right by the Chicago River. It stands opposite the Trump Building and is close to key attractions such as the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum (116 meters) and the Chicago Architecture Center (152 meters). The hotel is approximately 1.1 kilometers from Ohio Street Beach and 122 kilometers from Plymouth Airport. Nearby dining options include Vista Carry Out (200 meters), Subway (206 meters), Stetsons Modern Steak + Sushi (277 meters), and Bockwinkel's (286 meters). The location offers convenient access to the riverwalk, shopping districts, and public transport lines, making it easy to explore downtown Chicago.
Tips
- Request a room with a river view or on a higher floor for better views.
- Be cautious with parking options; consider alternatives to the hotel’s off-site garage for security.
- If you want quiet, avoid rooms near the elevator due to occasional delays and knocking by staff.
Policies and conditions
- Child policies: Children of all ages are welcome at this property. Additional fees may be charged for children using existing beds. Add the number of children to get a more accurate price.
- Cribs and Extra Beds: For all room types, cribs and extra beds cannot be added.
- Deposit Policy: Deposit required A fixed amount of US$100.00 is charged. This property accepts credit cards The deposit will be returned to the original account of payment within 7 days after check-out.
- Pets: Pets are allowed Types of pets allowed: dogs
- Service animals: Service animals are allowed
- Age Requirements: The main guest checking in must be at least 21 years old
- Paying at the hotel: AmericanExpress, MasterCard, Visa
- Check in time: 15:00. Check out time: 12:00.
Services and facilities
- Air conditioning
- 24-hour reception
- Elevator/lift
- Smoke-free property
- Heating
- Express check-in/check-out
- Non-smoking rooms
- Room service
- Accessibility features
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Laundry
- Safe-deposit box
- Concierge services
- Dry-cleaning
- Luggage storage
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Vending machine
- Bottled water
- Free Wi-Fi
- Internet
- Spanish
- English
- Parking
- Next to the beach
- Business center
- Fax and copy machine
- Meeting and presentation facilities
- Conference Hall
- Fitness facilities
- Doctor
- First Aid Kit
The nearest beach is located on the distance of 1130 m. It takes 17 minutes To the beach!
Video: THE RIVER HOTEL CHICAGO TODAY LAWRENCE MAST
Map
Reviews
The rooms at this hotel are small and basic, but they are also clean, comfortable, quiet, and conveniently located. The staff was very polite and accommodating. HOWEVER, I booked the "Park and Stay" package, in which the hotel charges a fee for parking at the nearby Randolph St garage (no in-and-out privileges). Upon returning to my car after checkout, I found that my rear vehicle window had been shattered and punched through. The vandals rifled through the car but took nothing as there was nothing of value inside. Another car in the same row -- also with out of state plates -- had been similarly vandalized. With that MO, I think it likely that future River Hotel guests could experience the same.
Chicago is a big city with its share of crime, so I can't blame the hotel, but I am passing on this fair warning to potential future guests. I hope this review will prompt hotel management to pressure garage management into beefing up security, as it appears nonexistent.
While I got a great deal and had a nice stay at the River, I'll now be out of pocket about $500 to get my car repaired...not to mention the incredible hassle. Lesson learned. Next time I'll be looking for hotels with secure parking and be willing to pay the additional price.
I would definitely recommend staying here, only because of the outstanding service she provided.
From the moment I walked in, I was welcomed by a very positive and friendly male host at the entrance — smiling, making pleasant small talk, and sincerely wishing me a good day. Honestly, he’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever met in my life. The woman at the front desk was also very kind, and check-in was smooth with no issues at all.
I was pleasantly surprised by the price, especially for such a great hotel in the downtown area. The room was very clean and well kept. There’s a TV, and snacks are available if you want something quick (for an extra charge).
Overall, an amazing stay and an outstanding price-to-quality ratio. Would definitely recommend. (Good coffee here btw)
I highly recommend the river hotel. It’s very clean, Very comfortable,and everyone is very professional and very kind. I will definitely be returning To The River Hotel the next time I visit Chicago. Thank you so much for everything 💜
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Cafe and Restaurants near hotel
Frequently asked questions about River Hotel
What types of rooms does River Hotel offer?
River Hotel offers Standard Double room, Superior Double room, Superior Double room with river view, Deluxe Quadruple room, Deluxe Double room, Classic Double room, 2 Bedrooms Suite, 1 Bedroom Double Suite, and 2 Bedrooms Executive Suite.
Is parking available at River Hotel?
The hotel offers free parking but the 'Park and Stay' package uses a nearby Randolph Street garage with no in-and-out privileges, which has had some security concerns.
Are pets allowed at River Hotel?
Yes, River Hotel allows pets including dogs and service animals.
What is the hotel's policy on children and extra beds?
Children of all ages are welcome, but cribs and extra beds cannot be added to any room type. Additional fees may apply for children using existing beds.
How close is River Hotel to Chicago River attractions?
The hotel is located directly by the Chicago River, with the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum just 116 meters away and the Chicago Architecture Center 152 meters away.
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Hotel prices for: September - October 2026 calendar
The average hotel price this month is 265 USD The best time to book is September 27, with rates starting from 260 USD