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The Willows Hotel

3.0 star property
Guests warm themselves by the lobby fireplace while enjoying Lake Michigan views at this boutique hotel where service and convenience create a welcoming atmosphere

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Photo gallery for The Willows Hotel

Premium bedding, minibar, desk, blackout drapes - The Willows Hotel (Chicago)
Dining - The Willows Hotel (Chicago)
Lobby sitting area - The Willows Hotel (Chicago)
Lobby - The Willows Hotel (Chicago)
Front of property - The Willows Hotel (Chicago)
The Willows Hotel offers a cozy retreat near Lake Michigan with boutique charm. Relax by the lobby fireplace after exploring, and stay connected with in-room WiFi. Concierge services and luggage storage ensure a hassle-free stay.

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • 24/7 front desk

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 5 of 5 rooms

View all photos for Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds

Premium bedding, minibar, desk, blackout drapes

Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(8 reviews)
  • 30 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Executive Room, 1 King Bed

Premium bedding, minibar, desk, blackout drapes

Executive Room, 1 King Bed

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 33 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Junior Suite, 1 King Bed

Junior Suite, 1 King Bed | Premium bedding, minibar, desk, blackout drapes

Junior Suite, 1 King Bed

  • 37 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Room, 1 Queen Bed (Small)

Premium bedding, minibar, desk, blackout drapes

Room, 1 Queen Bed (Small)

7.8 out of 10
Good
(11 reviews)
  • 23 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

Premium bedding, minibar, desk, blackout drapes

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(6 reviews)
  • 28 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

About the neighborhood

Located in Lakeview, a neighborhood in Chicago, The Willows Hotel is near a metro station and near the beach. Merchandise Mart and Cloud Gate are notable landmarks, and travelers looking to shop may want to visit Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Wrigley Field or United Center. Sailing offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails nearby. Visit our Chicago travel guide
Map
555 W Surf St, Chicago, IL, 60657

What's nearby

  • Lincoln Park
    Lincoln Park
    5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Lincoln Park Zoo
    Lincoln Park Zoo
    3 min drive - 1.1 miles
  • Wrigley Field
    Wrigley Field
    4 min drive - 1.4 miles
  • Vic Theatre
    14 min walk - 0.8 miles
  • DePaul University-Lincoln Park
    19 min walk - 1.0 mile

Getting around

  • Chicago Clybourn Station
    4 min drive
  • Diversy Station
    11 min walk
  • Chicago O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)
    48 min drive

Restaurants

  • Starbucks
    3 min walk
  • Le Petit Marcel
    3 min walk
  • Chipotle Mexican Grill
    2 min walk
  • Stan's Donuts & Coffee
    3 min walk
  • The Crepe Shop
    3 min walk

About this property

The Willows Hotel

Boutique hotel near Lake Michigan
The Willows Hotel provides a fireplace in the lobby and more. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
You'll also find perks like:
  • Luggage storage, concierge services, and coffee/tea in the lobby
  • A vending machine, a front-desk safe, and a 24-hour front desk
  • Smoke-free premises and an elevator
  • Guest reviews give top marks for the helpful staff and location
Room features
All 55 rooms offer comforts such as premium bedding and air conditioning, as well as thoughtful touches like free WiFi and bathrobes. Guest reviews speak positively of the clean rooms at the property.
Other amenities include:
  • Bathrooms with shower/tub combinations and free toiletries
  • Flat-screen TVs with cable channels
  • Refrigerators, housekeeping, and desks

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The Majestic Hotel
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  • Air conditioning
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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 25+ Mbps
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Offsite parking available (USD 26 per day)

Food and drink

  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Family friendly

  • In-room refrigerator

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (on request)

Accessibility

  • Elevator

More

  • 1 building
  • 4 floors
  • Built in 1906
  • Fireplace in lobby
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with cable channels

Food and drink

  • Minibar
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Desk
  • Free local calls
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Nearby parking fee: USD 26 per day (300 ft away)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a smoke detector and a first aid kit

Property is also known as

Hotel Willows
Willows Chicago
Willows Hotel
Willows Hotel Chicago
The Willows Hotel Hotel
The Willows Hotel Chicago
The Willows Hotel Hotel Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Is The Willows Hotel pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Willows Hotel?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime.

What time is check-out at The Willows Hotel?

Check-out is at 11 AM.

Where is The Willows Hotel located?

Located in Lakeview, this boutique hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan. Wrigley Field and Lincoln Park Zoo are also within 1 mi (2 km). Diversy Station is 11 minutes by foot and Wellington Station is 12 minutes.

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

The Willows Hotel Reviews

8.6

Excellent

8.6

Cleanliness

7.6

Amenities

8.8

Staff & service

8.0

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 539 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 249 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 124 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 62 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 28 out of 1002 reviews

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Becca

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This charming, vintage hotel was exactly the stay of our dreams. It's a great price in a wonderful neighborhood. The staff was so kind and they even had cookies out in the lobby during the day. I'm thankful a hotel like the Willows exists in Chicago, staying there made our visit that much better.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Melissa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very quaint boutique hotel in a very quiet residential neighborhood. Staff was very friendly and helpful, always greeted us when we came in. Easy walk to all kinds of shops and restaurants. Room was clean and fairly updated for an old hotel.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christy

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great place to stay. Very nice place and very clean. I intend to stay here again in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Zhiping

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Cute clean friendly
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Spencer

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Very friendly and attentive staff, clean but dated rooms. There is a parking garage just down the block and several restaurants, bars, coffeehouses and bakeries close by. A very centrally located option for Lakeview and Lincoln Park.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ren

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
A cozy boutique hotel in a great location! There is no designated hotel parking, although, there is a public parking structure directly across the street that’s literally a 1 minute walk away from the hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Leslie

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location, clean room and welcoming hotel. Front desk staff was great and having snacks and mini bar in room for reasonable prices was awesome. We will definitely stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Donna

The room was very clean and staff were helpful and polite. The only negative was the clanking sounds brought on by the radiator which were quite loud and obnoxious. Overall a good place to stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nichole

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Staff was friendly, room was spacious and clean. Location is close to a parking garage and a lot of good restaurants
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Katie

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff was very nice and room was clean
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Drew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Staff was nice and a great location
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Margaret

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Clean room, great location, liked the mini bar and snacks in room
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lauren

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Such a lovely location, proximity to parking and restaurants and cozy lobby.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Daniela

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Yes. It was great. Clean room, helpful staff.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michelle

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff was extremely helpful and pleasant.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Patricia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Small quaint hotel in nice area with shops and restaurants.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The only issue was that they do not make up the room or change the towels unless you request it each day. Also, they provided only two sets of towels per room but my wife likes a second towel for her hair. You can get an extra towel but you have to request it each day. Other than that, it has a great location. The staff was friendly and it was clean. It is an older building.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Maria

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Clean room. Very cozy and quaint lobby area. The staff were very accommodating and friendly. It was in a perfect location, within walking distance to everything we needed.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was a great size and very clean. The downstairs is gorgeous as well, and it feels like a very safe hotel with the double locks! We had a very nice stay here.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nikhil

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Clean room | Staff | Shops nearby
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lloyd

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A hidden gem. Great location, great place to stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Kimberly

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean room. Very small, older, but cozy. Location was amazing. Actually the location was the best part. Lots of restaurants , shops… Very charming hotel with character. Kind of higher priced but definitely would stay here again. Friendly staff as well!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Everything was great, good nearby parking, easy check in, no issues, very safe area
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Susan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The hotel was very comfortable - especially liked the robes!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Petra

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Overall, I had a really good stay at this hotel. The room and common areas were very clean, which is always one of the most important things to me when traveling. Most of the staff were also very friendly and helpful throughout my stay. The two times I interacted with the front desk, the employees were welcoming and quick to help with any questions I had. There was one front desk staff member who wasn’t the most pleasant, but luckily I only encountered him once. The other staff members more than made up for it with their great customer service. The amenities were fairly limited. There was no room service, housekeeping, or breakfast available, so it’s definitely more of a basic stay. Because of that, I think this hotel works really well for a quick trip or short stay. Overall, I had a positive experience and would stay here again for a short visit, but if you’re planning a longer stay and want more amenities, you might want to consider other options.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026